Fodder beet adds ‘fizz’ to livestock diets

Fodder beet is a long-standing and valuable fodder crop on many sheep and cattle farms, noted for its high energy and high feed value, says Limagrain forage crop manager John Spence. 

“Results all show that dry matter and energy yields are consistent, regardless of growing conditions. Even in the more climatically challenging conditions of the past few years with long dry periods and, at times, very wet conditions, yields and feed value have not wavered much.”

Fodder beet will yield more than 80 tonnes per hectare of fresh weight, with some varieties well above this and around the 100t of fresh weight level per hectare.

The average metabolisable energy content for fodder beet varieties trialled annually by Limagrain is consistently 12.5–13 MJ/kg DM. “This fodder crop has the highest dry matter and energy yielding crop per hectare available among commonly grown forages in the UK,” adds John.

Varieties such as Robbos and Blaze will yield more than 18t/ha of dry matter consistently, but, being medium-rooted, they can be grazed in situ through autumn and winter, depending on conditions. And if lifted, they’ll have less risk of soil contamination and require less cleaning compared with deeper-rooted varieties.

Depending on the feeding system and the climate, farmers can also consider bolting risks, and choose a variety least likely to bolt, or disease resistance.

“And there are varieties that are rhizomania tolerant and are selected to be less susceptible to mildew, rust and leafspot,” he adds.

Flexi forage

Fodder beet can be stored in the ground over winter and lifted as required, lifted and stored in open clamps, or fed in situ if conditions are suitable.

Fodder beet also slots into grass or arable rotations as a break crop. It’s sown in April, possibly after a first cut or early spring grazing, or a cereal crop, into a well-prepared seed bed.

“It’s a demanding crop in terms of nutrients,” John adds. “Land destined for fodder beet will benefit from farm year manure and slurry, and nitrogen can be applied after drilling where necessary.”

It’s also important to keep on top of pests and weeds. “We supply seed treated with a fungicide and pesticide with the option of seed priming to aid germination and get plants off to a good start. But herbicide treatments and fungicides will be required depending on conditions.”

While fodder beet requires quite a few inputs, with growing costs estimated to be at least £16/t fresh weight, the yields and feed value make this crop cost-effective.

“And there are added benefits of including fodder beet in the rotation, and of being able to reduce the reliance on bought-in feeds. Once farmers introduce this forage, they rarely move away from it. Its flexibility, feed value and consistency make it an attractive option.”

Consistent yields

Fodder beet is a staple crop at Marsh Farm, near Alford, east Lincolnshire where it is used in a TMR for dairy cows and also fed with cereals to the beef cattle. Darren Brown grows 12ha (30 acres) of the crop every year which produces about 100t/ha (40t/acre) of fresh weight a year.

As well as being a valuable feed, Darren finds fodder beet an ideal break crop for winter and spring cereals, and it slots into the rotation with the grassland. “We’re on clay loam so it’s marginal for fodder beet really, but the crop does consistently well
every year.”

Fodder beet follows a cereal crop – typically winter wheat. Pre-sowing, the land is ploughed in autumn, then flat lifted across the plough to loosen the soil and allow for easy root development.

Harvesting starts in late October until the end of February and precedes spring barley. He uses one of two local contractors. “The good thing is that we can lift beet as we need it and when conditions are OK. It stores well in mother nature’s larder – in the ground, and in a pile once it’s lifted. It’s very flexible.”

Whatever the growing conditions, the experience in growing and feeding fodder beet at Marsh Farm is good. “Despite different challenges, there’s little fluctuation in yield and feed quality. We’ve had dry summers and wet autumns, but yields and quality don’t seem to vary,” adds Darren. “We could do with more crops like this.”

He attributes some of his success with fodder beet to variety choice; he’s opted for Limagrain’s Robbos since 2019.  “We ‘dabbled’ with other varieties but come back to Robbos as it’s consistent and reliable. It’s got a clean root and it’s not deep into the ground which makes harvesting, cleaning and feeding easier.”

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