Has Purina changed its Flock Raiser?

[aart]

If we buy the Flock Raiser from TSC, it comes from a mill in St. Joe. If we buy it from a different feed store called Race Bros, it comes from a mill in Springfield. The 2 always look different. The St. Joe mill’s feed is darker with bigger pieces, less dust. My chickens like them both, but I prefer to buy from Race when I can because it’s only $21, compared to $27. BTW, as of last year, Purina dates their bags using the Julian calendar, which numbers the days from 001 to 365.

How did you find out the codes for the mill locations?
I have seen different colors and consistency from the same mill,
I attributed it to variance that can be quite normal in manufacturing equipment(which I have some experience with)

 

[Perris]

The Julian system is better than what some companies use, which can be totally undecipherable.
What do they use in your country?

this is from the last sack of mixed grain I finished, on 19th Jan 23; we have a simple 'best before' system

(Don't be misled by the term 'corn'; it's ancient agricultural-speak for wheat or other grains, it does not mean maize per se, and this sack is 80% wheat.)
As will be apparent, whole grains preserve their nutrients a lot longer than ground ones. An alternative producer I sometimes use also gives a date of manufacture, and the last sack of that I bought (back in August last year) shows that the BB date is 1 year from the DOM. I think a key point is that when I buy it (and use it) it's about 1-3 months old.

 

[SueT]

How did you find out the codes for the mill locations?
I have seen different colors and consistency from the same mill,
I attributed it to variance that can be quite normal in manufacturing equipment(which I have some experience with)

The manager at TSC told me that STJ refers to St. Joe, MO which is in the NW part of state.. I guess i asked at the other store about the SGF Springfield (in SW MO) code. If Purina has at least 2 mills in Missouri, imagine how many more they must have….and how much variation there could be.

 

[aart]

this is from the last sack of mixed grain I finished, on 19th Jan 23; we have a simple 'best before' system
View attachment 3392493
(Don't be misled by the term 'corn'; it's ancient agricultural-speak for wheat or other grains, it does not mean maize per se, and this sack is 80% wheat.)
As will be apparent, whole grains preserve their nutrients a lot longer than ground ones. An alternative producer I sometimes use also gives a date of manufacture, and the last sack of that I bought (back in August last year) shows that the BB date is 1 year from the DOM. I think a key point is that when I buy it (and use it) it's about 1-3 months old.

I would rather know the date of manufacture rather than the best buy date....
...unless you can accurately assume they all have a 'shelf life' of 12 months(which seems excessive to me). Shelf life here t most farm stores is supposed to be 6 months.

That's really low protein at 10%...more like a scratch snack than a main feed.

 

[Alagirl]

NVM, didn't see the thread was this old.

 

[Brooks_]

Just adding that Julian is said to be easier for the machine.

 

[Perris]

I would rather know the date of manufacture rather than the best buy date....
...unless you can accurately assume they all have a 'shelf life' of 12 months(which seems excessive to me). Shelf life here t most farm stores is supposed to be 6 months.

That's really low protein at 10%...more like a scratch snack than a main feed.

As you can see from the one I posted, they usually get it 1 month old, or thereabouts, so the shelf life is academic. The point is it is very easy to see how fresh or old the feed is.
And this grain forms the basis of my home mix, not the totality of it.

 

[aart]

The point is it is very easy to see how fresh or old the feed is.

Not if they don't print the MFG date on it.

 

[Perris]

Not if they don't print the MFG date on it.

You are welcome to prefer the Julian calendar or deciphering a code, if you can find it on the bag.

 

[aart]

You are welcome to prefer the Julian calendar or deciphering a code, if you can find it on the bag.

You miss my point, but <shrug>