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Forage Brassica Trial, Heather Darby, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Erica Cummings, Susan Monahan, Amanda Gervais

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Forage brassicas are a cool season crop and grow best during the late summer and fall months. This creates the opportunity to fill a gap in feed quality during months not optimal for perennial pasture production. Many producers are interested in extending the grazing season into late fall to improve farm viability. Brassica crops are known for their ability to provide a near-concentrate type diet late in the season, decreasing reliance on expensive imported grain for nutrient requirements. In 2011, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Team conducted a forage brassica trial in Alburgh, VT. The objective …