Sugar beet prices have been fixed until April 2018 as a result of a 30% increase in the sugar beet area and favourable growing conditions.

Traditionally prices of sugar beet fluctuate over the winter months while factories finish the processing. The price fix is intended to offer security and will not be affected by volatility in currency.

Sugar beet is an option for livestock producers to optimise animal performance through cost effective feeding.

Duncan Hook, Trident Feeds category director, said: "It’s one of the most effective sources of digestible fibre-based energy available for ruminants. Sugar beet feed is also highly palatable and can be used in combination with less palatable feeds to stimulate intakes, therefore drive milk yields and in particular increase butterfat percentage, due to its high digestible fibre content which forms the building blocks for milk fat.

“At a time where milk prices are looking to increase, with more focus on payments for milk quality and butterfat percentage, it’s a product that producers will no doubt be considering in rations this winter.”