Leaf nutrient testing & feed quality parameters

With the increase in use of Fodderbeet as a supplementary forage crop, the laboratory has now set up medium range levels for leaf nutrient testing mid-season), and for feed quality parameters (as bulb, tops and wholecrop).

Sampling is quite difficult for root-crops; both in the field and sub-sampling in the laboratory. The laboratory does recommend tops and bulbs are analysed separately for dry matter and feed quality tests – reducing whole plants to get a representative sample (as wholecrop) can give rise to widely varying results depending on the sub-sample composition.

The medium ranges currently in use are the best available from the literature and do not allow for varietal differences; they will be reviewed as more information comes to hand.