Fodder beet & Sheep

[Verity92]

I'm looking to feed some beet to my pregnant ewes and to help fatten lambs with, for the first time this year.
With around 40 ewes and 70 lambs to go at, roughly how many tonne will keep them happy if they're getting concentrates too?

Bonus question would be knowing someone with some willing to deliver to the Leeds area for a sensible price

Many Thanks

 

[msheep66]

You may want to change your heading as it might confuse a few people on here.

 

[Verity92]

You may want to change your heading as it might confuse a few people on here.

my mistake, it must nearly be the weekend

 

[Chezza]

my mistake, it must nearly be the weekend

I can't advise you on how much beet your sheep will get through but I may be able to supply some to you if your struggling.

 

[spin cycle]

technically you could get though 2t/week....but i think closer to 1 1/4....depends what else they're getting

 

[Verity92]

technically you could get though 2t/week....but i think closer to 1 1/4....depends what else they're getting

Thank you, is there anything I should keep mind while storing it ? I.e. Is it best in a shed or do rats love it ?

 

[Bones]

Thank you, is there anything I should keep mind while storing it ? I.e. Is it best in a shed or do rats love it ?

Get poison down now for rats, before beet comes,

 

[landslave the 2nd]

Beet will stand a -4 c tipped in the yard lose,........... but if in a bunker made of straw bales or concrete walls will need a top cover of staw lose/ fluffed up being 2ft deep with a frost of - 6 c or lower.

BUT REMEMBER.......
They need to breath after being harvested as a lot of heat can be generated for up to 3 weeks after harvest , make the clamp/store level on top to stop frost pockets , i never went above 10 ft high , with old curtain sided lorry sheets placed on top of fluffed straw when cold snap was anticipated but with the price of straw ATM better to look for second hand beet sheets or store the lot inside a shed . Yes rats like beet

 

[landslave the 2nd]

As for feed intake question

What other feeds.
Breed of sheep.
Inside or out.
Lambing date.
Tup used.
Weight of lambs now.
Expected selling date of lambs (your 70 )

Then a response will be more relevant

 

[Green farmer]

Was reading an article the other day. 4kg of sugar beet or 5.5kg of fodder beet is the same energy levels as1kg of barley. So look at the different prices of each to see what's the best value.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

you need to factor in time saving ease of use over grain feeding .I used feed the ewes once a week with beet

 

[landslave the 2nd]

Also remember beet can be used as a " FODDER/FORAGE " replacement as part of a ration aswell

 

[neilo]

Was reading an article the other day. 4kg of sugar beet or 5.5kg of fodder beet is the same energy levels as1kg of barley. So look at the different prices of each to see what's the best value.

I’d look further than ‘sugar beet’ and ‘fodder beet’ too, if trying to compare relative values with any accuracy. Fodder beet can vary dramatically, from Brigadier at 12%, to Zephyr at 24%, and everywhere in between. Of course, those hard beet varieties will also be much harder on teeth (& harder to graze in situ, if that’s a consideration) too.

 

[Green farmer]

I’d look further than ‘sugar beet’ and ‘fodder beet’ too, if trying to compare relative values with any accuracy. Fodder beet can vary dramatically, from Brigadier at 12%, to Zephyr at 24%, and everywhere in between. Of course, those hard beet varieties will also be much harder on teeth (& harder to graze in situ, if that’s a consideration) too.

Absolutely right, On a personal basis, I've sort of ruled it out. priced it up and it's only available in 30 tonne loads. So, overall meal is easier option for me. However theres a fodder crisis emerging in some parts at this side of the water, so fodder beet should be considered as part of an alternative solution.

 

[ajcc]

Only the tops were any good for lamb fattening and they got left in the field....the roots alone? Good for cattle/good for ewes not for lambs (they won’t eat enough to fatten on ime)

 

[neilo]

Only the tops were any good for lamb fattening and they got left in the field....the roots alone? Good for cattle/good for ewes not for lambs (they won’t eat enough to fatten on ime)

+1
I put it down to the roots are too low in protein on their own. Grazed beet (roots & tops) are just a maintenance/holding ration for growing lambs IME, but in-lamb ewes do well on them. Roots only, need to be part of a balanced ration, with extra protein coming in from somewhere.