Stubble Turnips - Tyfonare an excellent catch crop which can produce nutritious, highly palatable feed in just 12-14 weeks after sowing

The crop can be sown in spring for feeding in late summer or sown in July / August for feeding in October to February. They are not very winter hardy and losses will occur in frosty weather

Dry Matter yield: 3– 4 t/ha
Fresh yield: 35 – 40 t/ha
Dry Matter: 8 – 9 %
Crude Protein: 17 – 18 %

Sowing period: April to June for feeding in July to September July to August for feeding in October to February

Seeding rates: Seeding rate depends on sowing conditions and method of sowing. Fine and firm seedbed required similar to grass reseeding.

Broadcast: 8 kg/ha (3 kg/acre).

Direct drill: 5 kg/ha (2 kg/acre)

Varieties

TYFON : Ideally sown in spring and utilized in the summer months. Leaf growth will be 70% of dry matter yield. Has some regrowth potential.

DELILAH : Very high yielding variety. Ideal for fattening lambs and will produce huge white tankard shaped bulbs. Leaf growth will be about 40% of total dry matter. Resistant to mildew.

SAMSON: Very palatable to both cattle and sheep. Leaf growth will be 40 – 50% of Total

Lime: Target pH of 6.5-7.0

Fertiliser: N 70-90 kg/ha (56-72 units/Ac); P 20-30 kg/ha (16-24 units/Ac); K 40-60 kg/ha (32-48 units/Ac). eg. 4 x 50 kg/Ac 18-6-12

Weed Control: Normally none. Could use Butisan S within 48 hours after sowing.

Pest problems: Flea Beetles, Slugs and Leatherjackets are the most likely pests.

Disease: Club root – Good crop rotation will avoid the problem Powdery Mildew - susceptible especially in early sown crops

Feeding Information: Stubble turnips are usually utilized by ewes and lambs or by fattening lambs. Utilization of bulbs by sheep and cattle can be poor especially if bulb size is small. Strip grazing works best and it is important to introduce stock gradually. Stock take about three weeks to adjust to stubble turnips in the diet. Sheep or cattle will both need a source of roughage, i.e. grass, hay, straw or silage. Minerals also need to be supplemented.