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Fodder beet cut into right size for cows.
Fodder beet has seen a surge of interest, particularly in the South Island and, with this growth, importers have introduced machines for planting, harvesting and feeding.
One such machine for the latter group is the VDW beet cutter introduced by Agriline of Gore.
Offered in a range of four machines
with 850, 1200, 1700 and 3000kg capacities, these units are suitable for tractor/loader, tele-handler and payloader applications.
The 1200kg unit displayed at Fieldays would suit a 120hp, 6-cylinder tractor loader and would discharge its contents in around 80-90 seconds.
Its heavy duty hopper has a hydraulically driven chopping rotor in the base, chopping beet through a frame that releases hydraulically should any foreign objects such as stones or rocks be inadvertently loaded.
Mike Hamlin from Agriline says
stock fed unchopped beet took around three hours to consume 5kgDM, while those taking chopped beet consumed the same amount in 30-40 minutes, so the system gets much better crop utilisation rates.
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Fodder beet continues to play an important part in dairy rations, with typical yields of 15-18 tonnes of DM per hectare, or in some areas not limited by lack of moisture, yields of up to 25 tonnes/ha can be achieved by May/June.
Sheep farmers adopting fodder beet for winter grazing are being warned that it could result in serious under-nutrition in multiple-bearing ewes.
Fodder beet can be a key part of your farm’s feed regime, but restrict its usage, says DairyNZ.
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