US

Mysterious Death of 200 Wis. Cows Solved — Moldy Sweet Potatoes Blamed

Anti-carb advocates might say “I told you so” after reading this story.

The 200 cows that mysteriously dropped dead in Wisconsin earlier this month have moldy sweet potatoes to blame, the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory says.

The Wausau Daily Herald reports the cause of death was determined to be pneumonia, and tests of the cattle’s feed revealed a toxin commonly found in moldy sweet potatoes is responsible for the respiratory illness.

Farm owner Jerry Krupka told the Herald he got the whole potatoes from a local food processor that deemed them unfit for human consumption.

“These potatoes had a problem in storage, so they were taken directly out to our farm to be fed to the cattle,” he said. “Each product (we use in our feed mix) is put in a mixer, so each steer, if he eats 50 pounds, he gets a part of each ingredient we put into that mixer.”

The contaminated potatoes, and the cows that ate them, pose no threat to humans, officials told the Herald. But the deaths did affect the farmer: the lost cattle will cost Krupka about $300,000, which is not covered by his insurance.

According to Yahoo! News, sweet potatoes have been tagged as cow-killers in the past. The starchy vegetable was blamed for bovine deaths in 2001, 2003, and 2007.

Read more from the Wausau Daily Herald.

Comments (64)

1 2
  • boringolme
    Posted on February 1, 2011 at 11:25am

    The first time I heard this story, they said all 200 cows died pretty much at the same time. So, they ate this feed, the disease progressed at the same level and was fatal at the same time? Hmm.

    Report Post »  
  • kidbanks
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 5:25pm

    Did anyone check the salt content of those sweet potatoes?

    Report Post » kidbanks  
  • Billsocal
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 3:42pm

    So this is the by product in Taco Bells taco meat. The farmer should have known not to used sweet potatoes if there were deaths of cows in 2001,2003, and 2007 from sweet potatoes. Always trying to cut corners and sometime it will bite you in the ass.

    Report Post »  
    • farm gal
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 7:07pm

      Cattle have also died from aflatoxin, a mold that develops in the mature corn ear during very wet weather while it is still on the plant. Even after drying the corn so it can be stored, the toxin remains. Should we quit feeding corn? No. We test for aflatoxin, and if needed, dilute the tainted corn with other corn that does not contain the toxin, but maybe had to be shipped in from 1000 miles away (another added expense!).

      This farmer was trying to manage his expenses by feeding a by-product, and there are many tons of potato waste fed that don’t kill livestock. Corn prices have hit record highs, and by feeding potato waste the food processor avoids other disposal costs that would be added to the price you pay at the store.

      Once again, non-farmers are clueless about livestock production, and their comments/opinions reflect that.

      Report Post »  
  • rfycom
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 3:04pm

    I can relate to this. My momma, Berdine, made some sweet potato wine a couple years back. Me and Ricky Bobby had us some. For two weeks I saw naked green babies hanging form the ceiling. It was rough. Ricky spoke a different language for three days. Ain’t nobody could understand him. We alright now, but we don’t eat or drink anything got sweet taters in it.

    Report Post »  
  • chatmandu002
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:22pm

    Of course you all know that ultimately it‘s all George Bush’s fault. LOL

    Report Post » chatmandu002  
    • rfycom
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 3:04pm

      Let’s be fair and split the blame between Bush and Obama.

      Report Post »  
  • sWampy
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:15pm

    It looks like his insurance would cover the costs, and the meat should still be good, if not for humans, for dog/cat food at the very least, he shouldn’t loose nearly the 300K value.

    Report Post »  
    • rfycom
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 3:06pm

      Probably could’t afford insurance anymore like most of us.

      Report Post »  
    • farm gal
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 6:51pm

      It is very difficult to insure production livestock for health problems, so I‘m not surprised his steers aren’t covered by insurance.

