The Ultimate Crop for High Yields and Cost-Effective Feed Solutions

Published on 30 July 2024
Beet is among the highest-yielding and highest-quality crops you can grow. Its versatility allows it to fit into most farming systems, and when compared to other feeds, you can’t beat it for cost, quality, reliability, and flexibility.

The yield of fodder beet depends significantly on environmental conditions. Typically, average yields exceed 20 tonnes of dry matter per hectare, and under optimal conditions, yields can be even higher. Achieving such impressive yields requires excellent preparation, diligent crop management, and, like everything, a financial investment. However, the substantial yield of fodder beet more than compensates for these costs, making it one of the most economical feeds to grow and use on farm.

Its high yield also means that less land is needed, allowing for other crop options or the ability to bank more feed for critical times of the year. Combined with its very high feed value (e.g., ME >12.5) and excellent utilisation, fodder beet stands out in terms of cost and quality.

With Mediterranean origins, fodder beet is a resilient plant with a robust root system, including a deep tap root that gives it an edge in producing high yields even under challenging conditions like drought. Its natural resistance to pests and diseases further enhances its reliability. Notably, fodder beet also yields relatively early, typically in early autumn, and maintains its quality through early spring. This makes it an excellent choice for easing pressure on feed supply during the shoulder seasons.

Fodder beet is commonly used for late lactation in dairy farms, wintering various livestock classes, and then holding stock like cattle in early spring, allowing other stock access to early spring pasture. The flexibility of beet extends beyond grazing in situ. As a harvested feed, it outperforms traditional options in both cost and quality. With no expensive ensiling costs, fodder beet often proves to be half the cost and twice the value in terms of quality and utilisation compared to other feed options.

For cost, quality, reliability, and flexibility, beet truly cannot be beaten! RAGT offers a variety of cultivars tailored for your needs, whether grazing or harvesting, we have the perfect beet for you.

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