POTATOES FOR STOCK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21874, 9 August 1934, Page 5

POTATOES FOR STOCK

ILL-BALANCED FOOD METHODS OF CORRECTION As .1 foodstuff potatoes are singularly ill-balanced, being very rich in carbohydrates, or starch, and very deficient in protein. Alone they are quite unsiiited to the maintenance of health, or for productive purposes. It is for this reason, probably, that the fullest use is not made of potatoes in animal feeding. Their deficiency is recognised in a general way, but few appreciate how, and to what extent, this has to lie made up to secure the greatest return. Pigs, for the most part, are the only class of stock to which potatoes can be fed economically in quantity. This introduces a further complication as to what amount can be utilised for stockfeeding, because practically the only circumstances in which pig-raising is conducted is as an adjunct or sideline to dairying. In other words, potatoes are likely to be given to stock only where potato-growing and dairying are combined on the one property. Utilising Waste Tubers It, is not suggested that the whole of the crop should be fed to pigs. It is rather a question of utilising what might otherwise bo allowed to go to waste. To secure the most complete utilisation of potatoes—that is, if complete utilisation is desirable —they should be fed along with some supplement rich in protein. Foodstuffs in this category are skim milk, short young grass, clover, lucerne, linseed cake or nieatnieal.

The practical significance of adding a protein supplement is well illustrated by a trial conducted at Canterbury Agricultural College. Potatoes, alone, gave a return, with pork at 6d a lb., of 3s a ton, but when fed with * lb. of mcatmeal a day they had a value of 45s a ton; and this final result was obtained after paying the cost of the meatmeal at £lO a ton.

That potatoes, as the main source of carbohydrate, have no deleterious effect on the'quality of the bacon, is attested by Mr. J. K. Thompson, of the Kirton Farm Institute, Lincolnshire, in the Farmer and Stockbreeder. In fact, he definitely advises the heavy use of potatoes in 'the feeding of fattening pigs, even to the complete replacement of the usual sources of carbohydrate (barley, etc.). Comparison with Meals

In comparison with the more customary meal rations fed in England, he continues, the potato diet produces a slower gain in weight, but at a cheaper rate. Pigs fed heavily on potatoes will not show the bloom or apparent finish of those fed on a wholemeal or more restricted ration, but, by bacon factory standards —tho carcases will bo quite satisfactory.

Whether potatoes should be fed raw or boiled depends upon the class of stock fed. In general pigs eat a greater quantity of the cooked variety than of the raw, but against this must be set the cost of boiling. Mr. Thompson recommends cooked tubers for fattening stock aud suckling rows. Others may receive them raw. Washing is necessary only if the tubers are very dirty. For suckling sows heavy potato feeding is not desirable particularly at first. Later the quantity may bo increased. Weaners are fed similarly, potatoes forming only a minor part of the ration for a start, and being gradually increased so that the full proportion is being given at four to five months old. Large quantities of potatoes may be allowed pregnant sows at the beginning, but the proportion should be decreased as the gestation period advances, and should be cut right out for the last few weeks before farrowing. Care should be taken that greened potatoes or the sprouts off old tubers are not included in the feed.