Feed Mixing and Storage

Factors that Influence Stored Feed

• Moisture • Heat• Pests

Desired Moisture(when stored in aerobic conditions)

Feedstuff Desired Moisture (%)

Whole grains < 13

Shelled corn Up to 15.5

Ground/Rolled grains < 11

Baled forages 18 – 20% (before storage)

Safe Moisture Storage

• Artificial drying – Disadvantage: can be expensive due to energy

costs• Field drying – crop remains in the field longer

– Disadvantage: weather losses/damage, predators, harvest loss, time in field

• Proper ensiling

Too much moisture

• Bacteria growth• Mold growth• Fungi growth

– Reduce palatability, alter nutrients, and produce toxins

• Fermentation and heat = browning • Spoilage and nutrient destruction• Issues with caking• Spontaneous combustion risks

Pest Infestations• More common issue for grains rather than

forages. • Insects or rodents

• Damage may be grain destruction or contamination. • Feces and urine contamination 10 x more

than grain destruction or consumption• Reduce palatability• Increase risk of disease

Reducing Pest Issues• Store feed in rodent proof containers• Don’t store against the wall. Leave space. Off floor.

– USDA inspection issue• Empty and clean bins when not used. • Clean up spills. • Keep feed rotated – first in first out (labels and dates on

containers). • Get a rat terrier!!!

Mixing Feeds

• Most important thing is accurate formulations and proper weighing.

• Scales must be adequate and appropriate. • Scales should be maintained and kept clean,

calibrated on a regular schedule. • Conversions are a must-have skill.

Types of Feed Mixers

• Two major types– Batch Feed Mixers– Continuous Flow Mixers

Batch Feed Mixers

• Types– Vertical– Horizontal– Auger wagon

Mixers

• Advantage of horizontal over vertical mixers: • Better for molasses and liquid ingredients.• Handle silage and ground hays better. • More expensive. • Require less mixing time. • Typically higher energy cost

Batch Mixers

• Stationary– Advantages: High accuracy, flexibility for mixing– Disadvantages: Feed needs transported to mixer,

storage, labor and energy costs • Portable

– Advantages: Convenient to producer, ease of transport, uses existing tractors for power, fenceline feeding, freshly mixed

– Disadvantages: Equipment tied up, labor and time, start up costs (renting or purchasing)

Continuous Flow Mixers

• Ingredients are simultaneously measured, ground and mixed.

• Advantages: automated, little space needed, accurate, may be more ideal for smaller situations and batch sizes.

• Disadvantages: No roughage, storage costs, energy costs, transporting costs associated with ingredients and finished mixes.

Mixing of Feeds• Order of ingredients added is EXTREMELY

important to the final mix. – Typical corn/SBM diets

• About 25% corn should be added first to “charge” the mixer.

• Followed by vitamin/mineral premix, additives, protein supplements.

• Followed by remaining grain. • Liquids should not be added at the very end but after

the critical additives (approximatley 60 – 70% of the mixing time)

Factors Affecting Mixing Efficiency

• Type of mixer chosen• Sequence of ingredients• Filling of mixer• Length of mixing time• Ingredient particle size• Ingredient density• Proper clean out

– Flushing with ground grain after mixing a batch

Interpreting Mixer Tests

• Assay for salt in multiple locations within the mix to determine the mean & standard deviation.

• Determine coefficient of variation (CV):– %CV = SD/mean x 100– < 10% CV is Excellent mixing– 10 – 15% CV = Good = increase mixing time by 25 – 30%– 15 – 20% CV = increase mixing time by 50%– > 20% CV = may need to re-evaluate other factors

ExampleLocation Salt (%)

1 0.24

2 0.51

3 0.55

4 0.42

5 0.59

6 0.55

7 0.59

8 0.59

9 0.64

10 0.55

Mean = 0.523Standard Deviation = 0.1156CV = (0.1156/0.523) x 100 = 22.10%

What would you do with this mix?

Feed Laws, Tags & Labeling

Appreciating the legal aspects of feed manufacturing

• Manufacture and distribution of commercial feeds are regulated primarily through respective State Departments of Agriculture in accordance with each State’s laws.

AAFCOAssociation of American Feed Control Officials

Purpose: “Provide a mechanism, for developing and implementing uniform and equitable laws,

regulations, standards, definitions, and enforcement policies for regulating the manufacture, labeling,

distribution and sale of animal feeds; resulting in safe, effective, and useful feeds. The Association thereby promotes new ideas and innovative procedures and

urges their adoption by member agencies, for uniformity”

Functions of Feed RegulationsDefined by AAFCO

• Provide protection for the consumer as well as the regulated industry.

• Safeguard the health of man and animals. • Provide a structure for orderly commerce.

Uniform State Feed BillModel Bill

• Officially adopted by AAFCO• Guideline for respective states – published

annually• www.aafco.org• Endorsed by:

– American Feed Industry Association– National Grain and Feed Association– Pet Food Institute

Registration

• Every manufacturer must register each facility in the state.

