Concern over propionic acid supplies
Industry concern about a potential shortage of propionic acid this year has been amplified by the fact that many UK mixed farms are planning to feed more home-grown cereals to their livestock to offset rising bought-in feedstock prices, reports Azelis Animal Nutrition.
“Consequently, some farms may have to investigate an alternative grain preservation approach this season to safeguard valuable stored cereals from spoilage with yeasts and moulds,” says Kirstie Jones from the company.
Ms Jones says that drying your grain before storage is one option to consider. “This reduces its moisture content to make the stored crop less susceptible to mould, but this can be costly and difficult – certainly if you don’t already have a grain drier.”
Fortunately, she points out that a range of buffered propionic acid-based products are still available. “However, following poor usage experience in the past perhaps, some farmers may not trust buffered propionic acid preservative products to do the job.”
But she stresses that not all buffered propionic acid products are the same. “Some of the newer alternatives, such as ProSid™ MI 700 – which is based on highly concentrated propionic acid and propionic glycerol esters – are actually very effective at preventing spoilage due to microbial activity.
“Compared with straight propionic acid or the more traditional ammonium propionate buffered propionic acids, these esterified products are formulated in a way that offers consistent distribution throughout the grain. Importantly, they also offer longer lasting, more persistent protection from mould activity because they are less volatile. In addition, they are much safer to handle and don’t come with a pungent smell,” she adds.
“This innovative esterified product option, produced by Swedish organic acid producer Perstorp, is now available in the UK from Azelis Animal Nutrition.”
Merchant trade outlets and farmers interested in an alternative grain preservation approach this season should contact Ms Jones on 07764 979648 or e-mail: nutrition@azelis.co.uk
