NEW varieties of fodder beet are breaking the barriers for dry matter yield, according to the latest trial results from Limagrain UK.

Led by fodder beet variety Brick, that was commercially launched in 2017, dry matter yields of high-performing varieties are now exceeding 20 tonnes/ha – Brick has achieved a DM yield of 22.4tonnes/ha.

Martin Titley, Limagrain’s fodder crop manager, said: “We’ve run trials on our site in Lincolnshire on 14 commercially available varieties of fodder beet for more than ten years but in the past two years we have seen significant increases in dry matter yields coming from new genetics.

“Plant breeders have really challenged the convention and pushed yields to new levels.”

Trial results show that Brick yielded 18 per cent more dry matter than the control Magnum, followed by another recent addition to Limagrain, Tarine, which yielded five per cent more than the control.

Mr Titley said: “These varieties with high dry matter yields are adding significant feed value to the crop, and the gap is widening between varieties.

“The difference in dry matter yields is eight tonnes/ha between Brick and the worst performing variety. This is estimated to have a feed value of nearly £900/ha, based on AHDB’s relative feed value calculator that costs the dry matter in fodder beet at £111.69/tonne.”

He also highlighted the advantages of ‘clean’ varieties of fodder beet. “Fodder beets that show cleanliness at harvest are beneficial where the crop is harvested and fed, but there are no washing or chopping facilities available.

“The variety Robbos, with clean, yellow roots at harvest is very beneficial here, and it also has a lower dry matter content of 19 per cent that encourages intakes.”

Sown in April, fodder beet is harvested from October onwards and can be fed in a total mixed ration or ad lib with maize silage, or it can be grazed in situ.

Although there are no recommended lists for fodder beets, Limagrain publishes its annual trial data to help growers make informed decisions.

“This year’s results will catch the eye of experienced and new fodder beet growers,” said Mr Titley. “For the same growing costs, farmers can produce significantly more dry matter per hectare by opting for the higher-yielding fodder beet varieties.”

Limagrain’s latest fodder beet trial results are available from lgseeds.co.uk/fodderbeet.