Animal feed

New guidance for managing animal feed deliveries

The guidelines in ‘Managing the Safe Receipt of Animal Feed 2023’ got an update in April this year. The Farm Safety Partnership did it to ensure that livestock producers in the UK had the right guidance and a practical checklist. It will help them to comply with AIC rules to ensure the safety of everyone on site as well as the delivery driver.

What we want to do is have a quick look at some of the main points here. This will include delivery planning and storage.

Advance planning

The most crucial thing with any bulk deliveries is to plan carefully ahead of the fact. This should account for any risks so precautions can be put in place. You need to consider everyone who will be at risk, either directly or indirectly, during each delivery. If there are multiple delivery points, you need a plan for each one.

Plans should include several key details, such as:

  • The date and time of delivery, including any advance notifications from drivers.
  • Is there adequate signage and access to the farm?
  • Is the yard large enough to accommodate the delivery vehicle and is the ground level and study so it is safe?
  • How will animal feed be unloaded?
  • Will there be supervision during deliveries and unloading/storage?
  • Are storage buildings a sufficient size, especially if using forklifts or other vehicles?

An important thing to keep in mind here is that you should share the plan with everyone that needs it. This should also include the feed supplier. Advising them will ensure they can then inform the delivery driver in advance to make preparations easier.

Delivering different types of animal feed

Another thing you must look at is how to deal with receiving different types of feed. You have to adapt to account for the form and storage conditions.

Bulk blown

You need to ensure there is a sufficient delivery pipe so the driver can easily connect to it. Think about safety, making sure it is accessible and at the correct height. In addition, ensure you check the capacity of the storage facility in advance. It must have enough space to receive the full load.

Bulk tipped

There is a higher risk with tipping loads of animal feed. The biggest is that there is a chance a delivery vehicle could overturn if the ground is not sufficient. You need to plan for this, ensuring there is no sloping or unevenness. Plus, you must make sure there will be proper clearance around the vehicle during tipping. Nobody should be in the area where the load is discharging to avoid possible burial.

Bag delivery

Most deliveries here are done with curtain sided lorries. The key thing is to ensure you plan for any additional height clearance they may need and hazards such as powerlines or tree branches. You also have to ensure there will be enough space at the side of the delivery vehicle. If the lorry will park on the road, think about whether the driver will be in the path of other road users.

Bulk liquid

Finally, with liquids you must again make sure storage tanks have sufficient capacity to receive the delivery. The crucial thing is to avoid overflowing and the contamination of waterways. With that in mind, the delivery driver must be able to see the level of fluid in a tank or vessel. However, they should never have to climb on top to use methods like a dip stick.

Choose us if you need to order feeds

JS Hubbuck Ltd has a lot of experience with animal feed and delivering it. Our goal with each delivery is to ensure it is quick and efficient but safe for everyone. Following the latest guidelines for deliveries is vital for achieving this.

So, if you need to order, please contact us.