Uthman Feed Mill renovations complete

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Kerensa Hardy | Workers bag pelletized chicken feed at the Uthman Feed Mill in Mahmudiyah on May 21.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

05.22.2008

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Kerensa Hardy 

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs

By Sgt. 1st Class Kerensa Hardy
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – After months of planning and hard work, the Uthman Feed Mill celebrated its completion of refurbishments in Mahmudiyah, about 26 kilometers south of Baghdad, on May 21.

The finished feed mill now boasts a sound-proof generator and increased ability to provide pelletized feed for the re-energized poultry and fish industries.

"My feed mill shows the continued commitment of American forces to the area," said Uthman Daheesh, the owner. "Without their assistance this would not be possible."

The feed mill also now has the dyes it previously lacked to pelletize feed.

"Syria, Iran and Saudi Arabia have dyes that are able to produce fish and chicken food, but these are (some of) the first to enter Iraq," Daheesh said. "This is a very important day for Iraq."

Feed in pelletized form allows growers to control the amount of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals in their feed.

"Controlling the diet can ensure the birds reach optimal growth before slaughter," said 2nd Lt. Bronson Hayes, Uthman Feed Mill project manager with 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

Traditional feeds do not allow farmers the ability to dictate the diets and often produce birds of various sizes.

The area poultry association plays an integral role by working with poultry houses, processing plants and feed mills in recent efforts to boost the poultry industry in the qada. The association worked with Department of State agricultural experts in the embedded provincial reconstruction team attached to the 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT), to identify needs for the Uthman Feed Mill and ensure necessary improvements were made.

"The chicken industry was once very big in the area, with the Mahmudiyah poultry association and [coalition] forces helping, it will hopefully become stronger than it was in the past," said Sheik Ibrahem Daheesh, brother of Uthman Feed Mill owner and influential leader in the Mahmudiyah area.

• Date Taken: 05.22.2008
• Date Posted: 05.22.2008 16:56
• Story ID: 19713
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