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PEAK-F is a range of liquid suspension supplements produced by Bundaberg Molasses for use by the Australian feedlot industry.
 Suspension supplements have the unique ability to suspend and evenly distribute insoluble as well as soluble ingredients and nutrients. The technology allows PEAK-F to form a gel at rest, yet still be easy to pump. This thixotrophic property makes PEAK-F the ideal way to avoid settling and ensure even distribution of nutrients throughout the ration.
PEAK-F supplements are formulated for individual feedlots to suit specific nutritional requirements. PEAK-F is molasses based and ingredients such as urea, limestone, vitamins, minerals, salt and ionophores are also often added.
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 Advantages of PEAK-F over traditional mediums of concentrate addition:
- Eliminates dust
- Improved accuracy of inclusion into the ration
- Eliminates sifting
- Formulated to meet the requirements of individual customers
- Improved inventory control
- Improved distribution of concentrate into the ration
- Increased ration formulation flexibility
- Opportunity purchasing of feedstuffs facilitated
- No other concentrates needed
- Improved ration palatability
- Greater flexibility in concentrate formulation
- Easy to handle and store
- Reduced time of feeding operation
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Unlike simple molasses blends, the technology Bundaberg Molasses employs allows concentrates with high specific gravity, such as limestone, to be suspended in a liquid using either a clay or gum suspension agent. This technology was pioneered by PM Ag Products in the USA over 20 years ago.
Limestone in Suspension
Sample D illustrates the absence of limestone settling after 16 weeks compared to A B & C which do not include a suspension agent and therefore show settling after as little as one week. (NB. All samples contain 20% limestone).
Gelled Clay Suspension and Entrapped Minerals (x 10,000)
The viscosity developed with our suspension agents is thixotropic. That is, they form a gel at rest, but become pumpable when agitation or shear is applied.
Thixotropy Demonstrated
A Simple blend
B Suspension supplement before shaking
C Suspension supplement after shaking
Agitation can simply be the suction developed by a positive displacement pump used to deliver the product from the tank to the feed truck or trailer. It is this thick - thin phenomena that allows PEAKF to suspend and stabilise insoluble ingredients and yet be pumped as a liquid.
Formulation
PEAK,F can be formulated to individual feedlot nutritionist specifications. Alternatively Bundaberg Molasses can formulate the suspension to suit individual feedlot requirements.
Stability Settling
In the stability test summarised below, suspension supplements manufactured in the USA were tested at a number of California feedlots for calcium, phosphorous, copper, protein, zinc and dry matter. The first sample was taken at the mix tank and another was taken at the feedlot 10 - 21 days later. Test results showed no significant variances between nutrient level comparisons, indicating that suspension supplements are quite stable.
| Stability Test Results |
| |
Feedlot A |
Feedlot B |
Feedlot C |
Feedlot D |
| days |
days |
days |
days |
| 1 |
21 |
1 |
21 |
1 |
10 |
1 |
10 |
| Ca % |
2.8 |
2.7 |
.42 |
.46 |
5.9 |
6.0 |
4.6 |
4.6 |
| P % |
0.8 |
0.8 |
1.6 |
1.6 |
1.8 |
1.7 |
1.9 |
1.9 |
| Cu mg/kg |
90 |
88 |
90 |
97 |
209 |
209 |
190 |
181 |
| Protein % |
7.3 |
7.2 |
22.6 |
22.0 |
24.2 |
24.1 |
14.6 |
14.7 |
| Zn mg/kg |
769 |
778 |
860 |
860 |
869 |
851 |
919 |
891 |
| DM% |
54.7 |
54.8 |
55.6 |
56.0 |
56.5 |
56.4 |
52.5 |
52.7 |
Quality Assurance
Bundaberg Molasses, Oakey plant, is quality assured to ISO 9001 - 2000 standards. Our products are designed and manufactured to meet nutritional requirements whilst ensuring product stability and ease of handling. Products are tested regularly to further ensure that nutrient content, viscosity and stability criteria are met.
Technical Support
Through our overseas and Australian affiliations and technically qualified employees within Bundaberg Molasses, we are able to design, formulate, produce, transport, handle and store suspension supplements, thus ensuring that every phase of the process is technically and environmentally sound.
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 PEAK-F is transported, handled and stored using similar mechanisms as are used for molasses except that PEAK-F is far less viscous and has lower specific gravity than molasses (eg 1.28 vs 1.4). Peak-F can be pumped through slightly smaller pipes than molasses and the tank walls do not need to be quite as strong, though still stronger than is required for water storage. Positive displacement pumps such as internal gear pumps are suitable but pump specialists and Bundaberg Molasses staff can give further advice to ensure the pump chosen is the most suitable for individual situations.
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