The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Shenleysouthdown on August 16, 2013, 05:49:30 pm
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Has anyone else had problems with Countrywide Ewe nuts going mouldy?
My usual Agricultural merchants were taken over by Countrywide last year. I have always used Heygate Ewe nuts, but after the takeover they stopped stocking Heygate &I was forced into using their own Brand Countrywide Farmers Choice 18 ewe nuts.
I have just gone to get a bucket full of nuts to shake to move the sheep & found that the nuts in the open sack were mouldy. I then opened both the other new sacks and found that both the new sacks were mouldy too. I store the food in covered bins in a dry shed, so no water has got anywhere near the sacks. On closer examination of the sacks, I see the expiry date is 31/07/13 but surely they shouldn't go mouldy 2 weeks after expiry.
I have checked my invoice & see I only purchased the nuts 8 weeks ago - so not impressed that I was sold products with such a short expiry date anyway.
I have used Heygate for the last 2 years & the sheep love them, but actually didn't like the countrywide ones when I changed them over - very unusual for ewes to leave food in the trough. I have stored the Heygate nuts for months in the past & never had any problems.
Does anyone know where I can purchase Heygate nuts in Hertfordshire or nearby as I would prefer to continue using them.
I will be speaking to my Agricultural merchants on Monday, so it would be a help to hear if anyone else hashed similar problems?
Not happy as I have to drive an hour to our nearest agricultural merchants only to be supplied with mouldy food >:(
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I've had it before where I've had ago at the store because there is a date down the side of the bag (I thought it was out of date) Only to find that it was the manufacture date.
I can only think that at the store the bag have got wet? So after a while they will go mouldy.
I agree its not on, you have a long drive and lets face it fuel and our time isn't cheap anymore! Give them a call and give them two barrels. you'll usally fine they'll sort the problem and if it really is out of date then they have no leg to stand on!
Good luck :)
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My local merchants I bought a bag of ewe nuts they were moldy put it down to me and fed them the pigs lol then I got some sugar beer and was moldy so I complained got 2 bags off ewe nuts and a apology
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It is a problem during the summer when the food is processed due to high humidity. Had the problem last year with another supplier and they replaced the bags.
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we used to use countrywide but they started to get expensive and customer care was rubbish we have been buying ours from mole avon for a year now and never had any probs they are always very helpfull even to us guys that are just starting goat keeping and asking stupid questions never had a problem withhaving to return feed but when a small haylage was off they took it back and replaced it or a full refund but i have since noticed they changed hay supplier to so think alot was off.
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OMG - I have had EXACTLY the same thing happen today. Same expiry date, same mouldy nuts.....and from Countrywide where I generally get all my feed !!!! How bizarre there must have been a suspect batch made. I texted the Rep but it wasn't until 6.30pm so unlikely I'll get a reply before Monday, but will keep you posted on what he says. I shall certainly be reporting that someone else has had the exact same problem..
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Blinkers
Thanks for your reply - I will check the batch number tomorrow & post, so we can see if we both have the same batch!
Thanks
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Just please be very careful about feeding mouldy feed to anything, especially pigs.
There were cases a year or two back where pig feed had gone mouldy, and the mould created mycotoxins (I think I'm remembering this right) which can be, and in some cases were, fatal to pigs. :(
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Thanks Sally
I didn't feed any to the sheep - I wouldn't even have considered it!
Lynn
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Blinkers
I have looked at the batch numbers - 2 batches affected.
Batch 13049 Best before 31/7/13 Ver 3105
Batch 13004 Best before 30/7/13 Ver 3105
Are you bags the same batch?
Will let you know how I get on when I phone the Countrywide
Lynn
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looking on heygates stockist list there is a supplier in hertfordshire.
we use heygates we did switch to another supplier but the quality was not as good.
they do deliver if you can take on a ton at a time this can be a mixed ton too.
