The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: windymiller on October 14, 2011, 08:58:06 pm

Title: Fodder beet?
Post by: windymiller on October 14, 2011, 08:58:06 pm

Got several acres of fodder beet, we usually graze the sheep on, i wondered if there was any milage in lifting some for the pigs??? is there much feed value in it?

Title: Re: Fodder beet?
Post by: SallyintNorth on October 15, 2011, 09:17:06 am

Hell yeah!  Definitely feed it to something - or sell it.  The price of feed these days...

If you don't want the trouble of lifting it, could you run the pigs on it? 

Title: Re: Fodder beet?
Post by: windymiller on October 15, 2011, 08:57:34 pm

with the sheep we'd normally put in an electric fence and strip graze it, its handy for putting on a bit of condition or fattening, but never occoured to put pigs in there. ours aren't electric fence savvy so may have to have a go first with some in a paddock. that said i was goiung to lift the beet and feed the pigs

Title: Re: Fodder beet?
Post by: harry on October 15, 2011, 09:39:21 pm

once my pigs have cleared some land i was thinking of planting something to put them onto next year, i thought turnips parsnips etc ie any root veg, not spuds or beet. Any best suggestions, maybe an early then late crop. Root veg only as cabbages wouldnt survive my poultry.

Title: Re: Fodder beet?
Post by: Berkshire Boy on October 15, 2011, 10:28:13 pm

Harry,
I started sowing stuble turnips and forage rape mixed last year. Grows really quick and the pigs love it. :wave:

Title: Re: Fodder beet?
Post by: SallyintNorth on October 15, 2011, 10:55:21 pm

Harry, I've heard that Jerusalem artichokes are brilliant for pigs - but I don't know anyone personally that's tried it.

Title: Re: Fodder beet?
Post by: Blonde on October 16, 2011, 05:18:40 am

Put a few in and see how they go.   Then the following year do a few more or a paddock :wave: