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With today’s high hay prices, a lack of hay, and
the possibility of needing to feed a lower quality hay; many people
have asked us about hay alternatives. Below are some pelleted sources
of fiber that could replace about half the hay. For example if you were
feeding 4# hay to gestating ewes – you should still fed 2# of hay, plus
2# of a pelleted fiber source. Your farm’s situation of hay cost, hay
quality, and availability of hay will determine if any of the pelleted
fiber sources are an economical advantage to you. Some advantages of
our pelleted fiber sources are consistency and the zero waste of
product. Even the best hay has a percentage of waste, which increases
its true cost.
All three of the products below are on inventory now. At this time we
want to let everyone know of these options and are seeking input from
producers. All three of these pellets can be bagged or bulk, bulk would
be a larger minimum production run. The pellets are basic fiber source
pellets. You still need to feed your grain mixes with these pellets and
some long stemmed hay. Feeding some long stemmed hay is essential to
prevent acidosis in ruminants and colic in horses.
| Pelleted
Product |
$/50# bag
|
% Protein
|
%
Fat
|
%
Fiber
|
%
Ca
|
%
P
|
| Soy Hull
Pellet |
$9.36
|
12.80% |
2.76% |
34.00% |
0.45% |
0.10% |
| Hay Saver Pellet |
$9.98
|
16.00% |
2.66% |
28.56% |
1.10% |
0.19% |
| Alfalfa Pellet |
$12.30
|
16.80% |
2.73% |
29.75% |
1.29% |
0.23% |
The Soy Hull Pellet is basically pelleted soybean hulls. Soy Hulls are
the outer coating of the soybean and this hull is re-moved when
soybeans are processed into soybean meal. Soy hulls are a highly
digestible fiber source. They can replace both the fiber and can
replace some of the grain portion of the diet due to their energy level
and digestibility.
Hay Saver Pellet is a combination of soy hulls, soybean meal, alfalfa
meal and some added minerals to make Hay Saver Pellet a hay
replacement. Hay Saver Pellet is a Hunter Nutrition formulation which
is fed to replace good quality hay and/or supplement poorer quality
hay. Its protein is almost as high as alfalfa pellets, but the
ingredient combination allows for a lower price.
Alfalfa Pellets are made from alfalfa meal only. Alfalfa meal like
alfalfa hay is very expensive so alfalfa pellets may or may not be an
economical option for alfalfa hay in your feeding situation.
Hay Saver Pellets, Soy Hull Pellets, and Alfalfa Pellets should replace
about 50% of your normal hay use. You still need to feed some long
stemmed hay with these hay alternatives. You can go up to a maximum of
a 60% replacement rate with these pellets.
All prices above are Retail 50# bag prices, FOB Brookston, Indiana.
Bagged Pellets may be floor stock if there is enough demand. Bulk
Pellets are $30.00 off per ton; minimum of 2-4 ton order on bulk
depending upon product and situation. Let us know if you have an
interest in these products. |
