Case Study: Effects of feeding fresh sugar beets to lactating dairy cows on milk production and milk composition

Sugar beets are a high-DM-yielding energy crop and offer the potential to replace grain in the rations of dairy cows. However, there is limited information regarding the amount of beets that can be included in the TMR. This study was conducted to evaluate the responses of mid-lactation Holstein cows to rations containing varying amounts fresh sugar beets. Sixteen multiparous mid-lactation Holstein cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square study, with feeding periods of 21 d. Rations contained 0, 8, 16, and 24% beets (DM basis), with beets replacing the grain portion of the diet, which was composed of corn and barley. Milk weights and DMI were evaluated for the last 7 d of each period. Milk components were determined on the final 2 d of each period. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in milk yield (26.6, 26.0, 26.4, and 26.4 kg), fat percentage (4.64, 4.66, 4.72, and 4.72%) and protein percentage (3.54, 3.44, 3.47, and 3.44%) for rations containing 0, 8, 16, and 24% beets, respectively. Likewise, there were no differences (P > 0.05) in 3.5% FCM and energy-corrected milk that could be attributed to the treatments imposed. Efficiency values (FCM/DMI and energy-corrected milk/DMI) were not different (P > 0.05) by treatment. These data indicate that sugar beets with sodium bicarbonate can be used to partially replace grain in the rations of lactating dairy cows, with concentrations of up to 24% of the TMR DM having no adverse effects on lactation performance.