We have purchased a different type of turnip for our winter pastures this year and we accidentally got a double order of the seeds. The Seven Top Turnip seeds were very difficult for us to find but now we have 50 lbs more than we need. The seed is $2.50 per lb. plus any required shipping. Seeding rate is 2-3 lbs per acre.

.The big difference between the Purple Top Turnips we planted last year and the Seven Top Turnip is the Seven Top only produces the Turnip Greens and little to no turnip bulb. The turnip leaves are where the most protein is contained. (see story below).

If you would like some of the Seven Top Turnip seed send us an email at

If you live close by, you can just stop by and get the seed. If the seed will need to be shipped, we will have to find out the shipping costs.

Maximizing Fall and Winter Grazing of Beef Cows and Stocker Cattle

Bulletin 872-98

Brassicas

Brassicas can increase mid-summer forage availability but have a particular advantage for late fall-winter grazing. Brassicas are easy to establish, fast-growing, high-yielding, high-quality, and can withstand cold temperatures.

These fast-growing crops can reach maximum quality in as little as 60 days and maximum yield in 70 to 90 days. The tops can tolerate temperatures to 15-20 degrees F and the bulbs are 5-10 degrees F hardier. In a 1994 southeastern Ohio trial, Premier Kale, a long season leafy crop, withstood temperatures of -7 degrees F and yielded more than three tons of dry matter per acre (Penrose et al., 1996).

Brassicas can be no-tilled with prior application of a burn-down herbicide. They can also be conventionally tilled with a drill, or broadcasted and cultipacked. Seeding rate should be 1.5 to 2.0 lbs/acre for turnips and swede and 3.5 to 4.0 lbs/acre for rape and kale. A real challenge is to get the seeding rates that low. If broadcasting is an option, consider mixing in fertilizer to keep the seeding rates that low. If fertility levels are adequate, the only additional fertilizer needed is 50 pounds of nitrogen. A stable form of nitrogen such as ammonium nitrate (34-0-0) is recommended to reduce volatilization.

Turnip varieties produce varying amounts of tops and bulbs, and the bulbs are usually available as an acceptable feed for cattle. Some new forage varieties produce a greater proportion of tops to bulbs. For example, in a 1994 study, the garden variety purple top turnip had 39% of the yield in the tops (6,653 lbs/dry matter/acre) 95 days after planting while a Chinese cabbage-turnip hybrid (Tyfon) had 76% in the tops (6,792 lbs/dry matter/acre) during the same time. Some important considerations include the fact that a greater percent of the tops are likely to be consumed than the bulbs, and the tops tend to be higher in quality. In three years of Ohio trials, protein content of tops averaged 17-24% and bulbs 10-15%. Total yields for these crops can range from three to Five tons of dry matter per acre with adequate rainfall.

A farmer in Washington County, Ohio, was selected to demonstrate how brassicas can reduce stored feed costs. On August 3, 1994, 4.3 acres of pasture were seeded to purple top turnips at the rate of two lbs. per acre with a no-till drill. Thirty days after seeding, 68 lbs/acre of ammonium nitrate (34-0-0) were broadcast. All other fertility levels were adequate, and no additional fertilization was required. Samples taken on October 26 (84 days after planting) resulted in a yield of 10,306 pounds of dry matter per acre (50% tops, 50% bulbs). On October 26, 28 beef cows and their calves were placed on the turnips. The animals grazed the turnips for 45 days using strip grazing. Variable planting costs were $50/acre (Ohio State University Farm Rates, 1993). Feed costs were $0.17 per day per cow-calf unit based on 75% utilization. Comparing this to stored feed costs of mixed hay at $80/ton (Ohio State University Extension Enterprise Budgets, 1995) and consumption of 3% dry matter per day, the savings amounted to $1,045 for the period or $23 per day (Barrett and Penrose, 1996).

Available turnip cultivars include Purple Top, Rondo, Wintergreen, Forage Star, Seven Top, Barkant, and All Top. Rape cultivars include Emerald, Crystal River, Rangiora, and Bornopoli; hybrids include Tyfon and Pasja; and Kale includes Premier, Gruner, and Kepti. Most of these varieties are available from major seed dealers in Ohio.

Three years of trials in Ohio have demonstrated the potential of brassicas to extend the grazing season (Penrose et al., 1997b). For best results:

Seed from mid-July through mid-August.
Provide hay or stockpiled forage to improve utilization.
Strip graze where the forage is rationed.

This proves to be the most efficient usage.

Brassicas are fairly flexible in providing nutrition for livestock. However, here are some general guidelines. Any summer grazing should be very light, with only top grazing. Graze small areas through rotational or strip grazing. After maturity, fungal diseases and rot may deteriorate the plants. Brassicas should be planted in the same area for only two years because of disease potential.