Barley Distillers 

Barley Distillers Pellets are produced as a by-product of the processing of barley grain to produce malt whisky. It benefits from high  energy and protein. It compliments cereals and other low protein feeds, and has a high oil content  Barley is first malted to convert starch into sugars, which are then fermented with yeast to produce the alcohol. The grain residue is then removed and the alcohol distilled from the liquid in Pot Stills, leaving Pot Ale behind.  The remaining barley is then mixed with the concentrated Pot Ale Syrup and dried to produce Barley Distillers’ Pellets.

Barley Distillers Pellets are a palatable alternative, which can be used to replace expensive concentrates as a good supply of both energy and protein for Dairy Cows and Beef Cattle.

Barley Distiller analysis on a dry matter basis: 

Biscuit Meal - Farm Mix

Brewers Grains 

Brewers grains are high in digestible fibre and good quality protein which is quite undegradable due to the heat process in manufacture, but low in starch, and by-passes the rumen to be digested in the hind gut, leading to better utilisation of protein for improved milk/liveweight gain.

 The energy from brewers grains is derived from fibre and is absorbed over a period of time (which contrasts with a sudden surge at milking time which can occur with concentrated feeds). Brewers grains thus help promote rumen fermentation, digestion and general animal health. Brewers grains are ideal for mixing with other forage rations to stimulate dry matter intake and, as a human food by-product, offer a consistently high quality feed for dairy, beef and sheep, which is fully traceable and a highly economic and effective out of parlour replacer for concentrates. Mash Filter Grains are the same product except the malted barley is ground more finely. Often this actually increases the dry matter content compared with the grains produced by the traditional process.

Citrus Pulp

Citrus pulp, mostly available in a pelleted form, is derived from citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons etc. after such fruits have been processed for juice. Calcium (as limestone) or sodium hydroxide is usually added acteristically citrus fruit aroma, making it highly appealing to animals. Citrus Pulp is usually fed to ruminants in quantities as large as 5kg per day. It is not advisably fed to pigs or poultry due to limonin, a bitter substance occurring naturally in citrus fruit seeds, to which they are toxic. Seeds, peel and the inner tissue of processed citrus fruits are all used to form citrus pulp pellets.

Its good palatability and relatively high energy content make citrus a commendable feed for ruminants. The particular variety of Citrus Pulp traded by Straights Direct has a 90% orange constitution, and can be bought in bulk, bagged or blended form.

Citrus Pulp analysis on a dry matter basis: 

Rapeplus

Rapeplus can be fed up to 4/5 kg per cow per day and effectively replace rape / soya mixes or soya, reducing feed costs and simplifying feeding and storage requirements.

Rapeplus analysis (as fed unless stated). 

For Beef as with dairy, sunflower meal can be entirely adequate as the sole source of supplemental protein in beef cattle rations. Sunflower meal has been compared to urea, soybean and cotton meals in beef cattle studies. Sunflower meal was equivalent to soybean meal for growing heifers.

Sunflower is also used in Sheep and Pig diets.

sales@straightsdirect.co.uk or alternatively, call Straights Direct on (UK) 0118 984 1800 for price information.

Megalac

Product Application

Analysis

Fatty Acid Profile

Physical Properties

Feed Grade Urea

• in compound feed and premixes
• in total mixed rations
• in liquid solutions
• as a preservative for grain and whole crop cereals

The primary advantage of Feed Grade Urea is its ability to enhance the protein content of compound feed or mixed rations. It does this by producing larger amounts of ammonia, which rumen microbes convert into microbial protein. The role of supplementary Urea is important: a lack of ammonia in the rumen will reduce the overall protein synthesis and digestion of the diet.

Product Application

For compound feed, it is recommended that inclusion rates of Feed Grade Urea should not exceed 1.5 - 2.0% for dairy cows. Beef cattle may be capable of adapting to higher levels.

Feed Grade Urea added to total mixed rations provides consistent access to Urea and is evenly ingested over a 24 hour period. It is recommended that Urea be added to a pre-mix ration before inclusion in the total mixed ration to aid efficient distribution.

Feed Grade Urea can also be successfully used to preserve moist grain. The recommended moisture level for Urea application is between 20 and 30%. Treating grain whose moisture level is below 20% is problematic since there is insufficient moisture to hydrolize the Urea fully. On completion, the treated grain should be covered with plastic sheeting to contain any ammonia vapour that is released by the process.

The application rate of Urea for treatment of grain should be as follows:

Analysis

Physical Properties

Caustic Soda

Caustic Grain (i.e. grain treated with Caustic Soda) is an alkaline feed which is slowly digested in the rumen, so helping to promote the stable rumen conditions essential for efficient feed utilisation and reducing the risk of problems associated with feeding high levels of rolled cereals or acidic silages.

Trials show that Caustic Grain can improve forage and total feed intake. This leads to increased milk yield and quality, particularly protein content, in dairy cattle; and better liveweight gains and feed conversion in beef cattle.

Product Application

• Pearl Caustic Soda is a hazardous chemical - refer to and observe the safety instructions provided and store the product in a lockable area.
• Extreme care is required during handling and full protective clothing - full face visor, gloves, overalls and wellingtons - must be worn.
• Minimise the handling of bags and always use full bags - do not store or handle part bags.
• Avoid windy conditions when preparing Caustic Soda and always add water carefully.

