Fonterra's Manager, Vet Technical Ash Keown said it was all about the right balance and correct transition to avoid serious consequences for the cows, the worst being acidosis.
"Fodder Beet is a versatile, high yield feed which is super high in carbohydrates, meaning it is super high energy for the cows. It is highly digestible, so easy for the cow to overeat and this can cause the quite serious side effect of acidosis."
- Ash Keown, Manager, Vet Technical at Fonterra
The rumen of the cow is very sensitive to change, Ash says.
"Any change to the diet of the cow needs to be slow, and that is especially important with fodder beet because it is so high in carbohydrates."
It all comes down to good planning from well before the crop is even in the ground, he says.
"Making sure a thorough plan is in place is essential. You need to ensure you have calculated your paddock and potential yield correctly from the outset as this crop is literally rocket fuel for cows. That way, you know what you need to allocate from the very beginning, and also you can map out where you will place supplementary feed in that paddock, whether it's a ring feeder or a bale of hay and such."
"Once the crop has grown, you need to double check those yields. It is about the right balance of food, so start them on the beet slowly while still providing other feed or pasture, and you must make sure they still have a good source of fibre too such as straw or hay. I would suggest no more than one kilogram per cow the first day and increase only half a kilo per day each day until you reach the full allocation - which could take 2-3 weeks."
Good fencing plays a part too, he says.
"You need to make sure your break fencing is secure - most farmers will double it up, to ensure no cows break through and eat more of the crop than they should, as this will spell trouble too."
Acidosis occurs when the pH in the rumen drops too low - which is often caused by overeating high carbohydrate feeds. Acidosis can be treated if caught early enough, but the signs can be easily confused with other health conditions, and sometimes cows will deteriorate very quickly.
"There is quite the range in presentation for acidosis. Some cows can just seem off colour, whereas others will go down as it progresses, and some can even die. But with good planning, a careful transition, and the right balance of other feeds, acidosis can definitely be avoided."
Take your time, plan your crop, and reduce the risk of acidosis. For more information on a fodder beet crop, talk to your local Farm Source TSR.