Key Points
- Final fodder beet yield was related to the amount of irrigation applied, with the highest yield achieved in fully irrigated crops and lowest from the rain-fed treatment.
- Timing of drought (early versus late) had no effect on DM production, although the effect of early drought was likely reduced by adequate rainfall early in the season.
- Frequency of irrigation at 50% ET replacement had no effect on DM production.
- Increased dry matter yield drove profitability ($/ha) and reduced the cost of production (c/kg)
- The light Chertsey soil did not support less frequent irrigation the way heavier Templeton soil did in previous trial work.