How herbs & botanicals fit into your winter feed strategies

Winter brings predictable challenges for animals and the companies that supply them: reduced grazing, higher energy consumption, increased dust and respiratory load in enclosed housing, and pressure on supply chains and budgets (throw in a ministry restriction because of one TB reactor and the situation can become dire).

Botanicals and traditional herbs are not a replacement for good nutrition or veterinary advice, but when used thoughtfully, they can add functional ingredients such as fibre, minerals, antioxidants and plant compounds that support formulation flexibility and product differentiation through the colder months.

Why botanicals are essential this winter for feed manufacturers?

Botanicals are attractive to manufacturers for several commercial and formulation reasons. The summary below describes product and market drivers and does not make therapeutic claims:

• Nutritional diversity. Many herbs bring minerals, trace elements, carotenoids and dietary fibre (we bring you the humble nettle) that complement base feeds.
• Formulation flexibility. Dried herbs, powders (such as Marshmallow Root Powder) and seaweeds can be blended into premixes, textured feeds or toppers to add flavour, colour and specific nutritional components.
• Supply chain resilience. Access to a consistent source of quality botanicals to mitigate disruptions and manage stock efficiently.
• Regulatory confidence. Utilise traceable, quality-assured ingredients that support your compliance efforts, minimising risk in an evolving landscape.
• Operational Efficiency. Properly dried botanicals can be long-lived, easy to store in bulk and simple to dose into mixes, helpful when demand spikes or when pasture quality falls.

Regulatory assurance and UFAS accreditation

Joseph Flach & Sons is UFAS accredited (Universal Feed Assurance Scheme) for the merchanting of feed, giving customers confidence that our systems, traceability and handling procedures meet recognised UK feed safety standards. We also supply a wide range of UFAS-accredited products, supporting manufacturers’ requirements through HACCP-based principles and independent auditing, ensuring that the feed we supply is safe, compliant and traceable.

The science, how common herbs & botanicals contribute (mechanisms, not cures)

Here are some common botanical properties that can be considered when formulating winter feeds. These refer to functions described in nutritional and food science research, rather than medical claims.

Mucilaginous demulcents (e.g. marshmallow, Irish moss)

Plants with mucilage produce a slippery, soluble fibre that can help coat and lubricate mucous membranes in the gut and throat when included in feed matrices (such as psyllium husk). That physical action is why mucilage-rich ingredients are used in formulations aimed at palatability and ease of ingestion.

Fibre, tannins and rumen modulation (e.g. nettle)

Some herbs supply fermentable and structural fibre and a range of polyphenols and tannins that can influence the rumen microbial profile and fermentation end-products. Research has shown stinging nettle can affect rumen fermentation characteristics and has been trialled as a partial forage substitute in ruminant diets.

Antioxidants & polyphenols (e.g. rose hips, elderberries, hibiscus)

Rose hips and elderberries are rich sources of polyphenols, carotenoids and vitamin C precursors; these compounds are routinely measured for their antioxidant capacity in food science literature. In feed formulations, antioxidant-rich botanicals contribute to the ingredient’s nutritional profile and can help protect fat soluble nutrients during storage and processing.

Protein, pigments and microalgae (e.g. spirulina)

Microalgae such as spirulina are dense in protein, pigments (phycocyanin, carotenoids) and micronutrients; they are used as concentrated inclusions to increase protein, colour and micronutrient density in specialised feeds, mainly for poultry. Recent nutritional reviews highlight spirulina’s suitability as a nutrient-dense feed supplement in multiple species. It is interesting to consider that 70% of the total cost of raising broiler chickens is the cost of feed, spirulina has emerged as a promising feed supplement and is gaining recognition in modern feeding practice.

Products Joseph Flach & Sons stock (practical list for winter feed formulations)

Below are botanicals and botanical powders we offer that are commonly used by manufacturers working on winter products and seasonal ranges. (If you need technical sheets or particle size data, we can arrange these.)

