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In addition to the usual table potatoes, which are the basis of the human diet, there is also fodder, intended for fattening livestock. This type of culture is widely in demand in agriculture, as it is highly nutritious and contributes to the rapid weight gain of pets. All varieties of fodder potatoes are characterized by high productivity. This allows you to significantly save the consumption of other feeds.
Growing fodder potatoes in the same way as table potatoes
What does fodder potato mean
The forage type of crop perfectly complements the grain and concentrated mixtures that make up the diet of animals. It allows you to make it more balanced and thus increase the yield of the finished product, as well as improve the quality of the meat. It is recommended to give feed potatoes to pigs, large and small cattle raw, but well washed. And it can be fed to birds and rabbits only in boiled form.
What does fodder potatoes look like
It is not easy to determine fodder potatoes by their appearance. Because it is not much different from the dining room. But there are still some features.
Forage tubers are very large and one-dimensional. Their size is 2-3 times larger than that of table species. This explains why fodder potato varieties are more productive. Their tubers have the shape of an irregular oval or circle with protruding sections in different places. The eyes of fodder potatoes are planted deep, the peel is rough. And on the cut you can see the snow-white pulp, which is too juicy.
The forage type of culture is absorbed in the body of a pig by 90-95%
Difference from table potatoes
The difference between table and fodder potatoes lies in the taste properties. This is due to the fact that the latter has a high content of starch, protein and solids. Therefore, the feed species is more high-calorie and nutritious, which ensures the accelerated growth of animals.
The content of the main components in it:
- starch – more than 18%;
- ascorbic acid – does not exceed 18%;
- protein – 2-3,65%;
- digestible protein – 1,6%.
Pros and cons of fodder potatoes
Feed potatoes have their pros and cons. Therefore, when it is grown and further used for fattening livestock, it is necessary to study them in advance.
The nutritional value of fodder potatoes is 0,31 feed units
Main advantages:
- high stable yield;
- suitable for long-term savings;
- easily tolerates transportation;
- accelerates the process of weight gain in animals;
- reduces the cost of maintaining livestock;
- has a high nutritional value;
- does not require complex care;
- little susceptible to pests, diseases;
- improves meat quality.
Disadvantages:
- tops and tubers contain solanine, which gives bitterness to milk;
- the concentration of nutrients during long-term storage decreases;
- when ensiling is used, the level of acidity in the tubers increases.
Feed varieties of potatoes with photos and descriptions
There are many types of fodder potatoes. They have certain differences from each other. However, there are several varieties that are very popular in agriculture. Therefore, in order to make the right choice, it is worth considering each of them separately.
Berlichingen
In the people, this German variety of fodder potatoes is also called Berlinka. It was bred in 1923 by crossing Pepo and Centriole species. It is considered a species of medium ripening. The duration of the growing season is 90-100 days from the moment of germination. Under each bush, 7-12 tubers are formed, weighing 80-150 g.
The peel is evenly red in color, the flesh is snow-white, does not darken upon contact with air. The starch content in tubers is 14-17%, therefore it is considered a universal variety. Recommended for cultivation in the northern regions. The yield is 220-400 centners per 1 ha.
At Berlichingen, tops lodging at the end of the growing season
Zazersky
It is considered a table-fodder variety. It is characterized by high resistance to late blight, scab, potato cancer. Fruit taste is satisfactory. The tubers are round, light yellow in color, the flesh has a paler shade. The peel is smooth, dense, not susceptible to mechanical damage. The eyes are set deep.
This fodder variety is recommended for cultivation on the territory of Our Country, Ukraine, Moldova. The starch content in tubers reaches 14-18%.
The yield of potatoes Zazersky is 220 centners per 1 ha
Voltman
A late variety of fodder potatoes, characterized by a high content of nutrients. Undemanding to growing conditions and care, and has good keeping quality. Tubers are large, irregularly rounded, angular. The peel is dense, red with numerous bright eyes. The pulp is juicy, white, contains up to 20% starch.
This variety is widely distributed in Uzbekistan. It is resistant to blackleg, ring rot.
