Ridley Block Operations Blocks for Today Compressed Low moisture Block

Block Topics Supplement Strategies Manufacturing Overview General Product Differentiation

Beef Cow/Calf Nutrition 101 Supplementing Forage Diets

Cow/Calf nutrition programs should optimize resources for Cow-Calf Production

Common Inputs Pasture, hay, crop residue, silage and other forages Feed grains and supplements Labor, equipment and management

Expected Outputs Yearly calving interval Optimal calf growth weaning weights acceptable quality criteria calf health

Beef Cow Nutrient Requirements - Key nutrients that drive performance - Specific conditions can increase their importance - Normal conditions require balanced supplementation - TM imbalances can occur and can be a result of other antagonists (i.e. S, Mo or Fe) Energy and Protein Macro Minerals Ca, P, K, S, Mg Micro Nutrients Cu, Zn, Mn, Co, I, Vit A, D, E (trace minerals and vitamins)

The Ruminant Advantage Rumen fermentation allows ruminant animals to capture energy (cellulose) and other nutrients from forages A common goal and economic advantage is to utilize this forage/pasture resource Oftentimes, forages alone may not optimize cow reproduction or cow and calf performance needs

Positive Associative Effect When rumen degradable protein supplements are fed they stimulate fiber fermentation by having a positive associative effect on microbial populations in the rumen 2 + 2 = 5

Negative Associative Effect Some supplements or feeds can impair fiber fermentation and have a negative associative effect (grains, starches or high levels of fat). These interfere with microbial populations that specialize in fermenting fiber. 2 + 2 = 3

Low Quality Forages Need Help Fermentation of low quality forages slows down and thereby reducing forage intake (cows fill up) Supplemental protein digested in the rumen helps increase forage fiber digestibility and often increases the amount of forage cows can consume

Increased digestibility = Increased intake = Increased Nutrients “Positive Associative Effect” Providing rumen degradable supplemental protein when feeding low quality forages creates a “win-win” situation

LMB Compared to Corn on Forage Intake Dry Matter Intake No Supplement Corn Low Moisture Block (LMB) Forage(5.7% CP), lb. 14.8a 13.1b 16.5c Supplement, lb. - 3.4 1.0 Total Intake, lb. 16.5b 17.5c (uncommon superscripts differ P<.05) (KSU 1997) 11% increase in forage intake for LMB 11% decrease in forage intake for corn

LMB Compared to Corn on Forage Utilization Digestibility No Supplement Corn Low Moisture Block (LMB) Forage NDF Intake, lb. 10.8a 9.6b 12.1c NDF Digestibility, % 49.2a 42.1b 52.9a (uncommon superscripts differ P<.05) (KSU 1997) 12% increase in forage NDF intake for LMB 14% decrease in forage digestibility for corn

Putting Crystalyx to work with your Cow herd: Low Quality Forage 7.0% CP and 48% TDN 1.75% DMI for a 1200 lb. cow Crude Protein Total Digestible Nutrients Cow Requirements (last stage gest.), lb. 1.75 11.9 Forage, lb. 1.47 10.1 Deficiency, lb. -.28 -1.8

Total Digestible Nutrients Solution: Rite-Lix 32-18% CP LMB .75 lb. consumption 10% estimated increased intake Dry Matter Intake Crude Protein Total Digestible Nutrients Forage, lb. 23 1.61 11.04 LMB, lb. .75 .24 .50 TOTAL 23.75 lbs. 1.85 11.54 Cow Requirements 1.75 11.9

Total Digestible Nutrients Rite-Blox 20% Compressed Block 2.00 lb. consumption 5% estimated increased intake ? Dry Matter Intake Crude Protein Total Digestible Nutrients Forage, lb. 22 1.54 10.56 20% Rite-Blox, lb. 2.00 .40 1.40 TOTAL 24.0 lbs. 1.94 11.96 Cow Requirements 1.75 11.9

Aren’t we still short on energy (TDN) for Rite-Lix example? Don’t forget about an increase in fiber digestibility Estimate 10% improvement (11.0 + 1.1= 12.1lbs. TDN) (Cow requirement = 11.9 lbs. TDN) Additional energy for body stores or use under stress conditions

Montana State Univ. 2002

Don’t forget other Rite-Lix® Advantages Labor savings Self-Fed, available 24/7 Highly palatable, but highly controlled intake Minimal delivery, feeding or storage equipment and investment required Weatherproof Consistent, Cost-effective Results

Summary How can a little Rite-Lix® help meet nutrient requirements? Increased forage intake Increased digestibility of forage Provides additional key nutrients

How does Rite-Lix® work? MAXIMUM RETURN OPTIMUM? INPUT

When’s the BEST Time of Year to (start) Supplement? Considering cow production data, forage and economics; it’s Actually now! Contrary statement I’m sure but when you think like mother nature, a cow, and a nutritionist it does makes sense.

