Raw materials used in self-mix recipes
Self-mix recipes used as a supplements, semi adlib or
as full feed, all include a combination of self-produced
ingredients and ingredients purchased at a cooperative or feed shop.
• When purchasing raw materials for use in selfmix recipes – like maize, chop, sunflower oilcake,
soya oilcake, wheaten bran, and dry brewer’s
grains – obtain it from a reputable source. Obtain
a certificate of analysis where possible.
Storage, transport of all feedstuffs including mixing
– pellets, meals, roughages and other raw materials
excluding silage
• All dry or semi-dry feed must be stored in a wellventilated store room or container.
• Due to the inherent amount of moisture in all
feedstuffs, heat can cause sweating and moisture
loss. Pellets sweating can cause a suitable
environment for fungal growth and mycotoxin
production.
• In very humid environments use a dehumidifier
when storing dry or semi-dry feedstuffs.
• Keep all store rooms and containers rodent,
insect and bird free.
• Its strongly advised to store all feedstuffs on
pallets (or a similar plan), whether in store
rooms, containers or under roof (open-air)
storage areas, away from direct contact with the
ground and walls. The fact that the feed is off the
ground, ensures suitable ventilation, but it also
prevents any moisture from being absorbed from
any surface that may have moisture inherently in
it – like cement or on the ground.
• It’s advisable not to store roughage and bagged
feedstuffs together in a small room or container
• Pellet delivery – hot sunny days – Pellets are
normally delivered on a truck, and covered by a
water-tight tarpaulin. This may lead to some form
of condensation – so, when offloading, place the
bags in a well ventilated store or container.
• When loading any form of feed onto a vehicle,
ensure the surface is free from motor vehicle oil,
anti-freeze or any other harmful chemical – NB!
Keep surface clean.
• When transporting feed from one area to
another in cloudy weather, cover the feed with a
•
water tight tarpaulin.
• If feed becomes wet, dry it out as soon as
possible, this can be fed the next day
• If the moisture was only noticed a while
afterwards, it will be better to destroy the feed,
as it could have started going mouldy.
When mixing self-mixed feeds, keep the mixer
wagon clean, periodically remove all dirt and
feed products caked to the sides, blades and or
paddles.
• If feed is dusty, it’s a good idea to use one of
the following to bind the dust and make the
feed more palatable;
• Molasses meal (8 to 12%)
• Molasses syrup (6 to 9%)
• Water as a top up on the lower inclusion of
the molasses meal (3 to 6%) if feed gets fed
out the same day.
• When bagging the feed, and if the feed first
gets poured out onto a cement or similar
surface, ensure it is free from, motor vehicle
oil, anti-freeze or any other harmful or
contaminating product.
Purchasing and use of feed, and feedstuffs
When purchasing any bagged feed, please take note
of the manufacturing date. All bag tags should have
a manufacturing date and a batch number on them–
allowing full traceability.
Feed by date and suggestions for use:
• It is advisable to try use the feed before its 3
months old.
• This will ensure all the vitamins are still
available, particularly Vitamin A.
• In extreme cases purchased feed can be stored
for a maximum of 1 year.
• Ensure the feed is stored correctly, in a dry
ventilated room.
• Supply the animals with supplemental
vitamins, added to the animals feed or the
drinking water.
• Keep some of the bag tags in case a query
becomes necessary in the future.
• Follow the first in first out approach when using
purchased or self-mixed feed, all old feed must
be used prior to the new feed being used.
2016
JULY
9