Characteristics:
- Fodder beet allows farmers to produce 20 – 30 tonnes DM/ha of high quality feed for animals to consume during winter and spring, when feed availability is most critical.
- Fodder beet performs best in deep and friable soils that have a good ability to store nutrients and moisture.
- This is an inexpensive source of roughage, which has been the saving grace of many farmers with livestock in dry years. It is especially good as roughage for sheep.
- It needs good autumn rains to get established, to bulk up for winter feeding.
Different types of beet have been bred, and some have been designed for specific uses:
- Grazing types: These tend to have higher yields than lower DM% types.
- Lifting fodder beet: These have a high DM% to reduce cartage costs and damage at harvest.
- Sowing rate: 5-6kg/ha from February to March.
