Sweet Feed question

[S-Cackalacky]

I hope to get my pot still build finished within the next month or two and am beginning to think about what to do for a first run. I'll probably do birdwatcher's or wineo's sugar wash for a sac run, but would like something with a little more flavor for the first real run. I'm thinking about using the tried and true sweet feed recipe.

Anyway, I was in the Tractor Supply store a few days ago and noticed that they have two different sweet feeds. Both are Producer's Pride, but one is labled sweet feed and comes in a brown colored bag and the other has something like 12% sweet feed on the label and is in a light purple (lavender?) colored bag. Nothing on either bag suggest whether or not it contains just grain, or a combination of grain and pellets. Obviously I don't want anything that contains pellets. Which bag should I buy - brown or lavender?

Thanks for any advice,
S-C

[Black Eye]

I had the same issue. Jimbo posted a picture of his sweet feed in a thread here recently. I believe it says 10% all grain on the bag. I don't recall seeing that on either of the bags I saw in the store.


sweet feed

[stairman]

ask those that work there for a look see....they can cut the bag..take a small sample and tape it shut

[S-Cackalacky]

I had the same issue. Jimbo posted a picture of his sweet feed in a thread here recently. I believe it says 10% all grain on the bag. I don't recall seeing that on either of the bags I saw in the store.


sweet feed

Thanks Black Eye, I'll take a look around for Jimbo's post. The link you posted - that looks like the bag (same color), but I'm pretty sure the one I saw had sweet feed on the label and 12% all grain. Maybe I'll need to stop back in and take a second look - damned CRS (Can't Remenber Shit).

Just sayin',
S-C

[S-Cackalacky]

ask those that work there for a look see....they can cut the bag..take a small sample and tape it shut

Good point. I might just do that when I go back. If no pellets, I'll be buying it anyway.

Thanks stairman,
S-C

[Black Eye]

The 12% looks very similar. I don't think they carry the 10% at our local store but I'll be askin for it. You can search the tractor supply site and use the filters to just look at producers pride feed. There's a lot of different kinds.

[S-Cackalacky]

The 12% looks very similar. I don't think they carry the 10% at our local store but I'll be askin for it. You can search the tractor supply site and use the filters to just look at producers pride feed. There's a lot of different kinds.

I found Jimbo's post and his link was the same one you posted here. I'm not sure why they have 10% all grain on the bag. I would think it would be mostly grain with a little molasses thrown in for the sweetness. Anyway, I feel confident now that I will have the correct sweet feed when the time comes.

Thanks all,
S-C

[FullySilenced]

12% had pellets... 10% all grain from TSC is a great product to try... Producers price...

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/p ... _vc=-10005" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[Truckinbutch]

S-Cak ,
You got to look in the bag each time you buy . Manager at my TS is glad to open bags for inspection . Feed composition changes with location and grain market fluctuations . TS and other feed stores warrant % , not grain composition . I bought cracked corn , rolled oats at TS . Got barley from a brew shop and mix my own .

[S-Cackalacky]

S-Cak ,
You got to look in the bag each time you buy . Manager at my TS is glad to open bags for inspection . Feed composition changes with location and grain market fluctuations . TS and other feed stores warrant % , not grain composition . I bought cracked corn , rolled oats at TS . Got barley from a brew shop and mix my own .

Looks like cracking open the bag is the way to go.

TB, do you have a set recipe for your diy sweet feed? That is, in what proportions do you mix those ingredients? Not necessarily for me, but for others who might stumble upon this thread.

Thanks,
S-C

[S-Cackalacky]

OK, I went up on the TSC website and found 3 different Producer's Pride sweet feeds. In the brown bag is "All Stock Sweet Feed" which is all pellets. In the lavender bag labeled "12% Sweet Feed" is a mix of grain and pellets. In the lavender bag labeled "10% All Grain" is Corn, oats, barley and molasses - NO pellets. The "10%" and "12%" seem to be an indication of the minimum percentage of protein by volume.

So, what they have is:

All Stock Sweet Feed - pellets only
12% Sweet Feed ------- mix of grain and pellets
10% All Grain ---------- all grain (no pellets)

It all appears a little cryptic, but that's the best I can figure. I think I'll still have them crack open the bag.

Just sayin',
S-C

PS - Thanks Black Eye for suggesting that I search the TSC site.

