Potatoes: An Alternative Feed Source During Drought

Tue 13 Nov, 2012

Potatoes: An Alternative Feed Source During Drought

The drought in many parts of the country has cattle producers looking for alternative feeds to supplement forage and traditional feedstuffs. Hay and corn are expensive at the moment so low-priced alternatives are needed. Potatoes may be one option.

Potatoes have also suffered from the drought. A large percentage became diseased and malformed and, therefore, not suitable for the fresh market or for processing. Often, these non-marketable potatoes are simply dumped into fields and plowed under.

Cattle producers interested in the possibility of using potatoes as a feedstuff can contact potato warehouses or processing plants to judge availability and price. Remember that price per pound isn't the right comparison; a little math, as shown in the table, helps break it down to the cost for digestible nutrients. And don't forget to consider transportation and other ancillary costs in the equation.

The North Dakota Extension Service suggests the following factors to consider when looking at potatoes as a feedstuff: