How to Get the Most from Stubble Turnips: Sowing After Cereal Harvest
Stubble turnips are one of the most versatile and cost-effective forage crops available to UK farmers. Fast to establish and highly palatable, they are ideally suited to sowing in the window immediately after cereal harvest – making them a go-to catch crop for farmers looking to maximise land productivity through the summer and into autumn.
What Are Stubble Turnips?
Stubble turnips are a brassica forage crop grown primarily for grazing by sheep and cattle. Unlike main crop turnips such as Green Globe, stubble turnips are non-bulbing or lightly bulbing, producing the majority of their yield as leafy top growth. This makes them quick to establish and ready to graze in as little as 6–8 weeks after sowing.
When to Sow Stubble Turnips
The ideal sowing window for stubble turnips is April through to mid-September, with the most popular period being July and August immediately after winter barley or winter wheat harvest. Sowing into a warm, moist seedbed in late summer gives the crop the best chance of rapid establishment before the autumn grazing season begins.
Later sowings (August–September) are still viable but will result in a smaller plant at grazing time, so earlier is generally better for maximum yield.
How to Sow Stubble Turnips
- Seedbed preparation: Create a fine, firm tilth. Stubble turnips prefer good soil-to-seed contact, so rolling before and after drilling is recommended.
- Drilling depth: Sow at 10–15mm depth. Avoid sowing too deep as this can reduce germination rates.
- Seed rate: Drill at 2–3 kg/ha or broadcast at 4–5 kg/ha.
- Soil conditions: Moist, warm soils give the best results. Avoid sowing into very dry or compacted ground.
Grazing Management
Stubble turnips are typically ready to graze 6–8 weeks after sowing. Strip grazing is recommended to reduce poaching and waste, and to allow the crop to regrow between grazings. Both sheep and cattle graze stubble turnips well, though sheep are often preferred for their lighter hooves and lower poaching risk.
Introduce livestock to the crop gradually to avoid digestive issues – brassicas are high in glucosinolates, so a transition period of 7–10 days is advisable.
Why Choose Stubble Turnips?
- Fast establishment – ready to graze in 6–8 weeks
- High palatability for sheep and cattle
- Excellent regrowth potential for multiple grazings
- Cost-effective way to extend the grazing season
- Reduces reliance on expensive bought-in feed
- Acts as a weed suppressant and cover crop
Shop Stubble Turnip Seeds
At The Puzzle Seed Company, we stock proven stubble turnip varieties suited to UK conditions. Whether you’re looking for a fast-establishing catch crop after cereals or a reliable autumn grazing option, our stubble turnip seeds deliver consistent results season after season.