Final update - Inclusion of fodder beet on greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact
Key results:
- the primed + Nitrogen treatment produced 40% more forage than Standard seed for the same area
- the primed seed had a 35% increase in bulb yield versus standard seed
- Although more expensive to buy, the primed seed produced more forage with the lowest cost of production per KG at 6.3p/KgDM in comparison with the standard seed at 8.3p/KgDM
Background:
Crickie farm has a suckler herd of 55 continental cross cows put to an Aberdeen Angus or Limousin bull with the progeny sold as store cattle at between 16-18 months of age, ranging from 500-600 kg. Concentrate and bedding costs attributed mainly to the overall production costs for the cattle enterprise.
The project looked at the potential of outwintering cattle on fodder beet, which has potential to provide greater yields than any other forage crop grown in the UK. The project looked at ways of effectively incorporating this crop into the beef enterprise as a means of reducing wintering costs, specifically looking at establishment, effective transition on to fodder beet and grazing strategies for effective crop utilisation which minimises environmental impacts.
Purpose of the work:
The aims of the project are to:-
- Assess suitability of growing fodder beet and grazing the crop in situ for Welsh beef and sheep farms.
- Evaluate crop establishment, crop yield and assess the best way to utilise the crop in terms of livestock requirements and environmental considerations
- Compare primed seed with non-primed seed and compare the effect of two applications of nitrogen compared with three applications of nitrogen on both types of seed.
What we did:
For the 2023/24 Winter, a 2ha field of Geronimo seed variety, which is a grazing variety, was used with the cattle strip grazed over the winter. For year 2 of the project, a different field was used and split into four 1 ha plots as seen in figure 1 below.
Figure 1. The different plots with treatments.
Apart from the N, all other nutrient inputs including manures and herbicide/pesticide treatments were identical. The plots were sprayed for broadleaf weed control, aphid control and a foliar spray of trace elements (to include Boron and Sodium) in July and all plots were also treated for mildew in September.
Yields analysis was done at the start of November before the cattle were introduced to the fodder beet and repeated in December, along with feed analysis of the crop, which involved sending samples off to the lab.
25 cattle were turned on to the fodder beet in November. The field was strip grazed down one half of the field first before moving over to the second half of the field. This was done to reduce wastage.
Outcomes:
Table 1. Average yields of the two samplings in November and December.
(The data is based on book value DM figures).
- As seen in table 1 above, the combined data shows that the primed seed had a 35% increase in bulb yield versus standard seed.
- The additional 50kgN/ha late applied had a 29% increase on bulb yield on the standard seed and a 10% increase on the primed seed
- The primed seed was faster to establish and gave a more even canopy which was able to capture more light, compete with weed competition better and consequently have a longer growing period.
The leaf yields are more influenced by the late season additional nitrogen. Both the standard and primed seed have more leaf weight when the extra nitrogen is applied which will protect the bulb more into the winter from frost damage and if winter is mild continue to supply growth to the bulbs.
Table 2. Bulb analysis 9th December 2024.
As seen above in table 2, the bulb data gives an ME of 13 across all treatments which is an excellent result for the energy intake. The main reason for the analysis was to examine if the late N gave any extra protein in the diet as the weakness in Fodder beet is low protein.
Table 3. Leaf analysis 9th December 2024.
Both late N treatments show higher Crude Protein in the Bulbs and so to in the leaves. The intakes are the only point to question if they can consume enough fodder beet to supply the necessary ME and CP. The Ash levels are higher in the late N treatments and show a greater uptake of minerals.
Table 4. Costs per ha to grow
Based on book figure DM for Bulb and Leaf the cost of Production per kilogramme is
Primed + N 6.3p/KgDM (£62.67tDM)
Primed only 6.7p/KgDM (£67.16tDM)
Standard +N 6.8p/KgDM (£68.08tDM)
Standard only 8.3p/KgDM (£82.85tDM)
Although more expensive to buy, the primed seed produced more forage and reduced cost of production. The additional nitrogen is a further step forward on yield benefit and reduces cost further whether it is applied to primed or standard seed. The overall best investment is Primed plus additional Nitrogen.
How to apply on your farm:
- Pick a suitable field which has shelter for the animals from the weather
- Considering using a buffer strip to reduce the risk of run off
- Transition the cattle slowly on to the crop to avoid the risk of acidosis
- Timing of herbicide/pesticide application is important as fodder beet is sensitive to weed challenge and is not very competitive in its early stages.