A highly structured feeding system allows for testing, innovation and results
Who: Mark Oldenkamp (left), Vice President of NW Operations, Valley Fresh Foods Inc. Woodburn, Oregon
Where: Oregon, Washington and California production sites
About the lay operations: 2.5 million laying hens plus replacement pullets. We have been producing eggs on the West Coast for over 50 years and we manufacture custom rations in our feed mills for all of our flocks.
Background: After earning a BS in Animal Science, Business option, I studied Poultry Nutrition at Oregon State University receiving an MS in 1981. I have worked in production and operations for Valley Fresh Foods my entire career. As Vice President of Operations I supervise, among many other things, weekly least cost formulations for all locations working with our nutritional consultant. We have found that by being this involved in our feeding program, we can look at different ingredients or additives with ease. Other responsibilities include production planning, commodity purchasing, marketing and representing our company in industry organizations. Currently, I chair the Animal Welfare Producer Committee for United Egg Producers and chair the Ag Education Committee for the American Egg Board.
On protocols, consistency and profitable animal husbandry practices: Valley Fresh Foods has always been a company that strives to provide the very best for our flocks. Our flock record systems are fairly detailed giving us the ability to analyze results. Nutritionally, we consider alternative ingredients and feed additives regularly and cooperatively test them. We understand that production field trials need to be replicated to be able to see if the trends are reliable. Animal welfare is taken very seriously.
On Diamond V: Over my 32+ years in the business, we have tried countless feed additives to see if they will pay back. During that time only a few additives have proven themselves. Many get improved performance but at a cost greater than the benefits. Diamond V Original XPC is now in all of our layer and pullet rations because of the consistent results we (and others) had in over two years of on-farm trials. I appreciate the commitment I have seen from Diamond V to provide ongoing research coupled with top technical support as they invest with us in better flock performance. The cost of XPC is an investment that more than pays for itself.
