Major liquid feed franchise launch
James Barrett and Sons Ltd, of Coppeen, secured the Irish franchise for the QLF range in 2005, and established a new manufacturing plant, and storage and distribution facilities, with Department of Agriculture and Food approval, and are currently awaiting Universal Feed Assurance Scheme accreditation.
Their Quality Liquid Feeds range, marketed in Ireland, is GMO-free, and based on molasses manufactured from European Union sugar beet.
In cattle-feeding trials, liquid feeds have enhanced rumen activity, improved feed efficiency, and increased dry-matter intake in a grazing situation.
Liquid feeds are nutrient-dense, with solids at 68%, so the cost of storage and distribution compares favourably with compound feeds.
Production director, Jim Barrett, says that QLF liquid feeds can be delivered from their west Cork plant in bulk, and Intermediate Bulk Containers anywhere in Ireland.
Mr Barrett says products with variable sugars and timed-release proteins can be customised to meet individual needs for livestock.
Supplements containing minerals and vitamins are designed to be mixed in total-mixed ration diets, poured onto forage and straw, or fed ad-lib through lick feeders.
QLF feeds contain urea phosphate as a protein source.
These concentrated liquids do not compete for space in the rumen with ‘dry’ feeds, according to the Barretts.
Sales director, John Barrett, says forage-based rations which lack energy density, and high-starch rations that require a readily available sugar source, will benefit from a QLF product. For farmers using a TMR system, there is no ‘sorting’ of rations, and the palatability of dry, home-mixed rations is improved by adding a liquid supplement. Magnesium supplementation is also available in the QLF range.
