Be-Long Corporation’s Blog

31 January, 2008 - The animal feed sector was plunged into crisis last December when the steady tightening of the global feed phosphate supply became critical almost overnight, triggering a price surge and extreme scarcity in parts of Europe that caught many unaware.

 Since then, the availability of feed grade phosphate has become a major talking point in the industry as some European countries continue to experience a serious supply problem.The shockwaves felt by the feed industry have reverberated into Q1 2008. Some premixers and feed mills have reported a physical shortage of product, leading to warnings in the UK that integrators would soon be forced to start culling herds amid animal welfare and health fears. Massive demand for fertilizer to satisfy rocketing grain production for both biofuel and to supply food for increasingly affluent populations in developing countries explains the global growth in demand for phosphates. But many have been mystified by the sudden feed phosphate shortage in some European countries and prices that have more than doubled in recent months. A number of factors, including sudden price hikes and a shortage of raw materials like phosphoric acid, combined with a lack of investment in the phosphate industry and  a willingness by the fertilizer industry to pay more for phosphates, have all combined to create a ‘perfect storm’ for the animal feed sector. Current Feed Phosphate Crisis

It is understood the sudden and extreme tightness of supply to regions within the European market since the end of 2007 was fundamentally caused by a price dispute over sulphur, which is used in the manufacture phosphoric acid.  Sources have revealed the manufacture of phosphoric acid was interrupted in North Africa for a period while the producer was embroiled in protracted price negotiations with Russian sulphur suppliers.After seeing sulphur prices rise by more than 300 pct during 2007, it is understood the delay in settling the North African contract was sparked by the Russians’ move to leverage a higher price for their now more valuable commodity. While negotiations dragged on, the North African company exhausted the last of its sulphur reserves and this resulted in them halting phosphoric acid production.

However, rumours of a sulphur shortage have been met with scepticism by some analysts who suspect a delay in settling contracts was used to keep phosacid prices moving upwards by implying a short-fall would develop.

Phosacid, as it is referred to by the industry, makes up 90 pct of feed phosphate and therefore the disruption has had a profound effect on short-term supplies to parts of Europe.

Companies, known as transformers, who convert phosacid into feed phosphate, have been affected to different degrees. Fully integrated feed phosphate producers, who make their own phosacid, have been largely insulated from the fallout of the crisis. However, non-integrated producers, who buy in phosacid from third parties, have struggled to meet demand and have seen the cost of their main raw material rise steeply. Transformers would argue they have largely been reacting to events beyond their control as they battle to adapt to market conditions that are changing swiftly and significantly.

Despite the resumption of phosacid production in North Africa, the consequences of this delay are expected to be felt on the market for some months. This current crisis is not expected to ease until Q2 2008 at the earliest, with feed phosphate prices remaining high and supply tight throughout the year, according to one well-placed industry source.

However, it is still unclear how much the situation will improve in Q2 as that period marks the beginning of extra seasonal demand for phosphates from the fertilizer industry.

The diagram below shows how phosphate ore is combined with various raw materials by different manufacturers to produce fertilizer and animal feedgrade phosphates.

MAJOR ISSUES IN 2008 AND BEYOND*

Demand for Phosphate Fertilizers

 A huge increase in demand for fertilizers is at the root of the phosphate shortage problem for the animal feed industry. Demand for phosphate fertilizers has soared to meet the worldwide rush to produce grain for the booming biofuel industry. The increased demand for meat - and therefore livestock feed - from more affluent populations in developing countries is also a contributory factor.  The pressure on grain supplies that has seen wheat and corn prices balloon has fuelled the demand for fertilizers as farmers seek maximum yields from their land.Figures from British Sulphur Consultants show the growth rate for phosphate fertilizers doubled in 2007 from its usual rate of an extra one million tonnes a year to two million tonnes.

British Sulphur phosphate Research Manager Andy Jung called the increase “huge”, explaining the demand surge above trend growth was equivalent to the annual capacity of three reasonably-sized phosphoric acid facilities.

 He added: “The phosphate market is currently undergoing significant changes, with prices continuing to head higher. This is being driven both on the supply side due to tight availability with limited new capacity built in 2007 and 2008, as well as from the demand side.”

Some analysts have suggested that those who provide the raw materials for fertilizers have seized on their new-found power in the market by hiking prices. The result has been a steep rise in the market price of phosacid and sulphur over the past several months.

* Phosphoric Acid Supply

As the main component of phosphate feed, the supply of phosacid during 2008 will be a key factor. An examination of phosacid shows current output is expanding in response to tight supply. An important factor in any analysis of this is the understanding that phosphoric acid is not stockpiled because it is difficult and expensive to store. For practical purposes, this means annual production equals consumption in any given year.The best way to gauge the tightness of the market is via the operating rate, industry expert Andy Jung explains. Therefore, high operating rates are the consequence of a very tight market. Because of the nature of the substance and the way it is processed, the industry has historically run at about 71% of name plate capacity. As the graph below shows, this has been increasing steadily, reaching 83% by the end of 2007.

As the graph also illustrates, the current market  is now so tight that some phosacid plants in major production zones such as the US and Morocco are said to be working at more than 90%, which is seen as maximum capacity, said Mr Jung.He said: “Going forward, we expect that operating rates could get some slight relief in 2008, falling as low as 81%, but from 2009 out for the medium term, we expect them to hold in the 81-83% range.”Phosacid is the feedstock for about 90% of feed phosphate production. Some 3.03 million tonnes of phosphoric acid was used in the feed business in 2007, to make 3.36 million tonnes of phosphate feed (or 8.2 million, product tonnes). In 2006, 2.85 million tonnes of phosphoric acid was used to produce 3.17 million tonnes of feed phosphate (or 7.7 million product tonnes).

Global phosacid consumption in 2007 was about 36 million tonnes, which means feed phosphates accounted for just 8 pct of the total. The fertilizer industry is by far the largest user, taking 66 pct of supply.

Given the current shortness of supply, rocketing prices and the possibility of EU legislation restricting their use in certain industrial applications, there is speculation that the detergent industry might decide to use readily available alternatives to phosphates going forward.

* Sulphur

The enormous leap in the price of sulphur over the past 12 months is also vital to understanding the present situation – both in the short and medium term. Sulphur prices surged in 2007 and this trend has continued into 2008, most likely due to strong demand and tight supply. However, even British Sulphur can find no concrete reason for the scale of the increase, with Mr Jung labelling it “something of a mystery”.Global demand for sulphur increased steadily between 1999 and 2006 by between 500,000 tonnes and 1.5 million tonnes, year on year, according to figures from the International Fertilizer Industry Association. However, preliminary estimates from British Sulphur indicate a strong growth in demand during 2007 of 2.6 million tonnes over 2006 to 51 million tonnes.

A recent price analysis by Canada’s Scotiabank said sulphur was the top performing commodity last year, with 2007 prices to November rising by 313 pct. In other regions,  price increases were equally dramatic.

The fob Arab Gulf benchmark price, which is one of a number for sulphur, rose from an average price of US$65/tonne in 1H 2007 to US$185/t in the 2H 2007, before leaping to a January 2008 high of US$450/tonne.

British Sulphur said it expects prices to remain high in 2008, with some softening by the end of the year. Prices should ease in 2009 as sizeable new sulphur supplies planned as a by-product of natural gas hit the market.

* Phosphate Rock

Phosphate rock is combined with sulphuric acid to make phosphoric acid. This commodity has been the subject of a bidding war between the fertilizer and animal feed industries. This battle has so far been won by the more lucrative fertilizer sector, hence the scarcity of phosphates for animal feed businesses. Prices of phosphate rock have risen dramatically in the past year. On the Moroccan market, the prices have soared. Between 2005 and 2007 the price rose from US$47 per tonne to US$80 but by Q1 2008 had leapt to US$190 per tonne.

One analyst said this price increase has occurred on the back of the strength of demand and tightness in the market. However, the small number of traders who dominate the phosphoric rock market quickly realised they could exploit the soaring price of downstream products such as fertilizer, he said.

The analyst added: “[The price rise] is due to both higher realized prices for downstream products prompting rock sellers to try to capture some of those margins, as well as higher energy and labour costs.

“In addition, a factor which has not been present in the past is that the main exporters of phosphate rock and phosphoric acid have pushed through substantial price increases as they leverage the market power they’ve acquired by holding such a large share of the export market.

“Higher rock costs have meant that non-integrated producers of phosphoric acid have had their costs pushed significantly higher, thus pushing up the price floor for the industry. We do not expect this situation to change, so even if there is a slow-down in demand in 2008, prices are expected to remain high.”

This analysis appears accurate in the light of recently announced price hikes by major rock players. Russian outfit Phosagro, an important supplier to the European animal feed industry, has doubled 2008 prices to US$200/t. Jordan’s JPMC, the world’s second largest exporter, recently quoted prices of US$155 fob Aqaba for prompt shipments - an increase of 138%.

Conclusion

The scarcity of feed phosphate seemed to appear from nowhere at the end of last year, leaving many  feed producers perplexed and concerned. A disruption in the supply of sulphur has been blamed for this extreme situation which analysts say should ease in Q2 2008. However, supply looks set to remain tight and prices high for at least the rest of the year. Other key raw materials such as ammonia have also contributed to the higher costs associated with phosphate production. The upward price trend in sulphur and phosphoric acid, prompted by the explosion in demand for fertilizer, looks set to continue for the foreseeable future. While some believe the price of sulphur is too high for the market to bear over the very long term, prices are not expected to ease until 2009 and 2010 when significant new supplies come on-stream.One industry insider has forecast feed phosphate prices  have little chance of ever returning to previous levels, given the current costs of key raw materials such as sulphur, phosphate rock and ammonia.

Given the dramatic rise in phosphate prices, feed producers are looking more closely at alternative options. A partial solution for pig and poultry producers to the current crisis can be found through the use of new generation bacterial phytases. Recent research has shown that these phytases are more effective at releasing plant-bound phytate phosphorus than traditional fungal phytases.

As the recent dramatic plunge in world markets has shown, predicting economic events and trends is becoming more and more difficult. But whatever happens in the next 18 months, those in the animal feed industry could be in for a bumpy ride as they find themselves at the mercy of economic forces, including commodity price fluctuations, beyond their control.

Minerals are feed ingredients essential for life. Sheep require minerals in order to grow and to produce lambs and wool. Minerals serve many functions within an animal. They are important for bone development, enzyme activation, muscle contractions, regulating acid-base balances and are a component of hormones critical for maintaining the well-being of your sheep. There are seven major or macro minerals, which are required in relatively large amounts sheep. Sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) known as salt are two of the macro minerals. Others include calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K) and sulfur (S). Micro or trace minerals are required in very small or “trace” amounts and include manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), iodine (I) and fluorine (Fl).

Mineral requirements

Your sheep require minerals, including salt, on a daily basis. Failure to supply adequate amounts of minerals in the diet results in poor fertility, weak lambs at birth, reduced milk production, depressed immunity and numerous metabolic disorders. The quantity of minerals required by your sheep will depend on their age, weight, parasite load and level of production. The more productive your sheep i.e. dairy sheep and prolific breeds, the higher their requirements will be.

Expressing mineral levels

Mineral requirements are generally expressed in grams or as a percentage of the diet.
A gram is a very small amount of feed and is equal to 1/1000 of a kilogram or 1/28 of an ounce (28 grams = 1 ounce). Mineral concentrations on your feed tags or mineral bags are usually expressed in parts per million (ppm).
One ppm is equal to1 milligram per kilogram (mg/kg) or .0001%. Vitamins included in mineral mixes are expressed in international units (IU).

Referring to a mineral mix

Mineral mixes are referred to by their concentrations of Ca and P. For example, an 18:18 mineral contains 18% Ca and 18% P while an 18:9 mineral contains 18% Ca and 9% P.

Choosing a mineral mix

There are a variety of salt and mineral mixes commercially available that are specifically formulated for sheep. These mixes range from trace mineralized salt to salt-free minerals to mineral mixes that contain vitamins. When you feed a complete trace mineral mix containing salt, no other source of salt should be available to your sheep. The sheep will eat the complete mineral mix to get the salt. Some commercial mineral mixes also contain vitamins A, D and E. If you buy a mineral mix with added vitamins, choose the one containing the highest level of vitamin A (up to 500,000 IU). In some vitamin-mineral mixes the level of vitamins may not be high enough to meet the requirements of your sheep. Talk to a nutritionist to ensure you are supplying your sheep with adequate levels.

Determining the best buy

Copper and sheep

Mineral mixes or trace mineral salt formulated for cattle or horses should not be fed to your sheep because they are too high in Cu. Sheep minerals contain 300 to 500 mg/kg of Cu. Sheep accumulate Cu in the liver more easily than other livestock species. The accumulation of Cu in the body can take several months and may be caused by feed mixing errors, or by feeding forages, processed feeds or trace mineralized salt high in Cu. If your sheep mineral contains Cu don´t feed a trace-mineralized salt containing Cu. Excessive intakes of Cu can also be caused by feeding by-product feeds consisting of wastes from other livestock species, such as poultry litter. Copper poisoning also may result from low intakes of Mo, S, Zn and Ca. Stressful situations such as handling, strenuous exercise, transporting, a declining nutritional state and weather can cause a sudden release of the stored Cu into the blood, and cause toxicity. Symptoms of Cu toxicity occur quickly and include poor appetite, excessive thirst, pale yellow membranes (jaundice), anemia and death. There appears to be some breed differences in susceptibility to Cu toxicity, with Texels being more susceptible than other breeds.

Feeding minerals

Once you have determined which minerals you are going to use you need to determine how you are going to feed them to your sheep. Although minerals can be fed free-choice it is recommended that they be mixed with the ration to ensure that all of your sheep consume an adequate intake of minerals. However, if you are feeding your minerals free-choice then mix the salt-free mineral with loose salt on a 3 parts salt-free mineral to 1 part loose salt. Most animals, including sheep, have a definite appetite for salt so that minerals that contain salt, particularly loose salt, are usually consumed to a greater extent than salt-free minerals.

Key ideas

     * Feed only salt and mineral mixes specifically made for sheep. Sheep minerals contain between 300
        to 500 mg/kg of copper.
     * Feed a salt mineral mix that contains selenium on a year round basis.
     * Feed salt in the loose form to allow for better intake.
     * Place mineral feeders where they are easily cleaned and accessible to all of your sheep.
     * Protect salt and minerals from the elements.
     * Mix salt-free minerals with loose salt on a ratio of 1 part salt to 3 parts mineral to increase intake
        when feeding free choice.
     * Provide no other sources of salt to your sheep when you feed a complete trace mineral mix
        containing salt.

The effectiveness of phytase in increasing the availability of phosphorus from plant-derived feedstuffs has been observed for several years. In most instances the exogenous phytase used to supplement poultry diets is obtained from an Aspergillus species which usually produces 3-phytase, a rather non-specific phosphomonoesterase that catalyses the dephosphorylation of myoinositol hexakisphosphate (phytate) and produces orthophosphate, which can be absorbed by monogastric animal species. Phytate may constitute 1- 2 % by weight of many cereals and oilseeds. Typically about 60-90% of the phosphorus in plant seeds is present in a phytate-bound form (Cheryan, 1980).

