Barkant Forage Turnip, Brassicas

Barkant Cover Crop Turnips Seed

Large purple-topped bulbs pair with protein-rich leafy forage
Early-maturing diploid plants deliver vigorous cool-season growth
High leaf-to-stem ratio supports quality livestock grazing
Roots help condition soil before winter-killing

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Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Brassica rapa

Days to maturity

75 Days

Sun

Full Sun

About Barkant, Cover Crop Turnips Seed, Cover Crop Turnips Seed

The Barkant Forage Turnip is an improved, early maturing, diploid turnip variety with a large purple tankard shaped bulb. Turnips have a high leaf to stem ratio and provide very high concentrations of protein, sugar content and leaf yields. This turnip is ideally suited for grazing and it is common to obtain 4-6 tons of dry matter per acre of this high-energy feed.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

1/2"

Days to Germination

3–10 days

Row Spacing

Broadcast or Drill

Plant profile

Life Cycle

Annual

Plant Height

24 inches

Growth Habits

Rosette, Upright

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

12,500

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Before Planting

Reserve an open site for Cover Crop Turnips with suitable drainage and soil conditions. Control perennial weeds, remove heavy residue if it will interfere with seeding, and prepare a firm seedbed; use a soil test to correct major deficiencies. Confirm the planting window and termination plan before sowing, especially when the crop could overwinter or reseed.

Planting

Plant cover crop turnips seed outdoors during its recommended seasonal window, when enough growing time remains for establishment. Broadcast or drill seed evenly, then roll or press the area to ensure firm seed-to-soil contact. Keep the surface moist until seedlings establish if rainfall is insufficient. These crops normally form a stand and are not thinned; use the separate seeding-rate guidance to control density.

Watering

Water cover crop turnips during establishment whenever rainfall is insufficient. Once rooted, field stands generally rely on rainfall; irrigate during prolonged drought only when continued growth is desired, avoiding saturated soil.

Fertilizer

Fertilize cover crop turnips according to soil-test results and the crop’s purpose. Use nitrogen only when needed for growth, avoiding overapplication that causes lodging, runoff, or excessive residue.

Harvesting

Harvest or terminate cover crop turnips according to its purpose. Cut for tender forage before stems become coarse, or terminate near early flowering for manageable residue and to prevent unwanted reseeding.

Tips

Plan how and when cover crop turnips will be terminated before planting. Mow or incorporate before viable seed develops, and allow residue time to break down before sowing the following crop.

AVG. Seeding Rate

¼ lb./1,000 sq.ft.; 5–8 lb./acre.

Pests & Diseases

Turnips used as cover crops can harbor clubroot, black rot, white rust, and downy mildew. Inspect roots before choosing the next rotation; swollen clubbed roots mean other brassicas should not follow. Use clean seed and prevent flowering volunteers from maintaining diseases between cover-crop cycles.

Cover crop turnips may host cabbageworms, loopers, flea beetles, aphids, and root maggots. Monitor seedlings and leaf undersides, rotate brassicas, and use netting when protecting stand establishment is worthwhile.