Purina’s new mill date code uses Julian calendar

[SueT]

I always check the date on bags of feed before buying. Many companies just print it as you or I would, and it’s easy to read. But Purina is different. They used to use a one digit year followed by the abbreviation for the month, then numerical day. But yesterday I got to the store and saw all numerical codes on the Purina feeds. My bag of Flock Raiser was coded 22005. I sent a message to Purina via their website asking them how to decode. Here’s their very prompt reply
“The date code is located at the Bottom of the bag on the long white strip that has the stitching going through it. The date code begins with the 2 digit year, then the Julian Calendar Date, followed by the abbreviation for the manufacturing location, shift and sequencing number. For Example 21 348 IGH 10 would translate to December 14, 2021 at the IGH feed plant on the first shift.”
I guess it’s time to learn about Julian dates! My bag, 22005, would be 2022 Jan 05, which is fairly fresh. Today‘s date, 2-22-22, would be 22053. . Anyway, thought you all would like to know about the new code. . Happy shopping!
Edited to add, see post #7.

 

[Brooks_]

When I asked them about it, they said they made the change in mid December last year.

 

[nuthatched]

Eggs are dated the same way, I believe. Good to know!

 

[Brooks_]

Eggs are dated the same way, I believe. Good to know!

I've heard that as well. I can't see it on the few old cartons I have.

 

[nuthatched]

I've heard that as well. I can't see it on the few old cartons I have.

Maybe it's a brand/regional thing, most of mine (in my stash) do but some don't. who knows.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Thank you, this is usefull - Bookmarking for reference int he feed threads, since we are always recommending to feed fresh!

 

[SueT]

Here’s a chart of the Julian dates. Jan 1 is 001, and Dec 31 is 365, now I get it!

 

[Lauravonsmurf]

Just for the fun of it…

The Julian and Gregorian Calendars do not exactly match up and to be exact you have to do math or have an app or something, but they are close enough to give us a general idea… The Orthodox Church still uses it and now Purina…

The old Roman Julian Calendar with 8 day week 1st Century

9th Century Manuscript

 

[K0k0shka]

Please somebody tell me it’s April 1st! Please? How ridiculous is this? Who uses the julian calendar? There are more important and practically applicable metric changes that I could understand… That would be ahead in line… Like getting rid of daylight savings time or switching to the metric system like the rest of the world. But this?!?! Whyyyyy? This is the kind of thing that I would switch brands over. Heading off to go look at the competition now. Utterly, utterly ridiculous.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Just for the fun of it…

The Julian and Gregorian Calendars do not exactly match up and to be exact you have to do math or have an app or something, but they are close enough to give us a general idea… The Orthodox Church still uses it and now Purina…

The old Roman Julian Calendar with 8 day week 1st Century
View attachment 3001965

9th Century Manuscript View attachment 3001967

I haven't seen these since my 20s. I don't miss them.

and its a day code. 365 in a year (mostly). Close enough. I can use it without needing to do more than count by 30s and I'll be within 72 hours of the actual production date.