Feeding forage rape to ewes once flowered

[MickyMook]

I’ve some forage rape that I’ve been strip grazing cows on over winter. It’s currently getting into flower so I think it’s time I took the cows off it as I’m led to believe they’re more prone to brassica poisoning at this stage. Ive heard that ewes are less susceptible - could I strip graze my newly lambed ewes on this with a grass lie back to help their milk? Has anyone had any bother?

 

[neilo]

I’ve some forage rape that I’ve been strip grazing cows on over winter. It’s currently getting into flower so I think it’s time I took the cows off it as I’m led to believe they’re more prone to brassica poisoning at this stage. Ive heard that ewes are less susceptible - could I strip graze my newly lambed ewes on this with a grass lie back to help their milk? Has anyone had any bother?

I’ve never grazed ewes & lambs on brassicas, but have had stubble turnips bolting to flower before now. The stems rapidly go woody & indigestible, so I’ve always banged sheep over the whole lot when they’ve started to bolt. Unsurprisingly they have always taken the growing shoots out first, which holds the bolting back, but the turnips kept putting new growth up, which produces a mass of high protein feed.
If you strip graze it, the later grazed sections will be well away, woody and indigestible.

 

[Skintagain]

I grazed some ewe lambs on some bolted rape couple years back through April and onto May and it was red hot in May before the cracking summer. They did nothing but escape. They hated the stuff and they didn’t thrive on it but it did hold them whilst the grass got going to give the ewes with lambs at foot a bit more to spread into earlier on. Have you got any hoggs to put on it?

I wouldn’t put ewes and lambs on it they will be better on grass. Maybe singles be ok if you are pushed.

 

[Global ovine]

I wouldn't recommend it. If you go ahead and feed off this crop to ewes, make sure you take a good week to introduce them to this change in diet. Its not the protein but the elevated sulphur compounds (SMCO) that cause the problem commonly called Red Water Disease. It kills off the red blood cells and makes animals very anemic, hence lose wt., become dopy and pee red/brown.
Give hay or silage with the crop.

 

[MickyMook]

Thanks folks. Always grateful for the advice! It’s maybe time I took the mulcher out for a spin by the sounds of it.

 

[Skintagain]

Thanks folks. Always grateful for the advice! It’s maybe time I took the mulcher out for a spin by the sounds of it.

There may be someone close by with a lot of hogs that need holding for a week or two at the moment that could be glad of it in the current climate....

 

[som farmer]

had our dairy on over wintered rape, soon as started to bolt, cows unhappy, milk down, soon went up on grass ! answer your question ? hfrs free ranging it now, and not happy.

 

[MickyMook]

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