Turnips

Appin turnip - roots

Turnips are an upright, cool season broadleaf that works well in cover crop mixes. They have leafy top growth, a bulb, and fibrous roots hairs. They tend to last longer in the fall when compared to radish and can often overwinter.

Seeding Rate (lbs. / acre)

  • Drill: 2-4
  • Broadcast: 3-5
  • In a mix: 1-2

– Planting depth: 1/8”–1/4”
– Approximate seeds/lb: 240,000
– Days to germination: 5-7

Turnip Benefits & Info

  • Turnips tend to persist longer in the fall (compared to radish), improving nutrient cycling
  • Overwintering is common but terminates easily in the spring
  • Works well alongside forage oats, breaking up compaction and shading out competition
  • Grows best in pH 5.5 – 6.8

Forage Considerations 

  • Great forage for ruminant livestock
  • Various types and varieties deliver different benefits, based on the shape of the tuber and leaf/bulb ratio
  • Purple top turnips are widely used, but the varieties listed below perform particularly well in grazing systems:
Appin

Bred for grazing; expect excellent re-growth and multiple grazings when management and weather conditions allow; high leaf yield

Appin turnip leaves - with oats

Barkant

High sugar content improves palatability; reliable bulb yield and top growth. The picture below is in January after a massive amount of snow and sub-zero temps – still has excellent ground cover.

Pasja

Hybrid brassica with high leaf/bulb ratio; bred for rapid growth (50-70 days)


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