Feed preservation is vital in the livestock industry, directly influencing animal health and operational efficiency. B&W are always looking at new ways to help our customers improve their feeding systems.
Kathryn Thompson :: Thursday 25th July 2024 :: Latest Blog Posts
Innovations in Feed Preservation: Enhancing Quality and Longevity
Feed preservation is vital in the livestock industry, directly influencing animal health and operational efficiency. B&W are always looking at new ways to help our customers improve their feeding systems. Let's look at some options for improved feed preservation including the role of additives, the impact on nutritional quality, effective storage solutions, and the economic benefits.
Advancements in Feed Preservation Methods
Feed preservation technology is constantly improving, offering new ways to keep feed fresh and nutritious longer. Innovations like vacuum sealing, enhanced silage techniques and advanced drying processes have greatly advanced how we store feed. B&W also offer preservation products like those from the German company Rottmann, which have undergone testing to ensure they are effective and versatile.
Rottmann's solutions can be used for surface treating TMRs and forages, as well as preserving whole and rolled grains. The application rate of these preservatives is carefully tailored to match the storage duration needed and the moisture content of the grain, making the application both precise and cost-effective. Importantly, feeds treated with Rottmann's products can be immediately fed to all classes of livestock, including young stock, as they avoid urea-based preservatives, which are unsuitable for animals with undeveloped rumens. Furthermore, these advanced preservatives remove the need for covering or ensiling, simplifying the feed preservation process.
The Role of Additives in Extending Feed Shelf Life
Additives such as preservatives and antioxidants play a crucial role in extending the shelf life of animal feeds by preventing spoilage and maintaining nutritional value over time. Commonly used additives include organic acids, which inhibit mould growth and control bacterial contamination, and antioxidants that prevent the oxidation of fats and vitamins, keeping feeds fresher for longer.
A standout option in the field of feed preservation is Mega Grain Liquid, a product from Rottmann. This highly effective preservative combats mould and yeast in feed materials through its unique combination of organic acids. What sets Mega Grain Liquid apart is its high pH value of 5.2, which ensures it's not only effective but also safe to handle. Unlike many other preservatives, it is non-aggressive to equipment and operators, meaning it won't cause corrosion to farm equipment, storage facilities or silos.
Mega Grain Liquid's formulation allows it to penetrate and coat the grain, ensuring fast absorption into the kernels for immediate protection. Its efficiency and safety make it an excellent choice for farmers looking to enhance the longevity and quality of their feed without compromising safety or equipment integrity.
Interested in extending the shelf life of your feed with minimal equipment wear? Consider integrating Mega Grain Liquid into your feed preservation process. Contact B&W Feeds today to learn more about how Mega Grain Liquid can benefit your agricultural operations.
Impact of Feed Preservation on Nutritional Quality
Different feed preservation methods can significantly affect the nutritional quality of animal feed, impacting the essential nutrients it contains. Techniques such as drying, ensiling and chemical preservation each have unique effects on vitamins, minerals and overall feed integrity. For example, while drying can help preserve nutrient levels, excessive heat might degrade certain vitamins. Similarly, ensiling can alter the fibre structure and fermentation quality, which affects digestibility.
Current observations from B&W Feeds indicate that usage of preservatives like Mega Grain Liquid varies with seasonal conditions. During wet harvests, when grain moisture levels are high, the likelihood of mould increases, making preservatives crucial for maintaining quality. Interestingly, even in dry years with moisture levels as low as 11%, moulds can still form, underscoring the importance of preservation. Additionally, using Mega Grain Liquid allows for earlier combining at slightly higher moisture levels, which can ease harvest pressures and enhance feed palatability by preserving more natural flavours and nutrients.
We are gathering more current data from customers to further demonstrate the benefits and impacts of these preservation methods on feed quality across various weather conditions. This ongoing feedback helps refine our approaches and ensure optimal nutritional outcomes for livestock.
Preservation Techniques for Organic Farming
For organic farming, where synthetic preservatives are often not an option, natural preservation methods are crucial. Techniques such as fermentation leverage natural processes to enhance feed longevity and nutritional value, while the use of essential oils and natural antioxidants helps maintain feed quality without compromising organic standards.
An example is Mega Grain Liquid, which is included in our list of products approved for restricted use by Organic Farmers & Growers. However, its use requires approval from the customer's own certifying body, ensuring compliance with specific organic regulations.
Storage Solutions for Maintaining Feed Quality
Effective storage solutions are essential for maintaining the quality of feed after preservation, ensuring that nutritional values are kept intact until the feed is consumed. Hermetically sealed containers are excellent for protecting feed from moisture and pests, both of which can degrade quality. Controlled atmosphere storage also plays a vital role by regulating the air around the stored feed, significantly slowing down biological degradation.
Keeping a cool, dry environment helps prevent the growth of mould and the proliferation of pests, which can spoil the feed.
Here are some top tips for good storage management:
- Regularly inspect storage containers for any damage and ensure they are properly sealed.
- Continuously monitor environmental conditions within storage areas and adjust controls to maintain optimal conditions.
- Use a systematic rotation policy to ensure older stocks are used first, reducing the duration feed is stored.
Adhering to these practices helps farmers extend the life of their preserved feeds, ensuring that livestock receive the best quality nutrition available.
Economic Benefits of Improved Feed Preservation
By improving how feed is preserved, waste is markedly reduced, which directly decreases the amount of feed that needs to be purchased or produced. Furthermore, well-preserved feed maintains higher nutritional quality, which enhances animal health and leads to better overall productivity. Healthier livestock are more efficient in converting feed into body mass, milk or eggs, which results in higher yields and better quality products that can command premium prices in the market.
Additionally, effective feed preservation helps farmers avoid the price hikes for feed ingredients that often occur later in the season due to scarcity or increased demand. By securing and preserving feed when prices are lower, farmers can stabilise costs throughout the year, adding another layer of financial predictability and security to their operations.
Securing a Sustainable Future in Agriculture
Advancements in feed preservation are transforming the livestock industry by enhancing feed efficiency, boosting animal health and increasing farm profitability. Reach out to B&W Feeds to explore how our milling and mixing services can benefit your farming operations.