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I haven't had ewe nuts go mouldy but had a bag of goat mix mouldy when opened and replacements went sour very quickly. Won't buy from them again
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Blinkers
I have looked at the batch numbers - 2 batches affected.
Batch 13049 Best before 31/7/13 Ver 3105
Batch 13004 Best before 30/7/13 Ver 3105
Are you bags the same batch?
Will let you know how I get on when I phone the Countrywide
Lynn
Hi Lynn,
I'll check and let you know :thumbsup:
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Yes, have had this on a couple of occasions, once with pig feed and once with sheep feed - both times Countrywide (now owned by BOCM) and due to bagging in high humidity. Both times my agricultural merchant complained on my behalf and the bags were swapped out. Still a time-consuming pain and we had to lug nearly two tonnes of bags by hand to and from the feed shed to the lorry and back again.
A pig breeder we knew had fertility of her sows plummet due to having feed contaminated with mycotoxins. Countrywide coughed up in the end but it went on for months.
Could do (much) better!
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Thanks everyone for all your replies - as I suspected, there seems to be a general problem with Countrywide feeds! I am going to go back to Heygate feeds with another supplier stop using Countrywide for feeds. Over the years I have ever had any problems with Heygate feeds & the sheep certainly prefer them!
Lynn
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Blinkers
I have looked at the batch numbers - 2 batches affected.
Batch 13049 Best before 31/7/13 Ver 3105
Batch 13004 Best before 30/7/13 Ver 3105
Are you bags the same batch?
Will let you know how I get on when I phone the Countrywide
Lynn
Yep - mine is Batch13004 Ver No. 3105 too
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Thanks Blinkers - interesting! It gives us both more evidence when we speak to our respective wholesalers tomorrow!
I will let you know how I get on!
Lynn
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I had a dusty/mouldy bag of sheep course mix from Countrywide a few months ago. I emailed their customer service department and they replied immediately. I sent them a sample of the feed and they sent me £40 in vouchers. The quality of their feed does vary but I have always found their customer services department to be excellent and extremely helpful in all ways. The did assure me that the problem with the course mix would not happen again, so we will see what happens when I buy it again over the winter months.
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Lynn - ditto :thumbsup:
Zak - that's interesting.......I might try that approach if my Rep doesn't offer much, but he's generally pretty good. :fc:
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Thanks for that Zak - I think I will approach Countrywide direct instead of going through my Agricultural Merchant as they never answer the phone anyway!
Lynn
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Hi Shenleysouthdown - did you find a new supply for the Heygates nuts? We're in Herts and keep southdowns too, just wondered if you'd found somewhere else that supplies them?
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Hi GaddesdenGal
I am looking into suppliers & intend to call in at Tittmus in Sandridge tomorrow. I will let you know if I find a suppler. I have emailed Countrywide, but no reply yet.
My Southdowns didn't like the Countrywide feed, so it would be good if I can get them back on Heygate food.
Which Agricultural merchant do you use? Have you had the same problem with Heygate being discontinued?
How many Southdowns do you have & do you want any more as I have a couple of lambs which I am looking to sell.
Will let you know how I get on with sourcing the feed.
Lynn
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Hi Lynn,
Thanks that would be great. Used to get Heygates over in Bucks, but just been getting standard BOCM here from a tack shop (special order) as I couldn't find Heygates. Was going to try T C Feeds at some point as they aren't far but do let me know how you get on.
I will be looking for more ewe lambs but not until next year. Are your flock registered? I only have four at the moment and two ancient Suffolk wethers coming next month. How big is your herd?
Thanks again
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Just an update on the Countrywide Sheep Nuts saga.
I emailed Countrywide & they were very apologetic & said they will be sending me some vouchers as compensation - still awaiting the arrival of these. Thanks to Zakthelad for advice on this - a good move!
