Soybean stubble is relatively low in quality and is often supplemented with some protein source. Serving a similar purpose as soybean stubble, wheat and barley stubble are common grazing alternatives in the Northwest, says Mark Nelson, Washington State University animal scientist. Sweet corn stubble is a higher quality product than the small grain stubble that is grazed. Some Northwest cattle producers plant winter annuals among the stubble to provide additional nutrition to the cattle. Turnips and radishes are also popular crops planted.
Northwest cattlemen use more alternative feeds than any other area of the country.
The most popular alternative feed in our region is potato products. These products include potato peelings, cull potatoes, cull French fries, hash browns and potato crowns. While each region is unique in the combination of by-product feeds available, beef producers in all regions must consider several factors when deciding to use alternative feeds. The first factor on many producers' lists is cost. I constantly analyze cost.