Soda Grain

OnDtown

Hi all, am a newbie here but am looking for some advice on using advice on using soda grain for the first time and was hoping a few of the experts here might be able to answer a few of my 'novice' questions.

I've looking into the process for mixing the caustic soda & the barley and am happy enough with that part but what I'm looking for is if the soda grain is to be stored long term, does it have to be stored under plastic or can it be stored loose in a bird/vermin proof shed?

Also what is the maximum storage period for treated soda grain?

And finally, what would you recommend mixing with the soda grain to form a balanced diet? I also have fodder beat & wholecrop to include as part of the TMR.

I have access to good quality grain from the combine for 160eur per tonne. We've been feeding bull beef here for a number of years but we really need to look into options to reducing our meal costs, which is why I'm asking all the questions.

Many thanks in advance.

bob charles

OnDtown wrote: »

Hi all, am a newbie here but am looking for some advice on using advice on using soda grain for the first time and was hoping a few of the experts here might be able to answer a few of my 'novice' questions.

I've looking into the process for mixing the caustic soda & the barley and am happy enough with that part but what I'm looking for is if the soda grain is to be stored long term, does it have to be stored under plastic or can it be stored loose in a bird/vermin proof shed?

Also what is the maximum storage period for treated soda grain?

And finally, what would you recommend mixing with the soda grain to form a balanced diet? I also have fodder beat & wholecrop to include as part of the TMR.

I have access to good quality grain from the combine for 160eur per tonne. We've been feeding bull beef here for a number of years but we really need to look into options to reducing our meal costs, which is why I'm asking all the questions.

Many thanks in advance.

quick sheet over it to keep the moisture off the top of it so it doesnt start softening.

Think its 6 months, I have never kept that long as I dont like money sitting around costing interest.

With soda grain in the diet the world is your oyster with regard to going mad with sugars and starches. what are you paying for the caustic? mine is very very expensive now but maybe Im being had somewhere along the line. Two merchants came back with the same price so maybe its just dear. Soda grain is allot of work if your going doing big tonnages

Given the ball ache that it is, its costing €35 a ton to process. Tiz expensive

anyone urea treat grain, thinking of trailing a bit to see the outcome

freedominacup

Often had it in store for 9 months+. Great product but as bob said a real ballache with all of the handling. We have been crimping for the past 10-12 years and found it much more straightforward but it's probably not an option at this stage this year. I have no idea what caustic is costing. Storage is very simple clean and dry, I don't think we used to cover it but if there's any suspicion of a roof leak then a cover would be important.

caseman

A few more questions about soda grain.
1 what rate per tonne do you mix the caustic
2 do you have to seal same a silage pit.
3 Will it attract vermin when stored outside.

freedominacup

caseman wrote: »

A few more questions about soda grain.
1 what rate per tonne do you mix the caustic
2 do you have to seal same a silage pit.
3 Will it attract vermin when stored outside.

1. 3% for wheat 5% for barley

2. It doesn't work well outside of a dry store, does not like water. I don't think you could seal it well enough outdoors. If that's the type of storage you have then crimp would be a better option. Crimp is a better option full stop IMO.

3. It's not attractive to vermin at all. It's one place itbeats crimp hands down.

mf240

Does it raise the protein content? Or did I dream that?

bob charles

caseman wrote: »

A few more questions about soda grain.
1 what rate per tonne do you mix the caustic
2 do you have to seal same a silage pit.
3 Will it attract vermin when stored outside.

I have being constantly dragging down the rates of caustic. think I was down around 22kilos for wheat(recommended 30kgs). I have never done soda barley as I was always told 50kilos. I done some soda maize that had deteriorated abit stored outside during building work. Again supposed to use 50kilos. I used 25kgs and taught it was perfect. Soda grain is a lovely feed but a pain in the ass work wise. And be very careful handling,I have a few burns to show off :mad:

allot depends on how much you are going using per day. Once you go over using a half ton a day it becomes allot of work

bob charles

mf240 wrote: »

Does it raise the protein content? Or did I dream that?

you dreamt it:rolleyes:, urea treating to raise protein but then most of it is unusable

caseman

Reasons for looking into soda treated grain ,started tmr feeding the last two weeks and grain store is to far away from silage pit, and numbers are increasing. So looking for cheap ways to store grain.

freedominacup

caseman wrote: »

Reasons for looking into soda treated grain ,started tmr feeding the last two weeks and grain store is to far away from silage pit, and numbers are increasing. So looking for cheap ways to store grain.

Crimp it so. IMO