Moist Feeds are a nutritious by-product from the brewing and distilling industry. Specialist
Nutrition is the No. 1 supplier of these products to dairy and beef farmers throughout Ireland.
Moist Feeds are high in energy and protein, along with providing the added benefit of
increasing animal intake due to its palatability. These products have become an important part
in the TMR mix for many Irish farmers as they seek to unlock the full potential of their
farming enterprise. To ensure a reliable supply throughout the busy winter period, most
farmers store and pit these products during the summer months.
When using moist feeds, the best method of handling, storing and feeding out of these
products must be considered. This short video aims to help you achieve just that.
Originating from brewery’s and distilleries across Ireland, moist feeds are stored in
silos on the production site and delivered directly onto farms on a daily basis.
All our moist feeds are locally sourced and fully traceable. The logistics team at Specialist
Nutrition oversee their smooth delivery onto our customers farms.
As the only fully accredited company to place Moist Feeds in the Irish market, Specialist
Nutrition has a number of products available for all ruminant animals. Brewers Grains and
Distillers Grains are two such products. Brewers Grains are sourced from the brewing
industry and can be fed in a wide range of feeding situations. It has a dry matter percentage
in the mid 20’s and has approximately 22% crude protein. When required Brewers Grains
can be fed as high as 20kgs per head but it is generally fed at between 8-15kg per head per day.
Eornagold is one of our distiller’s grains products. It has a dry matter percentage in
the mid 30’s and 28% crude protein. Eornagold can be fed up to 10kg per head per day, but
is typically fed between 4-8kg for dairy cows and cattle.
Whether feeding fresh or ensiling during the summer months, it’s important to follow
these key steps to minimise any wastage and maintain the products nutritional value.
1. Select the right storage site: The selected storage site should be clean
with a firm level surface, preferably concrete as it makes handling and feeding out easier.
For minimal wastage, moist feeds should ideally be stored in a three-walled pit as this structure
is easier to manage. A long narrow clamp is best, as it allows the farmer to work across
the feeding face quicker and therefore reduce the time the product is exposed to air.
Depending on the product, there may be a small amount of run off. Therefore, the selected
storage site should not be located near drains or open water courses.
2. Allow the feed to cool down: Moist feeds are delivered straight from the
point of production and can be hot on arrival. It is best to let the load cool down for 6-12
hours prior to ensiling. 3. Ensure an airtight seal:
To preserve the feed, correct compaction, covering and sealing is important.
Firstly, exclude all air through compaction in order to ensure close contact between the
top layer of the feed and the pit cover. To reduce trapped air, the pit surface should
be levelled using the underside of the loading bucket.
Once compaction is complete seal the pit with high quality polytene sheets. This should
then be sealed with mats, truck tyres or sandbags to provide an even airtight seal throughout
the entire pit. Lighter car tyres or pallets should be avoided as they may not provide
a sufficient seal, which can result in wastage.
To give the pit added structure and compliment the feeds nutritional content, Moist Feeds can be pitted with other products. This also
minimises the mixing time for farmers when they’re feeding out.
Our Feeds can be pitted with other products such as Soya hulls, Beet pulp and straw.
This gives the added advantage of providing the pit more structure and allowing the farmer
to stack higher. When mixing our Moist Feeds with other products for storage, it’s important
that the pitting mix does not exceed 65% dry matter content.
Once properly pitted Moist Feeds can be fed immediately and included within the beef or
dairy animals TMR mix.
Specialist Nutrition have an experienced nutritional team who are available to advise you on your
diet specification and the storage of moist feeds.
If you would like to discuss the handling and storage of Moist Feeds, or indeed its
inclusion in your animal’s diet, please