October 23, 2015 – Modesto, CA

Many customers have been asking for whole grain feeds for their chickens. We listened. Modesto Milling now offers a layer mix that combines wheat, peas, red milo, barley, oats, and black oil sunflower seeds with pellets made of alfalfa, flax seed and supplements. This latest feed formulation meets the goals of flock owners trying to maintain a “close to nature” feeding regimen while providing a visually enticing feed that chickens enjoy.

Whole grain feeds are gaining popularity amongst poultry owners, with many people choosing to try to mix their own feeds. The process can be trickier than you would think, though. No individual grain will satisfy the whole flock’s dietary needs, which is one reason Modesto Milling uses six whole grains when other feed producers use three. Some loose ingredients, like powders and mashes, are also difficult for chickens to eat. This is why the pelletization of these ingredients is critical to visual appeal and reduction in feed waste and mess.

Organic, non-GMO ingredients are a high priority for Modesto Milling. But getting the mix of flavors, nutrition, protein (18%), vitamins, minerals and visual appeal for the birds is also important. After all, if the chickens won’t eat it, or end up with unbalanced diets, what is the point?

Modesto Milling uses some of the best whole grains nature has to offer, but we also introduce items that aren’t available at the local farmer’s market. Ingredients like black oil sunflower seeds naturally increase the anti-oxidant levels of the whole grain mix. Untraditional ingredients like diatomaceous earth and kelp meal complement the whole grains to remove internal parasites, pathogens and toxins from the fowls’ digestive tracts. And breeders that are concerned about corn or soy have nothing to fear from this whole grain formulation, because it is corn and soy-free.

We will continue to watch trends and provide options that fit our clients’ needs, but we also love to know what our clients are thinking about before these trends emerge. Are you looking for something that is pre-trendy? Talk to us. We listen.

September 24, 2015 – Modesto, CA

Goats and dairy calves have a lot in common: hooves, fur, barn yards, some will grow horns, but also Modesto Milling’s Goat Feed had origins as feed for calves. Both species have picky taste buds, and tend to grow better when they eat more. So the goal of a highly palatable feed for calves also initially satisfied the same goal for goats.

Modesto Milling approaches all feed formulations with the desire to maintain four attributes: organic ingredients, high nutritional value, quality and palatability. The goat feed formulation scores high on each of the criteria, but as previously mentioned, taste is critical to encouraging consumption especially when goats are growing or used for milking purposes.

Some feed producers use a lot of molasses to entice animals to eat more. Not Modesto Milling. We use combinations of appealing ingredients that add flavor, but not at the cost of health benefits. For example, we incorporate ingredients like corn, peas, wheat millrun, wheat, soybean meal, stabilized rice bran, barley and alfalfa to appeal to the goats. These natural items provide sweetness, variety, protein, fiber and nutrients needed to assist with growth and production. Supplements such as organic herbs, essential oils, Redmond salt and kelp meal further boost health outcomes and the uniqueness of our goat formula.

Even the way the feed is formulated at Modesto Milling is different from other mills. We no longer use canola meal which negatively impacted palatability, nor do we add copper because it can be harmful to sheep. We use soybean meal that we extrude ourselves in our feed. We are the only mill we know of that does this. It allows us to limit GMO risks, control manufacturing quality and know which country the soybeans were sourced from versus introducing imported meal that may be of questionable origin.

The most important thing is that after all of the effort we go through to create a feed that is tasty and full of health benefits, the goats really do like this feed. We have also heard rumors there are still some calves enjoying the goat formulation. We promise not to tell the goats, if you don’t tell them.

August 27, 2015 – Modesto, CA

Modesto Milling has a longstanding relationship with Redmond Naturals. Redmond provides naturally mined salt and clay products that are incorporated into many of Modesto Milling’s feed formulations across the species spectrum. The reasons are numerous. Let’s start by saying not all salt is created equally; not from the perspectives of taste, trace mineral content or refinement processes.

Redmond’s clay and salt products that make their ways into Modesto Milling’s feeds are mined from one spot on the earth (in Utah), because that deposit area has a unique balance of sodium, chloride and more than 60 trace elements that mimics the concentration in our blood serum. This not only keeps bodies in better balance, it aids in ingestion and absorption and reduces the cost and processing required to artificially emulate what occurs naturally in our bodies and Redmond’s mines.

