Any feed value in Fodder Radish

[Norfolk Hill Farmer]

One of our arable farming neighbors is grows what I think is fodder radish as an Autumn catch crop, they drill it late summer usually get a big leaf area ( up to your knees ) then flail it off and plough it in. I was considering asking them if I could buy the crop and graze sheep on it. Could this be their Environmental focus area ? in that case are they allowed to graze it ? and most importantly for me , does it have much feed value ? If anyone has any experience of grazing fodder radish, their thoughts would be much appreciated.
NHF

 

[neilo]

@JD-Kid grows & grazes fodder radish iirc?

 

[Al R]

If planted after may 15th I doubt it’s EFA and more for soil conditioning. I know it’s a nightmare to combine even 5 weeks after roundup and mixed with OSR - a farm I knew let it seed and it was there for 12 years later in the OSR.

Worth an ask though for grazing? If grazed lush I can’t see it being a problem but I think there may be toxins in it later on?

 

[Bracklandbarn]

I grazed 500 in lamb ewes on oil radish from beginning Dec to mid Feb last year, ewes did really well on it- put on a condition score at least- Came off fat! IMO it has more feed value the earlier you are on it. When sown with Rye/ vetch i have known strong stores to finish on it, but once the stem has gone woody it’s gut fill only.

Definitely ask your neighbour about grazing it, you never know they may just be waiting for sheep to recycle it rather than burning tractor fuel trying to mow it

 

[ianlucasshearing]

I did this last year, had a 300 acre block which we filled up with store lambs. They did OK on it but not like they would have on turnips.
The owner was happy as we grazed every inch of it so his job was made easier.
Definitely worth asking.

 

[Badshot]

I doubt it's radish.
It's most likely mustard for nematode control, the flailing and ploughing in sorts out a lot of nematodes by the gas it creates.

Potatoes being grown by any chance?

 

[JD-Kid]

@JD-Kid grows & grazes fodder radish iirc?

did give it a go and will keep trying. Sheep did ok on it but to be fair would do much the same on other crops
but of interest. did find. the. grasses that followers it better than rapes etc so. there is a flow on effect
can't plant it too late tho. likes a fair bit or warmth to grow.

 

[Norfolk Hill Farmer]

I doubt it's radish.
It's most likely mustard for nematode control, the flailing and ploughing in sorts out a lot of nematodes by the gas it creates.

Potatoes being grown by any chance?

That would tie in. Definitely potatoes in the rotation.
Just googled some pictures of growing mustard plants and it could well be that crop. Apologies to all readers for my poor crop identification. I'm guessing it would not have the desired effect if you graze it as no gas would be created.

 

[Badshot]

That would tie in. Definitely potatoes in the rotation.
Just googled some pictures of growing mustard plants and it could well be that crop. Apologies to all readers for my poor crop identification. I'm guessing it would not have the desired effect if you graze it as no gas would be created.

No harm asking them.

 

[unlacedgecko]

One of our arable farming neighbors is grows what I think is fodder radish as an Autumn catch crop, they drill it late summer usually get a big leaf area ( up to your knees ) then flail it off and plough it in. I was considering asking them if I could buy the crop and graze sheep on it. Could this be their Environmental focus area ? in that case are they allowed to graze it ? and most importantly for me , does it have much feed value ? If anyone has any experience of grazing fodder radish, their thoughts would be much appreciated.
NHF

Don't offer to buy it FFS!

You'll be doing them a service by recycling the nutrients for free and saving them 2 (possibly 3) passes with a tractor.

I've seen some figures somewhere that show the cost saving and following crop benefits are worth £180/ha to the arable farmer.

 

[Norfolk Hill Farmer]

Don't offer to buy it FFS!

You'll be doing them a service by recycling the nutrients for free and saving them 2 (possibly 3) passes with a tractor.

I've seen some figures somewhere that show the cost saving and following crop benefits are worth £180/ha to the arable farmer.

Don't know what FFS should do, but I probably would only offer a token amount in the first year, and go from there, see how enthusiastic they where , and possibly turn the tables so they paid me in subsequent years. Money that changed hands would depend on what value I put on the crop and who else was in the picture, competing to rent the ground.
NHF

 

[unlacedgecko]

Don't know what FFS should do, but I probably would only offer a token amount in the first year, and go from there, see how enthusiastic they where , and possibly turn the tables so they paid me in subsequent years. Money that changed hands would depend on what value I put on the crop and who else was in the picture, competing to rent the ground.
NHF

I think that if you begin the precedent of paying them you will find it incredibly hard to reverse the situation in later years.

 

[Norfolk Hill Farmer]

I think that if you begin the precedent of paying them you will find it incredibly hard to reverse the situation in later years.

Ultimately, it would come down to the law of " supply and demand " getting back to my point above, a token rent , or even a pepper corn rent , would at least make some kind of contract with the grower.

 

[yellowbelly]

Ultimately, it would come down to the law of " supply and demand " getting back to my point above, a token rent , or even a pepper corn rent , would at least make some kind of contract with the grower.

In arable areas, like yours (and ours), grazing livestock can be seen as an advantage and is worth more to the growers than rent. Many farms are missing 'the golden hoof' and most don't have any livestock oriented staff left.

How long before we can charge them for the service?

 

[Norfolk Hill Farmer]

In arable areas, like yours (and ours), grazing livestock can be seen as an advantage and is worth more to the growers than rent. Many farms are missing 'the golden hoof' and most don't have any livestock oriented staff left.

How long before we can charge them for the service?

Absolutely agree.