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Of all fodder root crops, fodder carrots are in first place. Its difference from the equally common fodder beet is that it is not only more nutritious, but also more unpretentious in care. One root vegetable of fodder carrots contains almost all known vitamins and amino acids. Due to its rich vitamin composition, it is actively used in animal and bird feed.
Composition and benefits of feed carrots
Fodder carrots are high in vitamins and minerals. But they stand out in its composition:
- carotene;
- vitamin C;
- B vitamins;
- vitamin E;
- calcium;
- boron;
- silicon and others.
It should be noted that not only the root crop itself is rich in vitamins, but also its tops. It contains even more manganese, iodine and protein than carrots themselves.
Carrots of fodder varieties and their tops are well absorbed by animals and birds. Their introduction into the diet promotes better digestion of other feeds. It is this fodder root crop that is capable of enhancing milk production, which is especially important for dairy breeds.
Characteristics of varieties
All varieties of fodder carrots are usually divided according to their color into three groups:
- white;
- yellow;
- red.
At the same time, it is difficult to single out an absolute leader among these forage varieties. The most productive varieties will be white, then yellow and red. But in terms of dry matter content, the order of leadership will be the opposite: red, yellow, and only then white.
Consider the varieties of each of these groups.
White varieties
These forage varieties are the most common and the largest - up to 4 kg. At the same time, the average length of carrots can reach 50 cm, and its neck can be 8 cm thick. The percentage of dry matter in carrots of these varieties will not exceed 12%, sugar will be about 3%.
White Belgian
Only White Belgian tops protrude above the surface. The long carrots of this forage variety are cone-shaped and hidden from view underground.
White green-headed
The lush tops of this forage variety are formed by dark green erect leaves with green petioles.
But this can only happen when grown on heavy soils and with prolonged exposure to low temperatures.
White carrot this variety got its name from the green color of its top. In its shape, it resembles an elongated cone, which is hidden 2/3 underground. The flesh of the carrots is white and very juicy.
Gigantic white
The rich tops of carrots consist of erect leaves on long petioles. Some plants have an underdeveloped stem part. Carrots of this variety have an elongated conical shape and a white color with a green top.The white pulp of the Giant White is distinguished by its juiciness.
Arnimkriven white
The white roots of this forage variety have the shape of an elongated cone and are completely submerged in the ground. They are skillfully hidden by dense tops of raised green leaves. The white pulp is characterized by medium juiciness.
White fodder carrots also include:
- White Weibul;
- Championship;
- Thick;
- Berlin giant.
Yellow varieties
They are in second place in terms of yield and dry matter content - up to 13%. The sugar of these fodder varieties will be up to 5%.
Belgian yellow
As well as Belgian White it is very difficult to clean. The conical root crop of this variety has a slightly blunt bottom and is reliably hidden under the abundant tops.
Lobberich yellow
The tops of this variety, in contrast to its stem part, are well developed. It consists of erect leaves on long petioles. Lobberich yellow carrots are quite long and strongly pointed. It practically does not protrude above the surface of the earth. The color of the root crop is heterogeneous: the dark green top flows smoothly into the yellow bottom. Its flesh is also yellow.
Saalfelder yellow
Unlike the previous variety, the shape of this fodder carrot is not so sharp, although it is also elongated. It is yellow and completely submerged in the soil. The light yellow pulp of the variety has an average juiciness.
Yellow varieties of fodder carrots also include:
- Long green-headed giant;
- Palatinate golden yellow;
- Flanders;
- The yellow giant Weibul.
Red varieties
These varieties hold the record for the dry matter content of all varieties of fodder carrots - up to 15%. Sugar in them will not exceed 5%.
Bull heart
The bovine heart has almost no tops and does not release flower shoots in the first year of the growing season. The root crop of this variety has an oval shape slightly narrowed downwards. Its lower part is slightly rounded. The surface of the root vegetable, like its pulp, is red in color.
Gigantic red
This variety cannot boast of lush tops of erect leaves with green petioles. In addition, the stem part is not developed in it.
Almost entirely hidden underground, the root crop of this variety has the shape of an elongated cone. In this case, only its upper part, painted in green, will be visible. The lower part of the root crop is red in color. The flesh of the Giant red has a pleasant yellow color.
Red thick
It is one of those forage varieties with only half the leaves. The remaining half is in a reclining position. Moreover, both halves of the tops have long green petioles. The red-pink elongated conical root crop practically does not protrude above the surface of the earth. The pulp of this variety is red in color. It is juicy enough and without visible damage.
