Agriseeds upper North Island agronomist Will Henson said it all came down to key rules of preparation, establishment, and husbandry, as well as using the correct variety of turnip.
“Recent dry summers have been challenging for summer turnips in parts of the North Island,” he said. “But some crops still performed much better than others even with the tough conditions.”
He believed there was huge potential to improve overall crop performance and it needn’t come with a big price tag.
“It’s still a costly exercise to put in a poor crop. If farmers take the right steps, they can potentially double their yield for not much more expense.”
Run-out ryegrass doesn’t grow much in summer; it browns off quickly and typically has low feed value which is not compatible with good milk production.
“Farmers who sow turnips instead of doing nothing with under-performing pastures end up with extra high quality summer feed they wouldn’t otherwise have so it’s a more profitable use of their land.”
Summer turnips also break the life cycle for insect pests such as black beetle, setting paddocks up well for new pasture in autumn.
Will Henson’s dos and don’ts for a good turnip crop – starting this spring:
Do get a soil test, and fertilise accordingly.
Don’t assume standard fertiliser will meet the crop’s needs.
Do consider insects as well as weeds in paddock preparation. Use insecticide for springtails at the initial spray out, and don’t overlook slug bait.
Do pick the right variety. In recent seasons, Dynamo has performed very well. “It hangs on better in the paddock. The leaf is fuller, too, which is important because there are good nutrients in the leaf.” Even in hard conditions, farmers who have followed best practice have achieved good yields with Dynamo – up to 14 tonnes of drymatter a hectare – and they’ve loved it.
Don’t plant too late. “In Waikato, the start of November is perfect.”
Do use the right sowing method. If direct drilling, do so carefully, and sow shallow – < 1cm deep.
Do roll the paddock. “This is probably a step that is often missed. But it’s absolutely imperative, especially if we have a dry patch late spring. The seed must be in contact with the soil. You cannot have the seedbed too firm.”
Don’t forget about the crop after sowing. Do walk the paddock in early emergence, look for weeds and pests, and deal to them straight away if necessary. Take your retail rep with you – early warning signs can often be hard to spot, and problems can escalate quickly, so it’s well worth getting a second opinion.
Do apply urea post-emergence.
Don’t let insects take hold as the crop matures. Leaf miner and diamond back moth can ruin a good yield.
