Archive for October, 2022

Closed Thanksgiving Day!

Monday, October 24th, 2022

Thanksgiving DayThanksgiving Day is a celebration, giving thanks for the harvest and our many blessings from the past year. How does your family celebrate this holiday? 

Happy Thanksgiving from Kissimmee Valley Feed! We are thankful for our customers and this great community we call home!

Both Kissimmee Valley Feed locations will be closed on Thursday, November 24th, 2022, in observance of the holiday.  We observe this day so our staff can enjoy the day with family & friends! We resume normal business hours starting on Friday, November 27, 2022. Head on over to Store #2 on Friday, November 26th, and take advantage of Black Friday savings!

Kissimmee Valley Feed wishes you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving day!

The True Cost of Cheap Minerals

Thursday, October 20th, 2022

The True Cost of Cheap Minerals: Quality mineral supplements are an investment in the overall performance of your herd.The True Cost of Cheap Minerals: Quality mineral supplements are an investment in the overall performance of your herd.

Balance and bioavailability

Balance is key when it comes to minerals; more is not always better when choosing a supplement. Minerals compete for absorption when digested in the small intestine. If cattle consume too much of one mineral, it could prevent absorption of other minerals, eliminating benefits to the animal and wasting the money you invested in a mineral supplement.

When selecting a mineral supplement, be sure to consider the ingredients’ bioavailability. Bioavailability refers to the percentage of mineral cattle can absorb or use. Some mineral supplements may contain sufficient levels of the required minerals. However not in a form cattle can utilize. Sometimes, these ingredients are used. They are cheap. Although they provide little or no nutrition to your herd. Generally speaking, organic minerals are more bioavailable. In addition, provide enhanced gut absorption

Not all minerals are created equal

With input costs rising, you may be looking for a lower-cost alternative to a complete mineral program by choosing a trace mineral block. While trace mineral blocks have a lower price tag than a complete mineral supplement, it’s important to be aware of the tradeoff you might be taking with this type of product.

First, trace mineral blocks don’t contain the macro minerals essential to cattle production, like phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium. Additionally, trace mineral blocks are often virtually all salt. A block may be 96-99% salt, depending on the product. Due to the high salt content, cattle can’t consume enough of the block to meet their trace mineral requirements.

Aside from intake, trace mineral blocks tend to utilize less bioavailable ingredients to keep cost low. Meaning, not only is mineral content diluted by salt, but the form of the mineral is virtually unavailable for absorption, both of which can compromise animal performance.

Often, a simple snapshot of your herd doesn’t reveal how much a cheap mineral supplement can really cost you. Minerals are the precursors to cattle performance, facilitating every process in the body. High-quality mineral influences high-quality performance. Production traits such as fertility, disease resistance, feed intake and muscle development depend on proper minerals in cattle’s diet.

Get the most bang for your buck

Getting the most impact from your investment is a top priority for any cattle operation. One way to ensure your mineral supplement is working efficiently and effectively for your herd is to track consumption rates. We can walk you through how to track consumption in your herd. Most Purina® minerals are formulated for four ounces of consumption per cow per day.

Once you know consumption rate, you can help alter mineral intake levels by moving mineral feeders. When feeders sit close to areas where cattle spend most of their time, they can consume more than the target amount out of boredom. If cattle consume too much of a mineral supplement, move feeders away from water sources and loafing areas. If consumption is below target, move feeders closer to these areas, or provide additional feeders to allow more access for cattle.

The domino effect

Poor mineral nutrition can contribute to poor cattle performance. Mineral deficiencies can lead to a cascade of events such as more open cows, higher sickness rates, more spread-out calving season and lower weaning weights. Don’t let these issues domino and compound. They lead to a loss of profit on your operation.

Talk to us about what a complete mineral program should look like for your herd. Check out our cattle feeds by clicking here. Ask our knowledgeable staff about The True Cost of Cheap Minerals!

Trick or Treat, Give Your Chickens Something Good to Eat!

Tuesday, October 11th, 2022

A chicken in the foreground with pieces of pumpkin in the background.Trick or Treat, Give Your Chickens Something Good to Eat! There is a cool breeze in the air and the leaves are starting to turn rich hues in many parts of the country. Yes, fall is upon us. It’s that wonderful time of year that brings us many bountiful tidings, including pumpkin spice-everything, hay rides and trick or treater’s. But what does the fall season mean for your chickens? The answer, is likely already a part of your seasonal tradition!

If you are getting ready to carve those annual jack-o-lanterns, you can cringe a little less when scooping the slimy goo of seeds out, because it can serve a purpose this year! The guts of your pumpkins are in-fact a delicious treat to your chickens. Aside from your guys and gals loving the flavor of pumpkin contents, they are loaded with some great nutrients. Pumpkins contain vitamins A, B and C, as well as zinc. Vitamin E can also be found in the seeds. In addition, you can feed all parts of the pumpkin to chickens, just make sure the rinds are cut up some so they can easily eat.

After all the little ghosts and goblins have stopped by, you can even feed the jack-o-lanterns to your chickens! Just make sure there is no molding on the inside or outside. So get to carving, your ladies and gentlemen are awaiting a treat!

Stop by Kissimmee Valley Feed to check out our fantastic backyard flock selection!

Article Source: “Trick or Treat, Give Your Chickens Something Good to Eat!” by GINA THESING for Nutrena’s Scoop from the Coop

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