Livestock farmers know every penny counts and margins need close scrutiny. As a result, cheap feed can appear irresistible. There are countless people who would love to cut costs and increase profits. However, when you consider low-quality feeds, there can be consequences. We are going to explore this issue in detail here, and explain why high quality animal feed is always the better option.

Nutritional deficiencies

Firstly, cheap feed typically sacrifices nutritional quality to achieve the lower prices. It may meet the basic dietary demands on paper, but the bioavailability and quality of nutrients can be poor. Critical amino acids, minerals, and vitamins might be lacking, or present in suboptimal levels. The result is nutritional deficiencies in your animals. As time passes, they can manifest as poor growth rates. There can also be an increase in vulnerability to disease. Watch out for weaker immune systems and lower reproductive performance too.

Digestive disorders

The composition of cheap food can consist of low-quality ingredients, like by-products and fillers. Both are more difficult for animals to digest. This can lead to digestive disorders such as colic, diarrhoea, and bloating. Animals will feel discomfort and experience lower feed efficiency. The presence of toxins or contaminants in cheap feed can also further worsen digestive problems.

Reduced performance

Feed quality will directly influence animal performance. The repercussions of low-quality feed include horses with lower energy levels and poultry with slower growth rates. Cows can produce less milk as well. All of this influences the economic viability of livestock efforts. Not to mention, it sabotages the welfare of the actual animals. In the search to cut costs, reducing the quality of animal feed can be a false economy. You could save on the feeds, but end up costing yourself more in performance losses and other costs.

Vet bills

The main hidden costs with cheap feed tend to manifest in vet bills. Treating problems originating from bad diets can be expensive and time-consuming. Conversely, using top tier feed can lead to higher upfront costs. Although, there can be huge savings in vet costs and improved profitability in the long term.

Reputation and brand damage

In the modern, increasingly discerning market, consumers are more conscious of the source and quality of merchandise. Included here are animal-derived goods like eggs, milk, and meat. Livestock producers that use low quality feeds can harm their reputation and brand if the products they offer are low quality.

So, prioritising quality animal feed is better for brand image and reputation. It will also guarantee the welfare and health of animals. Consumers will pay premiums for items that are environmentally sustainable, ethical, and greater quality. A competitive edge like this can result in higher profits for conscientious producers.

The environment

Livestock production’s environmental impact is a growing issue the world over. Cheap feed tends to depend on intensive agricultural practices prioritising quantity rather than quality. This can result in deforestation, water pollution, and soil degradation. The use of synthetic pesticides and additives in low quality feed can further worsen issues. By going for high quality feed produced using regenerative and sustainable agricultural practices, livestock producers are able to lower their environmental impact. They can contribute to a more ecologically sound food system.

Long term sustainability

Cheap feed can give you short term savings. Yet, it comes at the loss of long term viability. By securing quality feed and using holistic management practices, livestock producers can build resilience against unexpected challenges. Examples would be market fluctuations, disease outbreaks, and droughts. What’s more, this proactive approach contributes to the agricultural field’s overall resilience.

You can count on us for animal feed

At JS Hubbuck Ltd, we have a healthy supply of high quality feed products for various livestock, horses, and more. There are plenty of options to keep everyone and everything satisfied. They will also keep your animals in great condition.

So, if you’d like to shop with us for animal feed, please let our team know. We can give you any relevant details too, including nutritional values.