United Kingdom
March 20, 2025
Fodder beet is a long-standing and valuable fodder crop on many sheep and cattle farms and its popularity continues.
So says Limagrain forage crop manager John Spence, who quotes 25 years of trial data comparing long standing UK fodder beet varieties and more modern varieties that demonstrate how this crop has stood the test of time.
“It’s noted for its high energy and high feed value,” says John. “Results all show that dry matter and energy yields are consistent, regardless of growing conditions.
“Even in the more climatically challenging conditions of the past few years with long dry periods and, at times, very wet conditions, yields and feed value have not wavered much.”
Fodder beet will yield more than 80 tonnes per hectare of fresh weight, with some varieties well above this and around the 100 tonnes of fresh weight level per hectare.
The average metabolisable energy content for fodder beet varieties trialled annually by Limagrain is consistently 12.5 to 13 MJ/kg DM. “This fodder crop has the highest dry matter and energy yielding crop per hectare available among commonly grown forages in the UK,” adds John.
Depending on the feeding system and the climate, farmers can also consider bolting risks, and choose a variety least likely to bolt, or disease resistance.
“And there are varieties that are rhizomania tolerant and are selected to be less susceptible to mildew, rust and leafspot,” he adds.
Flexi forage
Fodder beet offers the ultimate among other crops when it comes to flexibility. It can be stored in the group over winter and lifted as required, lifted and stored in open clamps, or fed in situ if conditions are suitable.
“Many dairy farmers store fodder beet in clamps then clean it if necessary and chop it into a TMR. Medium rooted varieties are ideal for this as they carry less risk of soil contamination compared with deeper- rooted varieties.”
Fodder beet slots into grass or arable rotations as a break crop. It’s sown in April, possibly after a first cut or early spring grazing, or a cereal crop, into a well-prepared seed bed.
“It’s a demanding crop in terms of nutrients,” he adds. “Land destined for fodder beet will benefit from farm year manure and slurry, and nitrogen can be applied after drilling where necessary.”
It’s also important to keep on top of pests and weeds. “We supply seed treated with a fungicide and pesticide with the option of seed priming to aid germination and get plants off to a good start. But herbicide treatments and fungicides will be required depending on conditions.”
While fodder beet requires quite a few inputs, with growing costs have been estimated to be at least £16 a tonne fresh weight, the yields and feed value make this crop cost-effective.
“And there are added benefits of including fodder beet in the rotation, and of being able to reduce the reliance on bought-in feeds.
“Once farmers introduce this forage, they rarely move away from it. Its flexibility, feed value and consistency make it an attractive option.”
‘More crops like this’
Fodder beet is a staple crop at Marsh Farm, near Alford, east Lincolnshire where it is used in a TMR for dairy cows and also fed with cereals to the beef cattle. Darren Brown grows 12-hecatres (30 acres) of the crop every year which produces about 100 tonnes per hectare (40t/acre) of fresh weight a year.
As well as being a valuable feed, Darren finds fodder beet an ideal break crop for winter and spring cereals, and it slots into the rotation with the grassland. “We’re on clay loam so it’s marginal for fodder beet really, but the crop does consistently well every year.”
Fodder beet follows a cereal crop – typically winter wheat. Pre- sowing, the land is ploughed in autumn, then flat lifted across the plough to loosen the soil and allow for easy root development
Harvesting starts in late October until the end of February and precedes spring barley. He uses one of two local contractors. “The good thing is that we can lift beet as we need it and when conditions are OK. It stores well in mother nature’s larder – in the ground, and in a pile once it’s lifted. It’s very flexible.”
Whatever the growing conditions, the experience in growing and feeding fodder beet at Marsh Farm is good. “Despite different challenges, there’s little fluctuation in yield and feed quality. We’ve had dry summers and wet autumns, but yields and quality don’t seem to vary,” adds Darren. “We could do with more crops like this.”
He attributes some of his success with fodder beet to choice of variety; he’s opted for Limagrain’s Robbos since 2019.
“We ‘dabbled’ with other varieties but come back to Robbos as it’s consistent and reliable. It’s got a clean root and it’s not deep into the ground which makes harvesting, cleaning and feeding easier.”
More info
For everything you need to know about home grown forage options, download the LG Essential Guide to Forage Crops
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