Karmactive Staff
CHS Inc. pulled seven tons of lamb feed from store shelves this week after reports that the product might contain dangerous levels of copper. The company issued a voluntary recall for Payback Champion Lamb Text B30 with Power Booster on July 8, with the FDA announcing the recall publicly the next day.
The recalled feed carries lot number M#134300 and shows a label date of February 14, 2025. Only products in 40-pound bags with this specific lot number are affected by the recall. CHS made the feed at their Great Falls, Montana facility and shipped it to dealers across Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming after February 19.
Sheep are especially sensitive to too much copper in their diet. When copper builds up in their liver over time, stress can trigger a sudden release that destroys red blood cells. This creates what veterinarians call a “hemolytic crisis.” Farmers should watch for warning signs including tired animals, pale or yellow gums, grinding teeth, increased thirst, poor appetite, and dark red or purple urine. Sheep may also lie down and refuse to get up. Death typically happens within one to two days once symptoms appear.
The recall started after a customer contacted CHS about animals getting sick or dying after eating the feed. The company immediately began investigating and decided to recall the entire lot as a safety measure. Unlike other livestock, sheep cannot handle excess copper levels that might be safe for cattle or other animals.
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CHS operates as the largest farmer-owned cooperative in the United States, serving customers in 65 countries with about 10,000 employees worldwide. The company recorded revenues of approximately $39 billion in fiscal year 2024. Their Payback brand feeds are marketed to farmers who want dependable nutrition for their animals.
This represents another feed safety issue involving CHS products. In 2019, the company recalled 67 tons of Payback feeds due to excessive magnesium levels, with one customer reporting 403 pheasant deaths. A year later, they recalled goat feed containing dangerous levels of monensin that resulted in three goat deaths.
Farmers who bought the recalled lamb feed should stop using it immediately and return it to their dealer for a full refund. Anyone with questions can contact CHS directly at [email protected]. Sheep showing symptoms of copper poisoning need immediate veterinary care, though treatment options remain limited once the hemolytic crisis begins.
