[Tiva Diva]

There have been a number of posts recently about mouldy pig feed, which may have been the cause of some deaths. I would be very interested to hear from anyone, particularly in the UK, who has, in the last 12 months: a) had a batch of feed which was seriously mouldy while within its use-by date and/or b) had pig health problems which they think might have been associated. Katog, I already know about yours. I would like to know the approximate date, feed manufacturer, number and age of affected pig(s), symptoms & outcome.
I only want this information for my own interest and a bit of research. I'm not planning legal action or anything that could get anyone into libel trouble!

[HappyHippy]

Think you know about mine Cath  
Edit: "In my opinion" 
Farmgate feeds, bought in May (well within date) out of a half tonne (20 bags) we had 8 which were okay  
All the rest were mouldy (and we opened them all within a week of delivery to check)
Thankfully, we noticed and didn't feed it to the pigs so haven't had any losses or vets bills incurred.
We got it through our local feed merchent who replaced the bags, but Farmgate's attitude wasn't great (said it would have no effect whatsoever and we should continue to use it  ) we've since changed supplier and haven't had any further problems, I'm happy to report.

[Tiva Diva]

Thanks HH.
Meant to add that if anyone would rather keep their info private they can pm me.

[pikilily]

Farmgate - feeds bought in May!! i get my feeds from east of scotland farmers who told me that an entire pallet was getting sent back to Farmgate because it was all mouldy!  they took a couple of weeks to sort the problem out at Farmgate
Emma T

[Tudful Tamworths]

I got a delivery from BOCM today and mentioned it to the driver. He said they'd recently had a lot of calf feed returned because it was mouldy. Caused by bagging before it had been cooled properly.
Saying that, I've never had mouldy feed since buying direct from BOCM. Did have a couple of bags some years back, but bought from a local feed merchant and I assumed he had stored them incorrectly.

[Leri]

Oooohhhh - didn't know this had been a nationwide problem! We have had mouldy feed too - also Farmgate - also from BOCM. Would that cause fertility problems? Or am I clutching at straws? x

[janeislay]

I collected five bags of Farmgate (BOCM) sow and weaner pellets early last week and they were disgustingly mouldy.  They were supplied by a farm feed supplier on the Isle of Islay.  The expiry date was checked and found to be end of July 2011, so they were well in date.

I phoned the supplier and she said that they had checked with the manufacturer who said they were absolutely fine and safe to feed.  However I told her that I knew of two pigs that had died due to bad feed elsewhere on the island, and that I wouldn't feed anything with mould on it. I told her I would return the bags to them.

When I asked if she had any supplies that were NOT mouldy, she replied that the entire tonne of feed was the same.

So poor pigs are being fed sugarbeet and barley - and we've nearly run out of barley !

[ambriel]

Same here. Found some mouldy rolls in two bags of Farmgate sow and weaner rolls. Both well within date.

Fortunately is was only the bottom of the whole sack so I just binned the bad ones.

No ill effects for the piggies.

[Daisys Mum]

Just returned 6 bags of Farmgate Grower to Border farm feeds and they say that they have had loads back, so much so the lorry drivers are complaining about it. I did suggest that perhaps they ought to stock a different brand. Unfortunately I have paid for half a ton and still have 12 bags to collect, took the 6 replacement bags but made sure they had a long date on them and said any doubts about the freshness and they would be getting them back.

[Tiva Diva]

Sounds like there's a real problem with Farmgate. Should I take it up with them?

[robert waddell]

o go on then tiva you are just itching to get in there            east coast viners do a good service and product and it is getting cheaper

[Tudful Tamworths]

Oooohhhh - didn't know this had been a nationwide problem!

I didn't say there was a "nationwide problem". Just recounting a conversation about one particular incident which was mentioned to me.

Please be careful about what you are saying on this thread, everyone. Personally, I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of a libel suit from BOCM. Innocent until PROVEN guilty is the phrase. Most of the comments are anecdotal and not based on evidence (i.e.of killing/causing illness in pigs), so please be cautious before posting. Okay, so there have been several instances of mouldy food, but no-one has conclusive proof that it caused serious problems. Just be careful.

[robert waddell]

it all comes down to what Liz has written            big mega moneyed company's sledge hammering the little man into the ground   BUT WAIT A MINUTE THAT LITTLE MAN IS THERE CUSTOMERS       the goods that have been described are not fit for purpose      each individual is entitled to there opinion as to what should happen       and everybody take heart from the GOS breeders club taking on waitrose and winning there case
IT JUST PROVES THE LITTLE MAN CAN AND DOES WIN     

[Tamsaddle]

Last year 2010 we had several bags of mouldy feed down here in Hampshire - Farmgate again, bought at different times over the summer, so different batches.   Oddly though we have not had any mouldy feed in 2011, possibly because I now always check there is at least 3 months to spare on the sell by date.   However, mouldy feed from Farmgate is quite obviously a nationwide problem, and it is always the Farmgate brand and nothing else that everyone mentions- sounds to me like they urgently need a prod to get their manufacturing process working better and more consistently.   It can't be that difficult to get right.   Perhaps they need to change the bag design - could the lack of air/ventilation inside the pink plastic be causing the mould?  I definitely think you should write to them with a complaint - Tamsaddle

[Tiva Diva]

Don't worry, everyone, I'm not planning a "Farmgate killed our pigs!" type headline anywhere. I was planning more along the lines of a quiet word with our local Trading Standards people, a letter to BOCM, possibly contacting DEFRA or the agriculture minister. Farmgate obviously DO have a problem with their quality control but I'm not even going to mention dead pigs at this stage: the only case I'm aware of where there's any actual evidence (as opposed to opinion) to support feed causing health problems is Katog's dead pig post-mortem report.
But Robert's right: while I have no desire to be sued for libel by BOCM, BOCM will be aware of the potential impact on their sales of negative publicity. Even without the possibility of causing death, they won't want to be known for selling manky feed.