Newsletters

October, 2004

New Website Available for
Hormel Foods Agri - Nutrition Information

Beginning November 1, 2004 The Hormel Foods Agri - Nutrition Division will have a website that provides general information and archives Hormel Foods Agri - Nutrition Newsletters as an information source. You can visit this website at www.hormelfeeds.com. It covers a variety of areas such as services, personnel, newsletters and transportation. There are plans to add to the website over time with profit projections, etc.

We hope you will find this website informative and useful as an information source.

Porcine Meat & Bone Meal continues
to be an excellent source of nutrients and saves money
in grow-finish swine diets

Porcine meat and bone meal can be a valuable addition to swine diets in terms of both performance and cost. Because of its' unique combination of nutrients it can improve amino acid profiles, increase energy levels and provide an alternative source of minerals. When included in a least cost formulation for pigs from 50 to 260 pounds, there is a potential savings of around $2.04 per ton of complete feed with current markets (10/19/04). Those numbers were obtained using least-cost diets with a Hormel premix, dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, salt, corn, dehulled soybean, 55% porcine meat and bone meal and lysine. Meat and bone meal was limited to a maximum of 5% of the total diet. Such a diet will reduce the amount of dehulled soybean meal, dicalcium phosphate and calcium carbonate used. Lysine and energy levels were kept the same.

Porcine meat and bone meal was trading for $145 per ton picked up at the plant (Austin, MN or Fremont, NE) on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 in semi-load lots.

Dollar Values Used For
Least-Cost Formulas

Holstein Dairy-Beef Steers Show an
Excellent Projected Return

Holstein dairy-beef steers continue to show an excellent return for the investment. Projected returns have been excellent for some time, showing returns currently at $140 per head. That value is based on average daily gains of 2.80 and a feed conversion of 6.78:1 (dry matter basis). It also assumes a high energy feeding program where the steers are ready for market at about 1,350 pounds. The Hormel Feed Division can provide a complete package of management tools helping producers source calves, set up feeding programs and market the steers.

Any feeding program for Holstein dairy-beef needs to take advantage of the efficient growing characteristics of young dairy steers. Holstein steers typically use feed energy more efficiently for protein and less efficiently for fat deposition than beef breeds. Holsteins show a better performance response to high grain diets than beef steers. As animals become older gains normally drop off and gains are less efficient. Holstein steers are less adaptable to environmental stress with less hair, external fat and thinner hide. The Hormel Feed Division offers a number of different feeding programs depending on grow-out conditions and the type of feedstuffs available. Actual consumption will vary due to weather, health status, facilities, genetics and other factors. Hormel can also help producers with close out records on each group of steers. All recommendations are based on feeding "hard fed" Holsteins that have been on a high concentrate ration prior to 500 pounds. Typical feedlots range in size from about 100 head on feed up to several thousand head. Producers can get more information by logging onto www.hormelfeeds.com.

For More Information
Contact:
Hormel Foods Corporation
Agri-Nutrition
1 Hormel Place
Austin, MN 55912
PH: 800-533-2228