raddish's

[poorfarmer]

my neighbor is planting raddish's in his Field to help with his no-till crops and put N into the soil,will be any adverse affects if the cattle eat the top's and he wanted to know if the top's could be used for feed use 

 

[nkotb]

In my experience they will eat the tops after it has frozen, they will pass over the tops if able to before it freezes.  Radishes aren't going to put any nitrogen into the soil, only legumes can do that.  If you do turn cattle out on them after a freeze, don't stand too close behind, you might get sprayed.

 

[hamburgman]

They are more known for being able to break hard pan and compacted soils. 

 

[Top Knot]

Radish, as a cover crop, will tie up the N so it doesn't leach through the soil. When the radish die or are sprayed out, they'll release the accumulated N back into the upper soil profile where it will be available for the subsequent crop. Grazing is fine. My guess is it's probably a forage radish which has more of a tap root. Might take some time for the cattle to get acclimated to the taste, but they'll graze them and add additional nutrients in the process.

 

[Will]

We have never planted raddishes but have planted turnips.  We have had really good luck grazing turnips.  But like an earlier post said be care who you stand behind.

 

[poorfarmer]

my neighbor is planting raddish's in his Field to help with his no-till crops and put N into the soil,will be any adverse affects if the cattle eat the top's and he wanted to know if the top's could be used for feed use 

Thank you all for the imput!