      Livestock found dead on the farm can not be used for human consumption. My husband’s illness caused our dairy herd to be sold a couple of years ago, so I lack current information. Years ago rendering companies would pick up dead cattle and write a check (maybe $50), but times changed and the driver would take a check from the farmer (maybe $50) before loading the dead bovine. There even were a few years the rendering companies faced increased state/fed regs and closed their doors…which meant the farmer either buried the dead stuff (doesn’t work in winter!!!), or pulled the carcass into the woods. Now there are actual on-farm carcass burners sold, and university extension bulletins published on the “correct” method to compost a carcass. There are many more fed regs on approved uses for rendered by-products than even 10 years ago.

      Report Post »  
  • skimmer57
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 1:50pm

    They all fell over dead after reading Wisconsin‘s Paul Ryan’s “Road Map for America!

    Report Post »  
  • goatkid
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 1:25pm

    Another excuse for the government to regulate what we eat.

    Report Post »  
  • tobefreeinmt
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 12:33pm

    “sweet potatoes have been tagged as a cow-killers in the past” then why the hell did you feed them to your cattle????? Would you feed your kids Meth???

    Report Post » tobefreeinmt  
  • RockettMan
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 12:28pm

    Mr. Seidl should check his sweet potato facts considering that the “anti-carb” crowd praises the sweet potato for it lower glycemic index than the standard potato.
    http://www.foodreference.com/html/sweet-pot-nutrition.html
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweet_potato

    Report Post » RockettMan  
  • 123abc
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 11:49am

    Awwww, poor babies. That’s too bad, what a way to go. And I feel for the farmer too. $300,000 is quite a hit to the bottom line. He’ll probably be bankrupt.

    Sad story all around.

    Report Post »  
  • scout n ambush
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 11:35am

    Something kinda cheesey about their explanation Well it’s a good thing the feds passed well shoved that crappy bill through the lame chicken section of congress giving the FDA more control of farms gardens etc.etc. Too easy of a set up this could have been a fabricated situation without the knowledge of the farmer.

    Report Post » scout n ambush  
  • rightwingheroes
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 11:23am

    Moldy sweet potatoes? Yea right, we all know it was due to violent rhetoric coming from the right wing.

    Report Post »  
    • knotaclu
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 1:26pm

      yep, the sweet potato hate speech has to stop..

      Report Post »  
  • streetrodder
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 11:06am

    This is udderly rediculas. I think sombody got a bum steer and i guess the owner of these cows will have a beef with whoever sold hom the potatoes. I’m going to moooove on now.

    Report Post »  
    • Cape_Lookout_RW_Extremist
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 11:43am

      Street rodder, no “hoof in mouth disease” with you. I “herd” you loud and clear. Thought you were pretty good at “steaking” out your point.

      Report Post » Cape_Lookout_RW_Extremist  
    • HillBillySam1
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 11:58am

      Cud you be more obvious??

      Report Post »  
    • knotaclu
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 1:32pm

      they removed my udder cudder? wow…..Thats all I had….

      Report Post »  
  • ltb
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 11:02am

    Do you know what causes moldy sweet potatoes? Global warming and Sarah Palin.

    Report Post » ltb  
  • Avidmonkey
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 10:58am

    Stupid, delicious cows.

    Report Post » Avidmonkey  
  • yanki161
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 10:57am

    I think the left will back moldy sweet potatoes. They kill the farting cows that cause global warming. :)

    Report Post » yanki161  
  • DashRipRock
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 10:52am

    I dont know
    I think this is a bunch of crap.

    Moldy sweet potatos never hurt Rosie O’donnell

    Report Post »  
  • pscully17
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 10:41am

    well, the good news is for the environmentalist whackos, is that now there are 200 less cows producing planet killing methane!!
    In other news which is more relevant: Oil and energy prices are moving up, the continued attack on domestic energy continues as the EPA and sierra club types have effectively killed 3 projects in the last month– Epa Pulls a 2007 approved Mining permit in WV, its suing and Blocking texas on a Natural gas production issue, and its effectively blocking a pipleine from Canada to texas … now Im Calling for the Governors of Each state with energy producing resources to BYPASS the Fed Government and start SAVING this COUNTRY!!! The Governors just took a Conservative Majority along with 22 state legislatures flipping to Republican— The PEOPLE have spoken!! WAshington ELITES and their BS Policies are systmatically destroying AMERICA!! WE better Rise up and take back the Controls from the EPA/Obama Revolutionaries!! The Governors and WER THE PEOPLE need to tell the FED GOvernment to SHUT DOWN, and WE THE PEOPLE Need to start governing from our our front Porch and take over our destiny!! THE DC ELITES are DONE!! DEFUND them, we can stop paying Taxes!! Start helping your own states recover and put ypour money into your own Communities– stop sending money to this broken federal Government!!

