The autumn period saw the introduction of fodder beet into the cow’s diet, as grass supplies tightened up. We grew the variety SF Brigadier on our farm. It has the highest proportion of bulb above the ground than any other available variety and so makes for the perfect fodder beet type for strip-grazing.
The roots of SF Brigadier fodder beet are typically high in energy, but low in crude protein. However, the tops have a lower energy value, but good crude protein levels. Together, they combine to form a balanced nutritional feed.
Slow transition
We transitioned the cows slowly on to the fodder beet over a period of two weeks to prevent any acidosis problems. As it was the first time fodder beet was used on the farm, we got an adviser to help us set up the paddock for strip-grazing and to give us a valid yield assessment to transition the cows on to the beet as smoothly as possible.
We introduced the cows to the beet by allocating 1kg DM/cow, which was increased by 1kg every two days once all cows were seen to be eating the fodder beet.
We had some problems getting the cows to eat the beet at first, as it was a totally new feed to them, but we found that splitting up some of the bulbs using a ring roller encouraged the cows to start eating the fodder beet quicker.
The most important period for management of the grazing of fodder beet is over the first 14 days (transition period). An inadequate transition can lead to over-consumption before the rumen is adapted, which leads to acidosis problems.
The feeding of fodder beet needs to be supplemented with DiCalcium Phosphate due to the low phosphorous levels contained in fodder beet if it is being fed as the whole diet.
The autumn diet
After morning milking:
Cows allocated 3kg DM of grass.Cows moved to fodder beet, where 4kg DM was allocated.After evening milking:
Cows allocated 8kg DM of grass.Cows supplemented 2kg of palm kernel.Fodder beet is now becoming extremely popular in New Zealand as farmers look for the most efficient way to feed the cows in the autumn and the winter dry period. The cost per hectare to grow fodder beet was $2,000 (€1,250). Our farm produced a relatively average yielding crop at 20t DM/ha, with targets set at 25t DM/Ha. However, this leaves a high-quality feed at a cost of $0.10/kg (0.06c/kg) of dry matter.
Fodder beet is the new feed that all farmers are beginning to use in New Zealand as an autumn supplement and mainly as a winter feed. Fodder beet has a high metabolisable energy of 12 MJ/kg DM and so is useful in helping cows increase their body condition score (BCS) pre-calving.
I was amazed with how smoothly the cows transitioned on to the beet
It also has advantages, such as reduced land requirement for the winter period due to high stocking rates, the very high utilisation of the crop (>90%) and it also fits in well to pasture reseeding programmes. The agronomy of fodder beet is continuously improving and the future will see increasing, more-consistent crop yields, further reducing the cost/kg DM.
I was amazed with how smoothly the cows transitioned on to the beet and mainly how little waste was left behind. This was achieved by careful attentive management, as well as precise allocation of feed. However, I would be sceptical of how well this feed system would work on Irish dairy farms due to our harsher winter weather and different soil types.
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The autumn period saw the introduction of fodder beet into the cow’s diet, as grass supplies tightened up. We grew the variety SF Brigadier on our farm. It has the highest proportion of bulb above the ground than any other available variety and so makes for the perfect fodder beet type for strip-grazing.
The roots of SF Brigadier fodder beet are typically high in energy, but low in crude protein. However, the tops have a lower energy value, but good crude protein levels. Together, they combine to form a balanced nutritional feed.
Slow transition
We transitioned the cows slowly on to the fodder beet over a period of two weeks to prevent any acidosis problems. As it was the first time fodder beet was used on the farm, we got an adviser to help us set up the paddock for strip-grazing and to give us a valid yield assessment to transition the cows on to the beet as smoothly as possible.
We introduced the cows to the beet by allocating 1kg DM/cow, which was increased by 1kg every two days once all cows were seen to be eating the fodder beet.
We had some problems getting the cows to eat the beet at first, as it was a totally new feed to them, but we found that splitting up some of the bulbs using a ring roller encouraged the cows to start eating the fodder beet quicker.
The most important period for management of the grazing of fodder beet is over the first 14 days (transition period). An inadequate transition can lead to over-consumption before the rumen is adapted, which leads to acidosis problems.
The feeding of fodder beet needs to be supplemented with DiCalcium Phosphate due to the low phosphorous levels contained in fodder beet if it is being fed as the whole diet.
The autumn diet
After morning milking:
Cows allocated 3kg DM of grass.Cows moved to fodder beet, where 4kg DM was allocated.After evening milking:
Cows allocated 8kg DM of grass.Cows supplemented 2kg of palm kernel.Fodder beet is now becoming extremely popular in New Zealand as farmers look for the most efficient way to feed the cows in the autumn and the winter dry period. The cost per hectare to grow fodder beet was $2,000 (€1,250). Our farm produced a relatively average yielding crop at 20t DM/ha, with targets set at 25t DM/Ha. However, this leaves a high-quality feed at a cost of $0.10/kg (0.06c/kg) of dry matter.
Fodder beet is the new feed that all farmers are beginning to use in New Zealand as an autumn supplement and mainly as a winter feed. Fodder beet has a high metabolisable energy of 12 MJ/kg DM and so is useful in helping cows increase their body condition score (BCS) pre-calving.
I was amazed with how smoothly the cows transitioned on to the beet
It also has advantages, such as reduced land requirement for the winter period due to high stocking rates, the very high utilisation of the crop (>90%) and it also fits in well to pasture reseeding programmes. The agronomy of fodder beet is continuously improving and the future will see increasing, more-consistent crop yields, further reducing the cost/kg DM.
I was amazed with how smoothly the cows transitioned on to the beet and mainly how little waste was left behind. This was achieved by careful attentive management, as well as precise allocation of feed. However, I would be sceptical of how well this feed system would work on Irish dairy farms due to our harsher winter weather and different soil types.
Read more
Read more from Barry Purcell
Read more student blogs
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