You are viewing Canada

The Importance of Quality Testing

Knowing the quality of the components going into your livestock feed is crucial to the success of your operation. Most formulation software packages assign standard nutritional values for the components in a diet. But, what happens when the quality of these components does not match that assigned by the software program? You may not see the impact of nutritional variability of the diet in your day-to-day livestock performance, but it can ultimately manifest itself in feed intake, daily gain and animal health over time.

So, what kinds of things can impact the nutritional value of the diet?

  • Long-term storage of corn in grain bins, flat storage or rail cars can lead to reductions in nutritional quality, particularly in years where the corn is harvested at higher moisture levels.
  • Mold and yeast growth in grains or Total Mixed Rations (TMR), improperly ensiled forages and poor-quality fat all rob nutrients from the feed your animals rely on for growth.
  • Mycotoxins in grain sources can lead to reduced feed intake or reproductive issues.
  • Oxidation of supplemental dietary fat can deplete the feed of expensive vitamins needed to maintain the health and well-being of livestock.
IMG-KI-00067

Kemin is here to help you understand the quality of your feed ingredients. While constant, real-time analysis of the nutrient content of ingredients may be impractical, understanding the risk factors associated with feed ingredients is both practical and important. This understanding allows you to make informed decisions about interventions that will help mitigate the variation in quality.

The Kemin Customer Laboratory Service (CLS) team routinely provides customers with baseline evaluation of mold and yeast counts in feed and feed ingredients. Regular monitoring of mold and mycotoxin levels in corn, along with data from partner commercial laboratories, provides customers with information on the initial quality of the crop at harvest and potential changes during storage. Fat quality assessment – primarily peroxide value and secondary oxidative markers – can be provided for both incoming fat deliveries and the fat storage tank.

These are just a few of the ways the Kemin CLS team can assist with providing data for your risk management programs. To learn more about Kemin CLS services, ask your Kemin Sales Representative or contact us online.  


Have a Question?

If you have a question about our products or services, or just want more information, fill out the form below and someone on our team will be in contact with you.