    Report Post »  
  • Sarah124
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 10:40am

    Poor cattleman! That sort of loss could ruin him. A loss like that would bankrupt our ranch. We’d better pray for Farmer Jerry.

    Report Post »  
  • roxee
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 10:39am

    HAARP , there are many of these lovely machines world wide.

    Report Post »  
  • B4B
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 10:39am

    Sweet potatoes…. AND talk radio.

    Report Post »  
  • historyguy48
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 10:38am

    They are big animals, but like horses, they are actually somwhat tender in their constitution.
    I feel sorry for the huge loss suffered by this farmer.

    Report Post » historyguy48  
    • Old Truckers
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 12:12pm

      Would anyone feed his dog or his children moldy food?
      Why feed your livestock such contaminated food?

      Report Post » Old Truckers  
    • farm gal
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 1:12pm

      Feeding food waste products to livestock is a common and researched practice. I suspect potato waste was routinely being mixed in the ration, but either the plant didn’t communicate why the potatoes were rejected for human use or neither the processor or farmer suspected the mold level was that high. Naturally occurring mold is found in hay (baled too damp) and oftentimes in corn if there is a wet fall. Livestock can tolerate certain levels and types of molds.

      Ration balancing is a very big deal to (real) farmers. There are feed tables that cover hundreds of feeds (including food processing waste products) that animal nutritionists use to formulate rations. Farmers know more about nutrition than most parents. I’ve formulated rations based on protein, kcals of energy, calcium-phos ratio, selenium levels, fiber (both digestible and non-digestible), Na, and K. The dairy farmers are having to look at the different starch levels in corn this year because the growing conditions caused unusually starch imbalances. What thought have parents put into their kid’s supper?

      My heart goes out to Jerry and his family. It is devastating to find one dead animal, I can only imagine how stunned I would be to find so many. Real farmers put a lot of money and time into raising livestock. Hobby farmers are generally ignorant of nutrition requirements and ration balancing. Non-farmers are totally clueless, and their comments/opinions reflect that.

      Report Post »  
    • AzDebi
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 1:21pm

      @farm gal: Excellent input!

      Report Post » AzDebi  
    • HillBillySam1
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:19pm

      @ FARM GAL
      If you was one of my not-so-distant relations (and I wasn’t married already), I would ask for your hand in marriage…..we already speak the same language…….”Anybody seen Pa’s phos teef?? Na? K, then….Did Cal-see-’em down by the crick??….Maybe Cleatus will sell-em-um more at the Country Sto’…”. Language is what unites us all…..

      Report Post »  
    • Old Truckers
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 4:07pm

      Farm Gal,
      Thanks for the education. I knew that raising livestock was a challenge.
      Since I am obviously not a farmer, I should not ask such stupid questions.
      Anyway, thanks for the education, I go away better off because of it.

      Report Post » Old Truckers  
    • UnreconstructedLibertarian
      Posted on February 1, 2011 at 2:41pm

      Farm Gal,

      Glad to see more farm-folk speaking up with pertinent information.

      Welcome to the Blaze, from another farmer down south.

      Report Post » UnreconstructedLibertarian  
  • GODSAMERICA
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 10:35am

    Those potatoes will do it to you every time.

    Report Post » GODSAMERICA  
    • knotaclu
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 12:36pm

      eat more chicken….

      Report Post »  
    • AzDebi
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 12:53pm

      @knotaclu: Good ol’ Common Sense…Thanks…needed a good laugh!

