Spitfire
Spitfire Rape is a high-yielding multi-grazing cultivar. Suitable for both lamb/cattle finishing or summer/winter dairy grazing.
Grows to a height of 1-2 meters. Pale yellow flowers, low stem DM %, tolerant to aphids.
Can be sown in spring, summer, or autumn.
Performs well in a mix or as a specialty crop.
$17.95 – $23.95 excluded GST
Description
Spitfire Rape is a high-yielding multi-grazing cultivar. Classified as an intermediate-height cultivar, it grows to a height of 1-2 meters. At maturity, Spitfire has a pale yellow flower compared to the bright yellow flower of other cultivars. Spitfire has an unusually low stem dry matter percentage. This has implications for grazing as the stems can be easily broken off at ground level (by hand) and can be susceptible to treading damage by cattle when first grazed. Another unique feature of the cultivar is its excellent tolerance to aphids.
Spitfire can be grown for summer, autumn and winter feeding.
Additional information
| Spitfire Rape | 100% |
|---|---|
| Treatment | DYNASTRIKE, GOLDSTRIKE, UNTREATED |
Cultivation
Spitfire Rape can be multi-grazed. The highest quality of the crop is at the first grazing, this is the best time to graze the stem to the desired height as it is also the easiest time to graze.
To optimise the animal intake and ensure productive future grazings we advise grazing the crop down to a 30cm stalk residual. Spitfire can be sown across the different seasons to accommodate different livestock requirements, as a general guide;
Mid-October to early November sowing
- 13 – 14 weeks to grazing
- 1 – 2 potential grazings
- Yield (DM/ha) fist grazing 6-9, and 11-13 in total
Late January to early March
- 13 weeks to grazing
- 1 grazing
- Yield (DM/ha) dependent on the time of sowing 6 – 9
As a rule, if spring grazing cattle plan for one grazing to avoid treading damage. Comparably with sheep expect 2 grazings, and summer grazing can provide a 3rd grazing.
We recommend 90-110 days until grazing.
Sowing rates
Spitfire can be sown from mid-October to early November, or late January to early March depending on the grazing requirements.
It performs well in a mix and can be mixed with a variety of different species such as plantain, Italian ryegrass or red clovers. or as a specialty crop.
The recommended sowing rate as a specialty crop is 4 kg per hectare. or
In a mix, the recommended sowing is 0.5 – 1.o kg per hectare.
Price table
| Treatment | 500 kg + | 100 – 500kg | 10 – 100kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Untreated | $14.95 | $15.75 | $17.95 |
| Dynastrike | $17.95 | $18.75 | $20.95 |
| Goldstrike | $20.95 | $21.75 | $23.95 |
All prices are excluded GST. Minimum order 10kg.
