For any dairy operation, having access to high-quality rations is critical to the success of any feeding program. Although there have been numerous studies that have shown the advantages of energy-dense feedstocks from a metabolic perspective, the real issue for today’s farmers is not what goes into a ration but rather its stability during transportation and delivery.
As we begin planning for the upcoming production season, FoodGrid is taking our emphasis away from the laboratory and onto the road. In times of uncertainty, we feel that it is as important to control logistics as it is to be able to produce energy-dense feedstocks.
The Strategic Importance of Our Core Portfolio
Whereas when there is specialization in a product line, there is no room left for mistakes within the supply chain. As FoodGrid specializes in its lipid portfolio, including our state-of-the-art P85+ and CAL+, we can uniquely leverage our expertise in knowing the exact route that these products travel.
CAL+ Calcium Salt: The High-Yield Foundation
The use of CAL+ is highly recommended because it is a reactivated bypass fat meant especially for high-yielding cows. This particular rumen bypass fat contains up to 84% total fat, which means that it is economical, high in energy value, and does not affect rumen bacteria metabolism.
- The Logistical Challenge: Since CAL+ uses exact calcium bonds to guarantee “rumen bypass,” any amount of water exposure while shipping will disrupt the molecular composition of the product. With our supply chain, we make sure that the “freshest calcium salt in the market” remains dry and flowing, allowing it to be incorporated directly into your Total Mixed Ration.
P85+ Palmitic Acid: The Butterfat Booster
P85+ is an entirely vegetable-based oil meant for improving milk’s butterfat and body score. This product has a high melting point and a good fatty acid balance, making it highly digestible by the gut. P85+ focuses on enhancing fat-corrected milk production.
- Handling Issues: In order to keep its prilled consistency so that it can easily mix and avoid oxidation, P85+ needs to be handled properly. Being exposed to too much heat or being mishandled during shipping may cause it to break up into what is called “fines.” FoodGrid implements procedures to ensure that its product consistency stays that way until it reaches your silo.
Turning Logistics into ROI
The unspoken penalty for fragmented supply chains is herd efficiency. A three-day delay in shipping could cause a metabolic change in a top-performing herd that may take several weeks to reverse. In this way, reliability is food. At FoodGrid, we consider logistics an integral part of our product offering.
- Strategic Inventory & Location Intelligence
By maintaining strategic storage locations across North America, we minimize the “last mile” risks that often lead to ration inconsistencies.
- Minimized Lead Times: Proximity to major dairy hubs ensures that seasonal surges in demand or sudden shifts in herd requirements don’t result in empty bins.
- Buffer Stocks: We maintain strategic reserves to protect your operation from the “bullwhip effect” of global shipping disruptions and port delays.
- Regional Agility: Our decentralized warehousing allows us to bypass regional weather events that would otherwise paralyze a centralized shipping point.
- Stability and Purity in Transit
It is not enough for a fat to be “engineered” for stability in the rumen; it must be protected until it reaches the mixer. Our supply chain is built on the foundation of safety and quality.
- Climate-Controlled Handling: We ensure that P85+ and CAL+ maintain their physical integrity through varying humidity and temperature zones.
- Multi-Point Verification: All our facilities are GFSI and GMP certified. We treat every truckload as a critical delivery, ensuring that what arrives at your facility is 100% non-GMO, trans-fat-free, and pure.
- Consistency Across Batches: By controlling the logistics, we ensure that the product you received six months ago is identical in texture, color, and performance to the product you receive today.
The Takeaway: Reliability is an Ingredient
CAL+ and P85+ are the engines behind the milk production process, but the fuel delivery system is the fuel line itself. If the fuel line is blocked or compromised, then the engine will stall. For this upcoming season, we want you to shift your gaze from the product specs to the actual means by which these products are delivered.
Here at FoodGrid, our dedication to being your most dependable link in the production process assures that your energy density remains consistent, that your herd continues to stay healthy, and that your production does not stall. While we may provide you with fat, we guarantee that your nutrition program runs without any hitches or flaws.
Logistics Strategy Session: Curious about how our distribution network can better serve your specific region? Consult with our Logistics Team today to learn how FoodGrid‘s supply chain visibility can stabilize your feed program for the coming quarter.
