Gorilla Hybrid Fodder Rape
Fodder Rape is a popular forage crop with many livestock farmers due to its ease of production, the flexibility of its sowing date and its palatability at feeding time.
It can produce a large bulk of fodder in a short period.
Gorilla when sown in May can produce a first crop in August to cover a shortage of summer grass, then has good regrowth to achieve a second crop in November/December. Alternatively, GORILLA can be strip grazed as required, with good regrowth potential.
Gorilla is a hybrid variety with potential for high yields and very good regrowth, it is a darker green leafy type with medium hight and good standing ability, it has a higher than average dry matter content leading to good intakes and due to its leaf to stem ratio also has a high energy content.
Gorilla can be sown from May to early September in the south of the country and from May to mid-August in northern counties. It is very important to produce a fine firm seed bed in good conditions and when using a broadcasting method, sowing rates should be at 9-11kgs/ha or 3.6 to 4.5kgs per acre if a direct drilling method is used seeding rates should be at 6kgs/ha or 2.8kgs per acre.
Ideally a soil test will be available to help guide lime & fertiliser requirements, soil PH should be between 6.0 & 7.0 NPK will depend on soil index and will typically need N, 90-125kg/ha (72 – 100 units/acre) P, 20 – 30 kgs/ha (16 – 24 units per acre) & K, 50 – 60 kgs/ha (40 – 48 units/acre) usually 4 X 50kgs of 18-6-12 per acre.
The crop establishes quickly and normally there is no need for weed control, it should be monitored regularly for pest such as Flea Beetles, Slugs, leatherjackets, and pigeons.
Rape is extremely useful as a feed for fattening lambs and lactating ewes and very good performance can be achieved with good grazing conditions. It is also widely used to supplement cattle and cows, but care is needed as there is a much greater risk of digestive disorders than with sheep. These problems can be prevented by taking the following precautions: Introduce Rape gradually, restrict intakes, always feed hay or silage as a roughage source. Supplement with phosphorus and iodine. Ensure all diets are properly balanced.
