Comparing Feed Quotes by Cost per Tonne of Dry Matter

Collect the inputs for the material actually offered

Dry matter is the material remaining after water is removed. For the same sample, dry-matter percentage equals 100 minus moisture percentage. Use the offered material's documented result, rather than assuming a standard percentage from its ingredient name.

Record the supplier, ingredient and form, quotation reference, offered lot and the sample or report supporting its dry-matter value. Ask what material the result represents if that link is unclear.
Confirm whether the price is per tonne as supplied or already per tonne of dry matter. Record the mass unit explicitly; our comparison sheet uses metric tonnes of 1,000 kg.

Align the commercial cost before doing the division

Choose one receiving location, currency and cost scope for both offers. Our comparison sheet keeps the supplier's original quote alongside any buyer-added costs, so a collection price is not silently compared with a delivered price.

List transport, handling and other applicable charges as included, additional or not yet confirmed. Allocate a shipment-level charge over the corresponding quoted net material quantity before combining it with a per-tonne price.
Record the currency conversion basis and date if conversion is needed. Where a cost or quantity is unresolved, keep the result provisional and show the missing input.

Use the dry-matter fraction once

Let P be the aligned cost per metric tonne of material as supplied, d its dry-matter percentage divided by 100, and Q the net quantity in metric tonnes as supplied. Cost per tonne of dry matter = P ÷ d. Dry-matter quantity = Q × d.

The calculation needs a documented d greater than zero and no greater than one. If d is missing or inconsistent, request clarification before calculating. If the quote is already on a dry-matter basis, do not divide it again.
Check the arithmetic: (P ÷ d) × (Q × d) = P × Q. This change of reporting basis preserves the same aligned total cost; it does not change the supplier's invoice or agreed settlement basis.

Read the result alongside the buying decision

For two offers A and B with matching cost scope, compare P_A ÷ d_A with P_B ÷ d_B. The lower as-supplied unit price alone cannot determine which has the lower dry-matter unit cost.

A dry-matter cost comparison does not establish equal energy, protein, ingredient function or suitability for the intended animals. Have the nutritionist review those differences using the relevant technical evidence.
Check organic-document requirements separately. Keep any expected storage or handling loss outside this simple conversion unless a separate, evidenced loss assumption is clearly shown; do not insert a default loss rate.

Send us one comparison row per offer

For an organic feed or organic soy expeller cake enquiry, send the ingredient, intended use, required quantity, receiving location and available quotations. We can organize the missing questions before you compare the offers.

Use this row: offer reference | ingredient and lot | net metric tonnes | currency | as-supplied unit price | additional costs and their basis | dry-matter result and report reference | aligned P | d | P ÷ d | unresolved items.
Keep the original quote and calculation date. Ask the supplier to confirm any change in material, price basis or included charges, then update the affected row.

Buyer questions

Can I compare a price per bale with a price per tonne?

First obtain the corresponding net material weight and convert both prices to the same mass unit. A bale count alone is not enough for this calculation; then check the dry-matter and cost basis.

What if the supplier gives moisture but not dry matter?

For the same sample, dry-matter percentage is 100 minus moisture percentage. Confirm the report's sample identity and basis before using that result for the offered material.

Does the lowest dry-matter cost automatically identify the best feed?

No. It answers one cost question. Ingredient suitability, nutrient contribution, quality, organic documents and delivery conditions still need their own review.