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South Dakota feed mill phasing out antibiotics

A director for the Midwest Poultry Federation is dealing with changes to feeding birds firsthand.

Bob Drake owns a large feed mill in South Dakota and says his operation has had to adjust to the phasing out of antibiotics.

“We’re using a lot more enzymes, probiotics, prebiotics, things in the feed that are designed to get better feed efficiency and give you ultimate gut health in the turkey so you don’t have to use (antibiotics) in the treatment.”

Speaking to Brownfield at the Midwest Poultry Federation Convention, Drake says his feed mill is in the process of removing all antibiotics in order to meet the requirements of their customers.

“We feed mainly the Hutterite Colonies out in South Dakota and they raise a lot of birds that have their own processing plant, and that processing plant is going more antibiotic-free and animal protein-free.  So the challenge for us is to supply a product that meets their demands.”

Drake is also the president of the South Dakota Poultry Industry Association.