Forage rape and nightshade

[Bald n Grumpy]

Was going to strip graze a crop of forage rape but it has a considerable amount of nightshade in it, pulling it seems the only option but a sizeable task. Any other options? Is there anything it could be sprayed with , what would happen if the crop was cut and baled could it be fed after a certain time.
All suggestions welcome TIA

 

[Jdunn55]

Was going to strip graze a crop of forage rape but it has a considerable amount of nightshade in it, pulling it seems the only option but a sizeable task. Any other options? Is there anything it could be sprayed with , what would happen if the crop was cut and baled could it be fed after a certain time.
All suggestions welcome TIA

I've had this in the past

I've grazed as normal and they all picked around the nightshade and didnt touch it

Then I sprayed it after they grazed it and reseeded like normal

I tend to find cows are pretty clever at knowing what they can and can't eat. In the same way I've never seen them eat ragwort when grazing

 

[sidjon]

I've had this in the past

I've grazed as normal and they all picked around the nightshade and didnt touch it

Then I sprayed it after they grazed it and reseeded like normal

I tend to find cows are pretty clever at knowing what they can and can't eat. In the same way I've never seen them eat ragwort when grazing

I must have stupid cows...... ours unfortunately will happily eat ragwort, farm next-doors to a charity which blows In ragwort seed at a great rate, pull it every grazing but still find plant chewed down.

 

[Jdunn55]

I must have stupid cows...... ours unfortunately will happily eat ragwort, farm next-doors to a charity which blows In ragwort seed at a great rate, pull it every grazing but still find plant chewed down.

I always pull what I find but always miss the odd plant and only find it when they've grazed the field down a bit

On the plus side I think it's really more deadly when ensiled and fermented

Do they chew the whole thing to the floor? If they're only nibbling the top maybe they're realising that they shouldn't be eating it and therefore not getting a high enough dose to kill?

 

[crashbox]

I've had this in the past

I've grazed as normal and they all picked around the nightshade and didnt touch it

Then I sprayed it after they grazed it and reseeded like normal

I tend to find cows are pretty clever at knowing what they can and can't eat. In the same way I've never seen them eat ragwort when grazing

Generally agree, though hemlock roots are an exception to this rule...