INSPECTION OF COMMERCIAL FEEDSTUFFS 19 



Alfalfa Products 



Alfalfa meals which are used as a source of carotene in poultry mashes should 

 contain at least 50,000 International Units of carotene per pound in terms of 

 vitamin A equivalent. In 1942 when Control Service made the first assays, 59 

 per cent of those examined met this standard; in 1945, only 32 per cent proved 

 satisfactory. 



Rapid deterioration of carotene can be caused in a number of ways, even 

 though the unprocessed material is of excellent quality. For most of these the 

 manufacturer is not responsible, although overheating in dehydration and grind- 

 ing may cause considerable loss at the mill. This can be prevented to some 

 extent by subsequent rapid cooling. 



The data presented indicate that more care should be exercised in the purchase 

 and subsequent holding of alfalfa prior to its use in feeds. Purchasing shipments 

 far in advance of requirements and holding for long periods of time under the 

 usual storehouse conditions is conducive to rapid deterioration. 



