Forage Rape (Brassica napus)

Cool Season Winter Annual

Forage Rape is a leafy bush winter annual broadleaf. It has fair shade and drought tolerance. Salinity tolerance is rated as good. Winter rapeseed plants have good frost tolerance and will stay green and growing well into the fall. Heat and drought tolerance is fair to poor. Plants are high protein, high relative feed value, and low fibre.

Seeds per pound: 170,000 Seeds/sq ft/pound 4.7

Uses:

  • Erosion control
  • Soil builder
  • Nitrogen scavenger
  • Weed suppression
  • Grazing potential

Strengths:

  • Quick growing
  • Good protein

Concerns:

Being a Brassica, can be a bridge for disease and insect pest for canola.

Grazing:

Excellent. Needs to be more mature to start grazing high percentage rape blends.

Hay:

Fair. Dry down will be an issue.

Mycorrhizal support? No