New idea for supplement pellets
ROC™ is the trade name for the new technology from Cargill Animal Nutrition (see picture of an 84 percent crude protein ROC™ pellet). According to Joe Randle, one of Cargill Animal Nutrition’s consulting nutritionists, it is now being manufactured at their Guymon, Oklahoma and Garden City, Kansas, feedmills. The product will be mixed with feedlot rations at a low inclusion rate compared to regular dry and liquid supplements. ROC’s promise of “only buy what you need” is a result of being able to eliminate the carrier ingredients from the supplement formulation and still maintain a product that will perform and handle well for the feedlot.

Superior handling properties
Superior handling properties of this new pelleting technology is as exciting for feedlot operators as the low use rate in rations. Clint Calk, Business Development Manager for Cargill Animal Nutrition (CAN) in Amarillo, Texas, said the pelleting process uses no steam and a patent-pending technology to form the pellets. The dryer pellets assists in efficient cooling of the pellets. This results in the better handling properties of the ROC™ product.

Standard supplements will still be used extensively
Although ROC™ adds a new dimension for feedlots, standard dry or liquid supplements that are manufactured properly will still be used. CAN nutritionist Joe Randle stressed that ROC™ will not be applicable for everyone. He explained that CAN nutritionists can evaluate and help determine if a customer’s feeding program is right for ROC™. Randle also emphasized that he and other CAN nutritionists work with independent feedlot nutrition consultants to customize ROC™ supplements for their specific programs.

Works as a supplement for co-products
The low inclusion rate fits well with new feed ingredients being offered to feedlots. Many co-products such as corn gluten feeds, distillers grain, and brewers grains are now directly delivered to the feedlot, so a low inclusion product like ROC™ to supply urea, minerals, vitamins, and additives is an attractive alternative program. Also, standard high protein ingredients, such as cottonseed meal, soybean meal, or others are often delivered to the feedlot and can be supplemented with low inclusion supplements like ROC™.

Field experience
Dr. Bruce Young, a CAN nutritionist, reported that during the hot humid weather in June of this year, there was no “hang-up” of the supplements in the bulk bins, as compared to a normal pelleted supplement. This was confirmed by Joe Hoffman, manager of Cheyenne Feeders, St. Francis, Kansas. He explained, “The ROC™ product was used at a 2.62 percent rate in their heifer ration compared to a 4.1 percent rate for their steer ration’s supplement.” He also explained that the handling properties of the product at the feedlot were outstanding during the hot and humid weather. Hoffman said they use wet milo distillers grains in their rations, so a low inclusion product works out well to balance their rations.

Many times a high urea and mineral feedlot supplement will “bridge up” at the lead-out bins at a feedmill, making it difficult to load at the feedmill, and difficult to unload at the feedlot. Plus sticky pellets may “hang up” in the supplement bins at the feedlot. It appears the ROC™ technology will overcome these problems of material handling.

Compared to meal premixes
In my opinion, ROC™ will have merits compared to meal premixes. Meal premixes are often called by feedlot nutritionists “sand and gravel supplements.” Even though they are used at low inclusion rates, meal supplements tend to separate during handling at the feedmill, the delivery truck, and loading at the feedlot. Meal supplements also have more wind loss than pelleted products.
ROC™ with liquid ingredients

Low inclusion rate supplements, such as ROC™, will potentially replace liquid ingredients and liquid supplements in rations containing wet co-products. The need to purchase liquid ingredients to “carry” high urea mineral mixes may no longer be necessary in many cases. Where liquid ingredients are still needed to “texturize” the ration, they will probably be fed alongside a low inclusion supplement or in a standard liquid supplement. ©

Comments on this or any article by Dr. Sprague can be addressed to him at 625 Grandview, Newton, KS 67114, or call (316) 283-8692.