Salt mined from other sources around the world may not start with the trace elements inherent in Redmond’s mines, but some of the trace elements they do possess are further diminished in the refining process. Commercial refining processes may introduce anti-caking, free flowing, or conditioning agents, which may include sodium ferrocyanide, ammonium citrate, and aluminum silicate. Not only do these elements provide no benefits for human, animal or poultry bodies, the lack of natural trace elements extracted in the refining process may cause a leaching effect, which will deplete minerals from the salt consumers’ bodies. Redmond’s market-readiness process, on the other hand, consists of…grinding.

The commercial refinement process of most salts changes more than just the mineral content of the salt in question. It also tends to change the taste and color. Redmond’s products have a sweeter taste and a rose color, which are both very different than what you would expect from table salt or the products used in competitive feeds.

Speaking of table salt, Modesto Milling typically uses Redmond Salt in its feed that is ground even finer than table salt. So, not only does the sweeter taste make the salt more palatable for the animal or bird, the size means the granules can be spread more evenly across the batch of feed than would be possible if the crystals were larger. This is particularly important in applications such as chick starter where the need for sodium is high, so you want to make sure it is present in as many morsels of feed as possible. Larger granules make this more difficult.

Sometimes ground salt is not the best use in an agricultural environment. Salt licks for horses, goats, sheep, rabbits and other critters come to mind as a situation when rocks might be better suited to the application. An interesting attribute of the Redmond Rocks is that they don’t tend to melt in the rain the way most salt licks do. So the benefits of the trace minerals actually benefit the intended animals as opposed to the ground under them as they dissolve.

Unique ingredients in unique feed formulations: It is what you would expect from Modesto Milling, right?

July 24, 2015 – Modesto, CA

Most mills and major feed producers use sophisticated algorithms to formulate the “least cost” product that will meet minimal health requirements for the species being fed.

Modesto Milling takes a more “free hand” approach that strives to optimize health and longevity of the bird or animal while meeting the needs of owners and breeders. Plus, we hold ourselves to organic standards that further restrict which ingredients and strategies we can use. These factors lead to the use of approaches that are non-traditional within the feed industry.

For example, many of our clients are looking for soy-free or corn-free feed options. The reasons for these choices vary. Some prefer to stay away from monoculture crops (where a single crop is mass planted, but not rotated with others that replenish the soil, also causing the crops to be more susceptible to certain pests or diseases) or because of concerns about GMOs (genetically modified organisms).

Canola meal has come under fire in recent months and has ceased to be available in suitable quantities, so Modesto Milling has removed canola meal from its feeds. These types of market pressures also factor into the mill’s decisions to modify formulations.

In this case, we have chosen to use more stabilized rice bran to replace the canola meal. This ingredient is a byproduct that comes from the rice polishing process for brown rice syrup which has gained popularity over the last couple of decades. So, this is a sustainable process reducing waste in the food manufacturing process. This ingredient also has some interesting nutritional benefits. Brown rice syrup has more carbs and metabolizes more slowly in the body. The byproduct of this process is called stabilized rice bran and it has more protein (50%) than canola meal (33%). Additionally, its amino acid profile (lysine, methionine, threonine) mimics soybean meal, which increases production benefits. This is important, because the organic industry doesn’t allow supplementation of amino acids, and the use of the stabilized rice bran naturally provides these amino acids.

You can count on Modesto Milling to take input from customers and nutrition experts while considering market trends and pressures. We will continue to come up with formulations that meet evolving needs while constantly improving our offerings.

June 25, 2015 – Modesto, CA

You expect Modesto Milling to use organic ingredients and supplements to optimize animal and poultry health. But, did you know we also work with some of the best minds we can find to develop the formulations we use for feed? For example, in this month’s blog, our consulting equine nutritionist, Dr. Kathleen Crandell discusses the benefits of coconut meal which is one of the ingredients in our Horse Supplement Pellets.

