Source: Digest - Crop & Food Research's quarterly newsletter

The idea is to deliver crop management know-how to farmers interested in growing better forage brassicas such as kale, swedes, turnips and rape.

“It’s all about getting the best from the herd,” says project leader and Crop & Food Research scientist Derek Wilson. “I believe the potential for economic gain from using such crops is yet to be fully realised.”

Dr Wilson says that although dairy farmers are very good at growing pastures, they often lack expertise in brassicas. “We know this because there are unfortunate examples of poor performance.

“It’s a problem that cannot be ignored because brassicas, if grown correctly, will offer high quality forage and also operate as break crops during pasture renewal.”

He says the other advantage of winter brassicas is that they are efficient in their uptake of water and nutrients and have the potential to reduce the adverse impacts of dairying on the environment.

“A good deal is known about brassicas, but the information is not in a form that is readily accessible to the dairy industry,” Dr Wilson says.

Once underway, the project will ensure that this situation is reversed.

“If we attract enough funding we intend to set up a range of brassica crops on farms in dairy regions around the country. We plan workshop presentations and field days during each year in collaboration with technology transfer specialists.”

Dr Wilson says the dairy industry is becoming increasingly interested in the expertise available at Crop & Food Research.

“Our knowledge of crops in dairy systems, soil health and sustainable environments is extremely relevant to this industry.”