Gaddesden Gal
I have found a Hertfordshire feed merchants who will order it in for me as they do not keep it in stock. They are Tittmus in Wheathampstead http://www.gjwtitmuss.co.uk (http://www.gjwtitmuss.co.uk). I did mention to them that here might be another sheep owner who may want to order from them. The contact there is John for orders. They were very helpful. At this time of year, they don't order as regularly from Heygates, but have much more regular orders in the Winter, which will suit us, as that is when we need the food too.
Another supplier is Langley Hill Farm near Hitchin - I happened to meet the woman from there in the Car park at Tittmus's! The lady from there said she usually keeps some Heygates Ewe Nuts in stock, mainly in the winter. The contact info is here https://en-gb.facebook.com/LangleyHillFarm?filter=3 (https://en-gb.facebook.com/LangleyHillFarm?filter=3)
I hope that helps.
Lynn
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That's good news. My vouchers did take a while to come through too. I found them very handy though as I put them towards another round bale sheep feeder that was on a special offer price of £90 as opposed to their usual £140. With my vouchers I had the item for £50 so quite chuffed. I really do hope that the quality of their feed improves though as it is a real pain when you open a new bag to find the contents sub-standard.
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Zakthelad
I will await my vouchers with anticipation. I really hope that Countrywide improve their feed quality as I am hearing lots of bad stories - not only the mould issue but also palatability too.
Will post when my vouchers arrive!
Thanks again
Lynn
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Hi guys,
Well after a very unsatisfactory conversation with the Rep, I have now emailed the Countrywide Head Office too and put in a complaint about the nuts. I don't know about yours, but these ones absolutely stank as well as were turning blue!!! :o :o
So, here hoping I get a better response from the office than I did from the Rep whom I'm now rather disappointed in >:( .
M
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Slightly off subject, but does anyone else have a Countrywide Reward card? It's a really good scheme if you do buy most of your animal related feed/sundries from them. The vouchers every few months come in very handy and seem to add up quite quickly (or perhaps I just spend too much in there ::)).
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Blinkers
Yes - I had a good result from emailing Countrywide - they were very apologetic and are sending me vouchers for money off at Countrywide - I think this I a better result as I really didn't want the sacks replacing as I am very dissatisfied with the food. The only downside is that I will have to cart the smelly food down to the local dump for disposal!
Zakthelad
Where did you apply for the reward card - it sounds like a good idea. Is it only for feed as I won't be buying any more of the feed until the quality improves!
Thanks for all the communication - its a real help to hear from other people when problems occur!
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I picked up a reward card application form in store, but I expect you might now be able to apply on line. It works much like a Tesco card - you get points for whatever amount you spend in there and then the points get converted to money off vouchers that can be used to purchase anything in store. It's a good way of saving a bit when buying wormers/fly prevention sprays/lambing items and just means you get back a bit more from what you pay out!
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Thanks Zakthelad
I have found it & applied on-line
Lynn
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Hmmmm, my Rep's never mentioned anything about aReward card to me ! ::) Will investigate :thumbsup:
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Blinkers - here is the on-line link
http://www.countrywidefarmers.co.uk/pws/Content.ice?page=CountrywideRewards&pgForward=businesscontentfull (http://www.countrywidefarmers.co.uk/pws/Content.ice?page=CountrywideRewards&pgForward=businesscontentfull)
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Thanks for the link ;)
SUCCESS, the very nice man at Countrywide H.O wrote back with an a possible explanation as to the cause (heat) and also told me that they have a Company Policy NOT to sell anything with LESS than a months' shelf life!!!!! I regularly get feed with less than a month as I order monthly and I guess they think, "oh, she'll use it". So from now on - nothing less than a month, means nothing less than a month :thumbsup: . That very nice man is also sending me some vouchers.
Thanks very much all. Good results all round. I'm now off for a glass of Cider to celebrate.
Cheers
:celebrate:
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Good news all round! We always get the answers on this forum!! Thanks to Zakthelad we both have had a successful outcome!!
I wonder when our vouchers will arrive & for how much?
Lynn
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We'll 'compare' when they do arrive ;) :eyelashes:
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Definitely! :)