Why Forage Rape is the Ultimate Summer Catch Crop
When it comes to making the most of your land between main crops, forage rape stands out as one of the most reliable and productive options available to UK farmers. Fast to establish, high in protein, and highly palatable to livestock, it is an excellent choice for summer sowing as a catch crop or standalone forage.
What is Forage Rape?
Forage rape is a leafy brassica crop grown primarily for grazing by sheep and cattle. Unlike oilseed rape grown for grain, forage rape is bred specifically for high leaf yield, palatability, and rapid establishment. It produces a dense, leafy canopy that livestock find highly digestible and nutritious.
Why Sow Forage Rape in Summer?
Summer is an ideal time to establish forage rape, particularly after first-cut silage or following cereal harvest. Warm soils and longer days promote rapid germination and establishment, meaning the crop can be ready to graze in as little as 8–10 weeks from sowing.
Key reasons to sow forage rape in summer include:
- Fills the autumn feed gap when grass growth slows
- Provides high-protein grazing at a critical time of year
- Excellent use of land between main crops
- Suppresses weeds and improves soil structure
- Cost-effective alternative to bought-in concentrates
Sowing Forage Rape
- Sowing period: April to August
- Seed rate: Drill at 4–5 kg/ha or broadcast at 6–7 kg/ha
- Drilling depth: 10–15mm into a fine, firm seedbed
- Soil conditions: Performs well on a wide range of soil types; prefers good moisture at establishment
Grazing Management
Forage rape is typically ready to graze 8–10 weeks after sowing. Strip grazing is strongly recommended to maximise utilisation and minimise waste. As with all brassica crops, introduce livestock gradually over 7–10 days to avoid digestive issues associated with high glucosinolate content.
Forage rape is particularly well suited to sheep grazing, though cattle can also utilise it effectively. Avoid grazing in very wet conditions to reduce poaching damage.
Nutritional Value
Forage rape is one of the highest-protein brassica crops available, making it particularly valuable for finishing lambs or maintaining condition in ewes ahead of tupping. It is highly digestible and provides excellent metabolisable energy, helping to reduce reliance on expensive supplementary feed.
Forage Rape as Part of a Mixture
Forage rape also works exceptionally well as part of a brassica mixture. At The Puzzle Seed Company, our Rapid Root Forage Seed Mix combines forage rape with stubble turnip and kale for a balanced, high-performance forage blend suited to summer sowing and autumn grazing.
Shop Forage Rape Seeds
At The Puzzle Seed Company, we supply proven forage rape varieties suited to UK conditions. Whether you’re looking for a standalone catch crop or a component of a brassica mixture, our forage rape seeds deliver reliable establishment and high yields season after season.