Quality Counts in Every Bag, Every Day
Every time you open a bag of milk replacer made by Strauss Feeds, you can expect the same formulation of high-quality ingredients, with a correct label, and a precise weight. Why does that matter so much? Some might argue that “it’s only animal feed.” Does quality and consistency really make a difference? We would contend that, for one thing, we are feeding infants, so yes, those factors matter very much in ensuring that young, vulnerable creatures receive the nutrition and welfare they deserve.
The current price of calves – recipients of the largest share of our milk replacer – also dictates that extreme care is taken to protect the life, productivity, and value of every animal. Additionally, our roots in the veal industry provide a unique perspective on quality and consistency of milk replacer. When you’re feeding veal calves, you’re often feeding large animals who rely nearly exclusively on milk replacer for their nutrition – at times over 7 pounds of milk replacer powder per day. If they sense an inconsistency in the product, they may refuse to eat it, which is an extremely costly and even potentially life-threatening hazard.
Our quest for quality starts with ingredients. Strauss Feeds manufactures 100% of our protein-encapsulated fat (PEF) needs, along with a large portion of other ingredients at our spray-dryer facility in North Manchester, Ind. Because we oversee these products from spray-drying through blending into our finished formulations, we know they are safe, consistent, and reliable. Ingredients like whey, whey protein concentrate, and skim milk that we source from other suppliers also undergo thorough quality checks in our in-house laboratory. That does not happen with just occasional spot checks, but every load that comes in. Those evaluations include:
“Once manufactured, every batch of milk replacer is subjected to a thorough solubility test to make sure it stays in solution to deliver consistent nutrition.”
Bacteria – Because these milk-based products could be subjected to a variety of storage conditions before we receive them, we test to rule out any contaminants that could make calves sick.
pH – Storage time and cheese variety can affect the acidity of whey. If the pH goes too low, it can affect the palatability of milk replacer.
Protein – The most expensive nutrient in our feed products, high-quality protein ensures our milk replacers will meet their guaranteed levels and pack the muscle and frame growth our customers expect. All raw materials and finished feed products have their protein percentage verified.
Fat – This is the main source of energy in our feed products to ensure all formulations will meet our customer’s specifications. The fat percentage is assessed on each lot of feed and on all fat-containing raw materials. All added fat used in our feed is sourced from human-grade, edible suppliers.
Minerals – We check levels of iron, copper, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc, to make sure they are within an acceptable range. Sodium is especially important, because excess levels can affect the osmolality of milk replacer and cause dehydration and scours in calves.
We also test every lot of vitamin and mineral supplement, subjecting them to more rigorous evaluations than even the manufacturers that produce them. All of our suppliers are aware of our high standards, and the fact that we are not afraid to reject batches of inferior products. Most of them are very conscientious about sending us quality ingredients so rejection does not have to happen often. Meticulous record-keeping also allows us full traceability of our products. We know the exact batches that every load of raw product goes into. Conversely, we can also trace back the exact lots of raw ingredients from a finished batch of milk replacer.
Once manufactured, every batch of milk replacer is subjected to a thorough solubility test to make sure it stays in solution to deliver consistent nutrition. Samples of reconstituted milk replacer are evaluated at 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes to check for solids suspension. With more than 400 milk replacer formulations on file, there are a bevy of details to manage to ensure each batch goes in the correct bags, at a consistent weight, and with the proper label. We also adhere to customer preferences regarding bag size, number of bags per pallet, and stacking pattern.
Because Strauss Feeds is authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a licensed medicated feed manufacturer, the FDA audits us regularly to ensure we comply with all of their specifications and have the correct documents – including Veterinary Feed Directives – up to date and on file. Strauss Feeds is also a Certified Facility of the Safe Feed/Safe Food organization, within which we adhere to a broad range of feed manufacturing standards that actually exceed regulatory standards. This program requires us to regularly undergo even more third-party audits and provides an extra layer of assurance that the products we supply are safe for both your animals and eventual human consumers.
While some might consider our devotion to quality excessive, we see it as a non-negotiable element of our company mission, and stake our reputation on supporting it. That commitment means you have the assurance that every bag and batch of milk replacer we sell will deliver the quality, safety, and consistency that you and your animals deserve.
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Reliability you can count on: Strauss Feeds milk replacer offers consistent formulation, accurate labeling, and precise weight in every bag, ensuring your livestock receives the same quality nutrition, every time.