harwood-grains

What is GastroPak?

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 05:47:57 GMT

GastroPak is a scientifically formulated blend of high-quality, natural ingredients aimed at supporting your horse's digestive system.

It includes a gastric buffer made from sustainably sourced plant-based marine minerals and Diamond V XPC postbiotics to enhance hindgut health. This combination helps maintain optimal gastric pH and supports overall digestive wellness , assisting in the prevention of issues like gastric ulcers and hindgut acidosis.

Digestive issues such as gastric ulcers and hindgut acidosis are common in horses, especially those under stress from training, competition, or dietary changes. In fact, reports show that up to 90% of performance horses have gastric ulcers , making this a significant issue impacting the health and wellbeing of our horses (Murray et al., 1989; Sykes et al., 2015). Additionally, hindgut acidosis, which impacts around 30% of performance horses, can be caused by excessive fermentation of starches within the large intestine (Richards et al 2006). This leads to disruptions in gut microbiota resulting in decreased digestive ability and an increased colic risk (Respondek et al., 2008).

These conditions can lead to discomfort, decreased performance, and other health complications. Incorporating a feed including GastroPak into your horse's diet can help alleviate these risks by promoting a balanced and healthy digestive environment.

The Science Behind GastroPak

GastroPak focuses on tackling key digestive issues, such as gastric ulcers and hindgut acidosis, and also helps with feed digestibility and nutrient utilization.

Having a low gastric or hindgut pH (highly acidic) over an extended period can increase the risk of gastric ulcers and hindgut acidosis , respectively, in horses. Therefore, tactics to increase pH (make less acidic) in the stomach and hindgut can be effective in preventing and treating these issues.

Calcium, among other minerals acts as a buffering agent that reduces the acidity in the stomach. A unique source of calcium is seaweed-derived calcium such as Lithothamnion calcaruem and Phymetolithon calcareum. This marine-derived calcium has a unique molecular structure that allows it to have a higher buffering capacity than other calcium-based buffers. In horses, researchers have discovered that marine-based calcium, like what is used in GastroPak, has a potent buffering effect , and helped maintain optimal gastric pH for up to 2 hours post-feeding (Jacobs et al 2020). Additionally, further research on marine-based calcium supplementation found that, by increasing gastric pH, it aided in significant improvement in gastric ulcer score, with many horses having ulcers fully healed (Moir et al 2016). When looking at hindgut acidosis, marine-derived calcium was shown to increase fecal pH in horses, suggesting it has positive impacts on hindgut health and can be an effective strategy in helping to prevent hindgut acidosis (Liburt et al 2021).

Another component in GastroPak, Diamond V XPC, is a postbiotic that works with your horse’s biology to improve digestive health and support immune function . It is made of the fermentation products of a proprietary strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast. Postbiotics, such as Diamond V XPC, have demonstrated positive effects on gut microbiota balance, immune function, and digestive efficiency in horses (Schoster et al., 2017; Swyers et al., 2008). Now, I’m sure you’ve heard of prebiotics, and probiotics, but the term ‘postbiotic’ may be new to you. Postbiotics are the resulting byproduct of feeding probiotic bacteria strains. Essentially, they are the beneficial component we are looking for when feeding probiotic bacteria, however, they are not living entities like probiotics and are more likely to have a meaningful impact on your horse’s digestive health.

Harwood Grains Products Featuring GastroPak

We have integrated GastroPak into several of our premium-quality equine feeds and treats to provide comprehensive digestive support:

Smart Treat : Delicious treats crafted with GastroPak, designed to help maintain optimal gastric pH and support overall digestive wellness.
Equine Plus : A balanced feed fortified with essential nutrients and GastroPak, supporting healthy growth and reproductive health in broodmares, breeding stallions, weanlings, and yearlings.
Balancer : A low-sugar/starch, nutrient-dense pellet containing GastroPak, ideal for complementing a forage-based diet and ensuring your horse receives essential vitamins and minerals.
Performer : Formulated for performance horses, this feed includes GastroPak to support increased energy demands and digestive health, helping your horse perform at its best.
Calm Horse : A grain-free, low-NSC feed with GastroPak, providing cool energy for horses in light to moderate work while supporting digestive health.