The preponderance of published literature attests to the positive effects of phytase addition to diets of monogastric animals. However, the economic consequence of such positive results are often difficult to measure in meaningful terms. The question thus becomes hat in monetary terms is the addition of appropriate quantities of phytase to the diet worth??The economic worth of phytase addition to monogastric diets may be evaluated using quantitative data on the increases in nutrient availability mediated by phytase. For example, published literature generally supports an increase in available phosphorus of about 0.1% in typical layer diets when the equivalent of 136 FTU of phytase are added per lb of diet. Based on an inclusion rate of 136 FTU (or equivalent) per lb of feed, the nutrient values ascribed to phytase for phosphorus would be 200% for available and 200% for total phosphorus to achieve 0.1% phosphorus (available and total). The economic value of 0.1% available/total phosphorus above the cost of the added phytase is illustrated in Table 1 and is about $0.30/ton of feed (high energy). A cost of $12.00 per 100 lbs for dicalcium phosphate and a cost for phytase of $1.00 per ton of feed were used in obtaining the results in Tables 1-5. However, it can be expected that as the price of dietary phosphate sources increases, the value of phytase will also increase. In a high energy ration (1345 kcal/lb) phytase is approximately $0.12 per ton more valuable than in a low energy formulation (1265 kcal/lb). This apparently is due to the cost of calories from grain being less compared to the cost of calories from feed-grade fat. Thus as the price of feed-grade fat changes, the value of phytase may also change.

An acid is any chemical compound that, when dissolved in water, gives a solution with a pH less than 7.0. Acid is any compound that donates H+ ions to another compound (called a base). Acid isn’t living so its not vegan. It doesn’t grown on a tree, come from ground or come from animal. It can be made through chemical reactions.

Calcium dihydrogen phosphate (monocalcium phosphate) is acidic and is used to balance the other common leavening agent Baking soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) that is alkalic.

Monocalcium phosphate is a fod additive, which is classified as GRAS
(Generally Recognized As Safe). This means that based on its histroy of use
no food safety problems have been shown to occur with this chemical at the
levels commonly used in foods. It is used in bread, rolls, and buns,
artifically sweetened fruit jelly, canned potatoes, canned sweet peppers,
canned tomatoes and as a jelling agent. In the canned products it provides
calcium which has been shown to maintain the firmness of friuts and
vegetables during the canning process.It also provides a source of calcium
which aids in the jelling of artifically sweetened friut jellies. It acts
as a dough conditioner in bakery products. If you have access to the Food
and Drug Administration website, they have a list of all of the approved
food additives along with their functions in various food products.

Heavy pest infestation makes maize plants more susceptible to fungal infections. As a result, food and animal feed is more severely contaminated with fungal toxins. Effective measures to combat pests therefore often have a positive side-effect in that they also reduce mycotoxin levels. This applies to Bt maize as well. The finding from a trial series in Germany is confirmed by an international metastudy.

Cultivation trials: Bt maize has lowest mycotoxin levels

Prof. Andreas Schier of Nürtingen-Geislingen University has been conducting systematic cultivation trials with genetically modified maize for years. Among other things, these involved measuring mycotoxin levels.

Summary evaluation of international studies

The results published by Andreas Schier in the latest issue of MAIS are also confirmed by international studies. Felicia Wu of Pittsburgh University (USA) evaluated a large number of studies from various countries that had investigated the relationship between Bt plants and mycotoxin levels in harvest produce.

     * In the case of aflatoxins, a particularly toxic group of mycotoxins, the lessening effect of Bt maize is
         not as pronounced, and was found in only three out of seven studies. Aflatoxins are produced by
         various types of Aspergillus, which enter the plants primarily through the stigma. In North America,
         Aspergillus fungi are mainly transferred from pests that are not controlled by Bt maize.

As we studied how finisher pigs perform in large groups we have also studied their eating behaviour. Our reasons for this extend beyond our interest in feed intake, to questions we have on how pigs perceive their environment and the impact that could have on our management. For example, when we first started working with larger groups, in this case 80 pigs in a pen, two theories existed for how pigs interacted with this large space. One theory was that to avoid unfamiliar pigs and aggression, the animals would restrict their movement to a limited area of the pen. We would call this a territory. We used 8 feeders in the pen of 80 pigs, and spaced these evenly along one of the long walls of the rectangular pen. Of 60 pigs that we observed, 80% visited all 8 of the feeders during a 24-hr period. All of the pigs ate from at least 6 of the feeders. This eating behaviour demonstrated that the pigs were not territorial, but used the entire pen. The implication was that resources, such as feed and water, did not have to be located throughout the pen, but could be concentrated, perhaps in a food-court.

