What should you look for in your stock feed?
by Kathy Dean
If you live on a farm then you will be familiar with the daily routine of feeding your animals. Ensuring that every animal is receiving all the nutrients they need to stay healthy is something that you need to get right. The most effective way to make sure that your animals are being properly fed is to make sure that the stock feed you provide is good enough, and provides everything they need. Do you know what to look for when choosing a stock feed? Here are the three things you must consider when choosing a stock feed.
What type of stock feed?
A lot of farmers will opt for animal fodder, the composition of this fodder will be determined by where it was grown and the purpose for which it was intended. Common fodder ingredients are wheat, barley, oats, and similar grains. The stock feed with the right mix for your animals will depend not just on your animals, but also on the time of year and any other prevailing conditions. Animals require carbohydrates, proteins, and minerals just as people do so you must choose the fodder that is most appropriate for their individual needs rather than the cheapest or most easily available option.
Are there any additives?
If your animals are being grown for food production then it is particularly important that you are aware of any exposure they have to pesticides or feed additives. While not all chemicals may be harmful to the animals some may instead be harmful to people so what the animal eats will have an impact on the food product they can become. Before purchasing a feed it is important that you ask the right questions. You must ask not just about what may have been added to the stock feed but also about any pesticides that may have been sprayed on the crops which were used to create the stock feed.
Where did it come from?
It's not just pesticides and additives which can lead to problems with the stock feed. Infectious diseases should be a major concern for every farmer. You must be aware of any outbreaks of infectious diseases and ensure that no part of the stock feed you purchase has had an opportunity to be contaminated. If your seller is unable to confirm exactly where their stock feed originates then it is worth going back a step and contacting the manufacturer directly. Taking a little extra time to get it right before you commit to purchase is far better than regretting your decision later when the worst has happened and you have a farm full of sick animals.
To learn more about getting quality stock feed, contact services such as Mirco Bros.
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About Me
There are so many things that we are just starting to understand and relearn about agriculture these days. Rotating crops and growing different things in the fields each year can help to balance the nutrients that are left in the ground and make sure that the earth is prepared for the new crop. This was something that people used to know and integrate as part as standard farming process and then it started to fall by the wayside as farming got more 'efficient'. If you are interested in knowing more about crop rotation and sustainable farming, then keep reading this blog.