SCE’s feed department is primarily geared towards the swine integration business. Currently, they have a high speed mill in Grinnell that is making approximately 1,000 ton per day of swine feeds. Their income from that business model is generated through service income.
Here at Gilbert, we are a traditional mill that caters to multiple species doing smaller batches, offering pelleting, bagging, and local manufacturing of Land O’ Lakes products.
By sharing, not combining, these two business models we will be able to focus on what each of us do best.
With the pressure that was put on the livestock industry in the last 30 months or more has put a real hurt on the livestock producers which, in turn, makes it more difficult to be financially viable when operating a traditional feed company. I believe since we have merged these two companies, our producers will be able to count on their feed mill operating for their needs now and into the future.
Winterizing Your Pets
Article from PMI Nutrition, Purina Mills Pet Food:
Winter brings a variety of situations, including cold temperatures, wind, rain and snow, which affect the comfort and well-being of your outdoor pets. There are steps you should take to prepare your pets to weather the season in optimal health and comfort.
Your pet should have a house or other protected area that has solid walls on at least three sides and a slanted, overhanging roof that will allow snow and rain to run off. The house should be placed in an area protected from blustery winds and heavy precipitation. Straw, shavings or other bedding in the house will provide extra warmth, but it must be kept clean and dry. It is very important that your pet have a dry environment. Damp surroundings have little insulation capacity and will contribute to chilling and immune stress, which in winter can easily result in serious illness. Besides, cold animals are miserable, and we all want our pets to be comfortable. While well-protected, the house should still have adequate ventilation to keep your pet breathing fresh air. In very cold climates, a 40-watt bulb inside the house (mounted in a safe and protected spot) will help your pet stay warm and cozy.
Water is very important in the winter. It is critical to keep your pet’s water clean and not frozen. In very cold weather, this may necessitate checking the water several times a day or providing a heated waterer. If you use the latter, be sure to still clean it regularly to inhibit bacterial growth and keep the water appealing. Also be sure that the cord cannot be chewed by a bored or curious pet.
Expect your pet to eat more - maybe lots more! The colder it gets, the more an animal must eat in order to stay warm. All animals have what is called the "thermoneutral zone". This is the ambient temperature range at which the animal does not need to expend energy to maintain an ideal body temperature. For most adult dogs, this zone is about 59 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (young puppies will be comfortable at higher temperatures) and is affected somewhat by breed (for instance, Siberian Huskies with their thick coats are much more cold-tolerant than other breeds). This zone is probably broader at the upper end for cats. Below 59 degrees, the animal must expend energy by raising its metabolic rate in order to stay warm. The colder the environment, the more energy the animal expends, and therefore the more energy it needs to avoid losing weight. Energy comes from food, so expect your pet to eat a lot more in the winter than it does during warmer times of the year. This increase in feed intake even has a fancy name: thermostatic appetite control. The animal’s appetite automatically adjusts to meet its energy needs in different temperatures. If your pet does not have access to adequate food, it will be hungry, cold, lose weight, and may get sick. If the situation becomes dire, death could result from illness or hypothermia. However, an animal can only eat so much food, so in very cold environments housing becomes extremely important in keeping your pet comfortable and healthy.
If you provide your dog or cat with warm, dry housing, plenty of food, and lots of fresh, clean water, your pet will stay comfortable and healthy through even the longest winter!
