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Abstract
The objectives of this study were to examine the inclusion of forage Brassica in a winter annual mixture on forage productivity, animal performance, and soil characteristics in the southeastern United States. A three-year grazing trial was conducted to compare performance on two treatments including control (CONT) of annual ryegrass, cereal rye, and crimson clover compared with this same mixture with the addition of the forage-type rape-turnip hybrid. Steers weights, forage samples, and soil samples were collected throughout the grazing period each year. Forage yield was similar early in the grazing season, greater for CONT in midseason, and greater for BRAS in late season. Forage nutritive was similar for both treatments. Steer average daily gains were generally greater for the CONT mixture in the first half but tended to be greater for the BRAS mixture at the end of the season. Soil health results showed little practical significance between treatments.