The deer around here begin eating the brassica before it gets to 4" . I simply can' t plant enough. I' ve learned to leave existing clover on at least 1/2 of the field to lower grazing pressure on the new brassica/clover planting(I never plant brassicas without clover), and broadcast rye approximatley 1 month after initial planting to increase productivity of the field, and lower grazing intesity on the brassicas. I' ve found if I plant the rye with the intial planting for 1, it' s too early, and 2, it retards the brassica growth. Planting brassicas in mid to late July, and following up with a rye broadcasting of 100#' s per acre around 4 weeks later seems just about right.

Jeff...U.P. of Michigan