Animal Feed Processing

Animal feed companies

There is a lot more to animal feed manufacturing than simply achieving a high level of production. Nutrition and health are closely linked to each other.

When animal feed companies formulate food rations, there is rising attention for the development of immunity, the supportive effect on animal health, and the removal of the need for antibiotics.

Developments in the field of animal health, and particularly the restrictions concerning conventional treatments for animal disease, require comprehensive research to be done.

Animal feeding and nutrition

Animals, in general, require the same nutrients as humans. Some feeds, such as pasture grasses, hay and silage crops, and certain grains, are grown specifically for animal feed manufacturers.

Other feeds, such as sugar beet pulp, brewers’ grains, and pineapple bran, are
by-products that remain after a food crop has been processed for human use.

Surplus food crops, such as wheat, other cereals, fruits, vegetables, and roots, may also be fed to animals.

Feed grains are the most important source of animal feed globally. The amount of grain used to produce the same unit of meat varies substantially.

Depending on the specific formulation, animal feed can contain up to 10 different components including protein, vitamins, carbohydrates, minerals, and additives.

Animal nutrition technologies

Growing populations, increased meat consumption, the need for higher quality ingredients, and healthy eating are just some of the factors that influence animal nutrition technologies.

It’s all about high-quality feed that helps farmers and agriculture, and ultimately the end consumer. Innovative animal nutrition technologies serve both animal agriculture and the public consuming animal products.

It starts with Knowledge of the particular type of animal. Knowledge of how different nutrients interact with digestion and health. Knowledge of how environmental factors impact feed conversion efficiency. Knowledge of which blends of feed ingredients deliver the most cost-effective results.

Minerals in animal nutrition are used in the production of feed for both farm animals and pets. Mineral Salts can be classified into the following groups: Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc, Potassium, Selenium.

Animal feed processing

Animal feed processing is the conversion of diverse raw agricultural feed ingredients into a single, homogenized form of feed, such as mash, pellet, and crumbles, among others.

Depending on the type of animal feed, the feed manufacturing process normally starts with the grinding process.

The grinding process of the raw bulk materials is to produce particle sizes that can be easily handled, blended, and homogenized.

Pelleting is achieved by various methods but is mostly done by means of extrusion.

A hygienic processing environment is crucial during the entire process of feed manufacturing to ensure high-quality feed.

Feed processing technology

Within the global animal feed manufacturing industry, the manufacturing requirements are changing rapidly towards human food manufacturing standards.

Product quality, safety, process reliability, and low operational cost are important aspects when selecting and designing feed processing equipment.

Common feed processing technologies include:

• Silos for storage of raw bulk materials
• Weighing systems for raw feed ingredients
• Mixers for optimum mixing of feed ingredients
• Pellet mills and hammer mills
• Dust collection systems
• Feeding / metering / rotary airlocks
• Classification and separation equipment
• Thermal processing equipment