[Truckinbutch]

S-Cak ,
You are better off to inspect each bag you buy . The mix I use is what I found on the tried and true sweet feed thread , give or take : 30% corn , 30% oats , 30 % barley , 10% molasses . Molasses wasn't available for me.
My mix for 30 gallon was 5 pounds of each grain (by weight) and 7 pounds of brown sugar + 50 pounds of white sugar . Been makin a tasty product for me and mine .

[S-Cackalacky]

S-Cak ,
You are better off to inspect each bag you buy . The mix I use is what I found on the tried and true sweet feed thread , give or take : 30% corn , 30% oats , 30 % barley , 10% molasses . Molasses wasn't available for me.
My mix for 30 gallon was 5 pounds of each grain (by weight) and 7 pounds of brown sugar + 50 pounds of white sugar . Been makin a tasty product for me and mine .

TB, thanks for posting this. Been a long time since I read the SF recipe thread. Maybe I should give it another read, or two, real soon.

My TSC has the molasses ($10/gal), but I don't remember seeing the "all grain" sweet feed last time I was there. If they can't special order it, I guess I'll use your ingredient list and make my own.

Duly noted on the bag inspection thing. I don't think that will be a problem.

Thanks,
S-C

[Black Eye]

Try a regular feed store too, if you're going to mix your own. Might find more of what you're looking for. I just picked up a 5 gallon bucket of Blue Seal black strap molasses from the feed store for $24. That's 1/2 the price of what TSC is selling it for and you'll have enough to make some rum too

[cornsqueezer]

The TS 10% in lavender bag says "ALL GRAIN" so only grain can be used

Its the same as COB with molasses in it.

Now the % amount of each grain may be different though.

[S-Cackalacky]

Try a regular feed store too, if you're going to mix your own. Might find more of what you're looking for. I just picked up a 5 gallon bucket of Blue Seal black strap molasses from the feed store for $24. That's 1/2 the price of what TSC is selling it for and you'll have enough to make some rum too

We have several Southern States stores around here. I'll check them out too - maybe even a couple of mom & pop places. I'll look around for the 5 gal. bucket of molasses too. I've seen other posts where people have talked about how cheap it is for such a large amount. I definitely want to make rum at some point.

Thanks,
S-C

[S-Cackalacky]

The TS 10% in lavender bag says "ALL GRAIN" so only grain can be used

Its the same as COB with molasses in it.

Now the % amount of each grain may be different though.

Yea, I kinda figured that. It took a little effort to understand the subtle differences in the wording on the labels. On the TSC website the descriptions they have DO indicate the composition a little better. Doesn't seem like too much of a stretch for them to indicate on the bag label whether or not the contents has pellets. But then, maybe it's not so important to know that if you're actually buying it to feed to an animal. Don't they understand that people are using this stuff to make whiskey?

Just sayin',
S-C

[S-Cackalacky]

The never ending "sweet feed" saga -

Keeping in mind that the recommended Producer's Pride sweet feed product is labeled "10 % All Grain", I have found what may be an alternative. My local Tractor Supply stocks a product called Producer's Pride "All Grain" (note the missing %). I searched the Tractor Supply website for this product and didn't find it listed. It's priced the same as the "10% All Grain" - $14.49 for a 50lb. bag.

The ingredients list is: Grain Products, Molasses Products, Soybean Oil, Propionic Acid (a preservative), Citric Acid. The label (tag) goes on to say that it is NOT vitamin/mineral fortified. So, this particular version of sweet feed may not have the nutrients available in the other, more popular, version (10% All Grain) and may not ferment as vigorously - won't know until I try it.

It doesn't really say what specific grains it contains. So, I don't know at this point if it's the usual corn, oat and barley mix - could be most anything I guess.

Anyway, I thought I would throw this out there for anyone who might be interested.

S-C

Edit: I went to 2 local Southern States stores and didn't have much luck. Even the ole boys in the feed warehouse didn't seem to have a clue about all grain sweet feed. I got kinda frustrated just trying to convey to them what it was I wanted - thanked them and left.

[cornsqueezer]

I wouldn't use any bag that didn't state what grains were in it.

Producer's Pride® All Grain Feed is a wholesome mixture of corn, oats and barley with just a touch of molasses for that sweet "granola" flavor. It is designed as an energy source for mature maintenance or lightly-worked horses, cattle, goats, and sheep on good quality forage and a vitamin/mineral supplement.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/p ... _vc=-10005

[Truckinbutch]

All the feed stores warrant the nutrient % of their feeds . What they build that mix out of is determined by market price and availibility . You either have to hands on inspect what you are buying as a mix or purchase individual grains and custom mix your own . That's the route I chose .

