Variety performance review
Dwarf Essex Rape in the Corn Belt North.
- Good
- Multiple — generic seed
- 80–100 days to peak forage
- Organic-approved
Regional strengths
Dwarf Essex Rape is a cool-season brassica that holds up better in cold weather than turnips — winter survival in MN/WI/MI is generally better than purple top, making it a useful late-season component in Northern Corn Belt brassica blends.
Regional weaknesses
Palatability is good but consistently rated below turnips and clovers by food plot consensus — deer use rape but prefer alternatives if available. Single-cut harvest pattern; once stripped, offers limited regrowth.
Agronomic ratings
Drought tolerance
fair
Standability
good
Emergence
good
Winter hardiness
good
Food-plot ratings
Palatability
good
Persistence
fair
Establishment
easy
Attraction timing: Late September onward; survives mild winters and offers spring re-growth in some years
Best for
- Northern Corn Belt brassica blends
- extended-season cool-weather food plots
Not recommended for
- primary attraction species (use turnips or clover)
Best soil types
loam, silt loam
Seeding rate
3–5 lb/acre in a blend
Data quality & sources
Quality: community-reported · Last updated 2024.