2019 December Board Book

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Growing and Feeding Sugarbeets on Dairy Farms in California BACKGROUND: Sugarbeet yields in California are the highest in the world. Sugarbeet silage crops can be produced on lower quality soils, at low overall cost, with water savings and improved nutrient management. Growing sugarbeets in winter on SJV dairy farms could produce large amounts of a feed with a high-level dietary net energy, digestible fiber and sugars, thereby providing an alternative to meeting dairy feed demands and reducing feed costs. CDRF will soon be completing the first step in this work and is looking to continue its research. OBJECTIVE: To measure the yields, analyze feed quality, and costs of producing sugarbeets as a winter crop on dairy farms in the SJV. Estimate water use and nutrient budgets for beet silage crops. Evaluate use of beet silage as a dairy feed. INDUSTRY BENEFIT: Increased foundational knowledge of beet silage production and use on California dairy farms. Reduced feed costs, reduced water use, and improved nutrient recycling. Researchers: Stephen Kaffka, UC Davis Timeline: 1 Year 2020 CMAB Budget

Request: $ 44,100

CDRF 2020 Proposed Budget and Projects