very pleased that we are joining forces with De Hoop, where quality of feed and advice are also prime aspects of their business philosophy. This combination therefore creates a strong proposition for all stakeholders and fully fits into our recently announced Build to Grow 2025 strategy.’ Gert-Jan Buunk, managing director


and owner of De Hoop, states: ‘The decision to become part of ForFarmers is future oriented and was primarily taken with the interest of employees and customers at heart. In our longstanding history we have always wanted to attract customers by offering them the best feed and the best advice. In ForFarmers we have found the company with a same philosophy and customer approach.’


Joining forces under the name ForFarmers-De Hoop ForFarmers will buy De Hoop’s shares for the compound feed business and its related transport activities, and the mill with adjacent real estate. Completion of the transaction, which is pending approval of the Dutch and German competition authorities, is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2021. Financial details about the transaction will not be disclosed at this time. Gert-Jan Buunk will manage the


new combination, which will be branded ForFarmers-De Hoop, together with Michiel Schreurs, Director Poultry ForFarmers Netherlands.


FEFAC PUBLISHES FEED SUSTAINABILITY CHARTER 2030


AT ITS XXIX CONGRESS During its XXIX Congress, FEFAC published its Feed Sustainability Charter 2030, highlighting five key ambitions how the European Feed Industry can contribute to the development of more sustainable livestock and aquaculture value chains. FEFAC President Asbjørn Børsting and BFA Managing Director Katrien D’hooghe highlighted how the Charter’s actions and commitments are matching the specific EU Green Deal Objectives affecting the livestock and aquaculture sectors. The Charter contains concrete feed


sector actions at EU and national level featuring animal nutrition solutions that can help increase the sustainability of livestock farming operations. The digitally livestreamed FEFAC


XXIX Congress featured a panel discussion between Michael Scannell (European Commission), Pekka Pesonen (Copa- Cogeca), Philippe Weiler (Lidl Belgium), Preben Sunke (Danish Crown) and Jean- François Timmers (WWF) on the Green Deal and market expectations to the European livestock & feed industry. A key priority raised by all panellists was the need for the


European feed industry and its chain partners to achieve deforestation-free soy supply chains. They also welcomed the ambitions set in the FEFAC Feed Sustainability Charter and encouraged FEFAC and its members to take more targeted commitments.


CHALLENGING MAIZE HARVEST


AFFECTS FORAGE QUALITY Regular analysis of forage and fine-tuning of diets will be essential to make the most of this year’s maize silage according to Dr Liz Homer from Trouw Nutrition who says there will be a wide variation in feed value, reflecting the growing season. “While many crops were taken early,


maturing quickly in the good weather in September, harvesting of many crops was then delayed by the wet start to October resulting in some very mature crops being taken,” Dr Homer comments. She says the results from the first 900


samples analysed by the company are likely to primarily be from earlier taken crops. On average these crops have a similar dry matter to last year at 32.1% but there is a considerable range. With varying crop maturity, both D value and ME are slightly lower than last year. “On average starch is 1% down on last


year at 30.1%, however there are a large proportion of samples within the 30 – 35% starch range. Starch degradability and bypass starch are similar to last year, which should support milk production. “Compared to last year NDF, ADF


and lignin levels are all slightly increased reflecting the digestibility of the crop. It is probable that late harvested crops will have


lower digestibility than those taken in good time which will present different feeding challenges.” Dr Homer says that on average the


reduced digestibility means that both total and rapidly fermentable carbohydrates are reduced which is reflected in a lower acid load meaning rumen health will be better. However, she emphasises that acid load can change with time in the clamp as starch digestibility increases. “It will be crucial for farmers to get


their own clamps analysed throughout the season so their nutritionist knows the quality of the forage available to start diets are correctly balanced. Earlier silage could feed well but later crops will potentially be less digestible and with reduced starch degradability, requiring very different supplementation. “Consideration will also need to be


given to the balance of forages in the diet. If maize is fed with lower digestibility grass silages then cereals may be needed to promote good rumen function. “Many grass silages have come back


with lower crude protein levels. If these are fed with low starch maize silage then supplementation with both cereals and additional protein will be needed. “With regular analysis and careful


balancing it should still be possible to achieve good levels of milk from forage to help control feed costs,” Dr Homer concludes.


Nutrient Analysis of Maize Silage 2020: Source TNGB Nutrients Dry Matter


Crude Protein D Value ME


Starch


Starch Degradability Bypass Starch Ash


NDF ADF


Lignin pH


Lactic Acid


Rapidly fermentable carbohydrates Total fermentable carbohydrates DyNE


Units %


% DM %


MJ/kg DM % DM %


g/kg DM % DM % DM % DM


g/kg DM


g/kg DM g/kgDM g/kgDM


MJ/kgDM


Maize Silage Average 2020


32.1 6.9


72.1 11.3 30.1 79.8 60.4 3.8


37.7 23.2 23.4 4.0


51.9


219.9 507.9 6.73


Maize Silage Average 2019


32.6 6.8


73.6 11.6 31.2 80.3 60.4 3.7


36.6 22.0 21.5 3.9


50.0 226 520 6.90


FEED COMPOUNDER NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 PAGE 57


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