7th February 2003

O’Se Animal Feed Ads are Revived
Kerry football manager Mr. Paidi O’Se’s controversial animal comments have proved a coon of one animal feedstuff company. Mr O Se provoked a storm of criticism when he described Kerry supporters as the “roughest type of f******g animals you could ever deal with”, in a Sunday newspater interview January.
In the wake of the controversy, Rhyno Mills in Castleisland, one of Munsters biggest private animal compound feed firms, has resurrected two voiced advertisements made by Mr, O’Se on Behalf of the company in 1997.

In one, he describes the animal feedstuff as so good “ I nearly ate it myself”. The ad is being rerun on Radio Kerry “for a bit of fun”, said Mr. Paudie O’Connor, MD of Rhyno Mills, alongside more Serious Rhyno ads, he said.

Computer Helps Castleisland Firm Compound Rations

Kerry is a leading the rest of the south of Ireland in the use of the Qeleq computer for the compounding of animal rations. The computer has been installed in the Castleisland milling plant of Messrs. W.H O’Connor Ltd. since April of last year and the manager Mr. Sean O’Connor says that “it has been invaluable”.
“I just don’t know how we managed all along without it,” he added, “ “it enables a man to do in an hour what would normally take him a week to complete.”

The computer, which looks like something of a science-fiction movie, stores in it’s “memory” a detailed specification of 24 raw materials which are likely to be included in feed formulae. Each ingredient is allotted a separate dialling knob and when this operated the memory instantaneously relays the specification to a series of panels on the computer.

These panels record the quality of the raw material in terms of oil, protein, fibre, amino acids, calcium phosphorus, total energy, etc., according to the amount of the ingredient to be incorporated into the ration. Together with these the machine also shows the current cost of the compound. If the cost of any of the ingredients is raised all one is required to do is to adjust one of the dials and turn a knob in one of the drawers and the computer registers the new cost of the ingredient in the compound.

The rapid speed with which a formulation may be completed enables alternative formulae to be developed quickly in the event of and unexpected shortage of a key raw material, ensuring that the alternatives are nutritionally correct and economically sound.
One thing that the computer has accomplished is that it rules out all possibility of human error thus saving considerable sums of money that would normally be spent in correcting such mistakes.

“ I think that any reasonably sized mill should have one of these installed,” said Mr. O’Connor. “It should be worth the while of any mill producing between 100 and 200 tons a week to have one of these installed and one could just not estimate the amount of time that would be saved by it.”
The computer which cost the company £4,000 took no time to install all that was required was to plug it in.
Having acquired the analysis from the computer, Mr. O’Connor went to a panel in the mill, turned a few dials and from there on the rest of the operation was automatic. Mr. Eamon Breen of Castleisland stood watching a panel of coloured lights as Mr. O’Connor explained that on this panel he could see what was happening throughout the process of compounding the feed.

As the process continued this Richardson select-O Weight Panel flashed its multi-coloured lights to show that one bin was running low on grain, that another was coming into operation and even the weighing of the bags was recorded on it. This has been installed for the last 2 years.

This automated Mill is a working example of what time and money can be saved by the introduction of machinery to do the difficult chores of a man. Surprising as it may seem W.H O’Connor Ltd., have in spite of this automation managed to retain their entire staff, by moving them on to other work. “ But more important than the saving of time or money,” said Mr. O’Connor, “is the fact that now we are sure that our customers are getting the correct mixtures.”

By Michael O’Harloran

In a special department, Can O'Connor and a group of girls attend to the manufacture of new bags for the Rhyno Rations.

Push button control of the whole process of selecting ingredients, grinding, blending and bagging is a feature of the new plant. A central electronic control panel with a diagram of the whole lay out and indicator lights to show the progress of each operation at a glance, is the nerve centre of the system.

The increasing awareness among farmers of the importance of expertly mixed feeding stuffs in pig production and for poultry and other livestock. And the growing demand for Rhyno mixes, has made the expansion imperative.

“last year we could not produce enough to meet demand, although we were working overtime night after night,” said Sean O’Connor, managing director of the firm. “But we are now confident that the installation of new machinery will solve our supply problem and that no shopkeeper of farmer will be short of Rhyno feeding compounds.”

Last year was a record year for Rhyno Mills but, then, every year has been a record year of late. When the late Mr. W.H O’Connor acquired the mill in 1919, balanced rations and the use of expertly blended mixtures for animal feeding were practically unheard of.

The late Mr. O’Connor began to market animal feed in 1926, and at that time he was one of the men who pioneered the study of scientific animal feeding in this country, Just as the firm today is among the first to introduce revolutionary methods into the business of efficient and precisely accurate production of feeding stuffs.

But it was not until about fourteen years ago that the use of scientifically blended animal feed came into general use in the country. Ever since then O’Connors have been straining to keep up with the demand for their products in Kerry, Cork and Limerick.

