WHAT’S IN THE BAG?
INGREDIENTS
“Should I feed my horse MasterPerform Complete or Go Glow Equine?” my client asks me. Honestly, I have no idea. I typically respond, “Let me see the label,” and then I start to sweat. Because feed labels are probably one of the most complicated, hard-to-understand, tiniest pieces of paper on the planet!
I’m here to help you understand the basics behind deciphering feed labels. I’ll tell you what’s required to appear on a label by law, what those listings mean, and how to make the basic calculations to determine what’s really in the bag. With this information, you’ll be able to decide which feed is most likely to meet your horse’s needs.
ANATOMY OF A FEED TAG
Feed tags are considered legal documents and are regulated by both federal and state laws. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) determines guidelines for proper labeling. Here’s a guide to the six things that must be listed on every bag of feed: product name/basics, purpose statement, guaranteed analysis, ingredients list, feeding directions, and precautions.
We’ll start by examining the name, basics, and purpose statement; the rest will follow after that.
Every feed label must
