Beet Pulp

Beet pulp is a by-product of sugar beet processing, used as feed for horses, cows, sheep, and other livestock. It is a fibrous material made up of the residual pulp of sugar beets after sugar extraction.

Comparable in nutritional value to corn silage, beet pulp serves as an effective supplement for dairy and beef cattle diets. It is one of the few feeds containing more than 20% crude fiber and components that stimulate rumination. While it is low in non-structural carbohydrates, it is rich in energy and fiber. Its composition includes cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and other organic compounds.

Granulated beet pulp is considered a natural feed, providing essential nutrients such as fiber, pectin substances, protein, and trace elements. It also contains trace amounts of sugar, adding nutritional value. Beet pulp is especially important for dairy cows, as the low sugar content addresses a common nutritional deficiency in most silage feeds and feed mixes.

The cellulose and pectin in beet pulp, which are present in high concentrations (45% and 50% respectively), help normalize rumen function and improve the taste profile of milk. Cattle readily consume this feed, with a digestibility rate of up to 87%.

Experts recommend daily feeding of fresh beet pulp to dairy cows at a rate of 30–40 kg per head, or no more than 5 kg of dried beet pulp.