The duration of the growing season of potatoes Voltman is 110-120 days
Vita
The variety belongs to the category of table and fodder, as it is characterized by good taste and excellent presentation. Tubers are round, white. The eyes of the Vita variety are rare, superficial. The peel is thickened, dense, smooth, becoming slightly reticulated in dry seasons.
The forage variety Vita is widely distributed in Our Country. Ukraine, Moldova. It is resistant to cancer, but suffers moderately from late blight, blackleg. The yield is 300-400 centners per 1 ha.
Potato Vita is affected by common scab
Lorch Lorch
An old fodder variety of culture, which was bred in 1922 when crossing species: Svitez and Smyslovsky. The duration of the growing season from the date of planting is 100-120 days. The tubers are round-oval, large, weighing 90-120 g. The peel is strong, smooth, but peeling is present in the upper part of the potato. The flesh is white, with a greenish tint. Eyes small, superficial. Up to 12-16 potatoes are formed under each bush.
Feed grade Lorch Lorch is not affected by rust, viruses. But it is susceptible to late blight, cancer, golden nematode, ring rot. The yield is 250-350 centners per 1 ha.
Variety Lorch Lorch is not demanding on the composition of the soil
Korenevsky
Mid-late forage potato. The duration of its vegetation is 100-110 days from the moment of planting. Under each bush, up to 10-12 tubers are formed per season, weighing 90-120 g. The color of this fodder potato is white, the pulp is of the same shade. The starch content in tubers is 13-20%. The variety easily tolerates heat without loss of productivity.
Korenevsky potatoes are common in Our Country, Ukraine. Moldova. It is resistant to phytophthora, mosaic, but is affected by black leg, cancer. The yield is about 250-350 centners per 1 ha.
Fodder potato Korenevsky is characterized by unpretentious care
Adretta
This table and fodder type of culture was bred by German breeders and entered into the State Register more than 40 years ago. But until now, it remains relevant due to its high productivity. Variety Adretta belongs to the category of mid-early species with a growing season of 60-80 days from the moment of germination. The content of starch in its tubers reaches 13-18%. The average fruit weight is 100-150 g.
Potatoes are round yellow in color and have white flesh. They are of good taste. Adretta potatoes have excellent keeping quality. The variety is susceptible to the golden nematode. It easily tolerates drought and temperature changes.
12-15 tubers are formed under the Adretta bush
Cameraz
Mid-season fodder crop variety, the duration of vegetation of which is 90-110 days from the moment of germination. It has a high starch content in the range of 14-18%. Tubers are round, white. The peel is smooth, the depth of the eye is medium. The starch content in potatoes is 12-16,6%.
This fodder potato is resistant to cancer, but is affected by late blight to an average degree. The variety is zoned for the central and northern regions, undemanding to the composition of the soil and care. The harvested crop is well preserved until the new season.
Camerase does not respond well to drought
Ostbot
This type is characterized by medium taste and high content of nutrients. Productivity reaches 280-380 centners from 1 hectare. Root crops of a yellow color, rounded oval. The peel is thickened, dense, rough. The depth of the peephole is medium. The starch content in potatoes reaches more than 18%.
Ostbote fodder potatoes are affected by phytophthora and scab, but are resistant to cancer. The variety is zoned in the central regions.
Ostbote will remain productive even in unfavorable seasons for the crop
Belarusian starchy
Belarusian variety, the starch content in which reaches 20,7-21,2%. Under each bush, up to 12-15 rounded tubers are formed per season, weighing 100-120 g. The peel is dense, rough, not very susceptible to mechanical damage. Eye depth is medium. The pulp is white, juicy.
This fodder variety is resistant to cancer, late blight, but may suffer from scab, rhizoctoniosis. The duration of its vegetation is 90-110 days. Productivity reaches 320 centners per hectare.
Belarusian starchy easily tolerates transportation and long-term storage
Conclusion
All varieties of fodder potatoes are suitable for feeding animals, are stored and are characterized by a high level of productivity. However, it should be borne in mind that for large and medium-sized cattle they can only be considered as an addition to the main diet, and for pigs and birds they can be the basis of the diet.