Why Choose Harwood Grains?

As a family-owned and operated Australian company, Harwood Grains is committed to producing premium animal feed products. Our equine-safe, medication-free mill uses locally sourced ingredients, and we focus on sustainability in all our operations. By choosing our products, you're supporting local industry and providing your horse with the highest quality nutrition.

Incorporating GastroPak into your horse's diet through our range of feeds and treats is a proactive step toward ensuring their digestive health and overall well-being. Explore our products today and give your horse the support it deserves.

References:

Andrews, F. M., Buchanan, B. R., Elliott, S. B., Clariday, N. A., & Edwards, L. H. (2017). Gastric ulcers in horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 52, 88-93.
Luthersson, N., Nielsen, K. H., Harris, P., & Parkin, T. D. (2009). Risk factors associated with equine gastric ulceration syndrome (EGUS) in 201 horses in Denmark . Equine Veterinary Journal, 41(7), 625-630.
Murray, M. J., Schusser, G. F., Pipers, F. S., & Gross, S. J. (1989). Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Thoroughbreds . Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 3(6), 235-239.
Respondek, F., Goachet, A. G., Julliand, V., Sloth, N. M., & Guillot, J. (2008). Effects of dietary short-chain fructooligosaccharides on the intestinal microflora of horses subjected to a sudden change in diet. Journal of Animal Science, 86(2), 316-323.
Richards, N. et al. The effect of current grain feeding practices on hindgut starch fermentation and acidosis in the Australian racing Thoroughbred . Aust Vet J. 2006.
Schoster, A., Weese, J. S., & Guardabassi, L. (2017). Probiotic use in horses – what is the evidence for their clinical efficacy? . Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 31(5), 1175-1186.
Swyers, K. L., Burk, A. O., Hartsock, T. G., Ungerfeld, E. M., & Shelton, J. L. (2008). Effects of direct-fed microbial supplementation on digestibility and fermentation end-products in horses fed low- and high-starch concentrates . Journal of Animal Science, 86(11), 2596-2608.
Sykes, B. W., Hewetson, M., Hepburn, R. J., Luthersson, N., & Tamzali, Y. (2015). European College of Equine Internal Medicine Consensus Statement – Equine gastric ulcer syndrome in adult horses . Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 29(5), 1288-1299.

Feeding Chaff vs Pelleted Chaff Alternatives – Which is best?

Mon, 20 May 2024 01:31:57 GMT

Fibre is an important component in your horse’s diet. While both chaff and Smart Chaff will be excellent sources for fibre in the diet, there are a few notable differences that may cause you to switch from traditional loose chaff to a convenient-to-feed, like our pelleted Smart Chaff.

Consistent levels of Sugar and Starch (NSCs)

Some chaffs like oaten and wheaten chaff can have very high levels of sugar and starch (aka NSCs). In fact, oaten and wheaten chaff can range from as low as 4% to 45% NSC depending on variables such as plant maturity and seasonal variation. Even lucerne chaff, which tends to be low in NSC, can creep up to 15% NSC in some cases. When they are on the low end of NSC, these chaffs can be excellent for horses who may require lower NSC levels due to metabolic concerns (like laminitis), or fizzy horses that are sensitive to NSC levels in their diet. However, since these levels are so highly variable, looking for a fibre option with guaranteed levels of NSCs is ideal. Our Smart Chaff contains a guaranteed max NSC of 10%, making it safe for horses who are sensitive to NSCs.

Balanced Calcium and Phosphorus

Cereal chaffs like oaten and wheaten chaff tend to have higher levels of phosphorus than calcium. In our horse’s diets, to support strong, healthy bones, we should aim to have around twice as much calcium in the diet as phosphorus. When feeding chaffs high in phosphorus, we run the risk of disrupting that balance, and potentially can negatively affect your horse’s bone health. Smart Chaff is fortified with calcium and phosphorus to help ensure this healthy balance of calcium and phosphorus in the diet.

