Grazed brassica and forage crops: feeding and management

From feed planning to potential health issues, our advice will help you manage livestock and feeding of brassica and forage crops.

• Track targets by weighing and body condition scoring every two to four weeks
• House any animals that are underperforming or monitor them in a separate group
• Offer a fresh break of crop daily – strip grazing is most efficient and prevents trampling and waste
• Monitor crop cover on a weekly basis:
  • Use a quadrant
  • Harvest a sample
  • Remove the soil and weigh
  • Allocate feed assuming 85% utilisation
• Monitor feed budget monthly to ensure nutrition and feed allowance is appropriate for livestock age, growth, winter conditions and stage of production
• Heifers may require over 1 kg DM/animal/day additional allocation (or + 10–20% feed)
• Grass silage or hay intake should be 35% of total DM when feeding for rumen ‘scratch factor’ (when the pressure of a coarse material against the rumen wall stimulates rumen function Back fence every four to five days
• Ensure the feed face and run-back (or dry lying area) can accommodate all animals at the same time. Aim for 2m² per head for cattle
• Monitor animal health. Have a risk strategy for poor weather, so animals remain comfortable and have access to adequate food and water
• Choose the forage crop based on field soil type and potential crop yield
• Have a 10–15 day transition period onto the crop. Start by running animals onto the crop on full stomachs for a couple of hours a day
• Back fence every four to five days

Brassica and forage crops require different management to grazed grass. See our tips on measuring DM and calculating daily feed requirements.

Find out how transition, strip grazing, and monitoring livestock health are key to successful grassland management

If you would like to order a hard copy of the following resources, please contact publications@ahdb.org.uk or call 0247 799 0069:

• Using brassicas for Better Returns
• Body condition scoring flowchart
• Body condition scoring recording pad