Whole Grain

Poultry Feeds

What's the Scoop?

Organic and Non-GMO Whole Grain Feeds

     While visiting many feed stores, I have noticed that “whole grain” poultry feeds seem to attract people due to the fact that they fall under “non-processed” rations.  As the President and owner of Bar ALE, Inc., I believe we have a responsibility not only to supply our customer’s demands, but also to meet the nutritional requirements of the animals we feed.
     Bar ALE is passionate about making great feed, and we continually strive to be the best feed company we can be.  Regarding “whole grain” poultry feeds, I have several concerns about the feed’s ability to do a fair job meeting the nutritional demands of these birds. There are two important terms I would like to address that are either misunderstood or misrepresented when discussing poultry feed and feed utilization.

1. “Processed”

     We need to be careful not to throw the baby out with the bath water. The truth is that all food is processed, either by your ability to chew it, or your body role in digesting it using bacteria in the GI tract.  During digestion, these bacteria, also called “gut flora” or “microbiome", help with digestion.  Parts of the nervous and circulatory systems also play roles in the digestive process.  Together, a combination of nerves, hormones, bacteria, blood, and the organs of the digestive system complete the complex task of digesting the foods and liquids a person consumes each day.

2. Particle Size 

     This is a huge problem in the poultry feed industry.  Whole grains in poultry feed, due to their size, will separate from each other, giving your birds an inconsistent diet, as well as letting birds select the certain grains they prefer: This results in an unbalanced protein/carbohydrate ratio.  Even more importantly, vitamins and minerals in the feed need to be very well distributed in order to be consumed by the animal in a safe and nutritious manner.  These minerals are often very concentrated and are added to a ration at only 3-5 pounds per ton. The best means of evenly distributing feed ingredients, as well as ensuring consistency and traceability, is to use a piece of equipment called a “ribbon mixer” during the manufacturing process.
     A whole grain poultry diet can, and will lead to less intake; small birds, especially, can suffer a jeopardized immune system, causing the need for antibiotics. This is something we would like to avoid.  No one would serve a T-bone steak and whole squash to a newborn baby, simply because their body needs the food to be processed in order to digest it.  The processing of poultry feed consists of grinding and pelleting, as well as crumbling. These processes are mechanical processes, and can include heating with steam. These are very basic processes that do not diminish the nutrients in the feed, as some would claim. These processes do, however, require a major cost investment, often in the millions of dollars. This method of manufacturing poultry feed has been deemed valuable to all commercial flocks for the last 60 years.
     Some manufacturers state that “a raw, whole grain feed is nutritionally superior to highly processed products.”  This is not only an inaccurate statement, but also very misleading.  These manufacturers not only admit to the large amount of inedible "fines" in whole grain feeds, but recommend adding oatmeal (a “processed” product) and water to the fines to aid in consumption.  By their own admission, these ‘fines’ are “the added protein, probiotics, vitamins and minerals that support an animal’s health and development ”; these particles were formulated to be consumed evenly in the complete ration.  Another important factor to consider is the amount of wasted feed, and in turn, the higher feed bill associated with these products.
     We understand our customers are looking for the highest nutritional value in their poultry feeds, and we encourage you to compare any marketing information with real-world data.  We always recommend getting professional advice from a qualified nutritionist, as well as reviewing the peer reviewed research from the last 60 years of poultry health and nutritional performance.
     Bar ALE is well equipped to manufacture whole grain poultry feeds, as we have a segregated whole grain plant that handles certified organic products, wild bird feeds, and scratch products (for birds that are not in meat or egg production).  Making just a whole grain poultry feed "alternative" would be considerably less expensive, perhaps even half the price of what other “unprocessed” poultry layer feeds are being sold for.  However, in order to stay true to our commitment to optimum animal performance and nutrition, we cannot in good conscience market these products as superior alternatives.  We highly recommend poultry feeds that are either pelleted, crumbled, or in a mixed, ground mash.

