On another note, as many of you already know, fall also means rising hay prices and related feed costs.  We at the mill are also affected by the market trends, but rest assured we are doing all we can to maintain consistently fair feed prices on all of our products.  It will always be our goal to supply our customers with the highest quality feed based on sound nutrition, with superior customer service.  If you have questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact us at the mill- of course we like hearing about Stable Mix success stories too.

Happy Trails!

This past year we discontinued Corral Mix, which was a generalized feed for goats, sheep and steer. We instead focused on the different and specific needs of those animals, creating an individualized feed for each animal. Our Beef, Goat and Sheep Mix™ have all received great feedback and the animals seem to be happy campers. These new products are still available in the 50 lb bag and 250 lb twist top barrel, just as Corral Mix was offered. We have found that focusing on the individual needs of animals allows each feed to give their respective animal the best combination of vitamins, minerals and nutrients.

In addition to our new Corral of Products, we are proud to announce 3 new lines to our Stable of Products. Mule Fuel™, our new specialized complete feed for mules, donkeys, jacks and miniature horses is a great addition to the Stable Mix family. Lower in protein and fat but higher in fiber, this mix is the ideal feed for the smaller members of the equine family.

On the other end of the spectrum, Elk Grove Milling has designed a feed to support moderate working horses in all disciplines. Our Sport Horse Mix™ is specially designed to be a perfect middle point between our regular Stable Mix™ and our Performance Stable Mix™. Our Sport Horse Mix™ also has a lower level of NSC (a maximum of 15%). Sport Horse Mix™ also contains Copra meal which is a natural cooling agent that provides a good source of protein and healthy fats while keeping horses cool and energized.

Our newest addition to the Stable Mix Family is our new Stable Mix Treat™. Our new treats are made with apple pomace, oat hay, almond hulls, alfalfa hay, flax, rice bran and oats then pelletized into a 1 1/8 inch sized pellet. The apple tastes delicious to the horses while the hay, rice bran, almond hulls and oats give them added nutrients! Our treats are being sold in 3.5 lb bags. We sampled them at Horse Expo and received such positive feedback that they will soon be available in feed stores through out California. Just check out our website for a dealer near you and call to request Stable Mix Treats.

Visit your feed store today and pick up a bag of Stable Mix Horse treats. The treat is the same high quality all natural product you are use to getting with all Stable Mix products. We hope you enjoy the new additions to our Elk Grove Milling products!

Happy Trails

We have several new additions to our feed line and the 2011 Horse Expo was the perfect opportunity for us to inform the public of our new feeds we have come out with.  These additions include Mule Fuel Mix, Sport Horse Mix, Cutter Roper Mix and Stable Mix Treat.  Other changes included the discontinuing of the Coral Mix and introducing specialized feeds for Beef, Sheep, and Goat.  Each one of these feeds has a premix, which is specially formulated for each animal.  The diameter of the pellet for Sheep Mix and Goat Mix was also changed to a 5/32″ pellet.  This makes it more palatable than the 1/4 ” pellet of the Corral Mix. Stable Mix Treat is the newest to our feed line and we are hoping to have it available for purchase by the end of July.  Packaging will most likely begin in 3.5 lb bags.  Our plan is to eventually bag it in 50 lb bags as well as a few smaller sizes.  Be sure to ask your local feed store for samples.

At our booth we were giving away samples of our feed as well as little momentos.  Each day we had a drawing with 10 winners per day.  Each winner will receive a gift certificate in the mail for one free 50# bag of Stable Mix.  On Monday after the show we drew for our grand prize winner, who will receive One Ton of Stable Mix.

The winners of the free bag of Stable Mix are Robyn Thornton, Dawn Lucas, Dianna Malley, Darrel Norcutt, Carol Dimaggio, Oliva Johnson, Betsey Beck, Peggy Christensen, Ellen Cark, Carson Adams, Lexi Hoover, Melanie DeGuire, Jennifer Davis, Lauren Dabb, Bob Adolf, Jason Cravenho, Alicia Harmon, Jean Riley, Terri Palombi, Lonne Sloan, Josephine House, Kadee Felton, Merlene Olmstead, Sarah Grisso, Mike Gray, George Arth, Tina Waters, Christine Hendricks, Kathy Fransen, Biancah Felby, Krista Christian, Donna Stenback, Jessica Maren, Robert Blackwell. The Grand Prize winner of 1 Ton of Stable Mix is Shauna Brantley.  Congratulations to all and thank you to everyone who participated!

Check out the pictures below to see the fun times we had at Expo 2011!

Elk Grove Milling is taking proactive procedures to make sure not to add to the spread of the EVH1 virus.  We always pressure wash the barrels and lids once returned but have now implemented a procedure to rinse the barrels and lids with a 10% bleach solution.  After this the barrels are left to drip dry completely before being refilled. 

