Feeding Cows Cabbage: The Dos and Don’ts Every Farmer Should Know

Crops in the brassica family, including cabbage, cauliflower, rape (colza), and radish, are often used to feed livestock such as cattle, goats, sheep, and rabbits. These crops are particularly valuable in cooler regions and during dry seasons when perennial forages are scarce, as they produce abundant, highly digestible, and nutrient-rich feed.

Cabbage

However, while brassicas can significantly boost livestock productivity, improper use can lead to serious health problems. Here’s a complete guide on how to safely and effectively feed cabbage and other brassica crops to your cows.

✅ How to Feed Brassicas to Cows

Brassica forages can be used in three main ways:

1. Grazing directly in the field

2. Chopping and offering to zero-grazed animals

3. Ensiling for future feeding

Each method has its benefits and challenges, but success depends on how carefully you manage the feeding process.

1. Grazing on Brassicas

If you choose to graze your cows on brassica pastures:

• Introduce them gradually. Start with short grazing periods so the rumen microbes can adapt to the new diet.

• Avoid sudden transitions from dry pastures to lush brassica fields. Hungry animals tend to overeat, which can lead to bloat or other digestive disorders.

• Monitor cows closely for any adverse reactions, especially within the first few days of feeding.

2. Harvest-and-Carry Feeding

Chopping brassica forage and offering it to cows under zero-grazing conditions gives you better control over the amount and timing of feeding.

• Provide moderate quantities at a time to maintain consistent intake levels.

• Avoid overfeeding, as the high moisture content can reduce appetite.

This method minimizes wastage and is generally more efficient than grazing or ensiling.

3. Ensiling Brassicas

Ensiling brassica crops is challenging due to their high water content, which causes seepage and poor fermentation.
If you must ensile brassicas:

• Mix them with dry materials like chopped hay or straw to absorb excess moisture.

• Even with this, expect some loss and nutrient reduction.

🌿 Nutritional Value of Brassicas

Brassicas are rich in digestible energy, protein, and calcium, but low in fiber. Their nutrient composition changes as they mature:

• Immature crops have high moisture and lower dry matter, which can cause digestive issues.

• Mature crops have better dry matter digestibility, making them more suitable for livestock.

Feeding Guidelines

• Brassicas should not make up more than 75% of the total feed.

• For lactating dairy cows, limit brassica forage to about 30% of the total ration to prevent rumen acidosis.

• Because of the high calcium content, avoid overfeeding in-calf cows nearing calving or immediately after, as this can lead to calcium mobilization issues.

Tip: Supplement brassicas with dry grass hay or straw to add fiber, balance moisture levels, and improve rumen function. This helps maintain saliva flow, prevent acidosis, and enhance overall animal performance.

⚠️ Common Feeding Disorders and How to Prevent Them

Feeding brassicas carelessly can cause several health disorders, including:

1. Bloat

• Ensure cows are not hungry before feeding brassicas.

• Wilt the forage under the sun before feeding, especially for rabbits, to reduce bloat risk.

2. Rumen Acidosis

• Brassicas are high in sugar, which can trigger acidosis if fed excessively.

• Always balance with fiber-rich feed.

3. Mineral Deficiencies

Brassicas contain compounds that can interfere with mineral absorption and cause:

• Hemolytic anemia and goiter (due to glucosinolates).

• Prevent this by supplementing with iodine, iron, and copper in the diet.

4. Photosensitization

Feeding immature brassicas can cause skin sensitivity, especially in lambs. Wait until crops are fully mature before grazing.

5. Milk Tainting in Dairy Cows

Glucosinolates in brassicas can alter the flavor of milk. To avoid this, feed brassicas several hours before milking or reduce their proportion in the diet.

🐄 Key Takeaways

• Introduce brassicas slowly and monitor animal health.

• Avoid feeding wet or immature crops in large amounts.

• Mix with dry roughage for better rumen function.

• Limit brassicas to no more than 30% of the ration for dairy cows.

• Supplement minerals like iodine, copper, and iron when feeding brassicas.

Feeding cows cabbage and other brassica crops can be a cost-effective and nutritious strategy, but only when done right. With proper management, you can maximize production while keeping your animals healthy and your feed costs low.