Does fodder beet have a positive future as a feed for cows in New Zealand? What are some key things to consider when feeding beet through winter? And how do you put systems in place to maximise cow performance and animal health, while also minimising fodder beet’s risks? Here to answer those questions, and more, are DairyNZ scientist Dr Roshean Woods and veterinarian Dr Charlotte Westwood. Roshean and Charlotte have been involved in a three-year research project on fodder beet and they share the results with us.

Notes:
Feed Checker calculator
Download the Feed Checker calculator
Published article: ‘A survey of fodder beet use and feeding practices on dairy farms in Canterbury, Otago and Southland’
DairyNZ fodder beet webpages

Chapters:
2:50 - Fodder beet background and current use
3:55 - Motivations for the latest fodder beet project and research
5:08 - Value of fodder beet to farm businesses
7:00 - Results of fodder beet farmer survey
8:16 - Key concerns to consider with fodder beet
10:37 - Measuring fodder beet for feed management
11:55 - Nutritional differences between fodder beet leaf and bulb
12:54 - Benefits and guidelines for testing your fodder beet crops
15:27 - Findings from fodder beet samples around the country
16:47 - Using the Feed Checker calculator
18:10 - Feed demands of pregnant dairy cows
18:56 - What happens to fodder beet crops over winter?
21:24 - Practical take home points from the latest fodder beet project
24:08 - Where to go for further fodder beet information

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