Appin Turnip
  • High leaf yields from multi-crowned bulbs
  • Excellent regrowth potential
  • Firmly anchored for sheep grazing
  • Flexible grazing options: 8-14 weeks after sowing
  • Clubroot tolerant

In seven comparative yield trials Appin has produced similar yields to Mammoth Purple Top (103% of MPT).
It is however more versatile for grazing, particularly under harsh conditions. If hot dry conditions occur 8-10 weeks after sowing most turnips will rapidly lose high quality leaf and only develop small bulbs. Whilst waiting for maturity yield losses of 30-40% can occur. Appin produces rapid leaf growth and can be grazed early at eight weeks after sowing. If Appin is destocked it after grazing then will regrow from its bulb providing additional grazing. This can prevent crop wastage.

Yield Results
A liveweight gain trial was undertaken at Creswick, Victoria over summer autumn 1998/99. Two blocks of turnips, Appin and Mammoth Purple Top (MPT), were stocked at 47 lambs/ha over a six week grazing period, with weighing's at fortnightly intervals. There was a significant difference between liveweight gains.
Lambs grazing Appin gained a total of 6.16 kg/head at an average of 147 g/d, whilst those grazing MPT gained a total 5.42 kg at an average 129 g/d.
The lambs adapted faster to Appin during the first fortnight. They maintained that initial advantage over the next two grazing periods. The lambs grazing Appin produced 290 kg/ha liveweight gain compared to 255 kg/ha for the lambs grazing MPT, ie 14% more liveweight gain.
Animal Performance
Economics
Using a value of $1.80 /kg liveweight for lambs, the extra income from Appin would be $63/ha for an increased sowing cost of about $8/ha.
Scott Robinson, dairy producer, Orbost Vic
 What the farmers say...

"We milk around 300 cows averaging 25 L/d and we were after a crop that would hold our cows through the summer. We drilled Pasja and Appin leafy turnip in November into 30 ha with MAP at 100kg/ha as a mix for summer feed. We even sowed it into kikuyu paddocks. Urea was applied at 100kg/ha four weeks after emergence. The first grazing was six weeks after sowing and yielded 10 t/ha. The crop had a good sized bulb and great leaf coverage. We strip grazed the crop and it lasted until the end of March. The cows grazed it to the ground. The mix was leafy and grew a bulk of feed quickly even though it was hot. The crop was used as part of the renovation program of the paddock - which was then drilled into Winter Star ryegrass. We'll be using Appin again."
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©Steve Cselka 2006 - 2008