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Feeding livestock in today’s environment continues to be more and more challenging as the increased demand for traditional feedstuffs continues to expand for use in food and fuel. The worldwide interest in reducing dependence on fossil fuels has created high interest in the development of renewable energy sources. Among the available options, the use of traditional livestock feedstuffs for the production of ethanol and bio-diesel are currently high priorities. This, along with historically high energy costs, have complicated feed management programs, as well as created unique challenges for maintaining animal performance.
 FACTS ABOUT HIGH FEED COSTS
 The global demand for renewable fuels has created increased interest in ethanol and bio-diesel production from feedstuffs that are traditionally fed to livestock. This, along with higher energy cost, have significantly increased the demand for livestock feed commodities, resulting in a supply shortage. Learn more, U.S. Renewable Fuels and Projected Industry Growth. As a result, livestock producers around the world are faced with higher feed costs that reduce profitability. Within the current environment, this trend is not expected to change any time soon.
Demand for alternative fuels,along with renewable fuel subsidies and mandates within the current U.S. Energy and Farm Policies have stimulated a high level of corporate interest in the development of ethanol production plants. New ethanol production plants are currently being constructed across the USA. It is estimated that at least one-third of the U.S. corn crop will be used for ethanol production in 2008 and this will only continue to grow in future years.
 Increased demand for corn and the subsequent higher price stimulated growers to expand their corn acreage. In many cases, this was at the expense of wheat and soybeans. The resulting shortage of wheat and soybeans drove prices up to record levels. The associated increase in soybean meal prices further increased the feed cost of livestock production. In addition, demand for fat sources (soy oil and animal fat) for the production of bio-diesel significantly increased the cost of fat supplementation for animal feeds.
The bottom line for livestock producers is that with record high-energy cost and record high costs for livestock feed commodities profitability has been significantly reduced. Under these circumstances, it is imperative that producers maximize production efficiency and capture every benefit from within their feed program. The common practice of merely cutting perceived costs often leaves significant dollars on the table. Successful producers focus on value instead of cost.
WHY YOU NEED MICRO-AID®
Micro-Aid is an all-natural feed additive that is safe for use in all livestock and poultry. Micro-Aid works to promote a healthier environment both internally and externally. This results in improved nutrient utilization and traditionally returns a higher value than any other feed additive. The recently developed Micro-Aid Value Proposition Models demonstrates this value. Learn more, Summary of Micro-Aid Value Proposition Models.
 Micro-Aid has proven extremely effective in reducing ammonia and other noxious gases within and around livestock facilities. In addition, Micro-Aid has been the additive used most commonly for controlling ammonia and other livestock odors for over 40 years. What you may not know is that extensive research over time has clearly demonstrated the value of Micro-Aid in improving the profitability of livestock production. The ability of Micro-Aid to reduce odors starts within the intestinal tract where it promotes a microbial environment that aids in nutrient utilization. Learn more, Micro-Aid and Intestinal Efficiency. Improved nutrient utilization enhances growth and improves feed efficiency. Research has shown that Micro-Aid not only aids in improving gain across all livestock species, but the most consistent research response, with the use of Micro-Aid, is the improvement in the efficiency of feed utilization. Learn more, Summary of Micro-Aid Usage on Animal Performance.
Most livestock producers are well aware that technologies that consistently improve feed efficiency become more and more valuable as feed costs increase. Learn more, The Value of Improving Feed Conversion as Ingredient Costs Vary. The value of Micro-Aid in livestock feeding programs has always been well recognized, even when feed costs are low. Recognizing the consistent improvement in nutrient utilization and subsequent feed efficiency demonstrates that the use of Micro-Aid in your feed program makes even more sense in the current situation where feed costs are excessively high. In fact, the use of Micro-Aid with appropriate management skills can be a very effective tool to conserve equity, even when experiencing significant production losses. Learn more, Conservation and Building of Equity in Livestock Production.
Many livestock producers have struggled mightily to be profitable in recent years because of uncertainty surrounding fluctuating input costs and revenue. As producers look for ways to increase their profitability, one that should be considered, is the value of manure for land-application and nutrient utilization by growing crops, especially as the price of commercial fertilizers continues to escalate. The economic value of manure makes it a good source of revenue as opposed to the afterthought it often is. The challenge during manure storage and application is that nitrogen compounds are volatile and when lost, the potential fertilizing value is diminished. Nitrogen loss can be 25% or greater in these situations. Micro-Aid in all feed, all the time will capture and conserve a significant portion of this lost manure value through its positive impact on reduced ammonia volatilization and a shift in manure nitrogen compounds from ammonium nitrogen to the more stable, organic nitrogen form. Another benefit of this better nitrogen value of manure from animals fed Micro-Aid is that it creates a more ideal N:P ratio in the manure. Learn more, Improving the Value of Manure through the Utilization of Micro-Aid.
Micro-Aid is a valuable tool in your livestock production operation under any production situation. In addition to the demonstrated effects on animal performance discussed in this article, you always get improvement in animal and neighborhood environments through a reduction in noxious gases and associated odors. Reduced ammonia volatilization is indicative of Micro-Aid working to capture and conserve a significant portion of nitrogen in manure, which makes it more valuable as a fertilizer source. Improved manure handling and facility clean-up with Micro-Aid is another benefit that is often overlooked and can result in even further cost reduction and value return. With today’s high cost of feed for animal production, Micro-Aid provides a unique strategy to improve profits and conserve equity. There is more value in Micro-Aid now than ever!
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Support material referred to in this article include:
Links above and included in the article on the left are pdf documents. If you are unable to open these files, download Acrobrat Reader for free.
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MICRO-AID ADDS VALUE
& CONSERVES EQUITY FOR
IMPROVED PROFITABILITY
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Micro-Aid maintains a healthy gut environment for enhanced nutrient utilization, resulting in improved animal performance and increased value return on your feed investment.
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Micro-Aid delivers additional value by reducing noxious gases, resulting in a safer and healthier environment for livestock and workers while maintaining neighbor relations through reduced odor production.
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Micro-Aid reduces the cost of manure handling and facility clean up. |
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