Establishing forage turnips for sows in pasture systems

Forage turnips provide nutritional and behavioural enrichment for gestating sows on restricted diets, supplying up to 11.2 MJ NE/sow/day. Poor establishment limited energy intake, causing weight loss despite 60–100% feed rations. Sows showed persistent foraging motivation, indicating need for additional forage. With improved yield, forage turnips could replace up to 40% of feed. Seeding with white clover or using wider drill spacing (25 cm) may reduce weeds and enhance biomass. The practice may reduce pasture damage and support sow welfare. Study by SLU and Hushållningssällskapet, Sweden.