Brassicas
Turnip is one of several species referred to as Brassicas. This group of forbs includes forage rape (Brassica napus L.), kale (Brassica oleracea L.), turnips (Brassica rapa L. subsp. rapa), swedes (Brassica napus L.), and hybrids like Tyfon (a hybrid between Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa Pekeninensis Group) and stubble turnip (Brassica rapa Rapifera Group).
Turnip, rape, and kale are distributed over much of Europe, northern Asia, northern North America, and southern Oceania. These crops are grown year-round in cooler and moist climates and as a winter forage in warmer climates. Most brassicas are cold tolerant, and the leaves can withstand light freezes. Moisture requirements are relatively high for most species. Well- to moderately-well drained loamy soils are preferred, but with adequate moisture and fertility, sandy or peaty soils produce adequate yields.
Description and Uses
Turnip is a herbaceous, biennial forb that is used as a pasture forage, alone or in combination with cool-season grasses and legumes. It can be spring-seeded alone or in combination with annual ryegrass or oats following early-maturing corn silage fields for fall/winter grazing. It can also be seeded in August and September in warmer areas to provide grazing in November and December.
Overseeding into existing pastures can be successful with little or no tillage if competition is reduced by close grazing prior to broadcasting turnip seed.