Union Point Custom Feeds

01/16/2024

01/13/2024

Too many sweets? While we're still in post-holiday mode, it seems fitting to talk teeth and digestion… and feed for senior horses.

Senior horses need the most nutritious feed we can get into them just to keep them in good shape. They have earned an easy life, and we want to make their later years as comfortable as we can. This often means accommodating their less efficient digestive systems, their changing needs and their aged teeth.

Vitamins are even more important for aged horses because they may not absorb them well, so supplementation is more critical than at any time since their youth. Their feed needs to be super digestible so that they get every bit of nutrition out of it. It needs to be easy to eat without counting on efficient chewing. It needs to dissolve rapidly when eaten and make a mash easily when fed wet.

Softer for their teeth, anti-inflammatory, vitamin and mineral-rich, fresh and made with non-GMO ingredients, get Out to Pasture feed details: https://www.unionpoint.com/.../p/out-to-pasture-horse-feed

01/12/2024

What's that phrase, about the "company you keep?" We're so pleased to have more products on the shelves at Jenks Hatchery Inc.. If you're in the area, go see these knowledgeable, helpful folks and pick up some of non-GMO, no-soy, no-corn feed. We're proud to be there.

12/24/2023

We've always loved our animals and believe in their magic. If you don't know of the Christmas Eve story that animals speak at midnight, there's a link below to fill you in.

But first, travel back in time: It’s 1977 and the Union Point founders are waking their kids in the middle of a cold, dark Montana night, stuffing them into coats and snow boots to make a visit to the little lean-to barn where Dot the Quarterhorse and Dash the Shetland pony are cozied into stalls. They must have snuck in just a minute too late, because neither horse said a word. But Bill and Cathy (ages 4 and 6, then) still remember the magic of being in the warm barn in the cold night, listening for magic.

The legend that animals gain the power of speech on Christmas Eve has roots all the way back in the manger.

12/15/2023

Happy holidays from all of us at Union Point! We are so grateful for a satisfying year filled with feeding your animals! Thank you.

(We will be closed December 25, 26th and January 1. Please be sure you get your feed order placed and picked up with that in mind!)

12/05/2023

We love a good pun, so let's just say that this time of year, some hens' yolks pale in comparison -- but not those getting our Sunshine in a Pellet. This supplement's GMO-free corn picks up where the green grass of summer leaves off, keeping egg yolks sunny all year round... naturally!

Get nutrition details and the works on our website: https://www.unionpoint.com/our-products/p/sunshine-in-a-pellet

11/15/2023

It's getting wild out there as we prepare for the Thanksgiving weekend. If you haven't yet gotten your order in, please do it now. Fresh-milled means we don't stockpile in advance, and we don't want to leave anyone hungry! UnionPoint.com/contact

11/11/2023

How to know you might have goats or sheep... We saw this nifty gate idea (intended for children and dogs), and immediately thought it would be perfect for lambs and kids (the goat sort). All normal home improvement thinking, right? 🐑🐏🐑

https://www.facebook.com/reel/263072162919032

11/07/2023

Thanksgiving season is upon us!

As the holidays draw near, our mill is busier than ever. To ensure we can provide for all your animal feed needs, we're asking our customers to place orders closer to two weeks in advance. Demand is high currently and orders are moving fast. Early orders will help make sure you have everything your animals need for the festive season.

We appreciate your efforts to schedule ahead. Thanks for helping us keep every feed bucket full and every henhouse happy!

11/01/2023

Sound on for max enjoyment: Our sustainably sourced fishmeal makes use of the fish parts humans don't seem to want to eat. Fish heads fish heads eat them up yum. Read more on our blog.

Please don't ask me what kind of drugs these guys were on when they made this song. Cause I don't know, and I don't want any.Now that that's done and over w...

10/27/2023

Right in time for pumpkin pie season, here's a fun bit that applies to your baking AND the feed we make for your animals. The writer schools us on what's actually in canned pumpkin (it's pumpkin -- just not the kind you're picturing) and why.

The grower we buy the pumpkin seeds that are in many of our products also supplies the seeds to the farmers who grow the patented variety in this article.

And now we want pie.

Canned pumpkin is pumpkin. But the pumpkin you eat is not the pumpkin you carve. So while it may not be the pumpkin you know, canned pumpkin is still 100 percent gourd.

10/19/2023

If you're familiar with our products and mission, you know we prioritize ingredient quality and purity, and that we've long been critical of the authenticity of "organic" ingredients from some importing countries. Specifically, the chain of custody and certification is simply not as transparent or rigorous in China, Malaysia or Vietnam as it is in the US.

Because of this, we are diligent about our sourcing, and will always select a US-grown ingredient that is non-GMO, corn-free, soy-free but not organic over one that claims to be organic but is imported.

Our preference remains to buy US-grown organic non-GMO, corn-free, soy-free ingredients but often the price is simply too high for our customers to manage the organic level. One huge reason US-grown organic products are so expensive and so slow to break into the feeds market is because it is so difficult to compete with imported organics on price.

The article below, by the Capital Press, sheds light on what this looks like for hazelnuts and how the USDA is making things worse, not better, for US growers.

We'll keep sharing items like this so you learn more and be a champion for local farmers who uphold the standards that make the Pacific Northwest’s agricultural products truly exceptional. And when you buy from Union Point you are not only ensuring a high-quality, non-GMO feed for your animals but also supporting a network of local suppliers who are dedicated to honest and responsible farming practices that promote a level playing field for all, fostering a market that values quality, trust, and local collaboration over variable practices and shortcuts.

