Category Archives: Feed & Grain

Key Factors to Consider When Installing a Feed Mill on Your Farm

Leave a reply

The profitability of animal farming depends largely on attaining maximum production at the lowest cost. Most of these costs are associated with feeding, hence the need to keep this variable at the lowest possible level. Being able to process your own feeds is one of the best ways to attain cost-effective feeding. However, you will need to carefully factor in some important details before setting up your farm’s feed mills.

The Size of Your Farm

There are different sizes of mills with different capacities. You will need to consider the size of your current farm and the possibility of expansion in the future. If you are looking to expand over the next few years, it is not logical to install a mill that covers your current capacity.

Variety of Animals

The animal variety on your farm will determine what type of mill you set up. Poultry, for instance, requires very fine feed. The same feed can be consumed by cows. If you have both animal types on your farm, you need to set up a mill that will factor in the most delicate.

Storage

Most mills are economical when they operate on a large scale. It is, therefore, important that you have a proper storage facility for your milled feeds. At other times, you may find that nearby farms have no mills and they may want to buy feeds from you. A mill plant that completes the entire process from receiving to packaging is the best option for a serious farmer.

With these factors taken care of, you will need to make a wise investment. You need a quality plant and this you can only get from a supplier that is market-proven. By all means, a feed mill is an expensive installation. You cannot afford to profitably install a new one every now and then, so ensure you get it right on the first try.

Cattle Feeding Basics

Leave a reply

Cattle feeds can take up a chunk of your profits, especially if you have a large herd. When venturing into the cattle keeping business, one should ensure that they are aware of the cost implications because cattle feeding can be expensive if only relying on ready mixed feeds instead of growing and mixing the feeds on your farm. Cows need a balanced and varied diet, including vitamins, energy, minerals, proteins, and plenty of water to produce milk.

Energy

When feeding your cattle, make sure that you mix the fresh folder and dry feeds in equal measures. Fresh folder includes green feeds such as sweet potato vines, Napier grass, Lucerne, among others. To avoid feed wastage, do not feed freshly cut grass; instead, leave it in a dark room for it to wilt. Dairy cows should be fed twice per day, preferably in the morning and evening. Dry feeds include Maize Stover, Rice straw, Wheat straw, and other vegetable products mixed with water or molasses. Remember that you can buy dry cattle feeds from an agro vet or preferred farm product supplier.

Proteins and Supplements

A cow needs proteins to build the body and produce quality milk. Calliandra is an excellent source of protein for your cattle, which should be included in every meal. In the absence of calliandra, consider dairy meals, which are a good source of vitamins, proteins, and proteins.

Be Sure

Nowadays, there are various cattle feeds available in the market; hence, it’s important to always ask the veterinarian about the best feeds for your cattle, especially if rearing different cattle breeds. It’s also important to research the available cattle feeds in your locality since some cattle feed brands are only available in some regions. You can also get better deals when you buy in bulk as opposed to buying in small quantities.