Dust suppressant will avoid sticky situations
Dust suppressant will avoid sticky situations
By Emma Penny
WITH housing fast approaching, producers should be attempting to reduce dust levels in mill and mix plants on-farm and in feeds.
Enclosed self-feed systems, checking dust bags are hole-free and using an industrial vacuum cleaner can all help to reduce exposure to dust on-farm, as can using a wet feed system, less dusty feed, a dust suppressant or a protective mask.
Speaking at the launch of a new dust suppressant for stock producers who are home-mixing, Intermols Phil Holder warned that dust exposure on-farm is an increasing problem, and that more emphasis should be placed on reducing dust levels and preventing the resultant respiratory disease.
Intermols dust suppressant is a liquid formulated to disperse evenly though feed during on-farm mixing, mopping up powdery material to reduce dust levels. Its lack of stickiness means it doesnt clog machinery, said the companys Tim Farley.
"A survey showed that 30% of producers using dust suppressants had problems with them – and in three-quarters of those cases, this is due to dust suppressants for-ming clumps in the feed which then leads to machinery breakdowns."
Based on molasses by-products, vegetable oil, flavours and surfactants which help disperse the liquid, Dust Busters effect on reducing dust and sweet flavour will also improve animal intake and performance, he said. An ME of 12, dry matter of 63% and crude protein of 18.5% mean it is high in nutritional value.
"It cuts feed wast-age, and can also reduce loss of vitamins and minerals in the mix if they are dusty."
The liquid can be poured onto feed while mixing, or applied through a system developed by Alvan Blanch.
Inclusion level is 3-7%, depending on feed type and purpose, and prices start at £90-100/t for farms close to source.