2020 December Board Book

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Growing and feeding Sugarbeets on California Dairy Farms, Part 3 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. Beets could be an important feed in California dairy rations. Researchers have completed two small-scale studies with Sugarbeets on dairies in California; the team is seeking to complete their work with a more comprehensive feeding study, building the promising findings from the first studies. OBJECTIVE: To measure 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 in a formal feeding study. Optimize farm water use though use of winter crops and create a feeding model that optimizes on-farm water use. INDUSTRY BENEFIT: Reduced feed costs, reduced water use, and improved nutrient recycling. Increased foundational knowledge of beet silage production and use on California dairy farms. Researcher: Stephen Kaffka, UC Davis

Timeline:

1 Year, January - December 2021

2021 CMAB Budget Request: $166,558

CDRF 2021 Proposed Budget and Projects