Shlosberg, A., Kimron Veterinary Institute, PO Box 12, 50250 Bet Dagan, Israel
Bellaiche, M., Kimron Veterinary Institute, PO Box 12, 50250 Bet Dagan, Israel
Hanji, V., Kimron Veterinary Institute, PO Box 12, 50250 Bet Dagan, Israel
Ershov, E., Kimron Veterinary Institute, PO Box 12, 50250 Bet Dagan, Israel
Bogin, E., Kimron Veterinary Institute, PO Box 12, 50250 Bet Dagan, Israel
Avidar, Y., Kimron Veterinary Institute, PO Box 12, 50250 Bet Dagan, Israel
Perl, S., Kimron Veterinary Institute, PO Box 12, 50250 Bet Dagan, Israel
Shore, L., Kimron Veterinary Institute, PO Box 12, 50250 Bet Dagan, Israel
Shemesh, M., Kimron Veterinary Institute, PO Box 12, 50250 Bet Dagan, Israel
Gavrieli, R., Agricultural Research Organization, Bet Dagan, Israel
Gutman, M., Agricultural Research Organization, Bet Dagan, Israel

Dried tomato vines (DTV) are used as a feedstuff in some herds of beef cattle in Israel, despite the literature citations that tomato vines contain potentially harmful steroid alkaloids. A small-scale feeding trial over 42 d examined possible deleterious effects of feeding DTV, compared with wheat straw, in beef cows. No differences in hematological values, serum parameters or body weight were seen between the 2 groups. Steroid alkaloid content of the DTV was not examined, but toxic levels of nitrates were found. The main practical hazard in feeding DTV would appear to be from their potentially high nitrate content.