Roots

Traditional uses of roots are well documented, they can be split into  2 major types.

1) Short term Catch crops and root/brassica crop mixtures -these types of mixtures are fast to mature and very useful can be mature within 10-12 weeks in most cases

These mixtures include normally fodder rape/stubble turnip/Green Globe maincrop turnip and other fast establishing species.

2) Slower maturing Root crops such as Swedes and Fodder beet-that are normally planted in April or May & then harvested /grazed in situ throughout the late autumn and winter.

We have a wide range of fodder beets on stock including the market leading Merveille, Jamon and Jauna all medium dry matter varieties that have clean roots and combine this with good keeping ability.

Swedes are very useful with very good feed values, high dry matter yield and low cost of production. Excellent D value of 82D and expect 8-10 tons/Ha Dry matter yield.

We have seen that narrow rotations are not useful for Swede production and that longer rotations with big intervals between other brassica species encourages better swede performance and resistance to rotting diseases.

The 2 key varieties of Swede that we market in the UK are market leaders Kenmore and Airlie,- both swedes are bred in Scotland by the SAC.

Swedes like fertility and would require 75-85kg N/Ha in the seedbed after any muck has also been taken into account.

KENMORE
A stock variety with exceptional yield an exceptional mildew resistance but overall terrific unbeatable yields-

AIRLIE
Airlie has excellent keeping ability but still is exceptionally high yielding and is also used by professional growers for human consumption and the super market trade.