About Our Feeds

We source Certified Organic feed ingredients from across the State of Montana.  We favor partnerships with farmers who practice regenerative crop farming including diverse crop rotations and pollinator conservation – including certifications from ROA and Bee Better (Xerces Society).  

The dryland conditions in Montana produce nutrient-dense and disease-free crops unlike many other states that receive more rainfall. Wheat and other small grains grown in our soils typically test higher than average for protein and micronutrients, and the general quality of Montana’s grain is revered by bakers and chefs around the world.

We build our flagship feeds corn- and soy-free for two reasons:

First:

"Feeding corn and soy to animals increases Omega-6-poly-unsaturated fats (PUFAs) in their meat and eggs. Consuming these fats is linked to increased systemic inflammation, food sensitivities, allergies, and other inflammatory conditions. Allowing animals to consume a more species-appropriate diet, naturally increases healthy Omega-3 content in the resulting meat and eggs."

-- Johnna K. Sutton, JD, MS, FMCHC

Second:

Our awareness of these human health concerns aligns well with our mission to source 100% of our grains and legumes from Montana farmers, as neither corn nor soy are grown reliably in our climate.

Our energy grains

Wheat, oats and barley are the “energy grains” at the heart of our feeds. They each provide the calories required for animal performance, and their own micronutrients. Oats also provide effective fiber that is beneficial to the digestive system.

Each lot of grain that we source is tested upon arrival, and the grain’s specific analysis directs our formulations for each small batch.

Regenerative proteins

Our local protein sources are peas and lentils. These legumes fix nitrogen in the soil and are essential to regenerative practice as crops are rotated so as not to deplete the soil. One crop takes what it needs, and leaves behind certain nutrients to feed the next. Crop diversity along with limited tillage encourages living roots and microorganisms, increasing soil organic matter.

Essential fats

Fat sources in our feeds are primarily derived from flax seeds. As we’ve become more aware of the benefits of animal fats in our human diets, we aim to surpass other feeds in fat content, to provide the essential building blocks for animals to build healthy fats themselves.

Advanced nutrition from the Fertrell Company

Fertrell Poultry Nutri-Balancer

Poultry Nutri-Balancer is made with specialty products created exclusively for Fertrell. As a complete vitamin and mineral supplement, your poultry will thrive on our Poultry Nutri-Balancer. That is why we confidently stand behind the quality of our premier poultry vitamin-mineral supplement. While there are many look-alike products, none can measure up to the original Fertrell Poultry Nutri-Balancer. Poultry Nutri-Balancer can be used for all species of poultry (broilers, layers, turkeys, ducks, guineas, etc), ages and stages of production.

Fertrell Swine Nutri-Balancer

A complete and unique vitamin and mineral premix with probiotics and digestive enzymes specifically formulated for pigs.  A highlight is the inclusion of Fertrell’s RC Gold 4X, originally formulated for ruminant dairy animals with additional kelp, lacto-bacteria and beta glucans.  Swine Nutribalancer is the perfect, complete supplement for productive growth in pastured hogs.  On our farm, we have come to expect larger litters by 1-2 piglets, and have increased our average piglet nursing period from an average of 8 weeks to 12 weeks without wasting sows.

 Nutri-Zyme

An advanced digestive enzyme blend for all classes of livestock and poultry that are fed high levels of small grains (wheat, barley, oats, triticale). It was created so farmers could feed a wider range of grains outside of corn and soy.  The central ingredient is an Aspergillus Oryzae fermentation extract.  A. Oryzae is familiar to us as Koji, used in fermenting food and beverages (miso, sake, rice beer).  Koji is a magic mold which produces enzymes when introduced to small grains.  The enzymes created by the microorganisms in Koji increase the bioavailability of the proteins, starches and fats in the raw ingredients. 

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Fish meal

Poultry and hogs are omnivores, and require an animal source of protein for optimum nutrition.

Fertrell’s fish meal is made from Mexican sardines sustainably caught in the Gulf. The analysis guarantees 62% crude protein.  The only other ingredient is mixed tocopherols, Vitamin E antioxidants to help preserve this product. It is the nutritionist’s recommended supplemental source of protein (and methionine) for poultry and pigs.  Fish Meal helps soy-free rations succeed, keeping your poultry and hogs happy and healthy.  Feed conversion is higher for feeds with fish meal than feeds without, making the resulting product more profitable.

Redmond salt

Provides a full spectrum of sea minerals that improves animal nutrient intake. Their unique blend of minerals comes directly from an ancient mineral sea bed in Central Utah.  Redmond is the gold standard for trace mineral salts in America. 

North Atlantic kelp meal

Fertrell North Atlantic Kelp Meal is a 100% natural feed supplement manufactured by Acadian Seaplants Limited in Canada. ASL™ Kelp Meal is a naturally balanced and chelated source of trace minerals containing a broad range of minerals (including Iodine and Selenium) and phytonutrients necessary for optimal animal nutrition.  Chelate refers to the metallic ion being attached to an organic molecule. These chelated minerals are typically more bioavailable to the animal and are more readily transported and absorbed in the body.