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Testimonials

OptiPhos® Testimonials

Cheney Farms — MI

JBS: Tell us about your business.
Cheney Farms: I own a 250 sow farrow to finish hog operation located on one site. We purchase replacement females from PIC. I also farm 1700 acres of corn, wheat and soybeans. I have two full time employees.
JBS: How large is your pig production operation?
Cheney Farms: We sell approximately 5000 market hogs per year.
JBS: How long have you been producing pigs?
Cheney Farms: Cheney Farms has been in the pork production business for over 40 years. Our farm was started in 1861.
JBS: What JBS United products do you presently purchase?
Cheney Farms: We are currently using Eco 30L in grow/finish, and sow feed. We also use a sow pac, Starter base 400, H.D. 60, Bulky lax, Adsero, EW, HE and Start 4 pelleted feeds, to name a few.
JBS: How long have you used OptiPhos?
Cheney Farms: We started with OptiPhos in the spring of 2006.
JBS: What results have you encountered in the pig from using OptiPhos?
Cheney Farms: I have not detected any setback in the pig from using OptiPhos. Selling weights have improved but that is probably due to the use of vaccine against PCVAD.
JBS: Which OptiPhos product do you use?
Cheney Farms: Whatever is in Eco 30L.
JBS: Have you used other phytase products in the past?
Cheney Farms: Yes, but the name escapes my memory.
JBS: Why did you choose OptiPhos?
Cheney Farms: On the recommendation of Ed, we switched to OptiPhos. Dropping the dicalcium phosphate was very interesting to me. No other product had made that recommendation. Since we are concerned with phosphorus buildup in the soil, I was very interested in trying the new product.
JBS: How much OptiPhos do the pigs receive when fed?
Cheney Farms: They are fed according to label.
JBS: Do you find OptiPhos as an affordable phytase product?
Cheney Farms: Since dropping the dical in the ration, it made the product very affordable.
JBS: Did you know that OptiPhos significantly reduces phosphorus levels in manure? (OptiPhos can reduce phosphorus excretion 44% when fed at 500 FTU/kg, compared to a non-phytase diet.)
Cheney Farms: Yes, that is the primary reason that I tried OptiPhos in my finishing rations. We are just now adding it to our sow diets.
JBS: Has Optiphos lowered the phosphorus in your manure? How much?
Cheney Farms: First results from manure tests indicate a 37% reduction in our manure.
JBS: Were you able to do this with other phytases that you have fed?
Cheney Farms: We didn't see such a dramatic drop in our manure analysis.
JBS: Does this help you comply with Michigan's regulations concerning phosphorus in the soil?
Cheney Farms: This will be a great advantage to us as we apply manure to our fields. Our pH levels should be easier to manage and remain in compliance with the right to farm guidelines.
JBS: Is this an economic advantage for you?
Cheney Farms: Yes, it should allow me to better manage my manure application and allow me to spread closer to the farm site.
JBS: Can you haul more manure closer to home? Saving both dollars and time.
Cheney Farms: See above.
JBS: Does this allow your land base to support more hogs should you want to expand? (or lower the amount of land that you would need to acquire?)
Cheney Farms: I have more than enough land for the number of hogs that I raise. Should I choose to ever expand, it would be an easier sell to the public and other farmers to say that I won't be loading the soil with phosphorus.
JBS: Farmers have always been environmentally friendly. Do you feel that using OptiPhos allows you to farm in a more environmentally friendly manner?
Cheney Farms: Absolutely! Phosphorus levels are the limiting factor in soil fertility in Michigan. With the hogs taking more out of the corn and soybean meal, it means less on the soil surrounding my farm.
JBS: Additional comments on OptiPhos.
Cheney Farms: OptiPhos is a great tool in the reduction in pH in our soils. I am anxious to see what it will do in the sow manure. It can only help lower the levels in the applied manure.
JBS: Additional comments on JBS United.
Cheney Farms: We have been feeding JBS United feeds for over 25 years. It is the innovation and the addition of products like OptiPhos that keep me as a customer. Along with the relationships with the sales staff, I consider JBS United a key component in my livestock management tool bag.

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White Farms — MI

White Farms is a 2500 sow farrow to finish operation that has been in business for 35 plus years. They started using OptiPhos in the fall of 2005.

JBS: What results have you encountered from using OptiPhos?
White Farms: Lowered the phosphorus levels in manure.
JBS: How much lower?
White Farms: 35 to 38%
JBS: Additional Comments from White Farms
White Farms: It is a great product. Will especially help the family farm operations. Thanks for sharing your research.

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Maplewood Farms — MI

Maplewood Farms has been in operation for 33 years. They began using OptiPhos in December of 2005 on their 1800 sow farrow to finish farm.

JBS: What results have you encountered from using OptiPhos?
Maplewood Farms: Phosphorus levels have dropped in manure 44 - 50% in finish and gest manure.
JBS: Why did you choose OptiPhos?
Maplewood Farms: Trust in JBS United research.
JBS: Does using OptiPhos provide and economic advantage for you?
Maplewood Farms: Yes, lets us haul manure on our fields instead of giving away.

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