Moving to the beet

A New Zealand-based expert will take part in a series of webinars - aimed specifically at sheep, beef and dairy - on the use of fodder beet as a crop to feed livestock over the winter.

The crop has been described as a game changer for sheep, beef and dairy farming due to its huge potential as a high-yielding, high-energy winter forage, and its use has grown in popularity in Scotland over the last few years.

However, it requires careful management to ensure that high utilisation of the crop and productivity of the animal is achieved.

Dr Jim Gibbs, of Lincoln University in New Zealand, a ruminant nutritionist, vet and fodder beet specialist, will take part in three Farm Advisory Service (FAS) webinars in November, focusing on the use of the crop on sheep, beef and dairy farms.

He will be joined by beef and sheep consultant Kirsten Williams, of SAC Consulting – part of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), who is organising the webinars on behalf of FAS.

She said: “We are delighted Jim is able to join us in this webinar series.

“He has a wealth of experience in fodder beet having been involved in the crop throughout its development in New Zealand, and its use as a feed crop for livestock.

“This series of webinars are must attend events for anyone interested in learning more about maximising the use of fodder beet.”

The first webinar, Fodder Beet – A Focus On Sheep, will be held on Wednesday 4 November from 8pm to 9pm.

It will be followed by webinars focusing on beef on 11 November and dairy on 18 November at the same time.

For more information, visit: www.fas.scot

Posted by SRUC on 28/10/2020