The Central Otago drystock farmer who finishes lambs and bulls on 900ha at Lauder, 40km from Alexandra, had until this year grown turnips, swedes and kale for wintering. He made the change to fodder beet based on the assumption more drymatter could be grown on a smaller area, which has proved to be the case.
“The yield ranges from 15 to 27 tonnes/ha so the average is about 20 to 22t; if turnips, swedes and kale had been grown over the same area it would yield six to 10t/DM/ha.”
Another selling point was the upright and edible bulb, even in snow conditions.
The area was soil tested in August. A Superior Minerals fertiliser mix and lime at 1.5t/ha was applied. Two weeks before sowing a nitrogen and magnesium, potassium, phosphate, sulphur, boron, copper custom-blend was broadcast. A second application of nitrogen went on six weeks later at canopy closure. Another 100kg of nitrogen was applied in early March.
Alpes, a medium drymatter variety of 16.5%, was direct drilled at 80,000 seeds/ha by local contractor Tim Duncan at a wider than average spacing in early November.
Geoff says in hindsight the crop should have been precision-drilled.
“We couldn’t get hold of one when we needed it but we will next year. The crop is a bit sparse which is probably due to both the season and not using a precision drill.”
The crop got two pre-emergent herbicide sprays of Beetrix and Magister; the first the day after sowing and the second two weeks later. A third was considered but Geoff pulled the pin because of the dry conditions.
“The sprays need moisture to work and there wasn’t enough about.”
The crop was irrigated using spray guns with about 35-40mls applied five times.
Geoff McAtmaney’s fodder beet crop has produced an estimated 21t/DM/ha.
The total estimated growing cost of $2520/ha (11c/kg DM) comprises $1000 of groundwork and seed, $520 of fertiliser and lime, $500 spraying and $500 of irrigation.
“It’s expensive to grow but the cheapest form of drymatter if you get the weight, but you need irrigation. A lot of people don’t realise the amount of water required.”
The 40ha crop will be break fed to 500 R1 and 500 R2 Friesian bulls being finished for ANZCO. They were transitioned over 10 to 14 days and until the shortest day were fed 8kg DM.
“It’s maintenance for the first part of the winter and then pretty much ad-lib, assuming the winter’s reasonably mild.”
Next year 50ha will be grown.
“It’s a game-changer if we can keep getting it right but we’re still learning.”