How to treat grain with Caustic Soda, step-by-step

• Put 1 - 5 tonnes of grain into a watertight mixer-feeder wagon. Cleanliness is vital throughout. Ensure that both the loader bucket and the feeder wagon are clean. Moist grain can be treated direct from the combine, but do not process unripe grain.
• Carefully and evenly add the Pearl Caustic Soda by front loader bucket. Break up any lumps to ensure good distribution and solubility. Avoid windy conditions when tipping. Always use full bags. Never use part-full bags, and dispose of bags immediately.

• For Wheat, add 3% Caustic Soda (i.e. 30kg per tonne of grain). For Barley, add 5% Caustic Soda (i.e. 50kg per tonne of grain).

• Dry mix for 5 minutes. Even distribution of the Caustic Soda is important to ensure uniform grain treatment of grain.
• Carefully add water to the grain/Caustic Soda mix, according to the scales below:

  Grain Moisture %	Water Addition (kg/tonne grain)
  	Long term storage	Early feeding (minimum)
  22+	0	50
  20	40	100
  18	60	130
  16	80	160
  14	100	200
  12	140	220

  Caustic Grain should have a "cheesy" consistency at feeding. It may need wetting before feeding if retrieved from long term storage. Clean straw added to very wet grain (20kg/tonne) will help reduce moisture and aid storage.

• Mix for 15 minutes. Heat is generated when Caustic Soda dissolves in water - it is the combination of heat, strong alkali and mechanical action which processes the grain. As mixing proceeds, the grain will darken in colour. The addition of clean straw (20kg/tonne) at this stage may prove to be beneficial.
• Tip the hot grain into a heap and leave for at least 5 hours. Ensure that the grain is tipped onto a clean surface to minimise the risk of contamination. The combination of heat ad alkali continues to process the grain in the tipped heap.
• Spread the heap to approximately one foot deep and allow to cool. Ensure cleanliness again! Before the treated grain is stored for any length of time it is vital that it is uniformly cool. Be prepared to spread the grain again to achieve this. Avoid exposure to heavy rain at this stage - it will nullify the preservative effect of the Caustic Soda.
• Restack and store under cover in a clean environment, where there is no risk of flooding. Feeding can commence after four days. Caustic Grain is unpalatable to both birds and rodents and can be stored for long periods. However, as for any feed, hygenic storage is essential. Walls and floors of storage areas should be sprayed with 'Actellic' and the walls lined with clean polythene - pay particular attention to corners. If the storage period is to exceed three months then add more water (see table above), spray the surface of the grain with 'Actellic' and store under cover.

  Caustic Grain must not be mixed with other feeds prior to storage. Stored for long periods of time, Caustic Grain dries out. It should be moistened before feeding - either by water or by moist feeds such as brewer's grains, draff or wet grass silage.

• Caustic Grain is best fed as part of a complete diet and feeding levels will depend upon several factors - expected performance (milk yield or liveweight gain), forage stocks and other feeds available.
• For dairy cows, up to 4kg per day of soda grain is generally recommended, although higher levels may be fed where high total dry matter intakes are expected.
• It is important that the ration is well balanced with respect to protein, energy and minerals plus vitamins; and the feeding of a low sodium mineral mix is recommended - Nilna High Phos.
• Caustic Grain can provide all the supplementary cereal in silage-based rations for beef cattle.

Physical Properties

Packaging: Pallets of 1.05 tonnes comprising durable bags of 25 or 50kg bags
Presentation: White, semi-transparent crystalline solid which is hygroscopic and deliquescent.
Delivery Quantity: Available in 1.05 tonne (1 pallet) increments
Shelf Life: 12 months +

Sopralin

Sopralin itself is a high quality protected vegetable protein which, as a result of precise treatment, contains a high level of DUP. Out of a total of 46.5% Crude Protein (CP), Sopralin provides approximately 90% undegradable protein. Its DUP content is better than naturally occurring vegetable proteins and at least as high in DUP as protein from fish origin.

The Benefits of Feeding Sopralin

• Lactating Cows:
  Most dairy cows in early lactation have a dry matter appetite below that necessary to sustain production and maintain weight. It is important to ensure that rations contain the correct balance and quality of protein. Including Sopralin in dairy rations consistently improves milk yield and milk protein levels.
• Dry Cows:
  Including Sopralin in dry cow diets boosts the UDP levels without adding high levels of calcium. Boosting UDP levels of dry cow diets has improved production and fertility levels in subsequent lactations.
• Grazing Supplement:
  Using Sopralin to balance the high levels of rumen degradable protein (RDP) in grass increases milk yield and milk protein levels.
• Calves:
  Older calves showed considerable improvements in liveweight gains when Sopralin was included in the diet.
• Beef:
  Including Sopralin in beef rations improves performance.
• Ewes:
  Recent research has shown that increasing UDP levels gives improved birth weight of lambs and a quicker start to life - due to improved colostrum production and milk yield.
• Lambs:
  Lambs fed on a diet containing Sopralin consistently out-performed lambs fed on a diet containing fishmeal.

Product Application

• Compound Feeds:
  To improve UDP levels
• Farm Mix::
  To help maintain quality with variable ingredients
• Grazing Supplement:
  To balance high RDP of grass
• Midday Feed:
  As a UDP supplement for high yielders
• Lactating Cows:
  0.5 - 1.0 kg Sopralin per head per day
• Dry Cows:
  0.6 kg Sopralin per head per day from 6 weeks prior to calving
• Heifers:
  0.3 kg Sopralin per head per day
• Beef:
  Include as part of a balanced ration where extra DUP is required
• Sheep:
  Include as part of a balanced ration according to level of production required

Analysis

Comparative Analysis

Physical Properties