Spring-sown brassicas, such as kale, rape, swedes and turnips, play a vital dual role on-farm.
They provide a high-quality, homegrown feed buffer when pasture is limited, and they pave the way for more productive new pastures in autumn. But to unlock their full potential, early and expert crop management is essential.
Weed competition is one of the biggest threats to young brassica crops. Fast-growing grass weeds, like annual poa, couch, barley grass, ryegrass and bristle grass, can outpace slower-establishing brassicas, reducing dry matter (DM) yield and compromising the success of subsequent pasture.
Nufarm Technical Specialist Sonja Vreugdenhil emphasises the importance of early intervention.
“Once forage brassicas are sown, weed control is essential. Only a small number of grass weeds can rob your crop of yield,” says Nufarm Technical Specialist Sonja Vreugdenhil.
SeQuence® (clethodim, Group 1) is a selective post-emergence herbicide registered for use across a wide range of forage crops, including brassicas, chicory, plantain, and lucerne. It targets 22 grass weed species and is rainfast within an hour. For best results, apply to young, actively growing weeds, always with Bonza® Gold. Where insect pests are also present, SeQuence can be tank mixed with an insecticide like Attack® for broad-spectrum pest control.
Sonja says one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your brassica crop is regular monitoring.
“Check crops every one to two days after emergence. If you find nothing, great; you’ve just been proactive. But if you do spot pests or weeds, you can act before yield losses become permanent.”
Sonja recommends starting with a post-plant, pre-emergence herbicide like Director® CS (clomazone, Group 13) to knock out early weed competition.
Once seedlings emerge, follow up with a robust post-emergence programme. A herbicide such as Prestige® (picloram + clopyralid, Group 4) is ideal for controlling broadleaf weeds like fathen and black nightshade or Archer® 750 (clopyralid, Group 4) for thistles. Both can be tank-mixed with SeQuence for grass weed control.
Insect pests such as springtails, aphids, Argentine stem weevil, cutworm and caterpillars can devastate young brassicas. Attack and Kaiso® 50WG offer effective control, but timing is everything.
“Damage can escalate quickly. Act fast or risk losing tonnes of dry matter,” Sonja warns.
Later in the season, when crop canopies are dense, use a super spreader like Flume® to ensure good spray coverage on waxy brassica leaves.
Brassicas provide reliable, high-energy feed when pasture is limited. With proper crop protection, dairy farmers can maximise yield, reduce supplement costs, and ensure consistent feed supply – supporting better milk solids and herd health.
Your local Farm Source Technical Sales Representative is there to help. With the right advice and timely action, you can grow cleaner, higher-yielding brassicas and set the stage for better pastures to follow.
®Archer, Director, Flume & SeQuence are registered trademarks of Nufarm Australia Limited.
®Bonza, Kaiso & Prestige are registered trademarks of Nufarm Limited.
®Attack is a registered trademark of Nufarm Technologies USA Pty Ltd.
Article supplied by Nufarm