Reducing Wastage and Dust Levels

Everyone who feeds chaff knows how messy and dusty it can be. The light, fluffy chaff easily floats away with a light breeze, resulting in a lot of wastage. Feeding a pelleted chaff, like Smart Chaff, can reduce the amount of wastage, meaning the money you spend on chaff isn’t scattering on the floor with it. Pelleted products will naturally be less dusty than loose chaff, meaning it is better for your horse’s lungs.

Easily Soaks Down

Horses with poor dentition, those prone to choke, or those who are in need of more hydration can benefit from soaked feed. Unlike loose chaff, pelleted chaff like Smart Chaff soaks down easily. This is especially beneficial for senior horses with dental issues as it can help ensure they are getting enough fibre in their diet in a safe and healthy way. Smart Chaff pellets can double in size with added water, making them great for getting more water into your horses diet, helping with hydration and digestive health.

Monitor Protein Levels

For most horses (excluding high performance horses), feeding pure lucerne chaff in addition to their normal diet can easily exceed their protein requirements. Most, if not all, of your horse’s protein requirements are already covered by their pasture and/or hay. If the hay/pasture doesn’t fully cover their protein requirements, the addition of a concentrate feed will likely ensure your horse’s protein needs are more than covered. Excess protein in the diet is not beneficial to horses and is excreted from the body in the form of urea. Why waste money on additional protein when your horse doesn’t need it? Smart Chaff contains a moderate level of protein to support your horse’s protein needs without overdoing it. If you are wondering if your horse is getting enough protein in their diet, contact us for a free diet evaluation by our nutritionist to assess your horse’s diet.

Palatable Carrier for Supplements

For horses who don’t require hard feed, feeding powdered supplements can easily become a nightmare. SmartChaff is a highly palatable option to mix supplements. With regular chaff, powders and pellets just sink down to the bottom of the bucket where they will likely be left. Soaked SmartChaff makes it easy to blend powders and pellets into to ensure your horse is getting the best nutrition possible.

Positive Reinforcement Treats

Pelleted chaff pellets, like Smart Chaff, are excellent low-sugar treat options for your horses. Horse’s respond very well to positive reinforcement with treats – after all the way to your horse’s heart is through their stomach! Smart Chaff pellets are perfect for keeping in your pocket to treat your horse for a job well done.

Conclusion

Smart Chaff presents a compelling alternative to traditional loose chaff, offering consistent NSC levels, balanced calcium-phosphorus ratios, reduced wastage and dust, and ease of soaking. With its moderate protein content and suitability as a low-sugar treat, Smart Chaff is a versatile and convenient choice for promoting optimal equine health and nutrition.

Tour D'Horse 2024

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 06:16:10 GMT

In January 2024, we were a proud major sponsor of the KIDS Foundation Tour d'Horse event.

Some details about the event are below as well as some great photos of our involvement.

200km Horse Ride 9:00AM - 4:00PM Thursday 18th - Sunday 28th January 2024
Started at Spicers Guest House Pokolbin and travelling to Tamworth
Our Harwood Grains Truck carted all the feed the event
Paul Harwood also rode along with the team and giving a hand
The KIDS Foundation exists to make a difference in child wellbeing, safety and injury recovery.
You can find out more about The KIDS Foundation and the event right here: https://www.kidsfoundation.org.au/events/15/tour-dhorse

Heading in to Summer 2022

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 05:20:07 GMT

The current season we are experiencing is bringing many challenges for producers of all kinds across the east coast.

Here in Victoria, like many other parts of the country, we have experienced extreme rainfall, creating serious obstacles for harvest of both fodder and grain. Some things to be aware of moving into the summer months are:

Many parts of the state still have green feed and will continue to do so for some time. However, this feed will become reproductive and mature if not already, ultimately reducing in quality. This may be suitable for maintenance diets, however, if we are finishing animals and aiming for growth targets supplementary feeding of both an energy and protein source will likely be required to achieve our targets.

Due to the level of rain we have experienced feed may be standing in water, fodder may have been harvested with high moisture or has been compromised by water post-harvest. Moisture in fodder greatly increases the risk of mycotoxins in feed, which can have negative effects on all classes of livestock, along with horses. It is not advised to feed fodder that has clear signs of rot and mould presence. It may also be advisable to test fodder and include a mycotoxin binder in your supplementary feed program to help mitigate the risk of unseen mycotoxins, a service available through Harwood Grains.