Herbs & plant powders

• Nettle; root, leaves and herb (cut, dried).
• Rose hips (whole).
• Elderberries (dried).
• Clivers (Galium aparine) — herb cut, dried.
• Buckthorn berries (dried).
• Hibiscus flowers (dried).
• Pumpkin powder useful as fibre, binder and natural colour.
• Valerian root powder (for formulation work in species where appropriate).
• Cloves, cinnamon, bay leaves (spice botanicals for seasonal toppers and treats).
• Paprika (flavouring/colour for certain feed types).

Seaweeds, algae & functional powders

• Spirulina powder.
• Irish moss powder (carrageenan-bearing seaweed).
• Bladderwrack powder thought to be rich in vitamins and support health.
• Bentonite powder (clay binder/sorbent used in feed processing and pelleting).

Practical formulation to support animal health in the winter months (manufacturing & wholesale focus)

• High-fibre winter topper: combine pumpkin powder (fibre, bulk), a small inclusion of nettle leaf (fibre + mineral profile) and a taste enhancer (a touch of cinnamon/clove) to create a palatable dry topper for stabled animals or pets on reduced grazing.
• Mineral and pigment boost: add spirulina (low inclusion rates) to poultry or ornamental bird feeds for pigment and protein density, or include rose hips as a natural source of carotenoids for colour and antioxidant-type polyphenols.
• Pelleting & binders: bentonite and Irish moss can be used within processing windows to improve pellet integrity and reduce fines (tiny particles and dust) helpful in cold weather when pellet brittleness can increase.

Market insights (UK & Europe)

What the numbers are saying…

• The UK animal feed additives market is projected to grow substantially through the 2025–2035 window, reflecting higher demand for specialised additives and functional ingredients. This growth indicates an opportunity for botanical and functional ingredient lines targeted at winter and seasonal products.
• Broader reports on nutritional ingredients for animal feed show rising investment and projected CAGR in the ingredients sector, supportive of suppliers who can offer traceable, graded botanical materials at scale.
• Niche markets – botanic feed binders and veterinary functional ingredients are growing as manufacturers seek natural alternatives for formulation and marketing differentiation. This creates downstream demand for consistent, certified botanical suppliers.

What this means for Joseph Flach & Sons’ customers?

Demand for botanical additions in winter and seasonal feeds is not just a fad it is supported by growth in the feed additives market and by commercial interest in value-added, “natural” ingredient products. Working with a supplier who can deliver a consistent bulk supply, certificates of analysis and sample material, with over 140 years of experience can only be a benefit to your business.

Sourcing, quality and practical procurement tips

• Ask for certificate of analysis and origin data. Winter formulations often rely on stored and dried botanicals, quality varies by origin and harvest year. CofAs and moisture content reports are essential.
• Batch consistency. Ask suppliers about particle size distributions and grading; these affect mixing homogeneity and pelleting.
• Lead times & seasonal surges. Stock early: demand for botanicals and speciality powders rises going into autumn and pre-Christmas production runs. Bulk purchasing and staggered deliveries reduce risk.
• Storage. Many botanicals are hygroscopic or light-sensitive. Store in dry, cool, dark conditions and rotate stock, first in, first out. Bentonite and clays should be kept dry to retain flowability.
• Regulatory & labelling. Check species-specific and country-specific feed regulations (descriptors, maximum inclusion rates where applicable)  compliance is the manufacturer’s responsibility.

How Joseph Flach & Sons can help you this winter

• Bulk supply, we hold a wide range of herbs and functional powders suitable for winter feed lines and can provide technical sheets on request.
• UFAS-certified merchant of feed, we support customers with compliant sourcing, traceability and suitable documents.
• Timely deliveries & staggered shipping, we work with customers to time deliveries around seasonal surges and production runs (contact sales for lead-time planning).
• Technical support, we can supply specific test results and their acceptable limits alongside a statement of compliance (always check species appropriateness and regulatory limits).

For product enquiries, or a winter procurement plan, contact our sales team at sales@josephflach.co.uk or on +44 (0)1733 371221.