BAR ALE ORGANIC & NON-GMO INGREDIENTS

WHAT ARE “GMOS” AND WHY SHOULD I BE CONCERNED ABOUT THEM?

GMO is short for Genetically Modified Organism. In agriculture, genetic modification is used to increase yields, to strengthen resistance to pests or disease, and to make them unaffected by common herbicides. There are many different reasons people object to the use of GMOs, from general principle to the risk of “genetic drift.”

DOES BAR ALE FEED HAVE GMOS IN IT?

Bar ALE carries a full line of 100% certified organic products, which is the very best way to safeguard against GMOs and GMO contamination. Our ingredients are backed up by certification at every step along the way, from the seeds to the cropland, and even the trucks that transport the ingredients, to ensure that there is no contamination.  We also carry a full line of feed products with conventionally grown ingredients that have a track record of performance, success, and nutritional excellence at every level.

WHAT IS “NON-GMO” FEED?

Feed and other products that claim to be non-GMO (but without organic certification) do not have any legal binding to that claim. In addition there is nothing noted in that claim about the use of chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other petroleum-based additives in the soil upkeep and in the feed itself. Many vitamin and mineral supplements are petroleum-derived, but this is strictly prohibited in organics.  Bar ALE goes far beyond the industry standard for "Non-GMO" labeled feeds in regards to ingredient testing, vendor qualifications, and NOP compliant equipment cleanouts and material handling.

HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT "ORGANIC" OR "NON-GMO" FEED HAS NOT BEEN CONTAMINATED BY GMOS?

Beyond our organic certification, Bar ALE tests ingredients on a regular basis to ensure that our farmers, suppliers, and transporters are maintaining the highest standards. In addition, our farmers stagger their planting schedules and maintain protective buffer zones to protect their crops from cross-contamination with GMOs and chemicals.  Our "GMO Tests" use a computer to compare the proteins of the ingredient with all known strains of genetically modified DNA available on the market.  In addition to our National Organic Program Certification, we are the first in the state of California to receive the "Good Manufacturing Practices Certificate" that acknowledges our committment to excellence in feed manufacturing.

ORGANIC 101

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORGANIC AND OTHER LABELS LIKE “NATURAL?”

While “organic” is a label which has strict federal regulations regarding its use, there are no such requirements for the term, “natural.” Products labelled as organic must be made without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, genetic modification, or irradiation. Special consideration is paid to issues like crop rotation and soil development. There are no such limitations or restrictions placed on products labelled as “natural.” In short, when you buy a product that carries the USDA organic seal, you know what you’re getting. With a “natural” product, your guess is as good as any.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FEED THAT’S CERTIFIED ORGANIC AND ONE THAT’S GMO-FREE?

They are most definitely not the same thing. While all organic feed is GMO-free, not all GMO-free feed is organic. A GMO-free feed that is not certified organic will contain ingredients produced with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. The same care given to sustainable soil development, water resource management, and wildlife preservation in organic agriculture is absent in conventional agriculture. While being GMO-free is an important element to the organic certification, it is a part of a holistic practice of agriculture, not the entirety of it.

WHY SHOULD I FEED MY ANIMALS ORGANIC FEED FROM BAR ALE'S FEED MILL?

First of all, the certified organic ingredients we use are of the highest quality and nutritional value. Our feeds are milled fresh and therefore have the highest nutritional content. Each feed is specifically formulated for the nutritional needs of the animal to ensure optimum health, growth, and performance.

Bar ALE also offers a Certified Organic and Non-GMO line of products for poultry, beef and a multi-species, all-purpose mix.

BAR ALE ORGANIC & NON-GMO INGREDIENTS

WHAT ARE “GMOS” AND WHY SHOULD I BE CONCERNED ABOUT THEM?

GMO is short for Genetically Modified Organism. In agriculture, genetic modification is used to increase yields, to strengthen resistance to pests or disease, and to make them unaffected by common herbicides. There are many different reasons people object to the use of GMOs, from general principle to the risk of “genetic drift.”