Green Globe Turnips: Sow in Summer, Graze All Winter
Green Globe turnips are one of the most reliable and productive main crop forage turnips available to UK farmers. Sow them in summer and you’ll have a high-yielding, winter-hardy crop ready to graze from October right through to January – providing valuable feed at a time when grass growth has all but stopped.
What Makes Green Globe Different?
Unlike stubble turnips, which are grown primarily for their leafy top growth, Green Globe is a true bulb turnip. It produces large, soft, easily eaten roots that are well anchored into the ground, making them suitable for grazing by all types of stock. The bulbs sit at or just above the soil surface and are highly palatable to both sheep and cattle.
Green Globe is later maturing than stubble turnips, with a growing period of 12–15 weeks, but this longer growing period is rewarded with higher dry matter, higher yields, and better winter hardiness – making it an excellent choice for extending the grazing season deep into winter.
Agronomic Performance
| Total Dry Matter | 5.7 t/ha |
| Total Fresh Weight | 70.6 t/ha |
| Powdery Mildew Resistance | 4 / 9 |
| Root Shape | 6 / 9 |
| Growing Period | 12–15 weeks |
| Grazing Window | October to January |
When and How to Sow Green Globe
- Sowing period: Late May to July
- Drill rate: 2.5–3.5 kg/ha
- Broadcast rate: 5 kg/ha
- Drilling depth: 10–15mm into a fine, firm seedbed
- Seed treatment: Untreated
Green Globe performs best when sown into a well-prepared, moist seedbed. Rolling before and after drilling improves establishment. Sowing in late May to July gives the crop the full growing season it needs to develop large, high-yielding bulbs before the autumn grazing period begins.
Grazing Management
Green Globe turnips are best utilised between October and January. Strip grazing is strongly recommended to reduce waste and minimise poaching, particularly in wet winter conditions. The roots are well anchored into the ground, which helps reduce wastage during grazing.
As with all brassica crops, introduce livestock gradually over 7–10 days to avoid digestive issues. Green Globe is suitable for grazing by sheep, cattle, and other stock, though sheep are often preferred in wet conditions due to their lighter hooves.
Why Choose Green Globe for Winter Grazing?
- High fresh yield – up to 70.6 t/ha
- Excellent winter hardiness – holds well in cold conditions
- Soft, palatable roots – readily eaten by all stock
- Extends the grazing season to January
- Reduces reliance on expensive bought-in winter feed
- Well anchored roots minimise wastage during grazing
Planning Your Forage Calendar
Green Globe works particularly well as part of a planned forage calendar. Sow stubble turnips or forage rape in July for early autumn grazing, then follow on with Green Globe turnips to carry stock through to January. This succession approach maximises land use and reduces the feed gap over winter.
Shop Green Globe Turnip Seeds
Available from The Puzzle Seed Company in 1 kg increments, with volume pricing for larger quantities. Order now to make the most of the summer sowing window.