The new plant, which cost about £40,000, is at present geared to turn out 12 tons of precisely mixed animal feed per hour and can be adapted to produce 25 tons per hour- which adds up to a very healthy supply of calories, proteins, vitamins and trace mineral requirements for the farm animals of Munster.

Day after day, week after week, a fleet of lorries keeps bringing Rhyno to the farmers of southern Ireland

Rhyno First
Although the new plant is practically automatic, there will be no drop in the number employed. Apparently they are all needed in this progressive business. Nor will there be any deviation form the special Rhyno formulas for feed stuffs except where new nutritional developments or advances occur from time to time

“we were one of the first firms in the country to study precision animal feeding and we are constantly carrying out tests of new formulas,” said Sean O’Connor.

The new control panel which has become the nerve centre of the mill would delight a boy with an interest in space fiction. Lights flash, dial needles kick and there is a bank of coloured buttons which, with a slight stretch of imagination, would do for controlling a space ship. Far from being a plaything, the control panel is a master-piece in intricate electronics in which all the complex operations of the huge dial which measures tons with accuracy down to the ounce, the operator can make precisely blended Rhyno feed by remote control at the rate of 12 tons per hour.

Mr. Teddy Nolan makes an adjustment ot a machine which automatically fills the Rhyno bags.

Mill Plan
The diagram on the panel is a plan of the whole mill and indicator lights show how each grinding, mixing and conveying process is getting on. The distant murmur of machinery and the blink of a light on the panel are an assurance to the sight-seer that the magic-wand control is really working . Nearby there is a special hopper where small ingredients, such as O’Connor’s famous “Rhymin” mineral mix of other special ingredients can be added in precise quantities.
IN charge of the control panel at the moment is this thriving business run by three brothers, is Hugh O’Connor, director. The training of a permanent panel operator will commence in the near future. This important post will entail a high degree of skill and integrity. Hugh O’Connor also personally supervises that weighing, storing and dispatch of all the finished products.

Third brother in this three man team of experts is Liam, the engineer, who supervises all construction work, mechanical operation and maintenance. Expansion of production capacity by 40% requires extension of the storage capacity and the O’Connors have planned development on the 35 acre site of the mill which will meet the heaviest increase in business.

An new warehouse measuring 68 feet by 40 feet, capable of holding 200 tons of the finished feeding compound has been built and here the bags of compound can be loaded mechanically on to lorries.

An new grain store measuring 90 feet by 60 feet, capable of holding 2000 tons of grain in bulk has been built and construction of another store of similar capacity is under way. A further store to hold 1,500 tons is being planned in all the mill will have storage space of 6,000 tons of grain and 3,000 tons of other material.

Mr. Ned O'Connor, pictured here in the Grinding Department, has been with the firm for the last 37 years.

40 Tons an Hour
The mill has a bulk intake plant capable of handling 40 tons of material an hour and this does away with the handling of materials in bags. The raw materials can be automatically conveyed to the drier, stores and the 200 ton capacity bins over the grinders.

The mill is also equipped with a grain drier which can handle 5 tons of grain per hour, depending on moisture content, and during the season this operates for 24 hours a day.

A new plant for the manufacture of Rhymin is also being planned. The output of this mineral mix is expanding rapidly as more and more farmers realise that these scientifically blended minerals are essential to the welfare of live-stock, and for ensuring a good milk yield. At this time of the year particularly, Rhymin is highly beneficial to cattle.

The vast number of sacks used at the mill is handled by a subsidiary company under the management of Mr. Dan O’Connor.

This company is set up in a premises in convent street. Here sacks are graded, cleaned and, where necessary, repaired by a staff of ten girls. This adjunct to the business ensures that there is always an adequate supply of sound, hygienic sacks for animal feed. In every branch of the business it is obvious that the firm has kept abreast of the times and gives their customers the benefit of long experience plus the most modern techniques of efficient, scientific feed milling.

Formal Opening
The new automated plant will ensure that the increasing orders will be met and that the customer is assured of, uniform and accurately blended compounds in the famous Rhyno range of feeding mixes. In the new system the various ingredients are conveyed through elevators, bins, grinders, weighers and on to the sack stitchers without being touched by hand.

The headquarters of the firm is, of course, in the Kingdom House in the centre of the town and here the old established businesses of bar, grocery and drapery are thriving. Phoenix-like, this premises rose form the ashes of the former building which was burned in the early twenties.

The new automated plant which has just been installed in the mill will be formally blessed and opened later on when all the work is finally complete. The occasion will be a significant one in the history of a firm which combines generations of sound experience with the most progressive methods of the day.

Mr. Nick Canning, B.Agr. S.c., nutritional advisor with Rhyno Mills, Says that each ration is scientifically formulated to supply all the essential nutrients required by a particular animal- whether the animal is being fed for higher milk yield or leaner meat.
In the foregoing Mr. Canning, who is always available to give free advice to customers on their animal feeding problems, gives a factor-by-factor explanation of balanced rations and their value to the producer.

