Be vigilant over feed ingredients
Be vigilant over feed ingredients
LIVESTOCK performance could be put at risk through changes to compound formulations between batches delivered, as some feed manufacturers include cheap ingredients to compensate for high raw material costs.
According to James Trebble, farm inputs manager at Mole Valley Farmers, raw materials such as biscuit meal, olive pulp, rice bran, shea nuts and cocoa shell are being included in compound rations.
"These low cost, low quality ingredients increase compounders margins at the expense of producers. When any of these products are featured on feed declaration labels, question the quality and value of the diet," he says.
With many herds under quota, Mr Trebble believes that dairy producers should be maximising output to fulfil quota. "Should milk yield or quality be below expectation, then review the feed regime."
Comparing different delivery feed labels, even when compounds are assumed to be consistent, may point to down-specification of raw ingredients. "Cheap is not always best value and with poor quality forages around, producers may be making the wrong decision by feeding low quality compounds," warns Mr Trebble.