Feeding fodder beet to dairy cow pastures is a practical way of increasing milk production. It reduces DM intake, boosts Plasma ketones, and increases the amount of milk produced. And it is easy to implement. In Powys, Wales, farm consultant Marc Jones is using fodder beet as a staple diet for dairy heifers for five months.
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DM intake was lower
The effects of fodder beet on dairy cows were studied in Sudan. It was shown that the DM intake was lower after the cows were fed fodder beet compared to sorghum forage. The beet had higher nutritive value, lower crude fibre, and higher protein and ME than sorghum, and it resulted in similar or higher milk production than sorghum. The beet roots had no adverse effects and were cheaper to feed.
Feeding fodder beet increased the DM digestibility and decreased urinary NDF excretion. However, it did not influence the ruminal pH and other metabolites. Feeding fodder beet to dairy cow at higher levels is not recommended, as the animal may develop clinical acidosis and digestive disturbances. It is recommended to gradually introduce fodder beet into the diet by adding 0.5-1 kg per day. After a week, the cows should be able to tolerate 5 kg DM per day.
Plasma ketones were higher
Milk production in dairy cows is a major source of energy, but it also requires a large amount of energy during this transition period. When the amount of available energy is not enough to meet the demands of lactation, the body reacts by mobilizing adipose tissue. If this adaptive response is inadequate, the animal may develop metabolic disorders and subclinical ketosis. Therefore, identifying new biomarkers for hyperketonemia in bovines during this time frame could improve animal health and reduce farm economic losses.
To examine the effects of feeding fodder beet to dairy cattle on milk production, the authors studied the ruminant diet of sixty Holstein-Frisian dairy cows. They used total mixed ration and blood samples from a high-producing dairy farm in Padua, Italy.
Chewing time was longer
Researchers have found that feeding fodder beet to dairy cattle increased the amount of chewing time. But they say the energy content is overestimated. In fact, the beets have the same amount of calories as corn.
The authors conclude that the inclusion of beets in dairy feeding programs should be limited to no more than 200 grams per DM. However, they stress that further research is needed to identify the cost savings associated with the inclusion of sugar beets in dairy feeding programs. To make this determination, we need to understand what beets contain. Beets contain a relatively high amount of ash.
It is also important to note that the transition to fodder beet has been a challenging process for dairy cows. This new nutrient source requires the adaptation of the rumen microbes and their environment to cope with the new feed. It is important to make the transition gradual and avoid overallocating the beet. This will avoid acidosis and related diseases.
Milk production was higher
Farmers in New Zealand have begun to introduce fodder beet to dairy cow diets. However, there is a lack of defined management practices to guide dairy farmers. This study aimed to investigate the effects of fodder beet (FB) on milk production and rumen pH. It also sought to determine whether the amount of FB fed to dairy cows was associated with changes in total discomfort. Using a computer model, the amount of FB allocated and the time of day of allocation were evaluated.
Feeding fodder beet to dairy cow diets has several advantages. The high fiber content and lower ash content make fodder beet more digestible. It can also prevent ruminal disturbances, although fodder beet may lead to mineral deficiencies. Incorrect formulation can lower milk production. One study showed that fodder beet replaced barley in a total mixed ration, resulting in an energy corrected milk yield of 1.4 kg lower than that with barley.
Dietary protein intake was lower
Using fodder beet to supplement the diets of dairy cows may reduce ruminal disturbances and increase liveweight gain. Fodder beet has a low protein content and therefore may interfere with the digestion of other components of a dairy cow’s diet. However, fodder beet is a cost-effective addition to the diets of growing and finishing cattle. However, this crop must be managed properly to avoid the side effects of dietary protein loss.
Fresh beets, when used as part of a mixed ration, do not cause significant metabolic or digestive upset. Feeding beets may be safe, but it is important to consider feeding rates and nutritional information when deciding how much to feed.