ECA: efficiency, safety, profitability and simplicity! [Farmer testimonials]
Antoine Garnier’s testimony, Chantrigne (53)
When I set up my farm in 2001, I didn’t produce cereals for sale, so I bought the feed directly. But in 2009, when I took over additional land, the question arose: outside processing or on-farm production? I was all too familiar with the constraints of on-farm production (storage, ventilation, contamination, etc.), so I opted for outside processing, and I’m very happy with it!
The Cereal-Feed Exchange programme proposed to me by my CAM technician, Christophe DESTOUCHES, fits in perfectly with my technical and economic expectations for a number of reasons:
- I can self-consume my cereals without having to make any investment (flattener, cells).
- It meets my need for simplicity. The cereal-feed exchange programme has few time constraints, while providing me with a production concentrate balanced in terms of protein, energy and minerals, which is better suited to my farm than flattened wheat. Moreover, the granulated form is much easier to distribute to the automatic feeding unit than coarse flour.
- Safety is another advantage of the cereal-feed exchange programme: the cereals are protected by the AmiViv’ solution, which limits the risk of acidosis.
- I can control part of the price of my production concentrate and thus limit the volatility of cereal prices.
- I can also use different cereals, including triticale, which is the staple crop on my farm, to make different products. In fact, this year I used Galaxel Viv’ 120 and Galaxel Maïs.
When I look at it carefully, that gives me 5 good reasons to continue with the cereal-feed exchange programme!
Testimony from Olivier Boulet, Heussé (50)
When my CAM technician, Yohann PAUTRET, asked me to write a testimony about the cereal-feed exchange programme, I immediately agreed because I find the programme really easy to use, and reassuring in terms of both cost and quality.
Cereal prices can fluctuate enormously. With outside processing products, I know exactly what my feed costs will be for the whole year from harvest onwards. By controlling this large part of my budget, I have no more surprises! What’s more, compared with Camatriticale, I’m happy with it: Galaxel 90 triticale has a higher energy level, which means I save a good quantity of cereals, and it’s also cheaper per feed unit.
It should also be noted that the ECA is very easy to use and manage. At harvest time, I deliver the bins directly to the storage silo and they take care of everything. I no longer have any worries: no more grain screws, no more cells, no more losses, no more problems with moisture or quantity (too much or too little). In short, no more management and supply issues! As for the pellet form, it is definitely more practical than flour.
Food safety is also much more important. I limit the risks associated with storage, such as contamination and deterioration of the grain. Since I started working with Galaxel 90 Triticale, which contains AmiViv’, I have noticed that I no longer have problems with acidosis in my dairy herd and that the body condition of my cows has improved. I have also seen improvements in milk production, but this must also be linked to supplementation and genetic choices.
If I had to sum up, I would say that with the cereal-feed exchange programme, I’m really relaxed. My budget is secure and so is my feed. What more could you ask for!
Managing acidosis withcereal-feed exchange programme
It is thought that almost 80% of herds suffer from acidosis or subacidosis. Find out about two ways to make the most of starch and avoid acidosis