Rape (Brassica napus) is a fast maturing single or multi-graze crop that can be sown for summer, autumn or winter feed. It can be sown from early spring to late summer depending on when the crop is required.
As a summer crop, rape is sown in September-November, to first graze around 70-110 days after sowing. It provides quality summer and autumn feed in dry areas, to maintain animal growth when pasture yield is typically poor.
Winter rape is sown from November-February, depending on feed requirements. It is typically ready to graze 80-120 days after sowing. An autumn grazing is possible from early sowings.
Rape’s feed value is high, but the crop must be mature before grazing during spring, summer and autumn to avoid rape scald.