FODDER BEETS

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28080, 22 September 1956, Page 9

FODDER BEETS

GROWING INTEREST IN CROP

LAST SEASON’S TRIALS

The growing of mangolds used to be a valuable source of feed for all classes of stock, especially on the heavier types of land. The main concentration of mangold growing was associated with dairy farming and the crop has persisted in some areas. The main reasons for the decline in popularity of mangolds have been the considerable labour required to produce and feed the crop, the shortening of the winter-feeding period by better grassland farming methods, and the introduction of alternative feed sources such as chou moellier, silage and autumn-saved grass. However, the introduction of fodder beets has revived the importance of this type of crop. At the same time the uncertainty of seasonal conditions in Canterbury has shown the deficiences inherent in certain of the alternatives. Dry conditions and disease make swedes, turnips and chou moellier uncertain. Also, it is not easy to predict the production of autumn-saved grass in years of summer and autumn drought. On the other hand, mangolds and fodder beet have reflected tneir ability to withstand unfavourable conditions to a marked degree, provided sufficient attention is given to growing and cultivating the crop. It is for these reasons that farmers are showing an increased interest in the growing of fodder _ beets. Results of Trials The Department of Agriculture has conducted trials with certain varieties of fodder beets and, although no conclusions are given at this stage, it is of interest to record some comments on the varieties for which the writer is indebted to officers of the Extension Division, Christchurch. Further work is intended for the coming season. In evaluating the merits of one variety against another several factors have to be considered. The most important considerations are the yield an acre, the percentage of dry matter and the ease of lifting. Feeding trials in many countries have shown that for practical purposes the food value of the roots of these crops can be. estimated from the quantity of dry matter present. The chief substance in this dry matter is sugar. Similarly, the dry matter content of the tops is a sound guide to their feeding value, but this dry matter usually contains 10 to 20 per cent, protein. The larger-topped varieties are likely to produce yields of tops which are equal to An additional yield of from a naif to a quarter of that obtained from the roots. The following dry matter percentages were obtained from the Department of Agriculture trials last season:—

The overseas averages came from the National Institute' of Agricultural Botany. Mangolds, of Continental origin have dry matter of 12 to 14 per cent., and the typical British types 10 to 11 per cent. Thus it can be seen that the best fodder beets yield nearly twice the dry matter of mangolds. Yields Compared Yields of fodder beet varieties last season, computed at tons an acre, were as under:—

Some general comments on each variety are appended. Hunsballe is a fairly high-yielding type but much more difficult to pull than other varieties. The tops suffered from rust, as did all varieties during the MarchApril period. However, they made a good recovery of leaf. The roots are uniform in shape and size but root hairs tend to hold too much soil. Although a good variety for this soil type (sandy) they would be difficult to lift in most soils. Overseas workers list this variety as white, pear-shaped and four-fifths in the ground. As for Pajbjeng Rex, this proved to be one of the best all-round varieties in the trial. It had strong tops al- - though affected by rust. Some of the roots showed a tendency to form several tap roots. They were fairly easy to pull. The roots were not as uniform in shape and size as those of other varieties but were cleaner than Hunsballe when pulled. Two-thirds of the root was in the ground. According to an overseas description it is a white, pear to conical-shaped root, four-fifths in the ground, very difficult to lift and prone to fanging (multi-root). It is large-topped. > Good Case Made Out The Red Otofte variety appeared most promising in the early stages but disappointed at maturity by the poor recovery of tops after rust infection. There were, too, many small roots. The roots were easily pulled and clean. A slight tendency to have split tap roots was noticed. Roots were long and tapered and were half below ground. They were of uniform shape and appealed as a most suitable variety for this soil. Overseas remarks on this variety are: “Deep red, fairly short, pear-shaped roots, twothirds in ground with fairly high dry matter content. Usually free from fangs.” Yellow Daeno proved another good variety for this soil. It was more resistant to rust than others, and although it was affected, recovery was stronger. The roots were clean and very easy to pull up. There was evidence of some unevenness in shape and colour. Overseas remarks are as under: “Yellow-coloured root of pear to intermediate shape, two-thirds in the ground, with medium dry matter content.” According to the officers of the extension division of the department, the season was a very dry one and all varieties did well in the circumstances. The crop was free from disease, except for leaf rust. All varieties were palatable to stock. At the same time, it must be borne in mind that the foregoing is a summary of last year’s trial only and recommendations for the various types cannot be for general application. The soil type quoted was very free and different results could be expected under other conditions. With the increased interest being taken in the fodder beets further trials should produce some useful information.

ARGENTINA EXPORTS MORE WOOL ' Exports of wool from Argentina during the period October 1 to May 19 showed an increase of 40.5 per cent, over the same period in 1954-55. The greatest increases were to Japan 111.8 per cent.: Netherlands 67.5 uer rent Belgium 67.0 per cent.; United Kingdom 61.7 per cent, and France 59.4 per cent. The greatest quantities of her wool exports so far this season have been to U.S.A. 38.4 per cent.; Japan 16.6 per cent.; France 12.0 per cent, and United Kingdom 11.8 per cent

Overseas Roots Tops Av. Hunsballe . 23.3 15.4 20.5 Pajbjeng Rex . 22.3 13.8 18.5 Red Otofte . 21.2 15.5 17.5 Yellow Daeno . 15.8 13.5 16.5

Roots Tops Total Tons Tons Tons Hunsballe .. 26.4 8.0 34.4 Pajbjeng Rex .. 31.5 9.5 41.0 Red Otofte .. 30.1 5.0 35.7 Yellow Daeno .. 35.0 5.7 40.7