We rely on livestock and cattle to provide us with healthy food in the form of milk, eggs, and meat but what do they rely on for their healthy growth? The answer is forage plants, which are easily produced low-cost high energy source plants that herbivorous livestock are fed to help them grow.
Of the many types of forage that exist, forage brassicas are very common all over the world. Brassica is a plant family which consists of radish, turnip, broccoli, cauliflowers, and cabbages. They are popular in the colder regions where proper temperature and humidity are present for their growth. Forage brassica seeds grow into new plants very quickly and are easily digestible while having high water content. In this article, we will be looking at the different benefits of forage brassica in raising cattle.
Benefits Of Forage Brassica Over Other Alternatives:
Forage brassica is the top choice of many farmers all over the world as they have a number of benefits that make them irreplaceable. Following are some of the importance of forage brassicas,
High-quality feed –
Brassicas are known to deliver high-quality feed for cattle which has a great effect on their physical health. Almost a quarter of their entire weight is a pure protein which is known to improve metabolism while increasing muscle mass.
They are low in fiber which makes them easy to digest and their high water content ensures that cattle don’t get dehydrated during the day. For dairy, cattle brassicas have shown significant improvement in their milk yield and quality.
They are flexible –
They are small plants about a foot long and are often grazed on by cattle. They have a soft stem structure which makes them the best for cattle grazing without getting trampled by cattle.
Benefits the soil –
Soil compaction is a major problem that can cause issues with irrigation or with the spread of minerals and nutrients throughout the soil. Brassica plants like turnips and radishes are known to have deep roots which can go into the soil and break down clumps on soil and reduce compaction.
This leads to proper aeration of the soil which in turn assists further growth of the brassica plants. However, brassica should not be cultivated in the same area for more than two consecutive years; a gap after two years is preferred to prevent diseases.
Stops methane emissions –
Studies have shown that cattle on a brassica-based diet release less methane when compared to cattle that don’t rely on brassicas. This reduces the major impact of the herd on the environment and is considered a much cleaner food source. They reduce almost 10 kg of methane generation per cow which is very significant.
Conclusion:
Foraged brassica has a lot of upsides and a few downsides that make it the go-to feed for any type of livestock. S&W Seed Co. is one of the largest producers and suppliers of forage brassica seeds in America and in major countries around the world.
