The Management of Feed Bins

Garth Pig Stockmanship Standards

Section: Stockmanship Standards

Bulk bin Management is essential to keep feed as fresh as possible

Feed Bulk Bins
Hygiene
Try to run the bin empty between each feed delivery
Monthly
Inspect each bin
Check for leaking seams on the bin
Check for porous, rusty areas
Examine inlet and exit mouths of augers
Spring and Autumn
Run bin empty once a month
Dust the bin with a mould inhibitor
Every 6 Months
Pressure wash interior
Allow to dry thoroughly before refilling
Fumigate to ensure eradication of all insects and mites
Watch staff health and safety when fumigating and entering feed bins
Problems: Mould contamination
Mould causes: Infertility and abortions Palatability problems Loss of nutrients Feed wastage Performance and health problems Loss of profit
Problems: Mite contamination
Mites cause: Reduced palatability Reduced nutrients Food wastage Loss of profits

Problems: Reducing medicine residues in feed
Augers often leave residual feed (shaded areas) in their housing because the screws must have clearance as shown in figure 1. Movement of feed out of a bin occurs directly above the discharge point. The remaining feed then cascades down the slope of the crater that is subsequently formed (fig 2). Failure to completely empty bins before refilling will result in residual feed retained in the bin (fig 3) Figure 3 demonstrates the typical feed flow in a feed bin with the shaded areas illustrating where the feed is most likely to remain and contaminate the next batch
Detection of mites
Mites are not visible to the naked eye
They may be detected as pink/brown "dust" at the base of bins.
If you suspect mites, pinch the "dust" into a peak. If live mites are present the peak will soon collapse.
Some mites have a distinctive smell which is often more evident if the "dust" is rubbed between the fingers.

Bagged Feed
Storage
Cool and dry, below 18?C
On pallets, not on the floor
Away from strong smelling products such as oil or disinfectants
Bags should be stock controlled, always use the oldest deliveries first
Store should be vermin proof. Ensure all feed barrows are covered at all times.
Note expiry dates on the products (generally 3 or 9 months with milk products i.e. creep)

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Extracted from Garth Pig Stockmanship Standards*
written by Dr John Carr.

You can buy this book HERE
*Published by 5M Enterprises Limited