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The comeback of the fodder beet
Fodder beet cultivation is increasing in popularity again. That's not so strange, because fodder beets have a high VEM and DVE value and are very profitable. In Belgium, the research institute ILVO has conducted a lot of research into fodder beet in recent years. This shows that the use of fodder beets in the ration leads to an increased roughage intake and possible savings on concentrates.
In the Netherlands, the acreage of fodder beet increased by 500 hectares to approximately 3.000 hectares last year. Fun historical fact: in the 44.000s the acreage was 20.000 hectares. In Belgium, the acreage is much higher at almost XNUMX hectares. It is therefore not surprising that the Belgian ILVO is involved in this cultivation and has already gathered a lot of knowledge about it.
View the recommended fodder beet varieties for the Netherlands here
Increased roughage intake
Senior researcher Johan de Boever has been active for many years in research into the digestibility of animal feeds and the rumen function of the cow. He is clear about it, the fodder beet fits well in the ration† "In terms of VEM and DVE, fodder beets outperform maize and grass silage. It is 10 percent higher in protein than maize silage."
Research by the institute also shows that the total roughage intake is increased with the addition of fodder beets to the ration. With the addition of 3,5 kg ds from fodder beets (23 kg with 15% ds), although slightly less grass and maize silage was taken up, a total of 0,5 kg ds more of the roughage ration was taken up. This provides opportunities to save concentrates, says De Boever.
Feeding year round
In 2013, ILVO started actively researching fodder beets† "New research was set up to look at how the storage of this interesting crop for livestock farmers could be improved. Because the silage process was clearly a bottleneck for the popularity of the beet among livestock farmers," says De Boever. "Livestock farmers want a constant ration all year round. And this was not possible with the storage of beets alone. "Beets are often ensiled with maize, but the harvest of maize and fodder beets is not completely synchronized. At the time of the maize harvest, the beets are not yet fully grown. They are not fully ripe until the end of October."
In the search for better storage, the combination with pressed pulp and beet pulp was found particularly suitable. "These products contain pectin, which absorbs the excess juice from the beets, thus preventing losses," says De Boever. "And with the arrival of the 'trunk silos' in which the product can be packed airtight, the popularity of fodder beets has taken off again."
Easier harvesting and less disease
The fodder beet varieties are also evolving, according to De Boever. Breeders have taken steps in feed quality, shape and position of the beets. The techniques for cleaning the beets during harvesting have also been improved. Cleaning is also important. This is especially desirable on heavy soils. "You must prevent that you also get butyric acid in the silage with the soil," emphasizes the researcher.
Significant progress has also been made in the field of disease resistance. The crop is sensitive to Rhizoctonia, also known as root rot. This rotting process also continues in the pit. Due to breeding, the current varieties are much more resistant to this, according to De Boever.
Less nitrate leaching
There is another interesting positive effect of fodder beet cultivation, says De Boever. "Practical tests showed that the beets are able to remove nitrogen residues from the soil, thus preventing nitrate leaching." According to him, this is also an important subject in Belgium and one of the reasons why fodder beet is on the rise.
