The risk from bloat will depend on how much alfalfa is present and how easily cattle might be able to selectively graze it. Usually the risk is low, especially if other green feed, such as palatable weeds, is also available. Take the usual precautions, such as having animals full when they are turned onto the stubble and making sure it is dry at turnout. Success will be limited in broadcasting the turnip seed and trampling it in. The ground probably is quite hard, so unless you have very high stock density, such as 50 cows per acre or more, the amount of hoof disturbance probably will not be adequate to receive a satisfactory stand. However, if rain softens the site while animals are present, much better germination and emergence would be expected. Weed control is critical, and if weed pressure is high enough to need control, grazing is unlikely to be adequate because weeds will regrow rapidly as soon as grazing stops. Leaving cows on the stubble to control weeds for an extended time will injure new turnips almost as much as it will control weeds. Thus, the most effective option is to spray a contact herbicide like Roundup® (glyphosate) or Gramoxone® (paraquat) to fully suppress weeds and give turnips a clean head start.

Browse related Faqs by tag: beef cattle, alfalfa, turnips, grazing alfalfa after wheat