Check out the Capital Press story, here:

An Oregon hazelnut farm has accused the USDA of violating organic law by providing overseas producers with a loophole to avoid annual inspections.

10/10/2023

Happy rainy Tuesday! (We can say that with confidence because it's raining EVERYWHERE!) Speaking of abundance, we're often asked how much feed to order....

On one hand, we regularly hear from customers who have cut it a bit tight and are running short on feed. Life happens! On the other hand, we don’t want folks to over-order and end up with aged product. Our website includes more information about shelf life and ordering. Check it out!

Our feeds age just as well as others, so technically you can order much more than three months, but we think that if you’re paying for great, fresh ingredients, you should get full value! Read on for more information about shelf life.

09/25/2023

Well, geez! We sure haven't posted for awhile. It's been a busy summer. We promise to post something news-worthy or scientific-ish soon, but for now, here's this, from the Department of It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time. We're pretty sure it would work for a sheep or a small pony, but let's not find out.

04/25/2023

Albany area folks -- check it out: Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply - Willamette Valley is having a great big grand opening on Sunday.

Bonus: We happen to know that there'll be some ultra-nutritious, tasty giveaways from Union Point. (Disclaimer: probably only tasty if you have feathers.)

Congrats to Peaceful Valley! Enjoy!

📣Attention gardeners! Have you been to our store before? Like this post to show your support!👍

🎉We hope to see you this weekend for our Grand Opening event this Sunday, April 30th! 🎉

03/10/2023

These hens are breaking the internet. Here they go, hitting that run hard. Which run, you ask? Chicken Run, of course.

02/15/2023

Jenks Hatchery Inc.shared this. Love it!

02/12/2023

Refresh your knowledge

12/23/2022

12/16/2022

It's nearly time for a mid-winter nap and feast. But first, be sure you're stocked for feed. The mill will be closed on Monday, December 26 and Monday, January 2 for the holidays.

10/19/2022

Many of our customers buy tons of feed. Literally. But if you're looking for smaller portions, some of our most popular feeds are available at local shops in Eugene, Tangent, Portland, Hood River, Williams and Ontario. Wishing your feed store offered Union Point? Send them our direction so we can help! 🐔🐥🐔

If you’d like to shop locally and/or save a trip to Brownsville, you can find our products at the businesses listed below. Be sure to call ahead to be sure the feed you are looking for is one that the business stocks.

09/21/2022

All feeds are not equal. You know that. But today we're bringing out our Nutrient Density article for a bit of a brush-up. We love sharing these 'nerdy' articles and hope you find them useful. If you can't wait for more, be sure to check out the Nutrition Articles on our website.

Animals generally need to eat less when their feed is nutrient dense. That’s why there are no fillers in the feed we make at Union Point Custom Feeds, and every ingredient must earn its place in the formula. If we want our animals to eat less, the feed they eat needs to be more concentrated so tha

09/19/2022

This story isn't telling much you goat folks don't already know, but it's pretty dam funny. (And Mom finally let us swear on her page.)

Goats are apparently not fazed by gravity or the laws of physics, making them perfect for clearing vegetation from a dam.

They're the GOAT of dam-scaping.

During the past three weeks, hundreds of goats (and also a few sheep) have been hard at work munching away on unwanted vegetation at Willow Creek Dam, located in Heppner, Oregon, in the Basin.

These goats (we're calling them the Chew Crew) munched through 41 acres on the dam structure and surrounding areas, reducing both fire danger and the presence of invasive species.

This herd (we're also calling them the Grazing Gang) started out at 450 before another 550 goats joined in to finish the job.

Now, they're on their way to Irrigon, Oregon. In other words, they're not here with us anymore. Th-Irrigon.

Final thought: Goats are also not fazed by the sheer number of great puns about them, so have at it!

09/15/2022

We’ve survived the heat of summer, so we’re a bit giddy. Here’s a laugh to celebrate. Gotta love the title🤣

08/30/2022

Whaaat? Labor Day already? Well, we know an opportunity for a break when we see one. The mill will be closed all day, Monday, 9/5 for Labor Day.

Please plan ahead and get those feed orders picked up no later than 3pm on Friday, 9/2 OR after the holiday. (Please note that we are operating on Heat Hours much of this week. See our website for details BEFORE you head our way.)

04/11/2022

Our favorite hatchery. A world class operation right here in little old Linn County. Their chicks are the best. There’s a lot of life in those crates, and they make it happen.

03/29/2022

We're often asked how we build a feed formula and select ingredients -- especially during times of dynamic supply swings. Here's a quick review, from our blog.

As we’ve spoken with customers about ingredient sourcing issues related to first the pandemic and then the drought, we are often asked how we go about building feeds and choosing ingredients. Here’s a quick run-through of the process, at a high level.

12/17/2021

Union Point is operating through the holiday season except for Friday December 24 and Friday, December 31. We'll load the last order at 3:30pm on Thursday, December 23 and 30. Please check your feed inventory now so your animals are as well fed as you are -- whether we're open or not! https://www.unionpoint.com/contact

11/16/2021

Please plan ahead so EVERYONE'S well fed on Thanksgiving!🍗🍗🍗