Our studies on eating behaviour of pigs in large groups have demonstrated that pigs make use of the entire pen, visiting most if not all feeders regularly. The inquisitiveness leading to this extensive use of the pen is evident in a large number of feeder visits during the first week, and may contribute to poor initial growth in the system. When feeders are concentrated in one area of the pen, making it more difficult to get to a feeder, pigs in large groups reduce their number of meals, but compensate by having longer meals. The adaptability of pigs in large groups allows us to broaden the scope of our management options to include not only large groups, but also concentrated feeding areas within the pen.

The hot days in May are a reminder the heat of summer is coming. As we move into June, July, August and even September the hot days of summer will challenge our dairy cows. It is not too early to begin making changes in your diets to help cows manage the stresses of heat and humidity.

Total feed intake has a big impact on the amount of heat produced by the cow during the digestion of feedstuffs. During hot weather, high feed intakes contribute greatly to the heat stress of cows and therefore, the natural reaction of the cow is to decrease feed intake. Diet changes to higher fermentable carbohydrates and decreased fiber during summer months has been one approach to keep both feed and energy intakes up. However, this approach can result in acidosis as cows will ruminate less reducing the amount of saliva produced to buffer the rumen. In addition, the buffering capacity of the saliva is lowered during heat stress as cows lose bicarbonate, the buffering component in saliva, thorough urination and increased panting. Therefore, any potential benefit to maintaining feed and energy intakes by increasing fermentable carbohydrates in diets could be negated by acidosis.

Fats are high in energy and digestibility which results in less heat produced during digestion than with other feeds. The addition of 2 to 3% fat to diets, particularly rumen inert fats and whole cottonseed, can help maintain energy intake as feed intakes decrease.

Cows lose potassium and sodium in response to heat stress. Potassium is lost through sweat while sodium is excreted via urine to balance the loss of potassium. Increasing potassium to 1.5% or greater and sodium to 0.5% of the diet dry matter (DM) is recommended during heat stress periods. Sodium levels can be achieved by feeding 4 ounces of salt plus 8 ounces or more of sodium bicarbonate. Balancing for dietary cation anion differences (DCAD) is another way of accounting for these two elements. A DCAD for lactating cows above +30 milliequivalents (mEq) per 100 grams of DM should be the target during summer months. Magnesium should be 0.35% of the diet DM or greater as high dietary potassium levels inhibit magnesium absorption from the rumen.

The best time to feed cows is evening. The effect of body heat produced during feed digestion during the evening and nighttime will have the lowest additive effect on environmental induced heat stress. Also, feeds will remain fresher in the bunk longer during nighttimes than during the day.

Protein and particularly rumen degradable protein should not be overfed during summer months. Feeding protein above requirements increases the workload of the liver and kidney to excrete the extra nitrogen increasing energy requirements and body heat production. Keeping total crude protein in the diet to around 17% with about 60% of the protein being rumen degradable and evaluating amino acid balance is a good heat stress protein feeding strategy.

Other additives.Rumen stabilizing and digestion aids like yeast cultures, fungal products and buffers have been shown to be beneficial during heat stress periods. And don’t forget about hoof health. Recent research from Wisconsin indicates cows will be on their feet up to 16 hours a day under heat stress conditions. The foot environment also will be wetter from more urination and possibly sprinklers. Consider feed additives such as zinc methionine and biotin along with regular foot bath usage to help maintain good hoof health.

Water is the most important nutrient of all to minimize heat stress. Cows need access to plenty of clean fresh water. Water intake can increase 50% above normal levels during heat stress. Drinking water helps cool off cows as it is a heat sink drawing body heat into the water to warm it after ingestion giving a cooling feeling to cows. Cows prefer to drink water that has a temperature of about 70 degrees.

The world’s biggest ruminant nutrition specialist Provimi is to visit Winslow to see the success of a calf feed innovation.

Mid Canterbury agribusiness company Winslow has developed a way that farmers can use the whole milk on hand to feed calves but still get the nutritional benefits that are in the powdered milk supplements.

The innovation, called NuStart Milk Additive, is the first of its type in the country and, according to Provimi which was a partner in development, the first in the world.