[S-Cackalacky]

Cornsqueezer, the description you have there is from the "10% All Grain". Like I said, I can't find the regular "All Grain" online and the tag on the bag doesn't give enough detail about what grains are actually in it. In that case, I guess the only option is to ask to inspect it before buying.

TB, I would like to mix my own as you do, but I don't want to go to the expense of buying 150lbs. of grain, molasses, and storage containers. I estimate the initial cost to be from $75 to $100 and that's just not in my budget at the moment. I'm also thinking it might take me a very long time to use that much SF and I don't know how long it would keep without taking on stale flavors.

Thank you both for responding,
S-C

[jollyroger]

My local Tractor Supply stocks a product called Producer's Pride "All Grain" (note the missing %). I searched the Tractor Supply website for this product and didn't find it listed. It's priced the same as the "10% All Grain" - $14.49 for a 50lb. bag.

The ingredients list is: Grain Products, Molasses Products, Soybean Oil, Propionic Acid (a preservative), Citric Acid. The label (tag) goes on to say that it is NOT vitamin/mineral fortified. So, this particular version of sweet feed may not have the nutrients available in the other, more popular, version (10% All Grain) and may not ferment as vigorously - won't know until I try it.

It doesn't really say what specific grains it contains. So, I don't know at this point if it's the usual corn, oat and barley mix - could be most anything I guess.

Anyway, I thought I would throw this out there for anyone who might be interested.

S-C

Edit: I went to 2 local Southern States stores and didn't have much luck. Even the ole boys in the feed warehouse didn't seem to have a clue about all grain sweet feed. I got kinda frustrated just trying to convey to them what it was I wanted - thanked them and left.

I found the same bag as you mentioned, and the paper tag on the bottom lists the ingredients as:
whole oats, cracked corn, cane molasses, coarse barley, soybean oil, propionic acid( a preservative), citric acid
ruminant meat and bone meal free

[Prairiepiss]

Cornsqueezer, the description you have there is from the "10% All Grain". Like I said, I can't find the regular "All Grain" online and the tag on the bag doesn't give enough detail about what grains are actually in it. In that case, I guess the only option is to ask to inspect it before buying.

TB, I would like to mix my own as you do, but I don't want to go to the expense of buying 150lbs. of grain, molasses, and storage containers. I estimate the initial cost to be from $75 to $100 and that's just not in my budget at the moment. I'm also thinking it might take me a very long time to use that much SF and I don't know how long it would keep without taking on stale flavors.

Thank you both for responding,
S-C

Not sure where you get the $75 to $100?

50# bags.
Corn $10
Barley $10
Oats $10
5 gal molasses $13
$43 with the added bonus of having the ability to make something other then just sweetfeed. The separate grains can be mixed for different grain bills for a UJSSM recipe. Or the molasses could make a rum. You don't have to mix it all together. Keep them separate until you are ready to make a batch of what ever you feel like making.

[S-Cackalacky]

My local Tractor Supply stocks a product called Producer's Pride "All Grain" (note the missing %). I searched the Tractor Supply website for this product and didn't find it listed. It's priced the same as the "10% All Grain" - $14.49 for a 50lb. bag.

The ingredients list is: Grain Products, Molasses Products, Soybean Oil, Propionic Acid (a preservative), Citric Acid. The label (tag) goes on to say that it is NOT vitamin/mineral fortified. So, this particular version of sweet feed may not have the nutrients available in the other, more popular, version (10% All Grain) and may not ferment as vigorously - won't know until I try it.

It doesn't really say what specific grains it contains. So, I don't know at this point if it's the usual corn, oat and barley mix - could be most anything I guess.

Anyway, I thought I would throw this out there for anyone who might be interested.

S-C

Edit: I went to 2 local Southern States stores and didn't have much luck. Even the ole boys in the feed warehouse didn't seem to have a clue about all grain sweet feed. I got kinda frustrated just trying to convey to them what it was I wanted - thanked them and left.

I found the same bag as you mentioned, and the paper tag on the bottom lists the ingredients as:
whole oats, cracked corn, cane molasses, coarse barley, soybean oil, propionic acid( a preservative), citric acid
ruminant meat and bone meal free

Well, I have the actual tag from one of the bags and the list of ingredients I put in my post is directly from that tag. I don't know - maybe it's just an inconsistency in the way they label their products.
S-C

[S-Cackalacky]

Cornsqueezer, the description you have there is from the "10% All Grain". Like I said, I can't find the regular "All Grain" online and the tag on the bag doesn't give enough detail about what grains are actually in it. In that case, I guess the only option is to ask to inspect it before buying.

