Independent Analysis: High-Performance Feed Value Comparison
The Results
- Fiskens Advance: $0.91 per 10 MJ • Fiskens Racehorse Mix: $1.09 per 10 MJ
- Fiskens Overdrive: $1.14 per 10 MJ
- Fiskens Racehorse Extreme: $1.14 per 10 MJ
- Fiskens Harness: $1.22 per 10 MJ
By comparison, the highest-cost feed in the analysis delivered energy at $2.62 per 10 MJ - a 187% difference from the lowest-cost option.
Category B - Energy-Dense Performance Feeds:
Among high-density feeds used to increase calorie delivery, Fiskens FF and FF Plus ranked as the most cost-effective:
- Fiskens FF (Fifty Fifty): $0.74 per 10 MJ
- Fiskens FF Plus: $0.77 per 10 MJ
The most expensive feed in this category delivered energy at $2.00 per 10 MJ.
What the Analysis Found
The study noted that ingredient quality and nutrient profiles were comparable to - and in some cases exceeded - higher-priced alternatives.
This suggests the price difference reflects business structure rather than formulation. The analysis concluded that feed pricing often includes costs unrelated to nutrition: marketing budgets, national sales teams, distributor margins, offshore freight and corporate overhead.
What It Means for Horse Owners
For a 500 kg horse in full work fed at 5 kg per day, the annual cost difference between the lowest-cost and highest-cost feeds in the comparison was approximately $2,200.
Over five years, that compounds to more than $11,000 per horse.
For stables managing multiple horses, even small differences in cost per megajoule add up quickly.
How We Operate
Fiskens feeds are milled locally in Pukekohe. We've supplied trainers and horse owners for nearly 70 years. Our business model focuses on:
- Local manufacturing - no offshore freight costs
- Direct relationships with customers -minimal distribution layers
- Operational efficiency rather than marketing spend
- Long-term relationships rather than quarterly profit targets.
That structure allows us to keep more of your dollar in the feed itself.
We don't have sales teams or expensive advertising campaigns. We make feed fresh daily and sell mainly through word of mouth and long-term relationships.
When you buy Fiskens, you're paying for ingredients and formulation - not ads and sponsorships.
Verify the Findings Yourself
The complete analysis, including all feed rankings, calculations, and methodology, is available at Equine Trader NZ. Read the Full Analysis: Which High-Performance Horse Feeds Offer the Best Value for Money in NZ?
The article includes a simple formula you can use to calculate cost per 10 MJ for any feed, making it easy to compare value across brands.
The methodology is transparent. The pricing is publicly available. Anyone can verify the findings.
The Bottom Line
We're pleased this independent analysis reflects what we've believed for nearly 70 years: quality feed doesn't have to cost more when the business is built the right way.
Efficient operations, local manufacturing, and fair pricing aren't marketing slogans. They're measurable advantages that show up in the numbers.
When you compare feeds on what matters - energy delivered per dollar spent - structure matters as much as formulation.
See for yourself.
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