cost of corn...

[Bossroo]

This is for all of us to take note and make plans now... In the news... the wholesaale price for corn has risen better then 50% this year already. Cotton prices are skyrocketing. Gas prices have gone up by about $0.55/gal in the last few months. With all of the unrest and governments falling in the Arab Mid Eastern oil producing countries, the demand for ethanol from corn will drastically increase, then the demand for more corn, I am sure. So, expect the price of chicken feed to rise as well. The feed store owner, where I buy my feed, said that he may have to raise his prices about $ 2.00 or more /50 lb bag ($14.95 , organic $26.99 now)by end of summer at best and more likely than not, very soon. In his/my case, he said that the large dairies (each at 10,000 to 46,000 milking cows) just south of us, are now buying up as much corn as well as alfalfa hay as they can find. If we want to have home grown chicken dinners and eggs for breakfast, I would consider buying their feed sooner than later as well as purchasing the most efficient feed to meat / egg converter chicks out there. Good luck to all of us !

 

[ourflockof4]

Yes the price of corn and soybeans have doubled since last spring, so feed prices will be higher. If the prices drop back a little (which I doubt they will) then prices may stabilize at current levels, whick are $2-3/bg higher in my area. With the increased production of ethanol, and the developing countries need for grain, most economist are not expection them to go back down anytime soon. Clothing and food prices will increase, and some have already. I beleive that Hanes has announced a 30% increase in pricing already (cotton prices have also doubled since last year)

So Boosroo does bring up a very good point, if you are selling make sure you call your feed source and get current pricing before you set your price this year. Then either buy in bulk, try to set your feed price, or tell your customers that your price may fluctuate with feed prices......better safe then sorry......

 

[SED]

How long will corn/feed last if it is kept dry until it goes bad?

 

[terri9630]

Quote:
I was just wondering the same thing. I'm not worried about keeping it during the winter but spring is comming (can't wait!) and even though it usually isn't humid here we do ocassionally get rain. And I have to think of the mice.

 

[ghulst]

Quote:
If kept dry many years.

 

[terri9630]

I guess I'll try to find some more metal trash cans and get to storing.

 

[marquisella]

Quote:
If kept dry many years.

But it will lose nutritional value as time goes by....especially if its not whole corn. AS soon as the corn is cracked, it starts losing nutitonal value.

 

[SED]

I was curious becasue I can buy a ton of layer feed or a feed/corn mix for about $340 and that would do me for months and months and months. I would hate to buy a ton and in two or three months the remainder be useless. Thanks!

 

[Bossroo]

If one stores the feed in a cool and dry location and inside garbage cans ( or similar container) with their lids raised and have fine screen all around the opening between the top of the container and lid ( 1"-2"). Sprinckle diatomacous earth on top of the feed ( keeps bugs and mice/ rats/ etc. out) and you are good to go for a year or more.

 

[SED]

Awesome! Thanks!