TB, I would like to mix my own as you do, but I don't want to go to the expense of buying 150lbs. of grain, molasses, and storage containers. I estimate the initial cost to be from $75 to $100 and that's just not in my budget at the moment. I'm also thinking it might take me a very long time to use that much SF and I don't know how long it would keep without taking on stale flavors.

Thank you both for responding,
S-C

Not sure where you get the $75 to $100?

50# bags.
Corn $10
Barley $10
Oats $10
5 gal molasses $13
$43 with the added bonus of having the ability to make something other then just sweetfeed. The separate grains can be mixed for different grain bills for a UJSSM recipe. Or the molasses could make a rum. You don't have to mix it all together. Keep them separate until you are ready to make a batch of what ever you feel like making.

Mr. Piss, I was basing the pricing on what I found at Tractor Supply. Most all the feed grains they have are closer to $15 per bag. I didn't price the feeds at Southern States - they may be a little cheaper. One of the SS stores in my area grinds their own feeds, so they may be cheaper yet. I was also including the cost of the only livestock grade molasses I've found thus far, which is Tractor Supply at $10/gallon. SS has dry molasses, but I don't know if that's an acceptable alternative - not sure of the ingredients. OK, and then there is the storage containers that I would need because my basement is known to have the occasional mouse.

All good points about using the separate grains and molasses for different recipes. But then, it all comes back to the cost factor. I just can't afford to do that at the moment. I was just looking for a premixed bag of SF to get my feet wet (so to speak). The sweet feed recipe seemed like something I might like to drink. Anyway, I'll probably go with the stuff I found. I didn't realize that finding a bag of SF would be such a PITA - especially since I live in one of the major agricultural areas of the country.

Thanks all,
S-C

[Prairiepiss]

Find an actual feed store. And even tractor supply sells grains at $10 a bag here. Places like TS or any other farm supply store. Sell name brands. And don't get a great discount to pass on. Where an actual feed store buys in bulk. By the truck loads. Fills their silos. Then bags their own. Passing on a greater discount. Some co-ops are even better on pricing.

My local feed store buys there grains when they can get the best price. They also sell it going off the cost. Not the market cost at sell. I have seen some stores change there feed pricing as the grain market changes. Much like a gas station does with gas.

[S-Cackalacky]

Find an actual feed store. And even tractor supply sells grains at $10 a bag here. Places like TS or any other farm supply store. Sell name brands. And don't get a great discount to pass on. Where an actual feed store buys in bulk. By the truck loads. Fills their silos. Then bags their own. Passing on a greater discount. Some co-ops are even better on pricing.

My local feed store buys there grains when they can get the best price. They also sell it going off the cost. Not the market cost at sell. I have seen some stores change there feed pricing as the grain market changes. Much like a gas station does with gas.

Thanks, I'll look into that. I have one local co-op to look into and then there's the one SS place that bags their own. I'll check them out too. I'm sure there are probably other co-op type places around. I'll just need to do a little more research. What I'm most intrigued about is the 5 gallon bucket of molasses - got to find me some of that.

Thanks again,
S-C

[Truckinbutch]

I had less than ideal results with dry molasses . Too much cob filler in relation to actual molasses . I went to brown sugar as a substitute . 5 or 6 gallon buckets with locking lids make good stackable storage for individual grains . Sweet feed , itself, is prone to mold .
Sweet feed has become such a hit in my family that I had to put in a second 40 gal fermentor to get ahead of demand enough to have any to age or convert to fruit macerations .

[Coyote]

We buy 1 ton of bulk sweet feed at a time on the ranch
store it in a big metal bin. Lasts us 6 months or so. I have never
had a spoilage problem - but then we are in really a very dry climate.
Never ending supply and of course no one ever asks what I want a
ton of sweet feed for.

Coyote

[Black Eye]

I usually buy mycorn from TS but recently I bought one from the local feed store (blue seal) and I was far more happy with the quality of corn from the feed store. TS corn had a lot of junk in with it. Crappy cob and other junk which I wasn't happy with. I'd be interested in mixing the sweet feed with out the molasses. I've done the SF recipe before and it was good but I'm not sure how thrilled i was with the molasses in with it. I'd like to the Pepsi challenge with and with out molasses and see the difference.

I'd also consider running it all thru a grinder and doing the SF as an all grain. You can get 6 row cheap enough to convert it all.