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Story: Sheep farming

Break-feeding turnips and grass

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Break-feeding turnips and grass

Brassicas, particularly swedes and turnips, are useful for feeding sheep in areas where cold temperatures limit grass growth in late autumn and winter. Most turnip and swede crops are grown in Canterbury, Otago and Southland. Sheep are normally break-fed on root crops to prevent wastage. Sometimes grass is sown with brassicas to add bulk and quality.

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Natural Sciences Image Library of New Zealand

Reference: Ag1843Rbt.tif

by G. R. Roberts

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How to cite this page

Hugh Stringleman and Robert Peden, Sheep farming – Environment and sheep farming, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/16676/break-feeding-turnips-and-grass (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Hugh Stringleman and Robert Peden, published 1 March 2009, updated 1 March 2015.