One of the biggest challenges facing beef and dairy producers is developing the right balance when it comes to feed. In the case of dairy cattle, an improper diet results in an animal that produces too much nitrogen. That in turn leads to a decline in milk production. For beef producers, an improper mix of starch and sugar content results in a product that will fetch less than a premium price in the marketplace.
With funding help from the PEI ADAPT Council (which funds the Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development Fund in the province for Agriculture and Agriculture Canada), Atlantic Nutrition Enterprises Inc. conducted research to determine the starch and sugar content of PEI forages and grains to improve feed ration formulation. Company researcher Les Halliday explained grains are used in rations primarily to supply starch for energy to the animal. However, he said there are wide variations in growing conditions and crop management practices across the province - that results in feed grains that have a highly variable energy content.
As well, he explained corn silage varies by variety, growing conditions and crop management. During the production of the feed, the starch and fibre in the grain and corn are broken down to yield sugars - then the sugars are fermented to various acids.
Halliday explained other feeds such as brewer's grain (which as the name implies is generally used to make beer) and cull potatoes are also available for feed. However, he said a system is needed to evaluate the energy content of these products so these products could be used more efficiently.
His project monitored the amount of two sugars - dextrose and sucrose - in the potatoes. In addition to looking at having the optimum cull potatoes, it will also help growers send better-quality spuds to processors like Cavendish Farms and McCains.
Dextrose is related to the eventually colour of French fries and with an accurate measurement of dextrose, growers will be able to manage their crop storage conditions to ensure optimum colour during processing.
Having a proper feed ratio also has beneficial environmental impacts. An improper ratio will seen animals excrete more nitrogen, which adds to the nutrient load on the land and puts increased pressure on ground and surface water.
Halliday said previously used methods for determining starch and sugar were long and time-consuming. However, technology has developed an analyzer that is easier to use. Halliday said in his final report the information furnished by the new analyzer, is proving to be very useful in helping potato growers harvest their crop at optimum maturity.
"The beef feedlot industry is constantly struggling with off feed problems associated with feeding high starch rations," he said. "With accurate analysis now available, many of these problems can be averted." For the dairy industry, rations with a higher digestibility for the animal leads to the less nitrogen and phosphorus being excreted and less "off milk", or product where there is an aftertaste.
(This is one of a series of articles prepared by the PEI Agricultural Awareness Committee and funded by the PEI ADAPT Council and other partners to highlight new and innovative developments in the province's farming community.)