Barley

[yeboah]

Was asked by a friend if barley sold at a farming outlet that has been treated with propcorn is it safe to feed to the doos ,said i didn't know any one got any answers cheers in advance ,only barley i use is beyers .

[Guest stb-]

yes and yes propionic acid does no harm to livestock m8 it sstops feed getting mouldy . and is a natural acid and none toxic just smell like vinegar when its applied at first

[yeboah]

yes and yes propionic acid does no harm to livestock m8 it sstops feed getting mouldy . and is a natural acid and none toxic just smell like vinegar when its applied at first

Many thanks Rab .

[gulkie]

Got a bag once it stinks and I was advised not

To give it to my birds by a very prominent doo

Man ,so I pass this on to you,whatever you decide

To do ,good luck

[andy Burgess]

yes and yes propionic acid does no harm to livestock m8 it sstops feed getting mouldy . and is a natural acid and none toxic just smell like vinegar when its applied at first

interesting post ,thanks for letting us know.

[yeboah]

Thanks for the replies have past info on to my friend .

[hawked again]

We used to feed it to sheep and coos up on Shetland and kept the English/Lerwick strays alive on it until the weather was right for them to try the flight South. It stinks though!

[Guest stb-]

Got a bag once it stinks and I was advised not

To give it to my birds by a very prominent doo

Man ,so I pass this on to you,whatever you decide

To do ,good luck

if it stinks it aint dried gulkie there should be no smell of it really when its dried out , its just like you putting vinegar on your chips stinks for bit until evaporated of , i dont think you will get much grain here thats not had prop corn with the damp weather we get , i have used it for year 20 yrs as it cuts down the chance of mould on feed and aint had no probs

[Guest stb-]

just double checked what the farmer next to my dads small holding told me years ago and looked it up .

 

The benefits of Propcorn

Propcorn provides a simple and cost effective method of storing grain. Suitable for most grains including wheat, barley, oats, maize, & pulses such as peas, beans or lupins, the benefits are numerous:

Higher return per acre

Better feed value with fewer digestive problems

Less dust - healthier for farmer and stock

Reduced shedding losses.

Keeps grain cool - discourages mites & weevil

Digestibility (%) in steers fed rations based on hay and rolled barley-moist (Propcorn treated) or dried

It has been shown at independent research centres that Propcorn treatment has achieved the following results:

Improved milk yields by 4%

Increased live weight gain in beef cattle by 4%

Developed feed efficiency in pigs by up to 6%.

Propcorn also increases energy levels as it has an energy value itself of around 1.5 times that of barley.

A natural solution

 

Propcorn is an organic acid, which occurs naturally in the rumen. The acid inhibits the growth of moulds, yeasts and bacteria and prevents the ‘heating up’ of moist feeds. Propcorn treated grain has been successfully fed to cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry and horses throughout the world for over 30 years.

 

Flexible and versatile

 

Harvesting can take place even when there is surface dampness on the grain - whether dew or rain - enabling farmers to start combining earlier in the morning, or after rain, and to continue later at night.

Propcorn grain can be treated and rolled straight off the combine and then stored until required rather than the traditional treat, store then roll method.

Propcorn also aids processing. Treated grain rolls much easier than dried grain and fewer costs are incurred when Propcorn is used i.e. no drying cost and a lower storage cost. Shatter losses are also reduced.

The alternative treatment, drying, often results in a harder, drier and dustier material that is less suitable for feeding directly to animals in a coarse mix. Less dust with Propcorn treatment also means healthier conditions for the user

Propcorn treatment also inhibits the germination of seeds which can pass through the animal intact and is subsequently returned to the land.

 

Storage

 

Propcorn treated grain can be stored on a dry floor

Do not store with untreated grain as it can draw in the moisture and begin to heat up

Please also note that natural Vitamin E in moist grain - Propcorn treated or not - declines during storage. When Propcorn treated grain forms a major part of the diet, use Maxcare Propcorn Balance - which is high in Vitamin E.

Successful Harvest 2008?

 

Yes! Despite the weather many farmers took advantage of our high moisture roll & store treatment which is available with our new Buschhoff machine, even with moisture levels in excess of 20%.

 

The method is very straight forward

 

Corn is combined the normal way. Our machines suck the corn direct from trailers or corn store. It’s then rolled and processed treated, then discharged via auger into your storage facilities, as long as its dry and safe from vermin it will keep for the winter feeding period.

 

The key benefits:

 

Increases energy

[Guest stb-]

also meant to add that improver the organic acid stuff and to an exstent cider vinegar is basicaally the same stuff :emoticon-0167-beer:

Edited May 6, 2013 by stb-