The agricultural industry in the Eastern Cape, which has been hurt by the ongoing drought, has benefited greatly from a livestock feed additive called Clinomix® supplied by Pratley, according to Marketing Director Eldon Kruger. The zeolite-based feed additive and stock remedy contains 90% clinoptilolite, a completely natural mineral mined and processed exclusively by Pratley South Africa.
A recent meeting with about 20 farmers in the Burgersdorp area in the Eastern Cape revealed highly-positive feedback. During the colder months, farmers begin to use high-energy feed to preserve grazing land. This has the unwanted side-effect of raising the ammonia level in their livestock, and can intern lead to lethal consequences. Clinomix® effectively reduces acidosis and ammonia levels, thereby improving the overall health of sheep, cattle, and other ruminants.
Kruger also points out that Clinomix® is a highly-effective mycotoxin binder. In a recent study by the SGS Agri Food laboratory in Cape Town, Clinomix® was effective in eliminating 99.9% of deadly mycotoxins in animal feed. In addition, it also improves the flowability and anti-caking of feed. Another major feature is that it effectively alleviates acute and chronic diarrhoea and/or scouring in high-density feedlots, while significantly reducing odour and faecal moisture.
Clinomix® is part of a range of products that Pratley produces and markets specifically for the agricultural industry, which Kruger notes is an important growth market for the company. “Our products essentially boost productivity for farmers. This, in turn, uplifts the economy, and has the added value of job creation. This is especially important at the moment with the current downturn,” Kruger stresses.
Other agricultural products include Clinoxin®, a broad-spectrum mycotoxin binder aimed at the poultry industry. It also has the major benefit of reducing ammonia levels and faecal moisture in poultry houses. Both Clinoxin® and Clinomix® are registered stock remedies with the South African Department of Agriculture.
Pratley’s full range of agri products will be on display at Grain SA’s NAMPO Harvest Day 2019, the leading event of its kind for the farming community, from 14 to 17 May in Bothaville in the Free State at Stands 19 and 20 in the Zest WEG Hall.
A long-time exhibitor at NAMPO, Pratley mainly distributes its agri products via co-operatives, large distribution outlets, and companies that mix their own feed.