Effect of cull potatoes in the diet for finishing Belgian Blue double-muscled cows

Implications Belgian Blue double-muscled animals require a finishing diet with a high-energy density, because of their reduced intake capacity compared with non-double-muscled animals. They also are characterised by a very lean meat deposition. The energy content of potatoes is high in comparison with most other feeds. A higher energy intake due to a high-energy content in the diet is also desirable to ensure the deposition of intramuscular fat. Therefore, potatoes may meet both requirements. Potatoes either replaced maize silage or concentrate in the present study. The replacement of concentrate by potatoes slightly improved performance and may reduce feed costs of finishing double-muscled cows, with no detrimental effects on meat quality.