Forage Turnip (Brassica rapa), MPT

Within the Brassicas family, turnips are the quickest species to establish. Turnips have the potential of being grazed multiple times. The first grazing however, will be the most important one. Both sheep and cattle can graze turnips. It is important not to graze too large of an area at once. Strip-grazing prevents both yield and quality losses due to trampling and polluting. It is also important not to overfeed the cattle when they are allowed to graze the turnips at first. Extremely high intake of turnips (and other brassicas) can cause animal health problems. Therefore, cattle should be allowed to adjust to the change of diet. Supplementing with other forages that contain less protein and sugars can prevent problems.

Mammoth Purple Top

Widely adapted, older variety, hard flesh turnip, high yielding, suited to sheep, dairy and beef in drier areas. Both leaf and bulbs are utilised by grazing animals. The turnip bulb is a large storage organ that develops in the first year. Regrowth is possible from a light first grazing if the leaf growing points attached to the bulb are not damaged.

Key features

• Winter-type forage turnip
• 12-14 weeks to maturity
• Most widely used variety
• Produces a large round bulb

Seeding rate

• 3-5kg/ha (increased leaf production, medium to large bulb size)
• 2-3kg/ha (increased bulb size)