INSPECTION OF COMMERCIAL FEEDSTUFFS 



By Feed Control Service Staff: 



John W. Kuzmeski. Research Professor, Official Chemist 



Albert F. Spelman, Associate Research Professor 



C. Tyson Smith, Assistant Research Professor, Microscopist 



Robert T. Wetherbee, Ass<stani Research Professor 



Joseph Bart. Researc'i Instructor 



Joseph A. Martell, Technical Assistan 



Edward S. Berestka, Technical Assistant 



Joseph Conklin, Inspector 



Cora B. Grover, Principal Clerk 



Several problems of particular interest and concern to the Massachusetts Feed 

 Control Service were attacked during the past inspection season. Enough pro- 

 gress has been made to insure the early solution of at least some of the problems 

 in a reasonably satisfactory manner. 



In late 1949 a considerable tonnage of Canadian Refuse Screenings was shipped 

 into Massachusetts. It was found that this product contained a relatively high 

 percentage of ground weed seeds considered injurious to livestock as well as large 

 numbers of viable noxious weed seeds. A warning letter to all Massachusetts 

 feed manufacturers, importers and dealers stopped further importations. 



It is planned to have the Massachusetts Feed Law amended to include specific 

 provisions regulating the viable weed seed content of feeds. This is necessary 

 not only to prevent the importation of undesirable feeds from Canada but also to 

 eliminate the sale of domestic feed ingredients and mixed feeds containing viable 

 noxious weed seeds. 



Further attention was given the quality of ground oats shipped into the State. 

 It is believed that the drastic measures taken against the principal offending 

 shipper have remedied the generally unsatisfactory situation found in the fall of 

 1949. Oat products will continue to receive special attention. 



Microscopic examination of mixed feeds indicates that the ingredients present 

 in the mixtures of some manufacturers differ considerably from those listed on 

 the tags. In the future these manufacturers will be required to list the ingredients 

 correctly on their tags. 



Encouraging results have been obtained in the determination of vitamin A in 

 mixed feeds. It will be possible now to check on the vitamin A potency of vitamin 

 feed supplements and mixed feeds as well as that of feeding oils. 



It is felt that progress has been made toward the better evaluation of the 

 quality of feeds being sold in Massachusetts. It is intended to further such work 

 during the next inspection season. 



