Stubble Turnips

Stubble turnips are a fast growing catch crop, popular with livestock farmers. They may be sown after first cut silage for summer grazing or after winter cereals for autumn grazing. When planting a larger acreage it is advisable to stagger sowing dates, increasing the seed rate in dry conditions. If being used for dairy cow grazing is important to take into consideration the distance between the field and the milking parlour. Strip grazing is advisable if possible to limit wastage. There are two types of stubble turnip: Bulbing ( see Marco and Vollenda) and non bulbing. 

 

Yield and Feed Quality 

  • Average DM Yield = 3.5-4.5 tonnes/ha 
  • Average fresh yield = 38-45 tonnes/ha 
  • Crude Protein = 17-18% (mainly in the leaves)
  • Digestibility value = 68-70%
  • DM = 8-9%
  • ME = 11MJ/kg DM
  • Sugars in DM = 55%