Swedes

Swedes

Swedes are commonly known to be the only true winter hardy forage and will produce high dry matter yields and valuable high energy winter feed for outwintering stock.

Like any brassica, stock should be introduced slowly and have access to either a grass or stubble run-back.

This cost effective crop is normally grazed in situ and it is important to choose a variety that will cover the period you want to graze. It is also very important to decide how you are going to sow your swede seed.

If precision drilling, you must use (graded) grade H seed and if direct drilling or broadcasting, you will require natural seed.

INVITATION
Invitation is a high dry matter type making it suitable for after Christmas utilisation due to its good winter hardiness. It produces big uniform bulbs and has large leaves which will help increase the overall yield and help to extend the grazing period. It has excellent tolerance to powdery mildew and is also a clubroot tolerant variety. (There are different strains of clubroot so a five year rotation is recommended).

LOMOND
Lomond is a medium dry matter type which produces high fresh and dry matter yields which makes it suitable for finishing lambs post Christmas. Trials show that it suffers less from root rot and splits, making it more palatable throughout the grazing period. It has both powdery mildew and clubroot tolerance. (There are different strains of clubroot so a five year rotation is recommended).

MARIAN
Marian is a medium dry matter type which has yellow coloured flesh and a purple skin. It is ideal for sheep and cattle grazing and is also extremely palatable as a culinary swede.

Marian is best utilised from October until January and if you are looking to extend the grazing period then we would suggest maybe growing a higher dry matter type alongside Marian.

GOWRIE
Gowrie is a medium dry matter type that produces high dry matter yields which can be utilised pre- and post-Christmas. Bred in Scotland,

Gowrie is known as a dual purpose swede which is suitable for sheep and cattle grazing as well as being used as a culinary swede. It has good powdery mildew resistance and is also a clubroot tolerant variety. (There are different strains of clubroot so a five year rotation is recommended).


TRIUMPH
Triumph is a swede that delivers high yields of both root and leaf and is best utilised from November to February. Its good winter leaf retention enhances the overall yield of the crop, which will help to extend the grazing period.

It’s a medium dry matter type that produces uniform bulbs and has a high tolerance to root rot. It also has strong resistance to clubroot. (There are different strains of clubroot so a five year rotation is recommended).

Other varieties available upon request.