Beet clamped with grass

[jg123]

Got a clamp of fodder beet chopped and clamped with soya hulls 4:1 about 75t left

Will be clamping grass in about 3 weeks. Anyone tried mixing layers of chopped beet and hulls with grass? The grass clamp will have fast acting additive and be opened approx first of June when we clamp our main first cut. (We usually do the grass like this) just thinking it will make room where the beet is as that is in the way of main cut in June and if we start feeding less over summer we won't have a big clamp face of beet exposed.

 

[jg123]

Pic of beet

 

[Cab-over Pete]

I hope you don’t mind me asking, why the chopping, mixing with hulls and clamping?

What does that add to the beet that couldn’t be added easily at the time of feeding?

Not a criticism, just interested.

 

[Dkb]

I hope you don’t mind me asking, why the chopping, mixing with hulls and clamping?

What does that add to the beet that couldn’t be added easily at the time of feeding?

Not a criticism, just interested.

Soaks up water and prevents loss from the pit I would think

 

[Cab-over Pete]

Oh, I see, I understand that.

But why chop it anyway?

 

[Dkb]

Oh, I see, I understand that.

But why chop it anyway?

Easier to get the clamp tight and keep air out.

Some years beet is cheap in the spring and lads around here would mix first cut silage, chopped beet and soya hulls together. Bit of work at the time but can be cheap feed for the following winter if beet is in surplus

 

[Beef farmer]

Oh, I see, I understand that.

But why chop it anyway?

How else do you store and feed beet in aug?

 

[Cab-over Pete]

I’ve no idea, that’s why I’m asking. I just buy mine freshly harvested in November and it’s all gone by early April.

Thank you @Dkb

 

[Beef farmer]

The problem with it is tho, any juice that does run is so acidic with sugar that it eats concrete for fun

 

[ridger]

I hope you don’t mind me asking, why the chopping, mixing with hulls and clamping?

What does that add to the beet that couldn’t be added easily at the time of feeding?

Not a criticism, just interested.

It will keep for years in a pit with hulls seen some this week that's in the pit 4 years and it's still good

 

[Cab-over Pete]

Interesting. I’ve never seen it before.

Has he any concrete left under it? Perhaps he doesn’t know it’s all melted away!!!

 

[jg123]

I hope you don’t mind me asking, why the chopping, mixing with hulls and clamping?

What does that add to the beet that couldn’t be added easily at the time of feeding?

Not a criticism, just interested.

As said its for storage. Whole beet in a pile goes off. Chopping makes it easier to mix and clamp tight. It all gets chopped with us to feed so might as well do it all in one go and it's ready to tip into keenan quick for tmr. First year we have done it. Usually sell surplus beet but decided to keep it all this year

 

[jg123]

Chopped the beet then mixed in keenan with hulls and dropped into a clamp

 

[Beef farmer]

Chopped the beet then mixed in keenan with hulls and dropped into a clamp

How are you washing and chopping?

 

[jg123]

How are you washing and chopping?

Try and use a beet variety that's smooth skinned and out of the ground, lift in good conditions with a top lifter in red sand stone so the beet is clean enough. We used to use a bottom lifter and it would have been too dirty. Chop with a KW chopper bucket. Need 2 machines. One chopping all day and one mixing

 

[Beef farmer]

Try and use a beet variety that's smooth skinned and out of the ground, lift in good conditions with a top lifter in red sand stone so the beet is clean enough. We used to use a bottom lifter and it would have been too dirty. Chop with a KW chopper bucket. Need 2 machines. One chopping all day and one mixing

Thats clean enough?

 

[jg123]

Thats clean enough?

Fed and sold it 10 years and never had a problem. First year clamping and not had a problem. Some people prefer it not washed as they say it keeps better. Some people want washed beet especially for dairy or in calf. I'm all beef and sheep

 

[jg123]

Thats clean enough?

That's straight off harvester. Left there for a few weeks in the rain it looks cleaner again

 

[Cab-over Pete]

I presume then once harvested in late autumn it only keeps whole until spring and warm weather arrives?

 

[jg123]

I presume then once harvested in late autumn it only keeps whole until spring and warm weather arrives?

We harvest mid to late November and normally ok until it warms up in April in west wales. Cold frosty nights and warm days are the worst.