Fodder beets are ideal concentrate substitutes

Fodder beets are once again in the spotlight. They have a high nutritional value and they are seasonings in the ration, which means they stimulate the feed intake. This translates into a higher fat and protein content. With the current concentrate prices, they are an attractive addition to the ration. Fresh fodder beets are currently fully available again.

Fodder beets are among the most energy-rich feeds for dairy cows, even more VEM than maize. In addition, beets have a high digestibility. Due to the high sugar content, beets stimulate butyric acid production in the rumen. This stimulates the production of milk fat in the udder. The higher energy intake also ensures more protein in the milk.

Safe for the rumen
The higher energy intake is partly due to the feed value of the beets, but also because the cows take in more feed. Fresh beets are tasty and that stimulates the total feed intake. In a starchy ration, sugar improves rumen function and digestion speed. The easily digestible carbohydrates (pectins) in fodder beets are gradually released in the rumen. The main advantage of this: you can feed large amounts without adversely affecting the rumen function. Pay attention to the storage method. ''The effect of the fodder beet changes with different storage methods. The sugars are released more gradually during fresh feeding than when the shredded fodder beets have been ensiled or grafted in,” says Andries Sneep van Hoogland bv.

Easy to process
Due to new breeding techniques (including KWS Feedbeet), fodder beets contain hardly any tare these days. The clean beets can therefore be immediately included in the ration. Processing fresh beets is easy to mechanize. Companies that work with a TMR ration can cut the beets in the feed mixer and mix them into the ration. The beets are also easy to process with a chipper.

Delivered fresh from September to March
Because the fodder beets have favorable properties, they serve as an ideal addition to grass silage that is slow to digest. This results in lower power consumption. The fresh beets deserve attention during storage; they must be able to breathe and remain frost-free. For livestock farmers who are hesitant to do so, Berg Fourage offers the option of having the beets delivered fresh per consignment. In order to be able to feed the beets all year round, a combination of fodder beets with spelled doppellets is recommended. The high absorption capacity of the spelled dopellets stimulates the fermentation of the beets.

The advantages of fodder beets at a glance:

• Energetic, tasty and therefore higher feed intake
• Easily digestible, energy is gradually available
• Convincing effect on milk fat and milk protein
• Available fresh during the stable season
• Saves on concentrates: 1 kg ds beets replaces 0,5-1 kg ds concentrates

'Feed beets boost the levels'
Dairy farmer Gijsbert van den Berg from Kampereiland has been feeding his nearly a hundred cows fodder beets during the barn season for several years now. According to his feed advisor, it would have a beneficial effect on the protein and fat content in the milk. That appealed to Gijsbert. After he started feeding fodder beets, his protein level went up skyhigh up to 3,85%. He had experienced this with few other feed materials. Gijsbert also saw that the fat content increased. Before he started with beets, he was at 4,25% fat and the content peaked over 4,75%. Because you add a lot of sugar to the ration with fodder beets, cows have a lot of energy left for fat and protein production. He has the beets delivered fresh by freight. It only needs limited storage and can still feed fresh beets all winter long.

Listen to his experiences:

Curious whether the use of fodder beets is interesting for your company? Berg Fourage's specialists can advise you without obligation.

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