Question for KGB

GLS · Post by **GLS** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:08 pm

Do you know when the Special Effect T100 will become available in central Oklahoma?My feed dealer talked to their supplier last week & they said it was just in the testing stage, & not available.

Oink · Post by **Oink** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 11:04 am

I hope he doesn't mean we're testing it because it's available in Indiana and we're using it.

kgb · Post by **kgb** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 11:33 am

Indiana and the Eastern Cornbelt has been our field research area it seems. We field tested and launched Special Effect last year up there.

In the Southwest, because of all the cattle feed our plants make and floor stock, we have to build a case for floor stocking new feeds. I know that's TMI for you, but just wanted to say we are working on it.

We did send some to Oklahoma you might contact Jimmy Diel our rep at 580 747 0247 and he might be able to facilitate some Special Effect in your direction.

If all goes well Special Effect will be floor stocked in OK and TX by late Summer.

mote · Post by **mote** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:18 pm

KGB,

Do you know of/or have a link where I can find dealers in the Texas Panhandle. Do you have an idea what the costs are per bag (or delivered in bulk as we have bins) for your starter and show pig prep rations? With the prices of feed headed up with corn/fuel, I am looking for the most cost effective way to get this next crop of pigs up & going and gone to new homes as soon as possible. What options do you have with premixes for these feeds?

The following isn't a just a question and might even be considered a rant, but I will just throw this out there and see what happens. I know showpigs aren't the most practical things (they sure are fun) but a time comes when enough is enough because if we can't afford to raise them to sell to kids and the kids can't afford to feed them then we have a huge issue. With the prices of showpig feed going up and up and up, is there a no frills feed in the works (one that is going to be marketed because we know they can easily be made)? One that is kinda back to the basics without all the fufu dust that will still do 95% of the job the others do but at a substantial savings? Something between local elevator feed designed for finishing commercial hogs and high dollar high additive feeds? I feel that some of the additives that are in some feeds (not bashing any one or any feed company as feed companies must have a product that the customers buy) and therefore add to the cost that do a better job of giving us the feeder a warm fuzzy than actually affecting a pig in a noticeable way. I think a lot of time people are "seeing" a change that is more of a placebo effect than anything the feed has done. When feeders are buying a bucket of paylean and a buck of fat at the same time to meet the trend, I think the trend needs to change. Either that or we as breeders and those that pick the showpigs need to do a better job of breeding/selecting pigs that will hit the trend, because it is starting to get unfeasible even for showpigs.

Thanks,

Benny

trivswine · Post by **trivswine** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:37 pm

Honor does have a premix out, were all you have to add is corn and soybean meal. It's not available in my area but might be in yours.

kgb · Post by **kgb** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:53 pm

Actually, we did launch an economy showpig feed this year...of course in the Eastern Cornbelt (mostly because we have a plant and a distribution center there). It is called HONOR Showpig Solution 18.

It is not a cheapo feed. It does not have some of the features of our other showpig feeds (select fishmeal, dried eggs, dried skimmed milk, etc...). And, it is 3.5% crude fat instead of 5 -6% crude fat like the other showpig feeds.

It is a solid feed, but just like you said without the frills. I figured that the folks that purchased this feed could use our topdresses to supplement energy and the quality protein sources.

I thought it was a great idea in the face of high feed costs. This feed was a little over $2.00/bag less than our Showpig Finisher feed that is also an 18% crude protein. And, we have sold zilch. Well, maybe a bag or two more than zilch, but very, very little. Folks didn't want it.

On the pig starter program, if you can or have someone that can grind and mix, we have a program that might work for you. It's our Showpig Base. Basically it does not contain vitamins or minerals so you can use as much or as little as you desire. So, you can decrease the amount of Showpig Base as the pigs grow and getter bigger thereby decreasing your feed costs. It does take a sow premix (sow requirements for minerals and vitamins are very much like nursery pigs). You add corn, soybean meal, and fat.

E-mail me and I will send you more information.

kburg@landolakes.com
or
kgburgoon@landolakes.com

This program works and delivers great nutrition.