U.S. drought fallout . . . might it affect all of our ducks?

[Haunted55]

I got a response to my email query from Blue Seal/Kent Nutrition Group...




So that's encouraging. now I just want to know more about these distiller grain shipments..

Distillers Grains are a cereal byproduct of the distillation process.
There are two main sources of these grains. The traditional sources were from brewers. More recently, ethanol plants are a growing source. It is created in distilleries by drying mash, and is subsequently sold for a variety of purposes, usually as fodder for livestock (especially ruminants). Corn based distillers grains from the ethanol industry are commonly sold as a high protein livestock feed that increases efficiency and lowers the risk of subacute acidosis in beef cattle.

 

[Haunted55]

I have been on the phone this morning with Purina. Our rep for our area says they have had in place for years as standard practice to test for and reject loads with too high % of aflatoxin as well as rejecting loads with off protein levels. He is going to research the news on the FDA approving higher levels and send me a follow up email.

I am so glad you got to speak with someone who actually answered your questions. Now all you need are the percentages they will allow and how they test the grains for the toxins. If it's just the blacklight test, turn elsewhere. It's not reliable by the time they get the grain.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I asked him for a detailed report back on their guidelines and explained we are feeding the entire farm purina products and want an on going communication based on nutrition and needs. He was excited to discuss and said he would be in touch via email in a few days. (he is on the road currently) I have to say, I have the BEST feed store (who delivers to us every other week!). As soon as I mentioned this he called our rep, who called me back within 30 minutes.

Amiga I will share everything he is willing to share with me

That is awesome news C, I was so worried I was going to have to leave the state to buy feed since I only see Purina products in this part of NC. Makes me feel some better.

 

[toadbriar]

Distillers Grains are a cereal byproduct of the distillation process.
There are two main sources of these grains. The traditional sources were from brewers. More recently, ethanol plants are a growing source. It is created in distilleries by drying mash, and is subsequently sold for a variety of purposes, usually as fodder for livestock (especially ruminants). Corn based distillers grains from the ethanol industry are commonly sold as a high protein livestock feed that increases efficiency and lowers the risk of subacute acidosis in beef cattle.

That's cool and all. Thanks for the cites! It's just that you've dashed my hopes of having discovered feed store moonshine.

 

[Amiga]

That's cool and all. Thanks for the cites! It's just that you've dashed my hopes of having discovered feed store moonshine.

 

[zooweemama]

Thank you to those who are being proactive with this and sharing the information. I truly appreciate it. I following this thread with great concern for my flock and want to make sure that I am feeding them good stuff.

 

[CalBells]

Thank you to those who are being proactive with this and sharing the information. I truly appreciate it. I following this thread with great concern for my flock and want to make sure that I am feeding them good stuff.

X2 Thanks all!

 

[ChristineR]

I am feeding my ducks with 'Scratch and Peck' which is organic and recently certified GMO-free. The mill is located here in Bellingham, WA, and I don't know how widely it is distributed. The grains are stated to be grown in this area as well. They offer the choice of having corn included or not. I chose the corn-free but also have a bag of cracked corn I can add if it seems right.
www.scratchandpeck.com

Have you asked Scratch and Peck what their acceptable levels of contaminants are? Organic and non-GMO have nothing to do with aflatoxin. Mold will grow on organic corn the same as non-organic... I can get Scratch and Peck locally, too.


For those of us with geese - what about feeding Orchard and/or Timothy grass pellets? I've been meaning to buy a bag for my geese to see if they will eat it. I'm guessing that they will if I start mixing it in with their regular feed. Grass pellets seem like a good choice for geese.

Actually, I wonder if they could be mixed in with the duck feed, too. I'll have to look at the nutritional values on the feed tag.

 

[zooweemama]

Have you asked Scratch and Peck what their acceptable levels of contaminants are? Organic and non-GMO have nothing to do with aflatoxin. Mold will grow on organic corn the same as non-organic... I can get Scratch and Peck locally, too.


For those of us with geese - what about feeding Orchard and/or Timothy grass pellets? I've been meaning to buy a bag for my geese to see if they will eat it. I'm guessing that they will if I start mixing it in with their regular feed. Grass pellets seem like a good choice for geese.

Actually, I wonder if they could be mixed in with the duck feed, too. I'll have to look at the nutritional values on the feed tag.

Intriguing. I am curious about the grass pellets too!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Intriguing. I am curious about the grass pellets too!

Where does one buy Grass pellets? I've never seen them at our feed store or TSC