FODDER TURNIP

Turnip rape belongs to the cruciferous family. It is a biannual plant, creating a succulent, round or flattened storage root in the first year of vegetation. In the past, turnip rape was commonly grown as a vegetable, nowadays it is mostly used as fodder for cows. Some of its advantages are rapid growth, even during a cold autumn, as well as tolerance to low temperatures.

 

The vegetation period usually lasts from 60 to 80 days. Due to its rapid growth and low dry mass yields per acre, turnip rape is not cultivated as a main crop; it is however very useful as after crop. Sowing is performed from the beginning of July until the first days of August.

 

Turnip rape is usually sown on ploughed up stubble-fields, hence the common name ‘stubble turnip’. It usually yields 65 to 550q/ha, and dry mass content is at 5-8%.