Beet Top Silage

[RanchManager]

Hi,
Anyone have experience with sugar beet top silage. We experimented last year and had favorable results. We used to just turn the cows out on the beet top fields after harvest and let them clean up (like most do around here). The cows gained very well on the left over tops and beets, we just got tired of dealing with the occasional choke cow that swallowed beets just the wrong size. To make a long story short we decided to ensilage the tops and feed it with hay this winter. Feed tests indicate it is pretty good feed with the exception that it is high in iron. So high, that we will have to limit the ration to 25% of beet tops. We have over 300 tons ( dry matter figure) in silage put up this year and intend to feed it out as 25% of the ration. Experiments, forage tests, old timer inquiries, and vet conversations have all been pretty positive with the exception of watching the iron content and watching how loose it makes the cows. Figured it could not hurt to throw this out and see what others might have experienced. If anyone has experience doing this and is willing to share, I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[KNERSIE]

What effect would the too high iron have? Why would the iron content be higher in silage than it would be just grazing the beet?

 

[TexasBred]

If the iron level is truly excessive it could cause problems eventually. Iron binds with both copper and zinc ruducing their absorption into the blood. Zinc and copper or both essential for good hoof condition so you not only could end up with foot problems but roof hair coats, increased susceptibility to certain diseases and more silent heats. I'd look for a high quality mineral low in iron but with elevated levels of zinc, copper, Selenium and Vitamin E.

 

[Dave]

A lot of years ago I worked for a guy who fed beet top silage. We mixed it with corn silage and sorry alfalfa hay (tops, bottoms, and the off stuff). Way too long ago to remember the mix but 20-25% sounds about right. We were feeding calves and they did well on the mix.

 

[RanchManager]

Hi All,
Thanks for your responses.
Right, silage is no higher than grazing the tops directly and thank you. Nevertheless, the beets concentrate iron and a ration over 3000 ppm can result in iron toxicity for cattle. Forage tests show the silage ranging from 3800 - 10400 ppm. So, I anticipate using our supply as 25% of the ration. We have just turned the cows out on the harvested beet fields in the past, but always included a pivot of alfalfa and/or grass stubble next to it so the cows could select for themselves. It worked fine as long as we kept a good, chelated mineral mix in front of them high in copper. I am aware of the issues with tying up other minerals and compounds. We already feed a chelated mineral mix to insure proper copper and zinc levels are maintained. Previous owners of this place experienced the issues you mentioned to include horrible conception rates due to low copper.

Most folks around here simply turn the cows out on the fields. We just decided to ensilage it all this year and have a supply to background calves with. The sugars in the beet top scalps should be a boon for the digetion process as any high carb diet would provide the rumen. I just thought I would throw this out there in case someone with experience doing this every had any wrecks due to some unforeseen issues.

Thanks again.