Ensuring animals have the right kind of diet is vital for their wellbeing and performance. Interestingly though, you can use various kinds of animal feed to do this. One thing farmers in different parts of the world do is add surplus potatoes to feeds for cows. We want to have a closer look at this today.

A case study

Switzerland is one country where it is common to give surplus potatoes to cows. In fact, the country has a scheme that means farmers get compensation for their crop. While it is less than they can earn from selling to supermarkets, it ensures they get something for additional potatoes that aren’t sold.

The interesting thing is the Swiss programme is very serious business. Inspectors go to farms to physically check the potato crops to ensure they have sufficient edible content and are safe to feed to cows. Then each crop requires spraying with food dye. This marks them for use as feed, ensuring they can’t then be sold for human consumption. It prevents farmers from trying to cheat the system, something that surprisingly did actually happen.

This year has been a good one for potato harvests in various parts of Switzerland. As a result, a large amount of surplus potatoes will be going to cows. They are a decent addition to diets, providing a source of energy and protein. Most notably, they can be a good alternative to barley. A big plus in their favour is they have higher moisture content and can help to stimulate appetite, especially in finishing cattle.

UK farmers

Some farmers in the UK will already be up to speed with using surplus potatoes as animal feed. Others may be new to the idea. The truth is it can be a really good option. There are a few crucial things to think about though.

Most importantly, if you are planning to introduce potatoes to a ration, you need to think about the overall nutritional balance. Focus on getting the right volumes of energy, protein, and fibre.

Before giving potatoes to cows, it’s also important to think about safety. Ensure they are as clean as possible; you want to avoid cows eating excessive amounts of dirt as it can lead to disease. Plus, be careful with any that are sprouting because they contain toxic glycoalkaloids. Additionally, make sure you reduce the chance of choking. Feeding at ground level is advisable, especially if you’re giving them whole potatoes.

This year has been a tricky one for potato farmers in the UK. Some areas have had a bumper harvest, higher than the 5 year estimate. However, others have seen their yield decline. The main factor has been the weather, particularly the hot summer stressing plants. It’s vital to think about this and the varieties they are growing.

Do you need some help with animal feed?

Doing the right things when you’re feeding animals is really important to their health and performance. You need to think carefully about what you are giving them. If you make any changes, such as introducing potatoes, do it gradually.

JS Hubbuck Ltd has a lot of experience with animal feed. We supply quality products from some of the best manufacturers in the world. As a result, you can shop with us confident you’ll get great feeds. Even better, you can ask us for advice and recommendations; we take pride in our product knowledge and ability to give clients the best support.

So, get in touch today.