Aside from nutritional challenges Flystrike may be of great concern to our sheep producers. Very wet, humid, and warm conditions could see your flock at greater risk of flystrike this season. It is prudent to be vigilant with checking your sheep and putting in preventative strategies where possible

If you have any concerns or questions regarding your animals' nutritional requirements, you’re welcome to touch base with the Harwood Grains team.

Chaff & Chaff Alternatives - Pros Vs Cons

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 05:36:22 GMT

Chaff (chopped hay) is one of the most common feed-additives in the world. For almost 200 years, farmers have been feeding their horses different kinds of Chaff and chopped straw. Being that it is now the 21st century, it is not surprising that equestrians now are questioning if Chaff is still the best option for fibre consumption in horses. Taking into consideration recent developments and research into equine biology and diets, we look at the pros and cons of Chaff, and Chaff alternatives.

Chaff/Chopped Hay
Typically seen as either a singular, or blended cut of popular hay varieties (lucerne, oaten, wheaten etc.), Chaff is a simple, typically cost-effective choice for adding fibre into horses’ diets. It can be sold as a standalone one-ingredient feed or can sometimes include molasses or oils to aid in palatability.

Whilst chaff is the traditional choice for most horse owners, it is not always the best. After the manufacturing process, chaff is no longer a form of long-stem roughage and does not satisfy the horse’s natural drive to graze continuously. As chaff does not promote as much chewing as hay or other chaff-replacement products, it leads to a lack of saliva production within the horse’s mouth. Lack of adequate saliva means the feed is consumed without the horses’ natural gut neutriliser and can easily lead to a rise in gastric ulcers and acidosis.

Whilst this can be supported by additional gastric supplements, it is not always cost-efficient and only suits as a ‘band-aid’ solution.

Depending on the supplier, Chaff can range from prime quality to quite poor quality. Chaff is fairly easy to store but can often be dusty, especially in the dryer months of the year. Incorrect storage can also often lead to an increase in mould & dust, and it’s unfortunately common to see entire bags of chaff ruined by this.

When feeding your horse, ensure that they do not eat more than 2.5kgs per meal (based off a 500kg horse) and try and feed them smaller meals often instead of one larger meal a day. As the horse’s gastrointestinal tract can only manage so much at one time, overfeeding Chaff can often lead to incorrect nutrient digestion. For example, if you feed a horse 1.5-2kgs of a pelleted or muesli type feed, and 2kgs+ of Chaff at the same time, chances are the stomach will digest more of the chaff, and less of the feed. This can often lead to a reduction in the horse’s performance, condition & mood. In this situation, less (chaff) is more.

Fermented Hay/Fibre
Another option in the chaff-alternatives range, Fermented Hay/Fibre is a good alternative for chaff but is not without its disadvantages. Whilst Fermented Fibre does help heal & prevent gastric ulcers, it is often rejected by horses that have not eaten the feed before, with some horses completely refusing to ingest it due to its potent smell. Due to this, it is not uncommon to see bags of this feed wasted, thrown out or sold on due to its taste/smell.

Despite being a dust-free alternative to chaff due to its moisture content, fermented fibre is often a sensitive feed, with weather changes and incorrect storage often impacting its longevity, which is only 10 or so days regardless. Unfortunately, this feed does not do well in climates that are typically over 30-35 degrees Celsius, and its moisture content makes it more prone to mould spores appearing.

Storing this type of feed can often be an inconvenience for larger scale stables, as it is suggested that the feed remain in its bag, with a towel or non-airtight container being the recommended covering. As it cannot be stored in an air-tight container, it is often an attractive pursuit for rodents.

HGS Chaff Fibre Cubes
Another new alternative to chaff, Chaff Cubes or Chaff Pellets are a simplified, efficient way of delivering fibre to your horse. Chaff cubes typically share a near-identical crude fibre content to normal chaff, but due to the pelleting process, can also be manufactured with additional supplements to help improve the nutritional value of the feed. Chaff cubes are low-dust, easy to store and are heavier and denser than chaff, which encourages the horse to chew longer and helps produce the saliva needed to neutralize excessive stomach acid. Chaff cubes are also free from fermentation, which allows them a longer shelf life, and a much lower risk of mould.
HGS Chaff Fibre Cubes have been formulated with all of the above in mind.

Easy to digest, highly palatable and containing a unique blend of vitamins and minerals, HGS Chaff Fibre Cubes are the ultimate choice for adding additional fibre to your horse’s diet. This supplemental fibre source can be fed wet or dry and is a great choice for older horses that may struggle chewing hay. Due to the pelleting process, these cubes are very low in dust, have a longer shelf life than other fibre alternatives, and are easy to store as well as being a cost-efficient alternative to chaff.

HGS Chaff Fibre Cubes contain Bentonite which acts as a buffer, coating the gut in a gel which helps slow the digestive process and reduce the risk of acidosis/gastric ulcers. These cubes also contain Molofos, which helps stimulate appetite and provides an additional source of vitamins, minerals, and energy for your horse.
As this fibre source is pelletised, it can be stored just like any other feed, but is of greater density than general chaff. This should be taken into consideration when adding to your ration.

What's the best Kitty Litter?

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 03:15:14 GMT

It comes as no surprise that litter boxes are a regular in almost every cat-owner’s home.

Unless your cat lives outside, or you’ve potty-trained it (if so, congrats by the way), chances are you have cat litter in your house. As cat litter is so widely used, it makes sense that there are a large variety of options available for different households. Unfortunately, a lot of these options can be quite dangerous to both you and your cat, and not many cat-owners are aware of this.

So, let’s take a look at some of the more commonly used litters, and their detrimental disadvantages.

Clay Litter

Clay litter is one of the most commonly used cat litters on the market. It is ideal for odor control, and many cats have no problems navigating it. Unfortunately, clay litter is also one of the most dangerous options available.

Clay litter is often derived from strip mining – a procedure that is highly destructive to the environment. Unfortunately, the destructive process doesn’t end there, as all used clay litter ends up in the garbage and landfills. Whilst this is extremely unfortunate, it isn’t the only danger of using clay litter.

If you haven’t heard of sodium bentonite before, chances are you weren’t aware that it is actually one of the most common clumping agents used in cat litter. This chemical is prominent in the dust spread by interacting with the clay litter, and when inhaled or ingested can lead to intestinal blockages and can be deadly. It is also a health hazard for people, so should be avoided for both you and your pet’s safety.

Crystal Litter

Next on the list is crystal litter, which is well recognised for its white & coloured crystals. Whilst crystal litter does not contain sodium bentonite (as it is a non-clumping litter), it does contain sodium silicate AND cobalt chloride, with both being almost equally as dangerous as each other. As this litter is also crystallized, it can be quite painful for your cat to dig through.

Sodium silicate is the building block of the crystals contained in this litter, with their make-up consisting solely of solid granules of these compounds. These crystals, despite their solidarity, often spread microscopic silica dust, which unfortunately can lead to silicosis when inhaled. Combine this with the carcinogenic properties of cobalt chloride (present in the dyed crystals), and you have a very dangerous litter choice. Oh, and did we mention that if these crystals are ingested, they can cause death? No good.

Paper Litter

Whilst paper litter IS made from recycled paper, it commonly ends up in landfills right alongside the clay litter, which doesn’t promote its environmentally friendly image. Furthering this, it also contains the infamous sodium bentonite mentioned earlier, which means this litter option is just as dangerous as the others we’ve already covered. Despite the addition of sodium bentonite to aid in clumping properties, this litter doesn’t absorb urine very well, which often leads to it sitting at the bottom of the tray, promoting ill odor and bacteria. Sadly, this option is no better than the others.

Let’s step away from the negative options, and take a look at one very positive alternative that we’ve had the pleasure of researching and developing.

Introducing - HGS Kitty Litter

Made entirely from natural oat hulls, HGS Kitty Litter provides an eco-friendly and kitten safe option for all cat lovers. Suitable for cats or kittens with allergies, asthma and respiratory issues, this litter is 100% chemical free, unscented, and biodegradable, meaning it can be safely applied to your garden after use. This litter is ideal for fragrance-sensitive cats, kittens and recently desexed felines, and as an added bonus, does not stick to paws or leave stains.

