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June 10, 2004 Potatoes Need Not Go to Waste, Specialist Says Potato processing and consumption has slowed due to the popularity of low-carbohydrate diets, leaving large amounts of potatoes to go to waste, according to Greg Lardy, North Dakota State University Extension beef cattle specialist. Lardy encourages cattle producers to consider using excess spuds in cattle feeding rations. “Potatoes have a feeding value equal to barley on a dry matter basis,” Lardy says. “They are high in energy, but low in protein and vitamin A. In finishing rations, satisfactory results can be obtained by feeding potatoes as a portion of the ration, along with cereal grains such as barley or corn, a protein supplement and roughage.” Fifty percent of the ration as potatoes on an as fed basis is probably the maximum for finishing cattle, according to Lardy. “Potatoes should be worked into cattle diets gradually to prevent digestive disturbances and should not be removed after cattle have adapted,” he says. Potatoes can be fed whole, but chopping prevents cattle from choking. The risk can also be minimized by feeding out of low feed bunks or on the ground. Frozen potatoes should not be fed, as the danger is greatly elevated. Producers should also be cautious of sprouted potatoes, which contain toxic alkaloids. Long sprouts must be removed prior to feeding. Data from the University of Nebraska indicates that ensiling sprouted potatoes will alleviate this toxicity problem. Potatoes can be preserved in silos. However, they should not be stored alone due to their high water content. “Adding either 20 to 25 pounds of dry forage, cereal grains or byproducts, or 400 pounds of corn silage or sorghum-sudan silage per 100 pounds of potatoes will reduce moisture to an acceptable level,” Lardy says. Other products such as wheat midds and sugar beat pulp can also be added to lower moisture content. Moisture levels for optimum potato ensiling are 60 to 65 percent. Potatoes can also be spread on pastures or fields and freeze-dried over the winter. Cattle then consume the potatoes in spring months. According to Lardy, the danger of choking is reduced or eliminated as the potatoes freeze-dry. For more information about feeding potatoes to beef cattle, contact Lardy at (701) 231-7660 or glardy@ndsuext.nodak.edu. ### Source:
Greg Lardy, (701) 231-7660, glardy@ndsuext.nodak.edu |
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North Dakota State University |
