1. Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
Using a Forage Type Brassica in a Winter Forage Mixture for Raising Stocker Calves and Replacement Heifers
Tayler Denman
Dennis W. Hancock, PhD
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
University of Georgia

2. Introduction
Current Research
Preliminary Results
Preliminary Conclusions
Future Work

3. Introduction
Current Research
Preliminary Results
Preliminary Conclusions
Future Work

4. Introduction – What is a Forage Brassica?
Brassicaceae family
Kale, rape, swede & turnips
Cool season annual
Hybrids – T-Raptor & Pasja
Hybrids bred for high forage yields and smaller bulbs

5. Introduction - Rationale
Rapid establishment (grazing DAP)
DM yields up to 11,000 kg/ha
When combined with other forages, it can sustain cattle up to 5 months
Decrease soil compaction & Increase soil water holding capacity(?)

6. Forage Yield (kg DM/ha)
Cool Season Forages
Forage Yield (kg DM/ha)
Kg/ha

7. Introduction
Current Research
Preliminary Results
Preliminary Conclusions
Future Work

8. Current Research
Objective: Determine the effects of planting date and land preparation methods on forage yield and quality
Randomized complete block design
4 land preparation treatments
Conventional Till, No-Till + Burn
No-Till + Mow, No-Till With Residue
4 planting date treatments
Sept 1st, Sept 15th, Oct 1st, Oct 15th
4 Replications
Blocking was due to differences in residue

9. Small Brassica Plot Map
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S15 NR O1 CT O1 NM
S15 CT
S15 NM S1 CT
O15 NM O1 NR O1 NB
S15 NB
O15 NR S1 NB S1 NR S1 NM
O15 CT
O15 NB
Legend
September 1st
September 15th
October 1st
October 15th
Legend
Conventional Till
No-Till + Burn
No Till + Mow
No Till With Residue
How l

10. Current Research – Land Preparation
Conventional Till
3 Passes with tiller
Cultipacked
No-Till + Burn
Glyphosate
2.3 liters/ha
No-Till + Mow
5 cm residue remaining
No-Till With Residue
No land preparation
Planting depth = 0.6 cm
Row spacing = 19 cm
Seeding rate = 4.4 kg/ha

11. Current Research - Sampling
Seedling counts 14 DAP
Drop stick method
3 observations per plot
Destructive samples 30, 45, 60 & 90 DAP
Leaf count, plant count, growth stage,
wet wt., dry wt., rising plate meter (RPM)
3 observations each plot
0.1 m2 quadrant
60 & 90 DAP forage nutritional value

13. Photo Taken: November 15, 2016
O15 NR
O15 CT
S15 NB

14. Introduction
Current Research
Preliminary Results
Future Work
Preliminary Conclusions

15. Average Weekly Temperature and Cumulative Weekly Rainfall

16. Preliminary Results Only forage yield results
Other results (growth stage, plant count, leaf count) will be presented at a later date
Significant effects of:
Planting date
Land preparation method
Interaction between planting date X land preparation
Preliminary Results

17. The Effect of Land Preparation Method on the Forage Yield of Brassicas Planted on Sept. 1
Within a given DAP, columns sharing the same letter are not significantly (P < 0.05) different

18. The Effect of Land Preparation Method on the Forage Yield of Brassicas Planted on Sept. 15
Within a given DAP, columns sharing the same letter are not significantly (P < 0.05) different

19. The Effect of Land Preparation Method on the Forage Yield of Brassicas Planted on Oct. 1
Within a given DAP, columns sharing the same letter are not significantly (P < 0.05) different

20. The Effect of Land Preparation Method on the Forage Yield of Brassicas Planted on Oct. 15
Within a given DAP, columns sharing the same letter are not significantly (P < 0.05) different

21. The Effect of Land Preparation Method and Planting Date on Forage Yieldb a b
Within given DAP, columns sharing the same letter are not significantly (P < 0.05) different

22. Introduction
Current Research
Preliminary Results
Preliminary Conclusions
Future Work

23. Preliminary Conclusions
Later planting dates = generally lower forage yield
Less residue = generally higher forage yields
Take home message: early September planting dates & sowing into little or no residue produces highest forage yields
Future work will further explain how forage brassicas can be used in a grazing system in Georgia

24. Introduction
Current Research
Preliminary Results
Preliminary Conclusions
Future Work

25. Future Work
Objective 1: Determine performance of a brassica as a forage source when combined with rye, annual ryegrass & crimson clover
AVDG, Stocking Rates, Grazing period
Objective 2: Compare changes in soil quality
Soil compaction, water holding capacity, OM
Objective 3: Examine the effect of late winter and spring planting dates (February-June) on forage yield potential

26. QUESTIONS?