Turnips are grown in most areas of the UK as a highly digestible catch crop, producing around 4.5t DM per hectare within 10-12 weeks from sowing. Early sowing from late April produces heavy crops for dairy grazing or for fattening lambs weaned off grass from July onwards.
What is a stubble turnip?
Stubble turnips are a very fast growing catch. crop that can be ready to feed within 12- 14 weeks from sowing. They are ideal for finishing lambs, or can be fed to both dairy or beef animals. The flexibility of sowing period ensures that crops can be fed from mid-summer through to January.
Are stubble turnips edible?
Edible parts of Stubble Turnip:
Similar in taste to the garden turnip but a bit coarser, the young roots can be grated and used in salads whilst older roots are best cooked and used as a vegetable.
Are stubble turnips a break crop?
Stubble turnips are a fast-growing and high-protein catch crop, popular with livestock farmers. Stubble turnips can be sown after first cut silage for summer grazing or after winter cereals for autumn utilisation. Also useful as a break crop between grass reseeds.
Why are stubble turnips good?
While they don’t offer the highest yield compared to some alternatives, stubble turnips have endured because they are fast-growing, help to build soil fertility and suppress weeds. Independent grassland and forage specialist Charlie Morgan says they are best suited as a break crop on a lowland farm and block grazed.
How much are stubble turnip seeds?
4.5t DM per ha. 2kg per acre / 5kg per ha. Sowing rates may be lowered to produce less leaf, and allow more space for larger bulbs.
Can humans eat forage turnips?
Turnip (Brassica rapa L.) is a root Brassica crop and has been used as a vegetable for human consumption in Europe since prehistoric times. Turnip root has been a popular livestock fodder for at least 600 years wherever the crop can be grown. For most of that time turnip roots have been managed as forage.
Are turnips good for your soil?
Turnip in the Garden
Turnips are cold hardy root vegetables that help improve soil. Turnips are cold hardy root vegetables that help improve soil. Cover cropping is one of the best ways to improve garden soil.
How long do stubble turnips take to grow?
Stubble turnips are a very fast growing catch crop that can be ready to feed within 12-14 weeks from sowing. They are ideal for finishing lambs, or can be fed to both dairy or beef animals. The flexibility of sowing period ensures that crops can be fed from mid-summer through to January.
When can you drill stubble turnips?
Stubble turnips are palatable , energy-rich and offer dairy farmers the opportunity to fill a feed shortage over the summer. They can be direct drilled with a Moore Uni-Drill (or similar) into a recently silaged sward in May or June.
Will cattle eat turnips?
Turnips will range from 70 to 80% TDN and 14 to 22% CP. Thus oats and turnips make a great feed source for growing or lactating cattle such as fall calving cows. If we assume 70% TDN for the mix, the cost would range from $0.025 to $0.07 per lb of TDN.
Do farmers feed sheep turnips?
“Turnips offer a great source of nutrition for sheep and lambs can gain 200-250 grams per head per day from a well-managed turnip crop,” said Ms Williams. “There a number of factors to consider when planning to make the most of a turnip crop for sheep next winter.
How much are turnips per acre?
Plant only 2 to 3 pounds of turnip seed per acre. The seed is very small, so barely cover it. Simply broadcasting seed onto tilled soils works well for many growers, especially on rough seedbeds where rainfall or irrigation washes soil onto the seeds for soil coverage.
What are forage crops?
Forage crop. A crop of cultivated plants or plant parts, other than separated grain, produced to be grazed or harvested for use as feed for animals.
Are turnips a brassica?
turnip, (Brassica rapa, variety rapa), also known as white turnip, hardy biennial plant in the mustard family (Brassicaceae), cultivated for its fleshy roots and tender growing tops. The turnip is thought to have originated in middle and eastern Asia and is grown throughout the temperate zone.
Why do farmers plant turnips?
Turnips are an excellent cover for farmers who graze cattle on their fields after harvest. They are a high moisture plant, and cattle favor them due to their high sugar content. They are packed with protein, as well, and so make a great forage plant for cattle through the winter months.
Will whitetail deer eat turnips?
The cool thing about planting turnips in your food plot is the deer love to eat both the leafy tops and the taproots (or the turnip). And if, for some reason, the deer don’t want the underground turnips, you can always harvest them and serve them for dinner yourself.
Do turnips deplete soil?
The old purple top (or that type) turnip and even the tankard type turnips have very little of the bulb in the soil – thus less soil activity. Most turnips survive the winter and then need to be killed in the spring. Yes this can also be a benefit. The turnips “bolt” in the spring and want to produce seed.
Can you plant oats and turnips together?
Is it possible to plant oats and turnip at the same time? The answer is yes. Some wildlife hunters plant oats and turnips for their deer food plots in the fall. Producers can use the same concept for beef grazing in the fall.
Do turnips fix nitrogen?
Nutrient increase: Turnips grow very fast, which helps them scavenge high amounts of nitrogen. Weed suppressor: The decomposing residue suppresses weeds until the spring.
Can you direct drill turnips?
Sowing method
The seed can be sown by broadcasting or drilling. Drilling equipment will distribute the seed more evenly, but still requires rolling after sowing.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.