[harry]

i now know the protien value of fodder beet is 1%, but anyone know the value of sugar beet (whole) from the field......ive looked on the labels of beet pulp but theres no info on them........ which is best, need to get some next weeek as apples are nearly out....also what about turnips etc

[Fowgill Farm]

Harry
don't know what the protein levels are for sugar beet but you should really be only feeding it as a supplementary rather than main source of protein, its very high in sugar obviously and carbohydrate too, my breeding stock are currently getting one large sugar beet shredded a day spread over two meals and the odd chunk as reward or enticement!! if they have too much it ferments and they get one helluva hangover!!
HTH
mandy 

[harry]

yup...main feed is sow rolls and free range but the free range is getting a bit poor now so thought 1 large beet per day with the sow rolls would fill them up along with the limited grass etc they have now,   going to put the onto fresh free range this month but grass is low quality at present

[SallyintNorth]

The 'Newcastle document' states that sugar beet roots are reputed to give better performance than fodder beet or swede / turnip, more similar to potatoes.  It gives crude protein as 1.4% and warns about too much tops reducing the availability of calcium to the pig, because of the oxalate in the green shoot.

[harry]

yes i think the tops are ok when wilted