BLOCK MANUFACTURING Quality and Experience Counts

“Batch Cooking” Disadvantage = Cost Advantage = Consistency Benefit = Customer

Rite-Lix Low moisture blocks Dehydrated Molasses based blocks Consistent low daily intakes Higher price point – Low Cost per hd per day Based on supplying first incremental nutrients Consistent hardness coupled with palatable ingredients results in consistent, predictable consumption. Predictable consumption = predictable feed costs

Compressed Block Manufacturing Dry ingredients put together in a premix Premix is metered and blended with liquids and DDG’S in a blender & weighed into containers Product is compressed in containers and immediately packaged for shipment

Rite-Blox Features DDGS (Corn) Based Formulations Fermented DDGS are highly palatable Vegetable based (No Animal Protein Products) Excellent source of Protein, Phos and Oil Intake range provides for higher nutrient payload Lower cost manufacturing and ingredient profile provide a competitive price point

Quick comparisons between the blocks Rite-Blox® Compressed DDGS Intake of 1.0 to 2.0 lbs Features: Low Price Point Manage Intake Higher Nutrient Payload Potential Refill Option Rite-Lix® Dehydrated Molasses Intake of 0.5 to 1.0 lbs Features: High Price point Consistent, Low Intake Predictable Product Performance Low cost/hd/day

Blocks Sold In Canada Poured & Compressed Blocks Low Moisture Blocks AGRI-BLOK – Morinville AB. Masterlyx – Morinville AB. UNIBLOCK – Rockyford AB. Power Pak – Barehead AB. Sweetlyx – RNS RiteBlox – Feed-Rite SweetPro – Wallhalla ND ProStock – UFA – ADM Range Buster – UFA – ADM Sweet Cake – Cargill - Westway Low Moisture Blocks Rite-Lix – Feed-Rite Crystalyx - Hubbard Masterlyx – Master Feeds Smartlic – Unifeed, Blair’s Vitalix Inc – Alliance NE – Co-op OLS (Orwigs) – Ellendale ND - Saltec, Rio Max, Tublicks – Out of Business Agri-Blok - Washington

“Continuous Flow” Process The Competition is doing this! MOLASSES STEAM The Competition is doing this! Advantage = Cost Disadvantage = Consistency Benefit = Manufacturer

Blocks Sold In Canada Low Moisture Blocks Smartlic – Unifeed, Blair’s Rite-Lix – Feed-Rite Crystalyx - Hubbard Masterlyx – Master Feeds Smartlic – Unifeed, Blair’s Vitalix Inc – Alliance NE – Co-op OLS (Orwigs) – Ellendale ND - Saltec, Rio Max, Tublicks – Out of Business Agri-Blok - Washington

Poured Blocks Poured blocks are made by combining primarily liquid ingredients with some reactive ingredient(s) Process varies tremendously between manufacturers Liquid and reactive ingredients

Packaging (Poured Blocks) Plastic Cardboard boxes

Poured Blocks

Blocks Sold In Canada Poured & Compressed Blocks AGRI-BLOK – Morinville AB. Masterlyx – Morinville AB. UNIBLOCK – Rockyford AB. Power Pak – Barehead AB. RiteBlox – Feed-Rite SweetPro – Wallhalla ND ProStock – UFA – ADM Range Buster – UFA – ADM Sweet Cake – Westway

Quick comparisons between the blocks Rite-Blox® Compressed DDGS Intake of 1.0 to 2.0 lbs Features: Low Price Point Manage Intake Higher Nutrient Payload Rite-Lix® Dehydrated Molasses Intake of 0.5 to 1.0 lbs Features: High Price point Consistent, Low Intake Predictable Product Performance Low cost/hd/day