Remember the beet pulp shortage last year?

[FatPalomino]

Let's hope it's different this year:

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20091128/UPDATES01/91128005/Sugar+beet+crop+pays+off+for+Wellington+area+farme rs

"The combination of nature and science resulted in the largest crop of sugar beets in memory, said Richard Seaworth, who farms north of Wellington."

There is this gigantic pile of sugar beets they harvest right down the road from me, I'll snap a picture next time I'm that way to show everyone the beet, with the pulp still on. It's pretty cool, in a dorky sort of way ;)

[goodhors]

Well I sure hope the beets get processed for the farmers.

We had major problems with a huge Sugar Beet harvest, because the rain and warmer temps allowed the stored beets to rot. Processing factory could not get the beets taken care of before they rotted beyond use. Farmers did not get paid for them. This was a couple years ago.

It was just a really bad year. Quantity of beets is more than incredible at the storage facility! Acres and acres of beets pile higher than you would ever think of.

I would order in a supply that would hold me thru the winter, right now. If you have been unable to get beet pulp over the last winters, you need to change your methods of supplying yourself.

Have to say here in Michigan, we have had no problems, even when you folks say nothing was available. My feed folks said their supplier said " there is NO beet pulp shortage" and had no difficulty keeping our local area supplied. I had not realized how MUCH beet pulp they were selling to horse folks until I asked. Some go thru almost a pallet of 40 bags in a couple weeks. That would keep me supplied until next summer!

So if you anticipate a shortage, order a quantity of beet pulp now, store it for winter feeding. It is nice because the varmints don't seem to bother the bags like the grain sacks. Keeps fine for long times. Sure beats all the complaining later, along with "coulda, shoulda" thinking.

[ToiRider]

Have to say here in Michigan, we have had no problems, even when you folks say nothing was available. My feed folks said their supplier said " there is NO beet pulp shortage" and had no difficulty keeping our local area supplied.

Can you tell me the price for shredded beat pulp in Michigan? It is going for 14 dollars a bag in Louisville. I was thinking of stocking up when I went back to Michigan to visit at Christmas. I assumed the price would be better since beets are part of the local economy where I grew up. I well remember driving past those piles of sugar beets!

[Treasmare2]

It was 21.00 dollars here (I am in Canada) and now it is down to 18.00 a bag.

[Robin@DHH]

I am within a day's drive from the Red River Valley in
North Dakota where a lot of beet pulp is grown. I just
bought a new supply a few weeks ago and the price
at my feed store dropped from $13-$14 per 40# bag
to $9 for the same bag. Not as good as the $5 per 50#
bag that I remember from a decade ago, but then, the
fuel prices are not what they were back then either.

[mroades]

17.50 a bag here, and we still have trouble getting it. And the last batch gave all my horses the runs....sigh

[CDE Driver]

I buy the pellets not shredded and it is $10.50/ bag here in Central Oregon. The price hasn't changed in a long time.

[SLW]

I pay $12 a bag and my feed store owner hasn't had a problem getting any or keeping it in stock. Last fall when we were approaching a shortage she gave me a heads up and I stockpiled enough to get through. She hasn't mentioned anything this year and we talk weekly.

[babecakes]

Beet pulp at Rural King $9.99 and 10% off on ladies/senior days.

My horses love it! and it really keeps their gut moving :D and helps keep the winter weight up for warmth. I rarely ever need to blanket.