If you raise livestock, you know how important it is to provide them with adequate and nutritious feed. But how do you store the feed on your farm to prevent spoilage, contamination, and waste? In this article, we will explore some of the best solutions for storing livestock feed on your farm, depending on the type, quantity, and quality of the feed you use.
Dry feed refers to any feed that has a low moisture content, such as hay, silage, grains, pellets, or supplements. Dry feed can be stored in various ways, such as bales, bins, bags, or silos. The main factors to consider for dry feed storage are ventilation, protection, and accessibility. You want to ensure that the feed is well-aired to prevent mold and pests, but also sheltered from rain, snow, and sunlight. You also want to make sure that the feed is easy to access and transport when needed, and that you have enough space and equipment to store it safely and efficiently.
My experience in New Zealand. Using a Regenerative farming system all feed is stored as pasture. One just needs to adjust one’s stocking rate to match pasture growth, timing the breeding season and selling season to match the growth curve on any given farm.
Para armazenar ra??o seca a granel temos duas op??es: Silos metálicos elevados ou os tradicionais boxes de alvenaria construídos dentro de barrac?es fechados. Para se armazenar ra??es secas ensacadas podem ser utilizados também containeres de metal. No caso de armazenar alimentos úmidos o processo de conserva??o é a ensilagem. Os alimentos podem ser armazenados em Silos tipo trincheira ou ainda em grandes bolsas plásticas chamados de silo bolsa.
Wet feed refers to any feed that has a high moisture content, such as fresh grass, ensiled forage, or liquid supplements. Wet feed can be stored in different ways, such as clamps, pits, towers, or bags. The main factors to consider for wet feed storage are sealing, compaction, and fermentation. You want to ensure that the feed is tightly sealed to prevent oxygen and water from entering, and that it is compacted to reduce air pockets and increase density. You also want to monitor the fermentation process to ensure that the feed retains its nutritional value and palatability.
A scientifically formulated & anti-methanogenic feed supplement on its addition can be vacuum packed & hydraulically compacted dry straws + Silage Mixed Total ration in 40Kgs hot sealed bags are stocked for serving nutritionally rich palatable complete feed. We undertake to establish the above systems
Feed additives and supplements are any substances that are added to the feed to enhance its quality, performance, or health benefits. Examples of feed additives and supplements are vitamins, minerals, probiotics, enzymes, or antibiotics. Feed additives and supplements can be stored in different ways, such as containers, bottles, or packets. The main factors to consider for feed additives and supplements storage are temperature, humidity, and shelf life. You want to ensure that the feed additives and supplements are stored in a cool, dry, and dark place to prevent degradation, deterioration, or loss of potency. You also want to check the expiration dates and follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper use and dosage.
Food additives and supplements must be stored at ambiant temperature in a well ventilated place and not exposed to direct sun light. This will reduce the deterioration of these products. Additionally, such products should be stacked on heavy weight shelves or on pallets. Such storage place should be properly cleaned and have a control program for rodents and insects.
é importante armazenar os produtos sobre paletes e afastados das paredes, ao abrigo da luz, em local seco, ventilado e protegido do acesso de pragas. Sempre que novas cargas de produtos forem recebidas, o restante da carga anterior deve ser posicionado estrategicamente para facilitar o acesso ao produto mais antigo primeiro e garantir que a oferta dos produtos aos animais respeite o “sistema PVPS: primeiro que vence é o primeiro que sai”.
Maintaining feed hygiene and safety is paramount for preserving the health and productivity of your livestock. Poor feed hygiene and safety can result in diseases, infections, parasites, or toxins that can have a detrimental effect on your animals and profits. To ensure feed hygiene and safety, you should adhere to some basic guidelines, such as cleaning and disinfecting your feed storage areas regularly and inspecting and testing your feed for quality and contamination. Additionally, you should rotate and use your feed according to the first-in first-out principle. It is also important to keep your feed away from sources of pollution, such as chemicals, fertilizers, or manure. Lastly, any spoiled, damaged, or expired feed should be disposed of properly.
Feed management and planning are essential for optimizing the use and efficiency of feed resources. It can help reduce costs, improve performance, and achieve goals. To implement effective feed management and planning, you should assess your feed inventory and needs regularly, calculate feed rations and budgets accurately, monitor feed intake and output closely, adjust your feed strategy according to the season, market, and animal condition, and seek professional advice and support when needed. Storing livestock feed on your farm can be tricky, but by selecting the best solutions for your feed type, quantity, and quality as well as following the guidelines for feed hygiene, safety, management, and planning, you can ensure that your feed is well-preserved, nutritious, and profitable for your livestock and your farm.