Mr. Liam O'Connor photographed in the Mineral Department at Rhyno Mills

High Quality
Protein is the most expensive portion of any ration and consequently more money has been spent on research on protein utilisation than any other ingredient. The scientists have broken down protein to essential and non-essential amino acids. The requirements of these essential amino-acids vary with the age of the animal and the purpose of which it is fed, for example, meat, milk or egg production. If any of these essential amino-acids balance is far more important that the total amino - acid content of the ration.

That is not all, because the availability to the animal of each amino-acid varies considerably depending on the origin and process of manufacture of the ingredient which contains it. Thus, for example, the lysine content of one feedstuff may be far more available than the same lysine content in another feedstuff. Unfortunately, reliable tests are not available for the measuring the availability of all the amino acids, though these tests are being developed rapidly. To assure a favourable amino-acid balance, adequate high quality protein concentrates must be incorporated in the ration.

Energy Content
The energy content of a feeding-stuff is the one factor which cannot be too high. However, to utilise the energy in the proper way, protein mineral and vitimin content must be adequate or the purpose of which the ration was intended may be defeated, e.g, Grade A bacon production.
Minerals
Mineral supplementation of rations is very important, especially on intensive stock producing farms. The mineral requirements of fattening pigs are fairly well known though there may be some yet undiscovered.

Pig rations are supplemented with a view to supplying in the ration a proper calcium to phosphorus ratio as well as supplying certain trace elements necessary for the general health of the pig. In the case of dairy rations the requirements vary considerably with the purpose for which the ration is used and the type of roughage fed. Good quality hay or silage are rich in most minerals with the exception of phosphorus. In the case of high producing milk cows where the intake of roughage is restricted, mineral supplementation is essential for production, maintenance and the general health of the animal.

Vitamin supplementation is relatively new in the feeding industry, but there is no doubt as to their value and importance in all livestock rations, though required in only small quantities, vitamins are essential for increased growth and health maintenance of all stock reared indoor.

Quality is more important than quantity as far as vitamins are concerned and some deteriorate with heat and storage. A fresh supply is important though antioxidants have been developed which are quite successful in stabilising vitamins and products with high oil content.

Higher Costs
All the essential nutrients available, palatability must be considered before finally balancing the ration. Palatability affects most of the ingredients utilised in a compound feedingstuff.

In recent experiments where up to one hundred and fifty litters of bonhams were fed a uniform creep feed to weaning weight, the intake of feed varied enormously, ranging from 7 to 50 lbs, of meal per Bonham. The reasons for this varation are not known but seem to be unrelated to palatability. Some nutritionists have worked out palatability factors for the different ingredients but these are not completely satisfactory due to varations in chemical analysis, changes in storage and the effect of fineness of grinding of the individual ingredients. Generally, however, we can say that unpalability limits intake which in turn limits production and feed efficiency resulting in higher costs for the meat producer. The chemical analysis of the essential components of a ration, Viz., proteins, carbohydrates, fats and minerals, varies in the different ingredients from sample to sample fo those ingredients thus, before balancing, one must be assured of a plentiful supply of standard high quality ingredients. The inclusion of these ingredients in the ration will vary with the nutrient requirements of the type and ageo f the animal and the purpose of which it is fed.

Mr. Nick Canning, nutritional adviser to Rhyno Mills, who is always available to give free advise to customers

Consistency
When the compounder has balanced his ration successfully with all essential nutrients, supplemented with vitamins and antibiotics, he has to keep that ration consistent. As animal production is becoming more intensive and more scientific, and where animals are forced to maximum potential, consistency is of vital importance as any change in the diet can have deleterious effects.

Quality
Briefly, any product is qualified by its origin, protein carbohydrate, fat, moisture, vitamin and mineral content. Many of these qualities can change or deteriorate in long storage. It all boils down to strict quality control and regular laboratory testing. To avoid delays and inconvenience the company plans to get all the modern equipment and apparatus necessary to carry out these routine essential quality tests.

Utilisation
How can the farmer improve his lot with this scientific balance of nutrients? it takes the average producer over 4lbs. Of meal to produce one lb. Of bacon. This is at least 25% higher than it should be. The reasons for this vary form a lack of proper management to poor environmental conditions and lack of a quick growing breed of pigs.

Feed wastage occurs through careless handling, shallow troughs, excess feeding, especially where floor feeding is practised, and through poor or dilapidated self-feeding troughs. Disease could largely be eliminated by reducing draughts and improving ventilation and insulation in both old and new buildings, also by more careful selection of breeding stock and by controlling human traffic, rodents, birds and other disease producing factors.
Sow productivity should be increased form the national average of fourteen bonhams per sow per annum to at least twenty. This can easily be achieved by early weaning. If good weaning weights are to be achieved bonhams must have eccess to creep feed when they are from 10 to 14 days old. A 40lb Bonham at weaning time will go to slaughter about a fortnight before a 20lb Bonham at weaning time. If the bonhams are reared solely on the sow’s milk up to weaning , weaning weights in excess of 20lbs cannot be expected.