Helping
to
MAXIMIZE
Forage
Utilization
Charlie Hofer, PAS (aka,
the New Guy)
WHY
ARE WE HERE?
If you read our last quarterly
newsletter, you know that I’m the
“
new guy.” I have spent the last few
years working with dairy producers
in the central and south Florida
regions. If you ask most of my dairy
clients about my philosophy, they
will tell you I believe in forage
maximization. There is hardly a
better feed for a cow. Having said
that, I also know that most of you
have higher expectations of your
cattle than what Florida’s grasses
can provide. You expect healthy
cows, high conception rates, and
high growth rates on your calves.
This is where supplemental feeds
come in.
U.S. Sugar is in the business
of providing supplemental feeds
to your cattle that can match
your performance expectations to the forages you have available.
Molasses-based supplemental
feeds complement your forages
by providing energy, protein,
vitamins and minerals. Not every
pasture is the same. That is one
reason why we have a broad range
of feeds to meet the needs of most
every situation.
 WHY FEED LIQUID FEED?
Feeding liquid feed provides
several advantages. First and
foremost, it provides the supplemental
nutrients to the cow that
she cannot obtain from the forage.
More specifically, it can provide
energy through certain type
carbohydrates naturally found
in molasses. It can also provide
supplemental protein from NPN
or other sources. Further, it
can provide the essential macro
and micro minerals, along with
essential vitamins.
Feeding liquid feeds is generally
simple for the producer. With
minimal set-up costs, you can have
a feeding system up and running in
no-time. U.S. Sugar or its Fully
Fortified Suga-Lik® liquid supplement
dealers can set you up with
lick wheel feeders. And, most
dealers can fill the feeders with
no producer labor involved.
Liquid feeds lose almost
nothing in shrink. Dry feeds
can be rained on, spilled or
stepped on by cattle or labor,
and bags can break. Lick wheel
feeders are sealed and are very
difficult to tip over.
Cane molasses-based feed
supplements are a great value.
Our base ingredient is produced
by our Company right here in
Florida. It does not have to be
shipped here from the mid west,
off-shore, or anywhere else. And
with the increasing cost of fuel,
this becomes significant! Pounds
of energy per dollar spent is a
great way to evaluate feedstuffs.
Cane molasses almost always falls
into the top spot in this category.
From a protein standpoint, urea is
another great value. It is readily
available to the cow and is mixed
evenly through the liquid feed
supplement. This allows the cow
to receive a consistent ration,
every time she licks the wheel.
Liquid feeds are more
easily metabolized. The nutrients in
liquid feeds are absorbed more
effectively than solid ingredients,
which must first be dissolved
prior to absorption.
Cane molasses based supplements
actually improve forage
utilization by the cow. Urea and
readily-available carbohydrates
help break down fiber in the
rumen. This makes the cow more
efficient. Nutrients are utilized that
would normally be passed through
the digestive tract with no benefit.
Liquid feeds come in a
wide array of formulations. As
I mentioned before, not every
pasture is the same. Not every
herd is the same, either. We want to supplement your herd on your
farm or ranch to meet
your goals. This may mean different
levels of protein, energy,
vitamins, minerals, and additives.
We have the flexibility to fit your
operation with the proper feed.
 WHY FEED SUGA-LIK®?
Hopefully you understand
the advantages of liquid feeds, in
general. So, when you do decide
to feed a liquid supplement, why
feed Suga-Lik®? U.S. Sugar has a
long history in the business. As
early as the 1940’s, we were feeding
cane molasses to cattle. In other
words, we’ve been at it awhile.
Along with that experience
comes knowledge. We have
developed formulas and feeding
programs that are proven to work.
And as I said before, we want to
fit you with the product that meets
your needs.
Another reason is “peace of
mind.” U.S. Sugar’s Suga-Lik® plant
has been certified by the Facility
Certification Institute to comply
with all criteria of
the FDA Feed Rule.
Recently, the
plant was
awarded the
American Feed
Industry Association’s
Feed Safety Innovation Award.
Hopefully, in your mind,
these factors mean “quality.”
“Service” is a word that gets
thrown around a good bit. And
most every company claims to
have good service. But I can say
that I have never been associated
with a feed supplier that gives
more personalized, quality service
than US Sugar. We aren’t perfect,
but we strive to be.
Service also means our dealers.
We have an outstanding network
of dealers that are in-tune with
your business. They are knowledgeable
and will help you reach your
performance goals.
We look forward to working
with you, the Florida beef industry.
We hope to help you take your
business up to the next level of
performance through the benefits
of some of our past experiences.
Remember, we are here to help
you maximize your forage quality
and quantity. Then we can properly
supplement your cows!
 MERRY
CHRISTMAS
"From our outfit to yours"
 Terry Absher - Feed
Plant "Top Hand"
Chris Beatty - Mgr., Customer Service
Matt Beatty - Plant Manager
Dr. Chet Fields - Mgr., Nutrition/Product Dev.
Charlie Hofer - Sr. Sales Mgr.
Hueland Johnson - Information Coordinator
Larry Johnson - Transport Operator
Joe Moulton - Prod./Maint. Technician
Sandra Nedd - Admin. Asst.
Israel Rodriguez - Prod./Maint. Technician
Max Sims - Prod./Maint Operator
Jaime Varnadore - Prod./Maint. Operator
Terry Weaver - Sr. Sales Mgr.
Pat Whidden - Director
Call the dealer nearest you or 800-940-7253 or
visit www.suga-lik.com
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