Extension educator: cattle feed an option for damaged wheat

BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) — A South Dakota State Extension educator says feeding damaged wheat to cattle can be a way to salvage a crop.

SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist Warren Rusche says recent rains delayed completion of the wheat harvest and some farmers have reported damaged wheat, particularly in the northern areas of South Dakota.

Rusche says if the damage levels are high enough, the wheat can be unmarketable through regular channels.

He says cattle ranchers thinking about feeding damaged wheat need to consider factors such as vomitoxin or ergot, which may affect cattle health and performance.

The FDA guidelines on vomitoxin for feedstuffs fed to beef cattle older than four months is 10 parts per million, as long as the affected feed does not exceed 50 percent of the diet.