A recent trial of over 3,945 Blackface Ewes found that there was a cost saving of up to 25% when using Scotmin Protein Energy Buckets versus a Leading Brand competitor.

The trial was conducted in Spring 2008 utilising 5 hill farms throughout the Scottish Borders and Dumfries. The supplements were fed from January through to the end of lambing with some Ewes given the Scotmin Protein Energy Buckets and the others given the competitor supplement.

Results:
• Intakes of the Scotmin Protein Energy Bucket were consistently within the recommended range
whilst intakes of the competitors product were consistently higher than the recommended range
• The specification of the Scotmin Protein Energy bucket was better than the leading competitor brand
• Shepherds observed ewes in superior condition when using the Scotmin supplement
• Ewes fed on the Scotmin product had better lambing performance

Save money and increase performance with Scotmin!

With increasing cereal, labour and fuel costs, improving efficiency is key to the future success of the agriculture industry.  Biosprint live yeast can be included in diets to significantly improve feed utilisation efficiency through improved efficiency of utilisation of the energy from the diet.  With this we see improved performance with no increase in feed intake, thus achieving the desired performance with savings in feed, labour and time.  Through improved energy use, there is also an improvement in fertility due to reduced loss of condition in early lactation.  These are the principal advantages of this product but there are also benefits to be had through reduced incidence of laminitis with a more stable rumen environment and stimulation of forage-digesting bacteria hence increasing the supply of microbial protein.

Currently the economic return is 7:1 and 5.2:1 using Biosprint Farm Mix for dairy and beef respectively and when included in a supplement or protein balancer 9.25:1 and 6.7:1 respectively.  This is achieved through improved performance with increases in growth, milk production etc.

The bottom line is that with such a good economic return and improved efficiency of feed intake, the inclusion of Biosprint to the diet of Dairy animals is more important than ever. 
Can you afford not to use Biosprint?

Garlic, a potent member of the lily family (Allium Sativum) has been used for hundreds of years as a panacea for all ills.  As well as the known benefits to human health, garlic is reported to be very useful for ruminants:

•    Development of natural gut flora
•    Suppression of pathogenic organisms
•    Anti-bacterial effects in calves helping to reduce pneumonia
•    Fly repellent properties
•    Encourages feed intake

During the summer months garlic can be used as an effective aid in reducing fly strike and summer mastitis.

Many of Scotmin’s summer products contain garlic.  Speak to your local Scotmin representative or look for the following products on our website:

Grasstec
Summer Grazer
Calf metholyptus
GP & Garlic

“World demand for cereal and biofuel crops has dramatically increased the need for fertiliser phosphate. Consequently there is a shortage of raw material to manufacture feed grade products like dicalcium phosphate, an important component in Scotmin mineral supplements.

To compound short supply, the cost of phosphate has more than doubled over the past six weeks and this will have a serious effect on retail prices. In order to both guarantee supply of quality mineral supplement and moderate price increases, we have taken the decision to reduce the phosphorus content of products in the Scotmin standard range. The scale of reduction will be calculated by product without compromising animal welfare or economic return. Diets for custom mix formulations will need to be reviewed as soon as possible.

One positive outcome from the current situation is that due to the increasing importance of the Water Framework Directive, Scotmin Nutrition had already planned to reduce their phosphorus inclusions by between 25 and 50% for the summer of 2008.

If you would like further information please contact your local Scotmin representative or ration specialist.”

For those of you turning out to grass don’t forget GRASS STAGGERS.
Just because you have not seen it for a number of years does not mean it will not appear again.

Look out for nervous fidgety cows, which indicates borderline staggers or in other words a shortage of Magnesium.

Help combat Grass Staggers with MEGAMAG this Spring, the Tried & Tested Magnesium Delivery Service:
- Palatable & Convenient – 24 Hour Access
- Contains AGMA, the finest source of calcined magnesite
- Weatherproof molassed lick – excellent source of vitamins & trace minerals
- All this from just 10p per head per day!