What makes good feed ... good?

Feed quality is influenced by many factors. Magda du Toit spoke to feed manufacturers to find out how they ensure quality, from the handling and storage of raw materials to the processing and distribution of feed.

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The quality of livestock feed significantly influences the overall health of animals. High-quality feed should therefore include a balanced mix of nutrients from highly digestible ingredients while also being safe to consume. It should support optimal growth and physiological functioning, reproduction, and overall health.

In contrast, poor-quality feed can lead to nutrient deficiencies and introduce harmful contaminants like pathogens, mycotoxins, toxins, and chemical residues that can negatively impact livestock.

Preventing and controlling feed-borne pathogens is vital for the health and productivity of livestock owners' production systems.

Feed contamination and recontamination can occur at any step within the feed supply chain, from the sourcing of raw materials to the storage and transportation of finished feeds. Since contaminants can compromise animal health, feed manufacturers employ comprehensive strategies to mitigate risks in this regard.

“As the representative body of South Africa's animal feed industry, the Animal Feed Manufacturers’ Association [AFMA] enforces a self-regulatory code of conduct that upholds feed safety, quality assurance, and best practices in feed production,” explains Petru Fourie, operations manager at AFMA.

RAW MATERIALS

According to Marzanne Cromhout, technical manager at Rossgro Feeds, raw materials are broadly classified into macroand micro-ingredients.

“Macro raw materials typically include maize, wheaten bran, gluten, full-fat soya, and oilcake. These ingredients form the bulk of the formulation and are essential for providing energy, protein, and fibre. They can be sourced either directly from farmers or through commodity traders, depending on availability, pricing, and supply chain logistics,” she explains.