• Must register commercial feeds. • Registration forms are obtained from FDA. • Will need additional forms if drugs are

included as additives. • Fees are assessed by tonnage distributed

What’s on the Label

• Required for all commercial feed products– Identify the product– Inform the user of the nature of the product– Inform the user of the intended purpose– Provide instruction on how to use the product– Convey particular precautions

LABELING REGULATIONS

• Regulations specify

– minimum information provided on the label

– optional information that may be included

– information prohibited from being put on the label of a feed product.

– Unsubstantiated performance claims can be as misleading as unsubstantiated nutrient claims.

– Labels must be affixed to bags of feed (except custom mixes)

LABELING REGULATIONS• Minor differences exist from state to state,

but feed labels generally contain the following:

– Product Name

– Purpose statement

– Guaranteed analysis

– List of ingredients

– Directions for use

– Warnings, if any

– Name and address of manufacturer– Net weight

LABELING REGULATIONS

• Labeling must also direct proper use of the product = Purpose Statement

– Must contain the specific species and physiological stage if appropriate

• Swine – Grower 44 – 110 pounds

• Pasture extender for beef cattle

– Directions may be as simple as naming the species for which the feed is intended.

– Or could provide a lengthy explanation as to how the feed should be fed.

LABELING REGULATIONS

• Custom feeds (prepared for a specific customer) are to be accompanied by a label, delivery slip, or other shipping document containing :– Name & address of the manufacturer

– Name & address of the purchaser; Date of delivery

– Product name & brand name, if any

– Net weight of each ingredient used in the mixture

– Adequate directions for use of feeds containingdrugs or other ingredients to ensure their safe use

– Such precautionary statements as are necessaryfor safe and effective use of the feed

LABELING REGULATIONSIngredient Lists

• Ingredients to be listed in order of amount

– Starting with the item in highest concentration, and continuing with those found in smaller quantities

• Names of ingredients must be official registered names as defined by AAFCO

• No reference to quality or grade shall appear

Collective Term Ingredients

• Often used to prevent registration of each new product when grain nutrient concentrations change.

• Allows companies flexibility and economical savings. • Recognize a general classification of ingredient origin,

which provide a similar function, but do not imply equivalent nutritional value

• Official terms include: Animal protein products, forage products, grain products, plant protein products, processed grain by-products, roughage products, molasses products

Collective Ingredients: Are all of the below included?

• Animal Protein Products1. Shrimp meal2. Hydrolyzed hair3. Hydrolyzed poultry feathers4. Meat and bone meal5. Casein6. Animal Blood - dried

Collective Ingredients: Are all of the below included?

• Forage Products1. Ground grass2. Alfalfa meal, dehydrated3. Soybean hay4. Brewers rice5. Corn plant, dehydrated6. Alfalfa hay, dehydrated

Collective IngredientsAre all of the below included?

• Grain products1. Brewers rice2. Oats3. Corn4. Barley5. Soybean Meal6. Wheat

• Processed Grain By-Products1. Corn gluten meal2. Corn gluten feed3. Buckwheat middlings4. Rice bran5. Oat groats6. Wheat mill run

Collective IngredientsAre all of the below included?

Labeling: Guaranteed Analysis

• Required based on species • Voluntary nutrients can be added

Swine GA Requirements

• Crude Protein = Minimum %• Lysine = Minimum %• Crude fat = Minimum %• Crude fiber = Maximum %• Calcium = Minimum & Maximum %• Phosphorus = Minimum %• Salt = Minimum & Maximum %• Selenium = Minimum ppm• Zinc = Minimum ppm

GA Requirements for Labeling

Label Standard Format

Non Medicated Feed• Brand & Product Name• Purpose statement• Guaranteed analysis• List of ingredients• Directions for use (including

any warning or caution statements)

• Name and address of manufacturer

• Quantity statement

Medicated Feed• Brand & Product Name• The word “medicated”• Purpose statement• Drug purpose statement• Guaranteed analysis• List of ingredients• Directions for use (including any

warning or caution statements)

• Name and address of manufacturer

• Quantity statement

Beef Complete and Supplement FeedsBLUE BIRD BEEF FEED

Pasture Extender for Beef Cattle

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude protein (Min) 12%(This includes not more than 2.9% equivalent crude protein from non-protein nitrogen)

Crude fat (Min) 2.0%Crude fiber (Max) 10.0%Calcium (Min) 0.5%Calcium (Max) 1.0%Phosphorus (Min) 0.5%Salt (Min) 11.0%Salt (Max) 13.2%Potassium (Min) 0.4%Vitamin A (Min) 10,000 IU/Lb

Ingredient StatementGrain products, plant protein products, molasses products, urea, mineral pre-mix, vitamin A supplement, Vitamin E supplement

Feeding Directions = Self-feed to beef cattle on pasture. Feed 4 – 6 Lb per head per day as a pasture extender.

Caution = Use as directed. Observe cattle daily and monitor intake. Do not feed additional salt.

Manufactured by: Blue Bird Feed Mill

City, State, Zip

NET WT 50 LB (22.67 Kg)