– Chris Penrose, OSU Extension Agent, Agriculture, Morgan County

Brassicas can increase mid-summer forage availability but have a particular advantage for late fall-winter grazing. Brassicas are easy to establish, fast-growing, high-yielding, high-quality, and can withstand cold temperatures.

These fast-growing crops can reach maximum quality in as little as 60 days and maximum yield in 70 to 90 days. The tops can tolerate temperatures to 15-20 degrees F and the bulbs are 5-10 degrees F hardier. In a 1994 southeastern Ohio trial, Premier Kale, a long season leafy crop, withstood temperatures of -7 degrees F and yielded more than three tons of dry matter per acre (Penrose et al., 1996). Continue reading Brassicas →