The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1920-03-11

Prepared by the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture.)
Beet.tOp silage is we'll suited for use
by the dairymnn or the feeder of beef
and sheep. When it is fed for
the production of beef or mutton, the
hay requirements may be reduced oO
per cent. The warm. %succulent silage
seems to stimulate the appetites of
the animals, causing them to consume
and utilize larger quantities of feed.
Most beet growers estimate thai beet-
top silage has a value about one-thlrd
to one-half that of alfalfa hay.
These points are discussed In de-
tail In Farmers bulletin 1905. Beet
Top Silage ard Other B~y-Troducts of
the Sugar Beet" which was recently
ISSUED by tile United States depart
ment Of agriculture. This bulletin
advocates the S Of beet-top silage to
aid in meeting the shortage of hay
and other forage. 1t Illustrates good
methods Of constructing pit silos and
gathering and SLIDING the tops, anu
makes other important suggestions In
regard to feeding the silage, molasses,
and pulp, based largely upon reports
of beet growers and stock feeders.
Balanced Ration Recommended.
Beet pulp and molasses, by-products
which have an established value with
stock feeders, should be fed with Al
moderate allowance of hay or other
feed in order to make Il balanced
ration" the bulletin says.
Eat the present price of beet mo-
iasses many feeders are finding u
mixture Of molasSes with hay or with
pulp to be profitable. This furnishes
Il variety and stimulates appetite when
fed in regulated quantities.
"In feeding beet-top silage, about 30
pounds per loo pounds weight for
cattle and 3 pounds per head for sheep
each day seem to be most satisfactory
animals not accustomed to beet
top siluge should be given Il small
quantity at first and the feelings grad.
ualIy increased until the normal RAJ
tion is reached"
Other important points given In the
bulletin follow:
A good crop of bcets will yield from
3h to & o of processed silage.
The average cost of gathering the
tops and filling, packing and finishing
the silO is about 81 Il ton.
1t is extremely important that the
| tpp. H., rrnfknrn.J ou.l MT {utn cn,O1l
piles promptly after the beets are
t-topped. The dirt may be easily
shaken from the tops while the leaves
are still fresh. 1t is imperative that
Girt and sand be eliminated.
The fundamental factors that are
involved in making good corn silage
also apply in making beet-top silage
Pack the mass thoroughly to exclude
the free air and then seal tight. Good
silage requires thorough packing.
It is not necessary to run the tops
through a silage cutter. Some feeders
prefer to do so however. to avoid the
possibility Of lambs choking on the
crowns.
The same structure that Is common
~ used for putting up corn silage may
be used for bect-top silage. Because
beet tops pack IN a very dense mass,
the structure will sometimes crack
and spread and thus allow air to enter,
A well-built silo is reasonably safe.
Making bcet-top silage does not nee
essarIly involve a cash outlay for ma
terials. The natural earth silo and
stacking above the earth are both sue
cessful. Concrete side retaining walls
are advisable under certain conditions,
however.
The natural earth silo will yield just
as good results for beet-top silage as
the perpendicular structures, but
greater care iE packing is necessary.
An excellent quality of silage is
made by stacking the tops entirely
above the earth and then packing them
thoroughly. The spoilage loss is great
or than When the structure or the pit
si'o is used.
1t is not necessary to alternate lay.
ers of tops With layers of straw. 1t is
| always uuSISdDiC ~ put a iAyCI VI
! straw next TO the earth bottom and
sides to eliminate dirt from the sllage.
Silage is not a balanced ration. II
should always be supplemented by
other feeds.
Silage is carbohydrate feed and bal
ances with alfalfa hay. which is rich
il protein.
The fermenting process In the sIIc
largely corrccts the cathartic salts In
beet tops.
The most profitable use is made Of
beet tops when they are sliced ant
fed with alfalfa hay OF other forage
aud possibly supplemented with grail
or concentrate feeds.
Allows Fall Flowing.
Gathering beet tops from the felt
and SLIDING them without undue delay
| FLOWS fall plOwinR 10 be done before