When the oats are drilled, the rape may be seeded through the grass seeding attachment or may be broadcast after the oats are seeded. Use a cultipacker or harrow to cover the seed very lightly. Dwarf Essex is the best variety and seed is available. Do not begin to pasture until rape has reached a height of 9 to 10 inches. With early seedings this should occur about 6 to 8 weeks after seeding.
Rape sometimes causes white hogs to sun scald.
It is caused by the pigs grazing when the rape is wet and then getting exposed to hot sunshine. However, this is usually not serious if treated with crude oil or carbolated petroleum, nor is its occurrence very frequent. Silage for brood sows Silage, either corn silage or high quality alfalfa-grass silage, is a practical way of using more forage in a hog program. However, it must be emphasized that the nutritional requirements of bred sows is very exacting and supplementation of the silage is essential. Both corn and alfalfa-grass silage must be supplemented with protein and energy, but if done properly, silage feeding may improve litter size and pig livability and save up to 25 percent in feed costs.