Interchem | Fodder & Sugar Beet

Why Grow Beet?

Consistent yields
Improved milk yields
Ideal break crop for cereals
Palatable and nutritious
High energy feed
Can be grazed in situ for outwintering systems
Options to clamp and store over winter

Fodder Beet is grown as a main root crop, which requires similar husbandry to sugar beet. It can produce substantial yields of high-quality fodder and is an excellent supplement to grass silage.

The roots are very palatable to stock and have superb feed quality. Specialist harvesting equipment is required to lift the roots and storage is required unless they are strip grazed in situ. Medium dry matter varieties tend to have a higher percentage of root above ground and can be lifted with a top lifter and therefore have a relatively low dirt tare. These highly palatable roots can be fed whole to stock.

Magnum Fodder Beet

20.3%
DM*

42.6 T/acre
fresh yield*

8.66 T DM
yield/acre

Good
leaf stability

Magnum has high dry matter content of over 20.3%* from white roots. This is a long established and market leading fodder beet variety
Very high yield of root and top with a consistent root size. Because of its high dry matter percentage and with a high proportion of its roots in the ground Magnum is highly frost resistant variety
Reliable yield and quality

Yield of up to 40 tonnes fresh weight have been achieved
Leaf score of 8 with persistent leaf cover
Uniform size making harvesting easier
Stores well in clamp due to high DM
Can be grazed in situ for outwintering systems
Clamp and store over winter
Proven over 30 years

*Irish trial results over 3 years

Bergman Sugar Beet

23.9%
DM*

36.7 T/acre
fresh yield

8.77 T DM
yield/acre

Good
performance in Ireland

Bergman has a high dry matter percentage (23.9%)
High yield of dry matter per ac (36.7 tonnes)
Uniform height above the ground

Very low level of bolters and resistant to Rhizomania
Fodder and energy beet
Uniform height above the ground
Ideal for feeding, or AD plants.

Talk to one of our team members for more information

Paul Kennedy
Business Unit Manager
087 916 0377
paul.kennedy@interchem.ie

Dermot Heafey
Territory Manager
086 046 5045
dermot.heafey@interchem.ie

Brian White
Territory Manager
086 085 3790
brian.white@pharvet.ie

Tips on how to grow fodder & sugar beet

Soil type/site selection

A crop of fodder beet can thrive on a wide range of soils, but a light to medium, free draining field is ideal. A soil pH of 7 is the target and good accessibility is vital for heavy harvesting machinery.

Fertiliser

This is a demanding crop in terms of nutrients. All the fertiliser, except the nitrogen is best applied in the autumn. The nitrogen can be applied immediately after drilling. The use of slurry/farmyard manure will be beneficial, as is the application of sodium on appropriate soil types.

Harvesting

Although the crop continues to put on yield into the autumn, this must be balanced against the potential problems associated with a late harvest. Machines can be divided into ‘leaf’ or ‘root lifters’ – whichever is used, the tops must be removed down to the base of the leaf petioles.

Root storage

A pre-cleaner is recommended to remove soil contamination. Clamps should be checked regularly for signs of any hot spots. The high DM varieties tend to store better on a long-term basis and are less prone to damage.

Seedbed & sowing methods

Aim for firm, fine tilth with pre-Christmas ploughing. Keep moisture loss to a minimum in the spring. As a general guide, soil temperatures need to be at least 5°C before sowing. Ensure that the seed is drilled to a depth of 2.5/3cm - use the deeper depth for dry seedbeds. A precision drill is essential.

Weeds, diseases & pest control

Some farmers may be prepared to undertake interrow cultivations, but good herbicide control is possible to control weeds. Weed beets are very undesirable and every effort must be made to eliminate them. Our seed is treated with both fungicide and insecticidal products to provide protection during the establishment phase.

Feeding

Fodder beet may be fed chopped or whole. Chopped beet should provide a better liveweight gain in beef animals. Feeding the roots at ground level can reduce the risk of choking. The roots have a high energy but low protein content and make a good substitute for grain in rations for dairy, beef, sheep, pigs and deer. Crops can also be strip grazed in outwintering systems.