Tupping on stubble turnips

[MrsPillar]

Hiya does anyone know if tupping ewes of stubble turnips affects conception and lambing percentages?

 

[neilo]

I’d be wary of moving them onto turnips within a few weeks of tupping, but only as it takes 3 weeks or so for the gut to change over, so you could get a negative energy balance (the opposite to flushing). If they are used to that ration, and trace elements are covered, I can’t see why they shouldn’t tup well on them.

 

[MrsPillar]

Thankyou... i just got worried it would act as a contraceptive like white cabbages with tups. They are wintered on stubble turnips every year but usually after tupping

 

[WRXppp]

I think I read, got told that brassica crops can lock up certain minerals cobalt and iodine spring to mind, might be worth a google, and like above have them on the turnips for a couple of weeks befor tups go in or have a run off grass field so the rumen bugs don't get a shock.

 

[neilo]

I think I read, got told that brassica crops can lock up certain minerals cobalt and iodine spring to mind, might be worth a google, and like above have them on the turnips for a couple of weeks befor tips go in or have a run off grass field so the rumen bugs don't get a shock.

Brassicas are low in Iodine, which does have an impact of fertility, so I'd certainly want to make sure they were supplemented somehow.

i seem to remember an estate the used to have a regular spot in one of the farming papers years ago. They were tupping on stubble turnips, then housing over winter and turning out for lambing, presumably without problems. Like most farm writeups in the press, it was interesting hearing some of the neighbours' takes on it.

 

[WRXppp]

There is an old post on here, 'ewes on turnips' with quite a bit off info, we blood test a few weeks befor tupping now after copper/swayback in some Suffolk lambs a few years back, copper levels on the floor but a bolus the last two autumns prior to tupping has them back to normal levels for this years test, mineral salesmen hate blood tests imo!

 

[texhex]

I have been offered some stubble turnips to graze lambs on this winter.... What would be a fair price to pay for them.

 

[Coximus]

Depends on yeild, work it out and buy the crop, standing and make sure your allowed to strip graze, get every penny of it.

Personally I've paid between 20-45/acre for neeps and kale crops.

 

[texhex]

Depends on yeild, work it out and buy the crop, standing and make sure your allowed to strip graze, get every penny of it.

Personally I've paid between 20-45/acre for neeps and kale crops.

Cheers bud...... Its a standing crop and I fence and shepherd it.

 

[Coximus]

Theirs some adhb guides in consumption rates somewhere and you can use them to work outility how long the crop will last. That let's you value it!

 

[neilo]

I have been offered some stubble turnips to graze lambs on this winter.... What would be a fair price to pay for them.

Depends where you are, and how much local competition/demand there is. Back in the Cotswolds I paid 50p/hd/wk (me fencing, lookering, etc) next door. Up here, some are claiming to be getting £1 or more for the same.

In reality, the grower needs 40-50p to pay for the growing costs. Do you want him to grow them for you again, or just take it as a one off?

 

[MrsPillar]

Thankyou i shal have a research on the mineral side