With the boom in use of organic coconut oil there is a lot of high quality coconut meal readily available for use in feeds. Coconut meal (otherwise known as copra) is what is left after most of the oil is removed from the white fleshy part of the coconut. The natural method of squeezing the oil out of the coconut, a mechanical expeller process, yields a tasty meal that has in other regions of the world been proven to be an excellent source of energy and coat conditioner. With organic coconut meal, there is no risk of the product having been though a solvent extraction process which exposes the meal to harsh chemicals.

The benefits to horses of feeding organic coconut meal are numerous. There has been particular interest in coconut meal because of its low non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) content (~11%) that makes it suitable for all horses, especially ones that have issues with glucose and insulin handling. What makes coconut meal such a good coat supplement is the healthy type of fat (~10%), medium chain fatty acids, which not only adds to the calories but is very stable and less susceptible to rancidity than long chain fatty acids found in other oils. It is also relatively high in protein (~20%) and contains indispensable amino acids, like lysine and methionine.

There are a few drawbacks to coconut meal, like a low calcium and high phosphorus content and an imbalanced zinc and copper ratio, that are mostly mineral related and are easily remedied when it is used as a component of a balanced concentrate feed or ration balancer that has added nutrients. Coconut meal can be a fine addition to a feed used for complementing the forage in a horse’s diet.

May 25, 2015 – Modesto, CA

We often talk about the health properties of the organic ingredients Modesto Milling puts in its feed. But the same philosophies are used in the selection of minerals and supplements included in the feed formulations and sold separately. Additionally, many of the supplements not only provide internal benefits for poultry and livestock, they provide external benefits in beds and pens as well.

For example, our food grade diatomaceous earth doesn’t add flavor or odor to feeds, yet when added to feed, it removes internal parasites from within the species. Once it passes through the bird or animal, it reduces the amount of larvae in droppings, along with helping reduce fleas, ants, snails, mites and other pests when used in bedding areas. Diatomaceous earth also reduces ammonia levels, which, if not controlled, can lead to respiratory issues, foot pad burns and other problems.

Zeolite has a high negative charge and attracts pathogens and toxins, extracting them from the body. Studies indicate that animals gain weight faster with less food with the addition of Zeolite in their diets. When used externally, it can help with moisture absorption and odor control.

Tasco’s Acadian Sea Kelp comes from the cold, clean waters near Nova Scotia, Canada and brings with it trace elements from the North Atlantic. Internally, it binds to toxins and pathogens, expelling those items from the body. But after it passes through the digestive tract, it also reduces the viability of microorganisms such as those found in E. coli, Salmonella, Clostridia and others.

Modesto Milling is always looking for ways to increase the health benefits of our offerings. To us this, means improving the benefits of what goes into your feathered and furry friends, but also how it impacts their environments.

April 24, 2015 – Modesto, CA

Great feed is made with great ingredients. But did you know that many of Modesto Milling’s ingredients can be purchased individually for fodder systems, treats or whatever you like to do with them?

All of Modesto Milling’s feed ingredients such as wheat, barley, oats, peas and sunflower seeds are organically grown and free of GMOs (genetically modified organisms), but that is not all that makes them special. Modesto Milling literally searches the world for ingredients that have unique taste, health and other attributes.

The barley and oats, for example are imported from Alberta, Canada because they have heavier bushel weights than feed grade varieties and they tend to sprout faster and easier than lower seed weight quality varieties. These properties make the barley and oats ideal for use in fodder systems, which are gaining popularity within our customers’ communities.

The black oil sunflower seeds are 45% oil, which is rich in nutrients. Our customers feed the seeds directly to their goats and other critters, but you can also find these seeds in Modesto Milling’s scratch and rabbit feed.

There is even more good news! These loose ingredients don’t have to break the bank. Most are available in 50 lb. bags, except black oil sunflower seeds, which are available in 35 lb. bags. Learn more at www.modestomilling.com/order.html

March 30, 2015 – Modesto, CA

Many people with chickens or other poultry don’t think twice about the feed they provide the birds. But Modesto Milling and its customers are a different breed of folks that care not only about putting quality feed into our feathered friends; we acknowledge different aims exist depending on life-stage and long term goals for the fowl.