We are not stopping here.  We are taking additional steps by outfitting all Elk Grove Milling trucks with a spray bottle of the bleach solution as well as hand sanitizer.  The drivers are to spray the truck’s pedals, floor mats, running boards, their boots and gloves.  This is to be done after every delivery is complete to make sure nothing is taken from one delivery location to another.   The hand sanitizer is to be used by the driver but to also be used on the steering wheel, shifter and door handles.  To top it off, when the truck returns to the yard we are spraying down all tires on the trucks and trailers. 

Elk Grove Milling wants it’s customers to feel safe knowing, all procedures are being done to keep them and their animals safe.

2010 has quickly come to an end. It seems like it just started, but looking back there have been many changes in 2010 for Elk Grove Milling.

Some exciting highlights would be additions to our feed line.  We now have a Cutter-Roper Mix™, Goat Mix™, Sheep Mix™, Beef Mix™ and a new improved Rabbit Pellet! We thank all of you, our valued customers, for these new products. Without your input and support, they would not be available.

We upgraded our vitamin mineral pack to include Zinpro 4-Plex and Zinpro 100 trace minerals. These added trace minerals assist in hoof growth, hoof development, digestion and overall health and appearance of our animals.  We have seen and heard great success stories associated with the implementation.

Elk Grove Milling also arranged our first calendar photo contest!  Our Stable Mix™ Customers submitted photos of their horses, some performing and some wonderful candid shots along with their entry and story. There were 12 divisions to enter and 12 lucky winners  that were awarded 1,000 lbs. of Stable Mix!

A special thanks to our winners Marijanne Nichols, Gry McFarlane, Square Peg Foundation, Sarah Hutter, Jack Tone Ranch, Alana Koski, Hayley Hughes, Adrianne Bareilles, Dessy White, Kelly Hill, David Allen, and Becky Horat and all our incredible entrants for taking the time out of their schedules to support our first Calendar Photo Contest!  We feel it was a great success and we look forward to more pictures and stories next year for our 2012 Elk Grove Milling calendar. Thank you to all participants!

We, at Elk Grove Milling wish all of you a Wonderful Holiday Season and Best Wishes to you in the year to come.

Sincerely,

Staff of Elk Grove Milling

For more information or ask us any questions please contact us:

T: (888) 346-7649
P: (916) 684-2056
F: (916) 684-2059
Email: deb@elkgrovemilling.com

Below is an outline of the information on the site.

BEEF MIX TM

FEEDING DIRECTIONS
Specially designed for cattle. Feed at 2# to 2-1/2# per 100# of the animal’s weight each day. Provide fresh, clean water at all times except to hot, tired animals. Store feed in a cool, dry place.

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS:
Crude Protein Minimum 14.0%
Crude Fat Minimum 3.0%
Crude Fiber Maximum 18.0%
Ash Maximum 5.5%
Calcium Maximum 0.9%
Phosphorus Minimum 0.4%
Contains Zinpro 4-Plex & Zinpro 100

INGREDIENTS:
Alfalfa Meal, Carbohydrate Fines, Almond Hulls, Distillers Dried Grains, Rice Bran, Mix Hay, Grain Screenings, Cane Molasses, Salt, Ground Limestone, Dicalcium Phosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate, Zinc Methionine Complex, Magnesium Oxide, Manganese Methionine Complex, Glycerin, Manganous Sulfate, Copper Lysine Complex, Cobalt Glucoheptonate, Soybean Oil, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Cobalt Carbonate, Ethylene Diamine Dihydriodide, Sodium Selenite

SHEEP MIX TM

FEEDING DIRECTIONS
Specially designed for sheep. Feed at 1# to 1-1/2# per 100# of the animal’s weight each day. Provide fresh, clean water at all times except to hot, tired animals. Store feed in a cool, dry place.

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS:
Crude Protein                Minimum           16.0%
Crude Fat                      Minimum             3.0%
Crude Fiber                   Maximum          20.0%
Ash                              Maximum            4.5%
Calcium                        Maximum            0.9%
Phosphorus                  Minimum             0.4%

INGREDIENTS:
Alfalfa Hay, Dried Vegetable Product, Distillers Dried Grains , Almond Hulls, Rice Bran, Mix Hay, Cane Molasses, Salt, Ground Limestone, Calcium Carbonate, Monocalcium and Dicalcium Phosphate, Sodium Selenite, Magnesium Oxide, Mineral Oil, Zinc Sulphate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Cobalt Carbonate

Recipe: Stable Mix in 10 Steps

From the kitchen of: Elk Grove Milling, Inc.

Ingredients:

Various Hays, Almond Hulls, Rice Bran, Soy Bean Meal, Salt and Vitamin/Mineral packs containing Zinpro 4 Plex and Zinpro 100.

Directions:

Step 1: The various ingredients such as mixed hay, alfalfa hay, rice bran, soybean meal and almond hulls are weighed, inspected and unloaded in specified areas at Elk Grove Milling, Inc.  