Red varieties of fodder carrots also include:
- Long orange-red giant;
- Orange-yellow Dippé;
- Long red Braunschweig;
- A long, fat, blunt-pointed giant.
Table varieties grown for forage purposes
There are not so many such varieties used in Russia, about 10 pieces. This is due, first of all, to their increased productivity. Let's consider the most common ones.
Biryuchekutskaya 415
An excellent unpretentious and high-yielding variety. It is able to actively bear fruit even in arid regions. The harvest of Biryuchekutskaya 415 can be harvested within 2.5 months from the first shoots. The orange root vegetable is cone-shaped, up to 16 cm long and weighs up to 120 grams. The pulp is also orange and has good taste characteristics. A distinctive feature of these root crops is their excellent preservation even during long-term storage.
Vitamin 6
The main characteristic of Vitamin 6 carrots is the increased carotene content, up to 28 mg.The carrot itself, as well as its pulp with a core, are orange in color. In its shape, it is similar to a blunt-pointed cylinder with a length of up to 20 cm and a diameter of up to 4 cm. There are small grooves on its surface, but in general it is smooth. Perfect for long-term storage.
Incomparable
Long, bright orange carrots of this variety have a cylindrical shape with a blunt tip. Its length will be about 20 cm, and its weight is up to 200 grams. It is incredibly productive and has good immunity to many diseases. In addition, the grower will not see her flower shoots until the second year of the growing season.
Growing recommendations
Carrots of fodder varieties are a rather unpretentious crop. Most often it is grown on an industrial scale, but there are frequent cases of planting it on ordinary sites. Especially where all kinds of livestock are kept.
This root crop is undemanding to the place of disembarkation. It grows especially well on lighted loamy and sandy loamy soils of fertile composition.
If the soil is heavy, then adding peat, sand or matured compost will help to improve its composition.
If a crop rotation is organized on the site, then the best predecessors for this crop will be:
- beet;
- potatoes;
- cereals and legumes.
Planting fodder carrots after green manure shows excellent results. Fodder carrots can also be successfully planted on the beds of winter crops after harvesting.
In addition, they are great as mulch and green fertilizer for garden beds. The most common are rapeseed, flax and mustard.
This fodder root crop must not be planted in the same area for more than 5 consecutive years. This prohibition is associated with a significant depletion of the soil. If you plant this crop in one place for a long time, then its yield will drop sharply. She will be susceptible to various diseases and pests.
To avoid this, it is recommended to take a break every 3 years and plant other crops on the carrot bed. Moreover, carrots are an excellent predecessor for many of them.
Before sowing the seeds of fodder carrots, you need to prepare the bed:
- When carrying out the autumn digging of the soil, it is no longer necessary to prepare the garden in the spring. It is enough to slightly loosen it with a hoe.
- If the soil was not dug up in the fall, then this is done in the spring. In this case, it is advisable to choose the roots of other plants.
Seeds of fodder carrots are sown in early spring, as soon as the soil thaws. This culture is cold-resistant, so there is no need to be afraid of sudden spring frosts.
For those who sow seeds according to the lunar calendar, the waning moon will be the best time to plant this root crop. For the rest, it is recommended to meet the deadlines from April 20 to May 10.
When the soil is prepared, the gardener can start sowing:
- Furrows must be made in the allocated place. The optimal distance between furrows is 20 cm, and the depth should not exceed 1 cm.
- Furrows are shed with warm water.
- After the soil has soaked up the water, the seeds can be sown. Sowing is done no more often than 1 cm.
- From above, the furrows are covered with soil. You can also use peat.
Further care of root crops is not difficult at all. They only need:
- Moderate regular watering. As a rule, this crop should be watered no more than once every 2 days in normal weather. In dry weather, watering is done daily, and in cloudy weather - once a week.Advice! Better to water in the evening.
- Thinning. It is produced twice: after 14 days and after 8 weeks from germination.In the first thinning, no more than 3 cm is left between young plants, in the second - no more than 5 cm. All empty holes from the torn plants must be filled with earth.
- Top dressing. To do this, use any nitrogen fertilizers, urea and potassium sulfate.
Harvesting of fodder carrots can be done both by hand and by machine, depending on the volume of sowing.
Only whole undamaged root crops are left for storage. For better preservation, it is necessary to provide them with a temperature not higher than +2 degrees and a humidity of 90-95%.
You can learn how best to store carrots from the video:
