Thanks to a buoyant Scottish whisky industry, increased availability of the distillery co-product, Spey Syrup has come on the market, potentially reducing the cost of dairy and beef rations.

This free flowing distillery liquid from Trident Feeds, is high in protein and energy and is comparable to soya on a nutritional like for like basis.

“Protein is an essential component of livestock diets, but with soya and rapemeal prices remaining high, producers are experiencing a continual rise in feed costs, which is eroding margins. We’re therefore pleased to be able to offer a more cost-effective alternative,” says Alistair Jackson, national sales manager at Trident Feeds.

“Spey Syrup is around 25% cheaper, and so its inclusion will therefore significantly reduce the overall cost of the diet.”

Mr Jackson says that in addition to being an good source of protein and energy, the distillery liquid drives intakes and reduces diet sorting therefore improving overall diet efficiency and animal performance.

“Spey Syrup contains high levels of yeast fragments left over from the fermentation process. This delivers a beneficial effect on rumen acid production and microbial protein yield, which research has shown can improve rumen health, feed conversion efficiency and production.”

And, in contrast to previous years, when supplies have run short particularly during the winter months, he said the company would be able to offer higher volumes for the year ahead.

“With higher volumes now available to us, we have invested heavily in storage facilities to ensure the supply can be maintained all year round and are now in position to offer longer-term contracts to our customers," he concluded.