FARM DIVERSIFICATION, FERTILITY MANAGEMENT AND FORAGE CROPS

Forage brassicas as a component of organic production systems

Corvallis, MT - Forage brassicas have shown potential as high nutrient, cold-tolerant crops for grazing season extension and to enhance soil fertility and nutrient uptake by subsequent crops.

In this study, the performance of forage brassicas was tested on three organic farms in Montana and at the Montana State Western Agricultural Research Center.

Crop success was highly dependent on soil fertility, particularly nitrogen levels. In a dryland situation, crop establishment was highly variable due to limited soil moisture. In locations with adequate moisture, a sufficiently high seeding rate, and adequate soil fertility, the brassica crop produced abundant biomass and provided good weed suppression. At one site, soil sulfur content was increased. On low fertility soils or where soil moisture was inadequate, the brassica did not produce sufficient biomass to be considered a viable crop for forage or green manure. As a forage crop, it was shown to have a high feed value and palatability.

For project details, please refer to the following links:
Forage brassicas/Callan 01s40 project summary (3 pp) compiled by OFRF

Nancy Callan's complete project report (15 pp)

Principal Investigators: Dr. Nancy W. Callan, Dr. Malvern P. Westcott and Sue Wall-MacLane, Western Agricultural Research Center, Montana State University, Corvallis, MT

Collaborating Organic Producers: Western Agricultural Research Center, Corvallis, MT; Rod Daniel, Montana Arnica, Grantsdale, MT; Nancy Matheson, Matheson Farm, Helena, MT; Jess Alger, Alger Farm, Stanford, MT

OFRF Funding: Total OFRF project funding: $9,840, awarded spring 2001

Project Period: 2001

Reported: June 2003