For many dairies, use of premixes is nothing new and they have been used in some fashion since dairying began. In many cases, however, because the practice is so common, we may tend to forget these are tools in our feeding programs that need to be reevaluated from time to time. From the point of creation of a given premix, this is a dynamic ingredient and can and will change as the rations change, largely due to forage changes but also as we try to improve performance or fix problems that arise. Then, economics is always a factor.
Your premixes can come in all shapes and forms. The primary purpose is to combine different ingredients in advance so the process is not necessary on a daily or every time you mix feed basis. It also allows for the accurate inclusion of ingredients used in very low amounts that would be very difficult to mix on-farm.
Premixes can include virtually any combination of ingredients. However, the more common combinations are:
- Protein premixes: Can include some or all of the protein sources such as soybean meal and dried distillers grains. It may also include bypass meals such as the SoyBest or SoyPlus, blood meal or other animal proteins. In some cases, it might include rumen-protected amino acids.
- Mineral and vitamin premixes: These can include all the major and minor minerals as well as salt and the vitamins. Any and all forms of minerals (organic, inorganic, hydroxychloride) may be included here. In many cases, it might also include additives such as yeast, bacteria, enzymes and rumensin. It may also include the rumen-protected amino acids as mentioned above.
- Grain mixes: In some cases, it might make sense to combine grains or byproducts. Often, this is done in an effort to free up some storage space.
As mentioned, these can take almost any form in an effort to simplify the mixing and feeding logistics on the farm.
A second reason is to improve mixing accuracy. It is much easier and more accurate to mix a larger quantity of a given product. In most mixing equipment, it is simply easier and more effective to mix one larger premix than to mix four, 10 or 20 ingredients used in much smaller quantities.
Evaluating your premixes
For any farm using one or more premixes, it makes sense to review the formula of the premix to determine or refresh your memory on what’s there, evaluate the cost and ask questions such as “What is this product?” “What does it do?” and “Do we know if it’s really having the desired effect?” Everything in the premix needs to have a function and pay for itself.
It also makes sense to ask your nutritionist if they are receiving any sort of compensation for any of the ingredients included. If you are paying a consulting fee, it is a fair question. If products are being added that the nutritionist receives a commission on, this information needs to be disclosed.
There are some things to keep in mind when evaluating your premixes. Understand this is pertaining mostly to mineral, vitamin, supplement and additive premixes. Protein and or grain mixes are generally simpler and more straightforward.
- The ingredient list can be very long. There are literally dozens, if not hundreds, of products used as both nutrient supplements and feed additives. In any case, there are numerous versions of the same type to choose from. Take, for instance, organic or chelated trace minerals (OTM). There are potentially a dozen or more manufacturers of OTMs on the market. In the same light, there are at least as many yeast products on the market. At some point, the decision is made on a particular product. Then the question becomes “Why was this particular product selected?” Hopefully, your nutritionist has reviewed the research available and made an informed decision. In some cases, if the farm is using a feed company nutritionist, a given product may be used because that’s what the company keeps in inventory. Hopefully, it has gone through a vetting process in selecting its products. Unfortunately, the vetting process has simply included a price comparison of the various products, and they went with the cheapest source.
- Determine if there is any redundancy in ingredients. Is there more than one ingredient in the mix that is there to do the same thing? If so, why? Remember, each of these has a cost.
- Evaluate the cost of the ingredients. Things like calcium and salt make up a fairly large amount and are generally pretty cheap. Many of the smaller or more specialized ingredients (rumen-protected amino acids, OTMs, vitamins, direct-fed microbials, certain yeasts, etc.) can be very expensive and add a lot of cost both in terms of a contribution to the premix cost or to the animal feed cost per head per day. What is the cost per head per day? What is the potential return? Will the product pay for itself – or better, will there be a positive return on investment?
- In some cases, it may make sense to talk with a representative from the company that makes a given ingredient that goes into your premix to better understand its use and value in the mix and in your ration. Read all research reports available.
- Talk with the manufacturer and get their take on the product and the manufacturing process. They have a profit margin on the product they make for you. It never hurts, if you have a premix you use a lot of, to get a competitive bid. Learn as much as you can about the mills and premixers available in your area and what they can do. It’s your bottom line; do not marry yourself to a given manufacturer. They need to earn your business with every load.
There are many other questions that can be asked. I actually covered this in another article back in 2019. Read: Evaluating supplements and additives.
This process can be as long or brief as you desire. Unfortunately, it takes the one thing most dairy producers have the least of – time. Asking these questions does not mean you don’t trust your nutritionist or your supplier. It simply means you want to be informed and understand what is going on in the feeding program on your farm.
Author's note: Mention of a specific product should not be considered as an endorsement or recommendation.
