Smart Seasonal Feed Options
Challenge: Short Seasons
Solution: Seasonal Crops
Herbs and brassicas offer unique benefits to pasture systems, especially for boosting animal health, filling seasonal feed gaps, and improving soil structure. However, challenges include short growing cycles, the need for specific grazing management, and limited farmer familiarity with their use.
Barenbrug SA provides a variety of species such as chicory, plantain, forage rape, and turnips—each offering rapid growth, deep rooting, and high mineral content. Chicory improves rumen health and supports better animal weight gain, while forage rape and turnips offer high-yielding winter or late-season feed.
Brassicas are excellent for short-term forage or break crops and are valuable in rotational grazing systems. Strategic grazing, rotation planning, and inclusion with perennial grasses and legumes ensure they reach their full potential.