Feeding value of whole sugar beets for lactating dairy cows

Summary

Sugar beets have traditionally been grown and harvested for sugar production, but they may also be fed to dairy cattle as a source of energy. Researchers at the UGA Tifton Campus have been evaluating different varieties, production systems, disease risk and management of sugar beets for the past three years. This year, sugar beets were harvested, ground, and fed to lactating dairy cows to evaluate their energy value compared with ground corn. Rations were formulated with ground corn or whole sugar beets providing approximately 20% of the total ration dry matter. Results of the trial indicate that the whole sugar beet provided approximately 94% of the energy as ground corn based on yield of energy-corrected milk.

Situation

Whole sugar beets are being examined as a potential cash crop for Georgia producers as part of their crop rotation. Whole sugar beets could be used for the production of butane or rum, but may also be used as an energy source for cattle. The fiber and sugar in the whole sugar beet is very digestible and could be used to replace cereal grains or other feedstuffs currently fed. Limited research is available on the feeding value of whole sugar beets to lactating dairy cows.

Response

Twenty-four lactating Holstein cows were used in a 6 week crossover trial at the UGA Tifton Campus Dairy Research Center to evaluate the energy content of whole sugar beets compared with ground corn. Ground corn or ground whole sugar beets provided 20% of the total dry matter in the experimental rations. Cows were individually fed once daily and intake recorded. Cows were milk three times daily and yield recorded at each milking. Milk samples were collected from three consecutive milkings for analysis of components. Body weight and condition scores were recorded at the beginning and end of the trial.

Impact

Diets supplemented with whole sugar beets were approximately 94% of the energy as those supplemented with ground corn. This is higher than normally would be expected based on previous research in which sugar beet pulp was fed or whole sugar beets were fed to growing animals. Results of this trial indicate that whole sugar beets are a viable option for feeding dairy cattle. In practice, the whole sugar beets could be used to replace a proportion of the forage or other lower energy feeds and maintain similar production. Additional research will be conducted in 2014 to help producers determine how to best utilize whole sugar beets in diets fed to high producing dairy cows

State Issue

Agricultural Profitability and Sustainability

Details

• Year: 2013
• Geographic Scope: Multi-State/Regional
• County: Tift
• Program Areas:
  • Agriculture & Natural Resources