Winslow nutritionist Dr Rob Derrick was part of the team that developed NuStart Milk Additive. He says milk alone will not bring a calf to optimum condition in its first three months.

“Unsupplemented milk is not enough because calves are not getting the many small milk feeds per day they would get from mum, and they are kept in large groups with increased risk of disease. You only have to look at the anaemic, lethargic calves produced under milk-only veal systems to appreciate that.

“Research has shown the first 12 weeks is key to a calf´s lifelong potential as a dairy cow. It is a critical period for rumen development and calves are most at risk of immune-related problems and disease. It is also the most efficient period for daily live weight gain.”

But with feed costs rising by the week, many dairy farmers will want to make best use of milk they have available while still wanting their calves to reach target growth rates and do well post weaning.

 Developed by Provimi - one of the World´s largest premix manufacturers - NuStart provides calves with the benefits of an effective prebiotic, etheric oils (from herbs and spices) and functional fibre that helps optimum rumen development, sets them up to go onto grass earlier and put on maximum weight.

Winslow group sales and marketing manager Grant Hay said Winslow initially added NuStart to its hard feed in 2004, with good results. In 2006 Winslow had the idea of enabling farmers to add it to whole milk and asked Provimi to help trial it.

Provimi is the largest ruminant feed company in the world and world leader in development of animal nutrition solutions. With over 100 plants in 30 countries, Provimi´s 8000 employees include 600 scientists.

Now after 12 months of NuStart Milk Additive being used by South Island customers, Winslow has had unprecedented feedback from customers, Mr Hay said. Feedback included calves reaching 100kg 10 days earlier than previous seasons despite a poor spring, calves were heavier and required cheaper input costs to achieve target weights.

“Due to the huge amount of positive feedback from the field and the unprecedented demand we are experiencing, Winslow has recently negotiated a distribution deal so NuStart Milk Additive has become available nationwide through CRT and Farmlands.

“There´s real interest out there from distributors and customers because there is nothing else like it on the market. It´s giving calves the start of a lifetime.

“At Winslow we are farmers as well as product developers. We source tools and apply technology to enhance farmers´ productivity, profit and peace of mind. With our new NuStart Milk Additive we have a cost effective whole milk additive that´s making a real difference to the way farmers view rearing calves.”

Detailed trials by Provimi have demonstrated repeatedly that NuStart in milk outperforms a range of alternative additives. NuStart Milk Additive promotes gut development, stimulates digestion, encourages feed intake, reduces incidence of scouring, minimises disease challenge, and increases daily live weight gain. Its ingredients are natural, non-GM and free from antibiotic digestive enhancers.

“It´s not just about getting what you can out of your stock, it´s also about looking out for their health and welfare and ensuring they are in the best condition possible,” Dr Derrick said.

“All that adds up to peace of mind, which farmers certainly need more of these days. It is especially pleasing to hear farmers say that heifers that benefited from NuStart as calves are now entering the herd well grown and capable of holding their own. ”

Provimi´s technical manager Norman Downey will be in New Zealand next week to see the results of NuStart Milk Additive and meet with distributors and customers.

Experience and ResearchThis discussion is in response to the numerous questions from people wanting more information about DCP (Dicalcium phosphate or Dibasic Calcium Phosphate). Our position appears to be contrary to the majority of manufacturers and distributors of nutritional products. our decision is based on research and years of experience watching results of dietary supplement intake on hair mineral analysis reports. The Origin of DCP Mined from deposits within the earth’s crust, calcium phosphate is known by many synonyms such as “lime,” “hardware lime,” “calcium lime” or “dolomite.” Mixed samples of the substance may have a high percentage of impurities imbedded in them which may be harmful. For instance, one of the compounds found in DCP may be lead. Dolomite, in particular, has been singled out as containing a high percentage of lead. While we refer to DCP as Dicalcium phosphate, the term is used broadly to include all forms of calcium phosphate. Some deposits may be slightly higher proportionately as regards to particular ingredients. Whatever the differences, all are considered forms of calcium phosphate and act metabolically in a similar manner.Retrieved from “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dicalcium_phosphate“