HGS Kitty Litter can be safely used as compost in your garden and due to its 100% natural composition, breaks down over time leaving no mess or fuss!

HGS Kitty Litter contains NO sodium bentonite, NO sodium silicate, and NO cobalt chloride (all found in crystal, clay, and paper cat litters) and is 100% chemical free.

Lamb Feed Lotting

Sun, 09 May 2021 05:20:38 GMT

It has been an unusual season for some, with rain persisting right through summer seeing the continuation of green feed for much longer than normal. However, this is not the case for all, and the usual dry Australian summer has hit hard.

Whether you have decided to trail feed, containment feed or set up your feed lot during these months, Harwood Grains and Stockfeeds has something to suit your requirements; full fed, tailored pellet options, or a concentrate pellet to balance your grain on farm. Combined with on farm technical support, talk to us today to develop a plan to help you achieve your production targets.

Feedlotting or containment feeding both young stock, or mature animals is an excellent management tool to aid in achieving production targets during dry periods, or to generally finish groups of lambs. It can aid in maintaining pasture cover or prevent continued damage and deterioration when going through periods of stress. It can be used to successfully join ewes, inducing a tighter joining period with a reduced percentage of ram power required.
It is vital to remember than when we contain, or feedlot animals our management practices are of great importance. We dictate how well these animals will perform as we are supplying everything they require to perform when in a restricted space.

It is recommended that you, as producers, develop an introductory protocol for all new stock which arrive on property. Adopting the habit of assuming no knowledge of previous history and managing them accordingly. Drenching, vaccinating, and supplying ample moderate quality forage and clean fresh water will give you an excellent start when introducing new animals to your enterprise. If your intention is to introduce concentrate feed to your ration (pellets, grain etc.) then assuming these animals have no previous exposure to this type of feed has occurred, is your safest path, even if you have been told they were being trail fed at the previous property or they have had pellets before etc. The simple truth is, you do not know exactly what this feed was, how much they were getting or how long it has been since they last consumed this feed. Changing from barley to pellets, or from trail feeding to self-feeders is enough to cause a grain overload and induce acidosis, potentially resulting in mortalities or setting you back days to weeks. If you are unsure about or would like additional assistance in developing an introductory protocol our technical team is available to assist you, or you can consult your local veterinarian.

It is then advised that following a good 24-48 hour period of consuming sufficient forage, concentrate is introduced at between 100-300g per head day. Ensuring forage is always available along with clean fresh water. If your water is dirty, filled with algae or particularly high in salts, water intake will be reduced as will feed intakes.

When increasing your concentrate feed of choice, it always advised to lean on the side of caution. Increasing your allocation by 100g per head approximately every 3 days will ensure the rumen has adequate time to adjust to the increasing starch load and reducing the chance for bossy feeders to gorge. For good rumen development and to reduce your chance of inducing acidosis, achieving your intake target of approximately 1kg/50kg live weight per day of concentrate should be achieved somewhere between day 14 and day 21. It may be achievable closer to day 14 when feeding pellets, due to the inclusion of digestible fibers and well blended buffering aids, while full allocation may be achieved closer to day 21 when feeding a cereal grain and concentrate blend due to the high starch loading of these raws.

It should be noted though, that regardless of how prepared and how well managed your feeding regime is, mortality and incidents of acidosis may still occur. It is not uncommon to have bossy and shy feeders in a group, whom will either gorge or may not eat concentrate for more than 24 hours then find access to a feeder and consequently induce some degree of grain poisoning. It should not, however, be happening to a large percentage of your mob. It is advised that time is taken to identify shy feeders and group these animals up together. This will allow these animals more opportunity to feed and perform better than being lost in the large mobs and performing poorly. For further information on appropriate feedlot set up, feeder allocation and recommended stocking rates the NSW DPI has some usual information that may assist you- Feedlotting lambs (nsw.gov.au) .

To ensure you are on the right track with both for your facilities and ration formulation, and you are set up to achieve your targets why not get in contact with one of the team members at Harwood Grains, speak to your vet or your independent nutritional advisor. Taking the time to ensure your set to maximize your productivity from your facilities and ration.