Event: Feed Mill Management Seminar - focus on milling efficiencies

"The impact of ingredients on pelleting can generally be predicted, but exceptions 

exist. In addition, interactions between ingredients and processing parameters will occur," remarked Adam Fahrenholz of North Carolina Department of Poultry Science, at the 2013 Feed Mill Management Seminar in Nashville, USA. 

The annual seminar is sponsored by U.S. Poultry & Egg Association. 

In his presentation on Pellet Quality/Die Specifications for Changing Ingredients: Ingredient Impact on Pelleting, Fahrenholz reviewed several key ingredient characteristics that affect pelleting, such as composition and variability. He observed that fats and oils can decrease pellet durability. Additional physical pellet characteristics, such as abrasiveness and bulk 

density, can also limit production rate and negatively influence pellet durability. Fahrenholz also noted that variances in ingredients and processing will have an impact on pelleting, but gaining pellet consistency and understanding equipment will pay off. 

Marc Shockley, feed mill manager for Perdue Farms, discussed minimising the impact of Ingredient changes as related to pellet quality. He reviewed the key factors affecting pellet quality, including formulation, conditioning, grind size, dies specifications, life that pelleting rates and pellet quality do not enter into the least cost formulation equation.

Richard Sellers, vice president for Feed Regulation and Nutrition with the American Feed Industry Association, provided his annual Federal Regulatory Update with information regarding the government sequester and what it means to feed mill managers.  He also discussed proposed regulations in salmonella and ethoxyquin in feed ingredients. 

Regarding possible increased FDA inspections in plants in the upcoming years, Sellers disclosed several important inspection tips for when inspectors come to the plant,  warning, "when an inspector comes to inspect your plant at any level- state, federal, etc. - you need to know your rights, and theirs, about litigation. Know that they are there to collect evidence, and anything that you say or do can be used. Therefore, take the same samples they take and ask them specifically what they are analysing".

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English: Extruded feed pellets (Photo credit: Wikipedia)