[Lostlambs]

Don't know if I spelled it right but the older people here talk about mangles their parents grew to feed the cows and sheep. From what I understand they are a type of turniplike root. I found a seed source but would like to find out how to grow and how to store them for next winter for the cows and sheep.

[ellied]

They're a large variety of beet that can grow up to about 15lbs in weight but apparently easy to grow and used to be used a lot for animal feed..  That's all I know, no idea where you get them nowadays

Modified cos I just found http://www.seeds-by-size.co.uk/beet98.html

[yankieGirl]

I also am interested in mangles.  I think they are making a comeback.

Jung seed Co
335 S Hight St.
Randolph, WI 53957, USA

Above is just one of many US seed catalogs carrying Mangles/sugar beets.

I'm going to give them a try this year.

[silver swan]

Look up 'mangelwurzles' in Wikipedia. 

[Fleecewife]

Mangolds or manglewurzels - what a brilliant name    Mostly grown further south (than Scotland) but my BiL in E Lothian grows them very well.  Apparently the leaves are poisonous so make sure they haven't sprouted when you feed them.  Seem to be grown pretty much like neeps (swedes/rutabaga), fodder beet and sugar beet.  Have the reputation of making ewes and cows 'milky' ie promoting milk production and they are rather less harsh on the teeth.  I would think they would need large amounts of manure to grow well, as they are so large.  I have seen seeds for sale in the organic gardening catalogue - have even bought some but not got round to sowing them.  I will be interested in how you get on.

[Lostlambs]

I'm trying to imagine myself pulling on a 15 lb beetto get it out of the ground lol!! I'll have to get the video camera out. I'm going to try to grow them this year  and see what happens thanks