How to Grow Swedes: Varieties, Sowing Tips, and Winter Feed Planning

Root Sow What? A Practical Guide to Growing Forage Swedes

When it comes to reliable winter feed, few crops earn their place on the farm quite like Swedes. Known as the only truly winter-hardy root brassica, Swedes consistently deliver high dry-matter yields and provide a valuable source of energy for out-wintered livestock when grass growth slows down.

But as with any brassica crop, success isn’t just about choosing a variety — it’s also about how you establish and manage it. In this post, we take a look at why Swedes are such a dependable winter feed, the key points to think about before sowing, and a breakdown of three leading varieties: Inovation, Marian, and Triumph.

 

Why Choose Forage Swedes?

Swedes are a firm favourite among livestock farmers for three key reasons:

1. True Winter Hardiness

Where other brassicas may struggle, Swedes stand up to cold, wet weather and keep providing feed well into late winter.

2. High Energy, High Dry Matter

This makes them ideal for maintaining condition on cattle and sheep through harsher months.

3. Cost-Effective, In-Situ Grazing

Most growers graze them where they grow, reducing labour and machinery costs.

As with all brassicas, stock should be introduced gradually to prevent digestive upsets. It’s also essential to provide a run-back area of grass or stubble for stock to return to.

 

Seed Choice: Graded or Natural?

Before you even decide which variety to grow, you’ll need to know how you’re planning to sow it:

• Precision drilling → requires graded seed (Grade H)

• Broadcasting or direct drilling → requires natural seed

Choosing the right seed type ensures even establishment and predictable plant populations — both of which matter for yield and grazing performance.

 

Swede Variety Spotlight

Below is a breakdown of three widely grown forage Swede varieties and where they fit best in your winter grazing plan. We are able to supply other varieties upon request. 

Inovation – The “After Christmas” Performer

If you’re looking for a variety that stands strong later into the winter, Inovation is hard to beat.

Why growers choose it:

• High dry matter → ideal for mid- to late-winter grazing

• Excellent winter hardiness

• Large, uniform bulbs with a big leaf canopy for extra yield

• Strong tolerance to powdery mildew

• Clubroot tolerant

Inovation’s larger leaf mass not only boosts overall yield but also helps extend the grazing window — a key advantage when trying to stretch forage over colder months.

Reminder: There are three known strains of clubroot, so a five-year rotation is recommended.

 

Marian – The Dual-Purpose Favourite

With its distinctive yellow flesh and purple skin, Marian is a versatile variety suited to both livestock and the kitchen table.

Key features:

• Medium dry matter

• Dual-purpose — excellent forage AND a great culinary Swede

• Best grazed October to January

• Highly palatable for both sheep and cattle

If you want flexibility in your winter grazing, Marian is a solid choice. However, if your grazing period extends beyond January, it’s best paired with a second, more winter-hardy variety.

Reminder: A five-year rotation is advised due to clubroot risk.

 

Triumph – The Yield and Retention Specialist

For growers looking to maximise yield while keeping feed quality high deep into winter, Triumph is a standout option.

What sets it apart:

• Suitable for grazing November to February

• High root and leaf yields

• Excellent winter leaf retention, helping maintain crop energy value

• Medium dry matter

• Uniform bulbs with strong resistance to clubroot

• High tolerance to root rot

Triumph’s ability to hold onto leaf material later into winter is particularly valuable, as leaf loss can significantly reduce the total dry matter available to stock.

 

Which Variety is Right for You?

Choosing the right Swede variety depends on:

• Your grazing window

• Your soil health (especially clubroot status)

• Whether you want a dual-purpose variety

• Your preferred sowing method

Many growers choose to plant more than one variety to ensure consistent feed availability across winter — for example, using Marian early and Inovation or Triumph later.

 

Final Thoughts

Forage Swedes remain one of the most reliable winter feed options available. With careful variety selection and the correct seed type for your sowing method, you can produce a hardy, high-energy crop that keeps stock thriving through the most challenging months.