Feed costs are a major pressure on livestock farms, and protein has become particularly expensive. With so much capital tied up in bought-in feed, many farmers are asking:
How do I get more out of what I already grow?
That’s where alkalisation and protein enhancement using Home n’ Dry can make a real, measurable difference.
What Is Alkalisation – in Simple Terms?
When cereal crops are treated with Home n’ Dry, they become alkaline rather than acidic. Once the pellets encounter moisture, they release ammonia, which:
- Raises pH
- Preserves the crop
- Improves digestibility
- Enhances protein content
- Creates a more rumen-friendly feed
The result is a stable, alkaline, higher-value feed that supports better rumen function and allows livestock to perform without pushing expensive inputs harder.
Turning Grain into More Protein – At a Time When Protein Is Costly
As well as alkalisation another of the advantages of Home n Dry is the increase in crude protein.
For example, wheat treated to produce Alkagrain typically analyses at:
- Around 17% crude protein
- Compared to untreated wheat at roughly 13%
That’s an uplift of around 4% of protein, created on farm – without buying in additional protein sources.
At today’s protein prices, that extra home-grown protein can significantly reduce reliance on expensive soya or blends, particularly in finishing and high-energy systems.
Compare 85% rolled barley + 15% 3-way protein blend = £224/tonne
Vs treating barley with Home n Dry = £223/tonne
Supporting the Rumen – Not Fighting It
High-starch diets are common across dairy, beef and sheep systems, but they come with risk. Sub-acute ruminal acidosis in the rumen can suppress intakes, compromise performance and increase the chance of digestive upsets.
Alkalised feeds help tackle this at source. Because alkaline feeds have a higher pH, they:
- Help buffer rumen acidity
- Support more consistent intakes
- Create a better environment for fibre-digesting microbes
Allow starch-based diets to be fed more safely
This is why alkaline feeding has become a key tool in modern feeding systems that aim to balance performance with animal health.
Proven in Beef Finishing Systems
Across UK beef finishing systems, alkalisation is delivering faster finishing without higher feed costs.
Jacob Barker, who works for Agricultural Central Trading, saw bulls finished on rations containing alkaline treated grain produced using Home n’ Dry achieve:
- Around 0.2 kg/day higher daily liveweight gain
- 2-3 week earlier finish
- Reduced overall cost per kilo of gain
At the most expensive stage of production, shaving days off the finishing period delivers real financial and throughput benefits.
Producers also report:
- Strong kill-out percentages
- Consistent carcase grading
- Reliable performance from home-grown cereals
Benefits for Dairy Systems
In dairy systems, rumen stability is critical for:
- Consistent intakes
- Milk yield
- Milk solids
- Fertility and body condition
Trial work and on-farm experience show that alkaline concentrates and home-treated grains:
- Improve feed efficiency
- Support more stable rumen pH
- Help cows utilise high-energy diets more effectively
Because alkalised feeds support digestion rather than pushing concentrate levels higher, they offer a practical way to improve performance while keeping costs under control.
Practical Value for Sheep Systems
Lamb enterprises often rely heavily on cereals, particularly during the finishing phase Alkalised grain offers sheep farmers:
- Increased protein from home-grown feeds
- Improved digestibility
- A safer way to feed starch-based rations
- Reduced reliance on purchased protein
For many systems, this means better growth rates and condition without escalating feed bills.
One-Step, On-Farm, Proven Technology Home n’ Dry is:
- A one-step application
- Suitable for use at harvest or throughout the year with bought-in grain
Backed by over 40 years of development
- Proven in real farms as well as trials
It allows farmers to unlock more value from cereals and crops already on the farm, turning them into higher-protein, more stable, rumen-friendly feeds.
Smarter Feeding Starts with Alkalisation
With protein costs high and margins under pressure, using Home n Dry is not about feeding more – it’s about feeding smarter.
By increasing protein by around 4%, supporting rumen function and improving feed efficiency, Home n’ Dry helps modern livestock systems work harder without adding unnecessary cost.
Want to know how alkaline feeding could fit your system
Call the Alka-line: +44(0)1200 613118
or email info@homendry.com
Learn more: www.homendry.com