Do you have arable crops on your pig farm? Are you putting these to the best use to support your pigs? Perhaps you've wondered if there's a more efficient, cost-effective way to utilise your home-grown grains.

Kathryn Thompson :: Sunday 17th September 2023 :: Latest Blog Posts

Maximising Profit with Our Mill and Mix Service: A Guide for Pig Farmers

Do You Have the Ingredients for Success?

Do you have arable crops on your pig farm? Are you putting these to the best use to support your pigs? Perhaps you've wondered if there's a more efficient, cost-effective way to utilise your home-grown grains. Or maybe you're grappling with the complexities of meeting your livestock's specific nutritional needs? If any of these questions resonate with you, then our mill and mix service could be the solution you've been searching for.

Mill and Mix for Profitability

As a pig farmer, you're no stranger to the challenge of ensuring your pigs receive the best possible nutrition. With the ever-changing demands of the livestock industry, feed quality can be the difference between profit and loss. That's where our mill and mix service comes in. This blog aims to break down why using a mill and mix service can be a game-changer in maximising your profits.

What Is a Mill and Mix Service?

Bringing the Mill to You

Unlike conventional feed milling services, our mill and mix service involves bringing our specialised milling lorries directly to your farm. This means your home-grown arable crops never have to leave your property, thus reducing any associated transport costs and the potential for feed contamination.

It also reduces the feed miles travelled and the carbon footprint of your livestock feed. This is particularly important with growing demand from supermarkets and consumers for sustainable farming methods and evidence of reduced carbon emissions. As we move towards net-zero emissions, farmers are increasingly required to analyse and improve the carbon impact of their livestock and their farm business as a whole. 

The Complete On-Farm Solution

Our mill and mix service is a complete on-farm solution for pig farmers. Our expert nutritionist will assess your specific requirements and recommend the right blend of additional ingredients, sourced directly from B&W, to combine with your arable crops. This ensures a feed mix that is both nutritionally balanced and highly palatable for your pigs.

Combining the Best of Both Worlds

Our specialised lorries are equipped with advanced milling and mixing equipment. We combine your own arable crops with high-quality feed components provided by B&W, such as essential vitamins and minerals. This ensures a balanced, nutritious feed tailored specifically for your livestock, all without the crops ever leaving your farm.

Our lorries arrive on your farm with minerals and vitamins already pre-loaded into the mixer and ready to combine with your crops. We can also supply additional ingredients such as cereal crops, legumes and sugar beet, which would be delivered to your farm ahead of our lorry's arrival. 

Why Customisation Matters

Customisation is more than a luxury: it's a necessity in modern pig farming. Every farm's requirements differ due to variations in genetics, environmental factors and other specifics. A one-size-fits-all approach rarely offers optimal results.

By working with B&W to create a tailored feed for your pigs, you can ensure you are getting the best outcome from your inputs. We can even work with you to plan your arable crops for future years to better support your pig feed needs. 

Key Advantages of Using Our Mill and Mix Service

Nutritional Precision

The mill-and-mix process offers unmatched nutritional precision. The ability to fine tune the dietary elements ensures that your pigs are receiving optimal levels of protein, fats and essential vitamins and minerals, which translates to healthier pigs and higher yields.

Cost-Effectiveness

While investing in a mill and mix service may seem like an added cost, it can save you money in the long run. Custom-mixed feed is often more digestible and nutritionally effective, which can reduce the overall quantity of feed needed.

Adaptability and Responsiveness

Farm conditions can change rapidly due to weather, disease or market conditions. A mill and mix service allows for quick adjustments to the feed formula, providing an agile response to any challenges your farm may face.

Traceability and Quality Control

With the mill and mix service, you have full traceability and control over the quality of your feed. This not only ensures safety but also is beneficial for meeting the increasingly stringent standards of traceability in the UK farming sector.

Implementing Mill and Mix on Your Farm

Steps to Get Started

Assess Your Farm's Specific Needs: Before opting for a mill and mix service, it's essential to understand your farm's particular requirements. Consider factors such as the breed of pigs, age and specific nutritional deficiencies. We can help you to consider the impact of some of these factors, but the more information you can give our nutrition team, the easier it is for them to get the right feed for you. 

Plan Your Deliveries: Consider how often you will need deliveries and if there are any access issues with your farm. 

Regular Monitoring and Adjustments: Once you've started with your custom feed, monitor your pigs closely to observe any positive or negative changes, and adjust the mix accordingly.

Possible Challenges

While a mill and mix service offers many advantages, it also comes with its own set of challenges, such as the need for adequate storage space for bulk feed. However, these challenges can often be mitigated with careful planning and consultation. We are happy to provide advice and support on planning your storage areas for your crops and your mixed feed. 

The Bottom Line on Mill and Mix for Pig Farming

Choosing to invest in a mill and mix service for your pig feed may very well be the decision that transforms your farm's profitability. The ability to customise feed down to the finest details offers a competitive advantage that's hard to ignore. Whether it's the cost-effectiveness, nutritional precision or the flexibility to adapt to changing conditions, mill and mix services offer an all-encompassing solution for modern UK pig farmers.

Would you like to know more about how our mill and mix service can help you maximise your profits? Don't hesitate to get in touch with us to discuss your farm's unique needs.