Did you know there are different feeds for different needs?
Over the years, Modesto Milling has developed formulations to achieve objectives like getting chicks started, healthy growth, finishing broilers and enhancing the laying process. We have similar formulas for breeders who prefer feed free from corn and soy. Another formula has been developed to satisfy the unique needs of turkeys. Modesto Milling even makes organic scratch.

Our customers’ goals for their poultry are important, which means the ingredients we put into the feed are critical. We are constantly on the lookout for ingredients that improve flavor, digestion and goal attainment. For example, some of our formulations now include stabilized rice bran, pressed citrus cake and natural vitamin E, all of which increase the health of the birds.

Organic at heart
Modesto Milling’s organic philosophy is interwoven into all of its feed formulations. Whether the species has any combination of feathers, fur, talons, toes or hooves, our organic certifications mean you can be sure our feeds and the ingredients that make them up are free of GMOs (genetically modified organisms), drugs and commercial pesticides.

How different can chicken feed be? Very.

February 17, 2015 – Modesto, CA

Modesto Milling produces quality feed. It is not the least expensive feed on the market, and we often get the question: “Why should I spend more for your feed instead of getting cheaper food from larger manufacturers?”

There are two reasons: Our philosophy and formulation processes.

We don’t make feed with the sole intention of “making a buck.” We believe in creating feed formulations that strive to increase the health and longevity of the species. We use organic manufacturing standards and continuously look for ingredients that are as close as possible to their raw state. No herbicides, pesticides, commercial fertilizers or GMOs are allowed in the Organic program, and the ingredients we choose are specific to the species and goals of their owners.

Let’s take our rabbit feed as an example. We don’t use chemicals in the manufacturing process. This is a complete departure from some of the processes used by “major feed producers”. Some producers use Hexane (a petroleum byproduct) to remove oil from soy beans; chemicals to increase the flow of cane molasses; and Linguin Sulfonate which is a byproduct of wood pulp production. Salts and sulfurous acid are used in that wood pulp processing. Rabbits are small animals that retain and tend to be sensitive to chemicals in their food.

Our rabbit feed, on the other hand, contains no corn or soy products. Plus, our organic standards and certifications prevent us from using any of the aforementioned chemicals. But what makes our feed special is what we DO put in it. We use unique ingredients to improve taste, and for their health benefits. For instance, we use organic yucca, which cuts down on ammonia in the cage. Excess ammonia content has been linked to respiratory problems in rabbits and isn’t very pleasant for owners, either.

We regularly hear clients talk about the differences they are seeing in their animals once they switch to our feed. When they tell us they are seeing improved energy and fewer allergies, that is when we feel like we are making a difference, and why we think our feed for rabbits and other species is so special.

January 29, 2015 – Modesto, CA

Many of the trends in human food consumption make their ways to feeds designed for poultry and livestock. Owners of these species who consider the species pets follow the trends because they wouldn’t feed their feathered or furry friends inconsistently with their own food intake standards. But for people who are raising these animals as part of the food chain, there may be even more reasons to take notice.

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been introduced to the food supply to increase yields, decrease costs and make fruits and vegetables more resistant to pests and diseases. While these goals seem noble enough, it is still uncertain as to whether the risks outweigh the rewards or if the goals are sustainable over the long term.

One of the modifications often made is the ability for crops like corn to produce their own insecticides. This causes concern amongst people who pay attention to what they put in their bodies. One of the side effects of this crop manipulation is the development of bacteria and weeds that build up a tolerance to the genetic alteration. This tolerance means stronger and stronger pesticides and chemicals are needed to control the unwanted growths.

We are still not sure about the long term problems humans or animals will face from eating these altered foods. Will the altered foods cause immunity issues for humans and animals? Will the foods genetically alter the beings that consume them? For example, if the mutations sterilize the trees or plants, will they have a similar result further down the food chain?

Food shouldn’t come with questionable health side effects. This is why Modesto Milling uses 100% certified organic (non-GMO) ingredients in its feed. The organic certification means we are looking out for the wellbeing of the animals our customers raise. We believe that whether they are friends or food, these critters deserve feed that is as healthy as possible.