Pressed pulp going fast
With the sugar beet campaign at the halfway point, livestock farmers are being urged to check forage stocks now to calculate whether additional pressed pulp is required for the rest of the winter. According to Trident’s national sales manager Alistair Jackson, orders must be placed as soon as possible to guarantee supply before the factories close in February.
“It’s important farmers don’t leave it too late to order any extra pressed pulp,” Mr Jackson highlights. “With large quantities of wet, acidic grass and maize silages in some regions, there’s been strong demand for a reliable source of digestible fibre to balance the ration, stimulate intakes and boost milk production. Demand during the second half of the campaign could well outstrip supply.
“The problem for many farms is that silage volumes have generally been very good this year, with clamps still relatively full, so there’s been little space to clamp pressed pulp. But come the end of January, space will be available, and unless contracts are placed soon, we won’t be able to guarantee supply.”
With improvements in processing, the dry matter (DM) of pressed pulp this year is the highest ever, at 30%. Prices start at £1.20/kg DM (compared to rolled wheat at around £1.30/kg DM), depending on location and transport costs.
Contact Trident direct on 01733 422137.
Trident is a division of AB Agri Ltd., the Agricultural Group
of Associated British Foods plc. www.abagri.com