      Report Post » AzDebi  
    • knotaclu
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 1:28pm

      does anyone know if there is an E on the end of potato? Potatoe??? Man does that bring back memories….

      Report Post »  
    • HillBillySam1
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:02pm

      @KNOTACLU
      The proper pronunciation is “Ta-ter”….no vowels at the end…..

      Report Post »  
    • booger71
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:27pm

      Your right Hillbilly
      taters
      maters
      and skeeters

      Report Post » booger71  
    • AzDebi
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:44pm

      @knotaclu: Doesn’t it?

      Report Post » AzDebi  
    • knotaclu
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 3:39pm

      I called my uncle Dan, he lives in Indiana, and he thought it did but then I guess some 2nd grader told him, there is no E in potato….

      Report Post »  
  • DashRipRock
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 10:35am

    Damn
    I guess I relly should clean out my refrigerator

    Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 10:39am

      Great, mouldy sweet potatos; so much for my sweet potato pies being sold for a profit now. Anyone want to figure the EPA and Obama-czars will work to ban or outlaw the sweet potato due to this matter of it killing the cows?

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • cnsrvtvj
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 10:41am

      Good one Dash. I had some green cheese this weekend that I had to throw out. I still think it was Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin, and Rush Limbaugh’s fault they died though. I think they created an atemosphere where the cows had no choice.

      http://www.donsmithshow.com

      Report Post » cnsrvtvj  
    • GeauxAlready
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 10:49am

      Sweet Potato’s I thought they smell a cow fart………………

      Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • JESUS-IS-LORD
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 11:02am

      What about the other 100,000+ animals around the world that just dropped dead for no reason?
      What kind of lame excuse do you have for that?

      Report Post » JESUS-IS-LORD  
    • Michiganjohn
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 11:16am

      Have no fear, the conspiracy theorists will go to the ends of the earth to avoid rational explanations.

      Yesterday is was hundreds of thousands of gizzard shad in lake erie that died of some sort of hemoragic virus

      Report Post »  
    • TexasCommonSense
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 11:27am

      That’s 200 fewer producers of greenhouse gases. Al Gore should be happy. Now, if he could only figure out how to do the same with the 2-legged variety of greenhouse gas producers.

      Report Post » TexasCommonSense  
    • HillBillySam1
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 11:40am

      The farmer is obviously a Packer fan……need I say more????

      Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 11:45am

      @Michiganjohn

      I can imagine the song now playing… “Here I come to save the day, my conspiracies are on the way”

      Some of these ‘everything is a conspiracy man…’ people should have that as a theme song; then again they just would claim it is a conspiracy as well.

      Sarcasm in the last segment is totally and purely intentional.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • booger71
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 11:48am

      This farmer decided to go cheap and instead of buying grain for his cows, he decided to feed his cows moldy sweet potatoes someone else threw out. He should invest in a couple of animal husbandry courses.

      Report Post » booger71  
    • Old Truckers
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 12:09pm

      Sometimes, going cheap will save money at first, but more later. He lost 20 cows, ouch!

      Report Post » Old Truckers  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 12:17pm

      I raise 2 cows at a time for my own food supply. I butcher one and sell the other-resulting in my beef not costing me anything and also paying for my few pigs. Last year, both cows (400 pound calves) dropped dead from a pnenmonia within days from each other (September). The were penned in a large yard and kept out of the pasture,,,given cut hay and corn – they didn’t have sweet potatoes in their diet. No fresh beef and lost out on the money invested. Forced to buy my beef from the supermarket.

      But the skies were active here in Minnesota.

      Report Post »  
    • AzDebi
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 12:38pm

      A cow has one stomach with four compartments…designed, in part, to allow them to eat some pretty toxic stuff…I’d like to know just what idiot fed them the “moldy” sweet potatoes…had to have been beyond “moldy”…their explanation is suspect (in my opinion)…I’d check the entire dairy for other problems…sure they exist! Better get a hold of Cass…he’ll want to write up a few more regulations for this one!

      Report Post » AzDebi  
1 2

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love