Feeding fodder beet (<i>Beta vulgaris</i> L.) with either barley straw or pasture silage to non-lactating dairy cows

Abstract

An over-wintering diet for dry cows comprising about 65% fodder beet with 35% pasture silage provided adequate nutrition, although there was some risk of acidosis. In contrast, the diet containing about 85% fodder beet with barley straw resulted in lower DM intakes, poor rumen function, negative N balance so that both nutrition and welfare were compromised.