Posted 2015-02-17 7:16 AM Subject: New FEED post.. simple question....
Expert
Posts: 1580 Location: Down South
Where can I send my feed to get it tested.? The other threads may have given this info but there are so many pages that I find it simplier to just ask the question on a new post instead of searching through the other threads. Thanks!
Posted 2015-02-17 7:34 AM Subject: RE: New FEED post.. simple question....
The BHW Book Worm
Posts: 1768
I was going to just test my feed but for it to do any good i would have to do it every time i bought feed or if 1 of my bags was a different lot number to be accurate. Testing is about 150 a pop and that doesnt include shipping or anything else. So sadly i switched feeds
Posted 2015-02-17 7:54 AM Subject: RE: New FEED post.. simple question....
Expert
Posts: 1580 Location: Down South
Thistle2011 - 2015-02-17 6:34 AM I was going to just test my feed but for it to do any good i would have to do it every time i bought feed or if 1 of my bags was a different lot number to be accurate. Testing is about 150 a pop and that doesnt include shipping or anything else. So sadly i switched feeds
Wow.. didn't know it would be that expensive. Thanks for the information on the testing. There is so much information to process and comprehend on feed, I'm trying to make an informed decision. I've only found 1 in my area that I would know for certain came from a clean mill every bag/every time. That's Total Equine and of course.. read mixed reviews on it. I feel like this.....
The problem with feed testing is the whole bag or all the bags in a batch may not be contaminated. The mixers are supposed to be flushed out between different feed types. But some of the medicated feed can be stuck in the mixer and not be flushed out. Then it can fall into the horse feed. That is why some of your horses can be affected at different levels of illness or not at all. Be sure you collect your samples from throughout the bag or bags. Or better yet, contact the lab and ask for specific directions on how to collect your samples. Take pics of the bag labels and label your samples correctly. Document everything in case you have a claim against the feed company. Also, if you pour your feed up into barrels and throw away the bags, keep the batch number label in case you suspect something later or there is a recall.
Yes i was in the same boat as you. ...i just wish adm would have stepped up and formal agreed to at least put medicated/cattle feed on different lines than horse feed products. Purina has made alot of changes in the last couple years so thats what i went back to. There active equine senior has really been pumped up.
Like someone else mentioned, I'm not spending 100-150 a pop every time I buy feed. That's rediculous. Best thing to do is 1) buy feed from a clean mill or 2) KEEP samples from the feed you use in case there is a problem later you can then send sample for proof.
Also ** they will test your grains too - if you want to be sure they contain what they say on the label :)
I had some safechoice tested - the special care - because it is guaranteed 100% corn free.. guess what... i saw corn bits in the pellets.. and guess what.. it came back w/small % of corn somehow got mixed in... yes.. i switched feed companies.. if they can "accidentally" mess that up - i dont want to worry about what else goes wrong that i can't visibly see.
Response to an email I sent UC Davis. We can test feed for monensin. The cost is 63.20 if you live in CA and 94.80 if you live outside CA. You can go to our website (www.cahfs.ucdavis.edu) to download a submittal form (standard submission form tab) and submit the sample to the Davis, CA location (at the bottom of the form). It would take about 7 to 10 working days to complete the testing.
New FEED post.. simple question....
