Soil losses
Root crops cause soil losses during harvest (Ruysschaert et al., 2004). Sugar beet harvesting may result in 17 t earth losses/ha. Fodder beet roots are less heavily grooved than sugar beet roots and, therefore, lift less soil when they are harvested (Boardman et al., 2006).
Greenhouse gas consumer
Fodder beet crops are amongst the largest consumers of CO2; they also release the highest amounts of O2 (Kerten, 2003).
Genetically modified fodder beet
Genetically modified fodder beet (Roundup Ready) has been developed but in 2011 no such variety had been released in Europe (GMO Register, 2011). Field trials were authorized in Denmark in 2005 for a four-year period. Digestibility and feeding values of Roundup Ready fodder beet were similar to those of conventional varieties (Hartnell et al., 2005). The GM fodder beet resulted in milk yields intermediary to those of 2 different types of conventional fodder beet. Fodder beet type did not affect the concentration of hormones and growth factors in whey (Weisbjerg et al., 2001).