Step 2: Each product has a specific formula which is converted to a mix card. The foreman instructs his crew to mix the ingredients, except the hay, together based on the specific mix card, going in by volume and weight.  

Step 3: The mix is then put into a hopper which is volumetrically controlled. The mix is metered at 45% into the product stream where it is blended with the required types of hay as they go through the grinder.

Step 4: From the grinder, the complete mix including hays, is airlifted to the top of the mill where it drops into the mill makeup hopper which drops into another mixer, continually mixing the product.

Step 5: The product then goes from the mixer to the steamer, where the product is continuously mixed as steam is injected into it.

Step 6: The steam mix is then dropped into the pellet mill. The product is dropped into the pelleting chamber, which consist of one die and two pellets. The rollers are stationary as the die revolves, forcing the feed through and creating small, soft, pellets.

Step 7: The pellets then drop out of the die and are placed onto the hot pellet conveyor which takes them to the elevator. They are then lifted up to the cooler. The cooler removes excess moisture from the steam injection, hardening the pellets.

Step 8: The cool, hard, pellets are then moved into a cleaner where broken pellets and fines are removed, reprocessed and eventually recirculated.

Step 9: The final product is then moved to storage tanks for bagging, barreling or sent to tanks for bulk loads.  

Step 10: Customers and orders come in and our crew packages the different products for purchase, shipment and delivery. The pellets are then ready to be fed to happy, healthy horses! YUM!

Robyn Thornton, owner of Cheyenne Stables, was this year’s Western State’s Horse Expo grand prize winner! Robyn has been in business since 2003 and runs a family friendly stable. As well as a boarding facility she also offers a work to ride program and is a vendor for the South Sutter Charter Homeschoolers. The Stables focus primarily on western riders and trail riding. She currently boards 35 horses ranging from minis to draft crosses and everything in between. Most of her horses are rescue horses that she has rehabilitated and nourished back to health. Robyn’s work ethic and dedication to horses is just the type of customers we love to see and we are proud to congratulate her as our grand prize winner!

Want to win a free ton of feed just like Robyn? Be sure to come by our booth next year during the 2011 Western States Horse Expo and enter our drawing!

Sheri Brodsky, Nutritionist, came by Sunday to help promote our new Cutter- Roper Mix™.  Bonnie Davis, Back Country Clinician, was kind enough to spend time each day in our booth visiting with customers and potential customer about our certified weed free pellets! Bonnie participates annually in the Trail Riding Symposium, presenting information and clinics on Horse Camping. Her experience and vast range of information has been great in teaching and encouraging individuals to ride the back country.

TJ Scoggin of Stance Equine was also there to spend a few days with the EGM crew. TJ’s company, Stance Equine, creates a product called Cool Stance, a specially formulated pelletized horse supplement made of  Coconut meal and oils  increasing protein and fat without the added starch and sugar to help keep horses naturally ”cool” . Cool Stance is being pelletized and distributed at Elk Grove Milling.  It was great to have TJ with us at Horse Expo!

Our new Cutter-Roper Mix™ was introduced for the first time at Expo this year! Cutter-Roper Mix™ is a new complete feed for EGM, designed for the moderate working horse by NRC standards.  This feed, 12% protein, 5% fat, includes Cool Stance. Please keep up on our blog to find out more about our new Cutter-Roper Mix™!

As the staff works hard to unwind from 2010 Expo and begin preparing for 2011′s Western States Horse Expo, we would love to hear from you!    If you visited us in our booth to say hi, tried out a new product, entered our drawings, or sent a friend by let us know what you think! We are eager to hear how our customers felt and look to you for ideas of improving next year’s show.

Click on the pictures below to see the fun times we had at Horse Expo!

• To lean more about our new Cutter-Roper Mix™ please visit our website at http://elkgrovemilling.com or call our office at (916) 684-2056
• To learn more about Cool Stance please visit the Stance Equine website at www.stancequine.com or call Elk Grove Milling at (916) 684-2056

Thomas Bettencourt
-Elk Grove FFA: Market Hog

Kelsey Huff
-Elk Grove FFA: Market Beef

Natalie Ross
-Delta FFA: Market Hog

Eric Davis
-Delta FFA: Market Lamb

Ashwin Naidu
-Elk Grove FFA: Market Rabbit

Sydney DaSilva
-Franklin 4-H: Market Hog

Luciano Santiago
-Elk Grove FFA: Market Hog

Kelsey Eldridge
-Galt FFA: Market Lamb

Gretchen Schauer
-Delta FFA: Market Hog

Michayla Davidson
-Herald 4-H: Market Hog

Maya Wistos
-Wilton 4-H: Market Goat

Congratulations to all of the particpants. Your hard work and determination showed and paid off! Enjoy your success and good luck in future years to come!