1. FODDER BEETS IN WA
Dale Thompson

2. ADVANTAGES OF BEETS 25 T Dm per ha achievable
High Water use efficiency – approx 6 Ml per Ha
95 % Grazing utilisation
Early November plant – Late Feb graze
Feed lactating cows up to 5 kg DM/day
Feed dry cows > 10 kg Dm / Day
12 Mj Me but lower protein, balance ration accordingly
Feed cost approx 14 C per Kg DM

3. FEED PLANNING

4. PLAN WELL AHEAD Prepare paddock to a good standard.
Must have recent soil test. Big crop, Big requirements.
pH must be 5.5>
Prepare seed bed as early as possible, aim for double knock down.
Sow into adequate soil moisture. Soil temp above 10C.
Plan herbicide program based on expected weeds.
Avoid paddocks with chemical residue.
Must be prepared to inspect crop regularly and react immediately to any issues.

5. SEED BED PREPERATION sets the potential of crop
crucial step – “it’s all in the preparation”
Points:
incorporate base fertiliser during last surface working
no clumps/clods/trash – all WILL harbour weeds/insects
fineness of ‘vegetable' seed bed, not too firm (avoid crusting)
leave in state of fallow-conserve moisture, weed/insect control
as long as there is no organic matter, moisture will hold at depth
target 80% capacity at 0-50cm

6. NUTRITION Typical 25 ton crop can use 100 kg/ha Nitrogen
60 kg/ha Phosphorus
300 kg/ha Potassium
30 kg/ha Sulfur
40 kg/ha Calcium
35 kg/ha Magnesium
2.5 kg/ha Boron
Up to 100 kg/ha Agricultural salt

7. WATCH THE CROP
Maintain soil moisture at field capacity until full crop emergence
Early post emergent herbicide 2 leaf stage
Top dress fertiliser 4 – 6 leaf stage
Selective grass weed control pre canopy cover
Top dress fertiliser 10 + leaf stage
Monitor soil moisture, insects & weeds throughout

8. SUMMER FIT IN WA Spring sown, irrigation
day growing – Oct/Nov  Feb/March feeding
Low cost feed option, high WUE, about 6ml/ha.
What animals can graze it?
Lactating cows – lower feed costs, increase margin
Dry cows & heifers – low cost, increase Condition Score
Steers
Weaners – out of season finishing
Older store cattle – already framed, high LW gain

9. Economics Feed Cost - Growing Fodder beet on Farm
Feed Cost - Growing Fodder beet on Farm
Actuals Crop grown 2014
$/ha
Spraying out Pasture
$65.00
Fertiliser
$945.00
Herbicide / Insecticide
$995.00
Cultivation & Ground prep
$240.00
Seed
$485.00
Seed Insecticide & Herbicide
Lime (2.5 t/ha)
Planting
$90.00
Weed Control 2nd knockdown
Irrigation
$566.84
Total Costs
$3,516.84
Costs c/kgDM fed
14.067
c/kgDM

10. WATER USE EFFICIENCY COMPARISON
Forage
WUE ME
NDF CP
Option
t DM/ML
MJ ME/kg DM %
Fodder beets
7-8
12.0
12-15
6-10
Maize
5-6
45-50
8-9
Sudan grass
4-6
45-55
10-12
Forage sorghum
50-60
Millet
40-50
8-10
Forage brassicas
12-13
18-30
12-18
Lucerne
40-55
20-32
Chicory
11-13
20-30
15-20
Kikuyu
45-60
Tall fescue/clover
11-12
18-25
Perennial ryegrass/clover
42-50
Italian ryegrass

11. Seed Force Benefits Summary High energy 12ME
Fodder and Sugar Beet
Benefits Summary
High yields
High energy 12ME
Cost effective, low cost per kgDM/ME
Unsurpassed utilisation 95+% grazed, 100% harvest
Versatile – graze, self harvest, mechanical harvest
High feeding levels = low supplement costs