Farmers are increasingly opting for homegrown crops in livestock diets to improve sustainability, reduce costs and maintain greater control over feed quality.
Kathryn Thompson :: Wednesday 25th September 2024 :: Latest Blog Posts
Maximising Use of Homegrown Crops in Animal Diets: Benefits and Strategies
Farmers are increasingly opting for homegrown crops in livestock diets to improve sustainability, reduce costs and maintain greater control over feed quality. By effectively integrating farm-grown grains, balancing them with commercial feeds, utilising crop rotation and applying proper processing techniques, farmers can maximise the benefits – both economically and environmentally – of homegrown feed.
Integrating Farm-Grown Grains into Livestock Feed
Incorporating farm-grown grains into livestock diets requires careful consideration of nutritional balance and animal health. Barley is commonly grown in the UK and offers an excellent source of energy and fibre for livestock, it is the most vertisle of the cereal crops. However, other grains like wheat, maize, and oats can also be utilised, provided they are balanced with the right protein sources and supplements..
When introducing farm-grown grains into animal feed, it's essential to ensure the proper mix of energy, protein and fibre. For instance, oats are lower in energy but higher in fibre, making them suitable for younger or growing animals, being used as equivalent to a creep feed, while barley offers a good balance of energy and digestibility for adult livestock.
Wheat is high in energy but also higher in rapidly digested starch, so good in finishing blends but you need to watch the inclusion level to avoid issues such as acidosis. The general rule of thumb is if you are using wheat for ruminant feeds the wheat should not make up more than 50% of the cereal component of a blend. Maize is very high in energy but contains more slowly digested starch so it is safer to feed that wheat. It works very well in all stages but particularly in finishing blends.
Beyond cereals, homegrown pulses are also becoming popular, such as Peas, Beans and Lupins. These can help reduce requirement for brought in proteins and sometimes replace the requirement all together, however this only tends to be in finishing diets where the protein requirement is lower (12-14% blend). However, it is not so easy to use these pulses to replace protein in pig and poultry diets as there is a limit to their inclusion levels due to presence of ANFs (Anti Nutritional Factors).
Grain storage is key to maintaining feed quality. Grains should be stored in cool, dry conditions to prevent mould and spoilage, 15% moisture (or less) and 15C are the key targets for storage of cereals and pulses. Treatment with a grain preservative can help prolong shelf life and reduce the effect of toxins including ANFs in pulses. Our Mega Grain Liquid can be used to treat cereals and pulses and either applied to whole grain or can roll and treat.Regular testing of the feed ensures the animals are getting the right balance of nutrients for their growth and productivity.
Balancing Homegrown Forages with Commercial Feeds
Effectively balancing homegrown forages with commercial feeds is key to ensuring that livestock receive a nutritionally complete diet. While homegrown forages such as grass silage, hay or clover offer essential nutrients and fibre, they may lack sufficient protein, energy or specific vitamins and minerals needed for optimal livestock health and productivity.
To achieve the right nutritional balance, farmers should regularly test their homegrown forages for nutritional content. This tends to be the base of all ruminant diets and if we don't know what we are starting with we don't know what we need to balance. We could end up over or under supplying energy or protein which affects not only animal performance but also has financial implications.
Forages can also be tested for mineral analysis as important not to forget the minerals and vitamins and not just focus on energy and protein. Maize silage tends to be lower in protein and mineral content than grass silages.
Dietary supplements such as minerals, vitamins or protein concentrates play a crucial role in filling these nutritional gaps. By carefully balancing homegrown forages with high-quality commercial feeds and supplements, farmers can provide their livestock with complete and well-rounded nutrition, ensuring healthy growth, productivity and overall well-being.
Crop Rotation and Soil Health for Feed Crops
Crop rotation is a valuable practice for maintaining soil health and enhancing the quality and yield of feed crops. By rotating different types of crops in the same field over successive seasons, farmers can improve soil fertility, reduce the need for chemical inputs and minimise the risk of disease and pest build-up. For feed crops like barley, oats and maize, incorporating leguminous plants such as clover or peas in rotation can naturally fix nitrogen in the soil, enriching it for future crops.
This practice not only increases yields but also enhances the nutritional value of the resulting feed. Additionally, rotating crops with different root structures can improve soil structure and water retention, further boosting the health of both soil and crops.
By maintaining a thoughtful crop rotation plan, farmers can sustainably grow high-quality feed crops while preserving the long-term health of their land.
Processing Techniques for Homegrown Feed Ingredients
Processing homegrown feed ingredients is essential for maximising their nutritional value and ensuring livestock can efficiently digest and absorb nutrients. Key stages include drying, milling and mixing, each serving a unique purpose in preserving and enhancing feed quality.
Drying is the first critical step, particularly for grains and forages, to reduce moisture content and prevent mould growth. Sun-drying or mechanical drying systems help maintain the feed's nutritional integrity by preventing spoilage. Once dried, milling grains like oats, barley and maize into smaller particles improves digestibility and nutrient absorption. This is where B&W can help with our mobile mill and mix lorries, or if you have bigger milling requirements we can assist with static mill installations.
Economic Analysis of Using Homegrown vs. Purchased Feeds
Using homegrown feeds can significantly reduce costs for farmers compared to purchasing commercial feeds, but it requires careful planning and investment in equipment. The primary advantage of homegrown feed is the reduction in purchasing costs. By growing their own grains and forages, farmers can reduce reliance on external suppliers, insulating themselves from fluctuating market prices and feed shortages.
However, there are initial costs associated with producing and processing homegrown feed, such as investment in equipment like grain dryers and mills. This is where our mobile mix and mill option provides an ideal stepping stone for those looking to use homegrown grains but without the capital or possibly the demand for a static mill.
The long-term savings often outweigh these costs, especially when using on-farm milling services to maximise feed efficiency and reduce waste. Additionally, homegrown feeds allow farmers to use crops already suited to local conditions, leading to potentially higher yields. Long-term, a balanced approach – using homegrown feed supplemented by commercial feed and additives – can offer both financial savings and nutritional security for livestock.
Sustainability Aspects of Farm-Grown Animal Feed
Using farm-grown crops offers significant environmental benefits, particularly in reducing the carbon footprint of livestock farming. By relying on homegrown grains and forages, farmers reduce the need for long-distance transportation of commercial feeds, cutting down on fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
If you are a mixed farm and can grow the cereals and pulses yourselves then the transportation impact of ~60%+ of your livestock feed is zero. If not, then sourcing them from local arable farmers is a great alternative. Perhaps the motto of "buy local" should apply to animal feed as well as human food.
Why not then reduce the feed miles even more by producing the finished feed on site? By home-mixing (static or mobile mill) feed is produced on site thus no additional transportation of feed in is required. With the ever-increasing push in the media and by the supermarkets to focus people's attention on the environmental impact of where their food comes from, surely by reducing the feed miles of the animals' feed is a crucial step in shortening the chain between farm to fork.
Incorporating homegrown feeds into livestock diets is a step toward self-sufficient farming and better feed quality. To optimise your approach, consult with B&W Feeds for expert advice and custom feed solutions tailored to your farm's unique needs, maximising the use of your home-grown crops while ensuring balanced nutrition for your livestock.