Roots, Tubers and By-Products

Turnips and Swedes

Turnips

Characteristics

Turnip and swede are related brassicas. They have good nutritive value, and typically a low dry matter and crude protein concentration. However, their protein tends to be very degradable.

	DM (%)	ME (MJ/kg DM)	CP (g/kg DM)
Turnip	9	11.2	120
Swede	12	12.8	110

Associated Problems

Excess intakes associated with milk taint in dairy cows. Nitrate and sulphur toxicity.

Mangel, Fodderbeet and Sugarbeet

• ! !! DM (%) !! ME (MJ/kg DM) !! CP (g/kg DM)
• Mangels have a high nitrate concentration if fresh (need to store for a few weeks). High intakes of fodderbeet can cause GI tract disturbances, hypocalcaemia and in rare cases death.
• Sugarbeet.jpg

  Sugarbeet

Characteristics

Sugarbeet pulp is the residue following sugar extraction from sugarbeet root. It has a high dry matter and digestible fibre content, but a relatively low protein and phosphorus concentration. It is available in pellets or shreds, molassed or unmolassed. Can also be ensiled with distillers/brewers grains (draff) to form Grainbeet.

	DM (%)	ME (MJ/kg DM)	CP (g/kg DM)
SB pulp (unmolassed)	90	12.7	100
SB pulp (molassed)	87	12.5	110

Associated Problems

Choke, especially in horses (can increase it’s volume up to 6x; recommended to soak (ca. 1 litre per 200g) for 24 hours prior to feeding to horses).

Molasses

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Characteristics

Molasses is the residue following sugar extraction from sugarbeet root (also get molasses from sugarcane). It involves crystallisation and separation of sugar from water extract. Molasses is a thick, black liquid that is very low in protein concentration but very high in soluble sugars. It is often added to sugarbeet pulp, proprietary feeds, mineral licks, and TMR rations.

	DM (%)	ME (MJ/kg DM)	CP (g/kg DM)
Molasses	75	12.9	50

Associated Problems

Can be laxative. Acidosis at high intakes.

Roots, Tubers and By-Products Learning Resources
Flashcards Test your knowledge using flashcard type questions	Animal Nutrition Flashcards