Leafy Turnips vs Bulb Turnips: Which is Right for Your Farm?
Turnips are one of the most versatile and widely grown forage crops in the UK, but not all turnips are the same. The choice between leafy turnips and bulb turnips can have a significant impact on your grazing system, stocking rates, and overall forage performance. In this guide, we break down the key differences to help you choose the right variety for your farm.
What Are Leafy Turnips?
Leafy turnips – also known as stubble turnips or forage turnips – are bred primarily for leaf production rather than root development. They produce a dense, leafy canopy with minimal bulbing, making them fast to establish and quick to graze. Common leafy varieties include Appin and Jupiter, both of which are well suited to UK conditions.
Key characteristics of leafy turnips:
- Ready to graze in 6–8 weeks
- High leaf yield with minimal root
- Excellent for sheep and cattle
- Ideal as a fast catch crop after cereals
- Lower dry matter than bulb types
- Best utilised August to November
What Are Bulb Turnips?
Bulb turnips produce a large, fleshy root that sits at or just below the soil surface, alongside leafy top growth. They take longer to mature than leafy types but offer higher dry matter yields and better winter hardiness. Green Globe is one of the most popular bulb turnip varieties grown in the UK.
Key characteristics of bulb turnips:
- Ready to graze in 12–15 weeks
- High bulb yield with good top growth
- Higher dry matter and energy content than leafy types
- Excellent winter hardiness
- Roots are well anchored – suitable for all stock types
- Best utilised October to January
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Leafy Turnips | Bulb Turnips | |
|---|---|---|
| Time to graze | 6–8 weeks | 12–15 weeks |
| Dry matter yield | Lower | Higher |
| Winter hardiness | Moderate | Excellent |
| Grazing window | Aug–Nov | Oct–Jan |
| Best for | Fast catch crops | Winter feed |
| Livestock | Sheep & cattle | All stock types |
Which Should You Choose?
The right choice depends on your farming system and when you need the grazing:
- If you need fast autumn grazing after cereal harvest, leafy turnips such as Appin or Jupiter are the better choice – they establish quickly and provide high-quality grazing from August onwards.
- If you need winter feed to carry stock through to January, bulb turnips such as Green Globe offer better dry matter, higher energy content, and superior winter hardiness.
- For maximum flexibility, consider sowing both – leafy turnips for early autumn grazing and bulb turnips to follow on through winter.
Shop Turnip Seeds at The Puzzle Seed Company
We stock a range of proven turnip varieties suited to UK conditions, including leafy stubble turnips and main crop bulb turnips.