While conditioning is a process that has held the attention of the modern feed milling industry for some time now, the process of pelleting press meal is a subject that is no longer considered to be very important. However feed milling is about the balance between the different processes in use. As one process is linked to another, it is difficult to discuss one process without taking the next step into consideration.

In striving to maintain its market leadership, South African feed manufacturer Epol has upgraded one of its feed production plants by installing a Hysys hygienizing and compacting system from Buhler. The new Hysys installation operated by Epol is a first in South Africa and the biggest system of this type ever installed worldwide.

Knowledge of handling properties is usually based on experience and observation in daily routine processing. Generally, “good” handling properties are appreciated. But what does “good” mean? The optimum would be ingredients and feed additives, which are free flowing and dust free. In reality, obviously not all ingredients meet these requirements. Therefore, test methods have been developed which are both practice-oriented and easy to handle as well as being reliable and manageable.

The Japanese feed industry is constantly striving to further develop quality standards at a very high level. Quality primarily means freshness and guaranteed product safety – for instance free from salmonella – for the final consumer. Andreas Rey from Buhler why thermal treatment – hygienising of the feed meals – and traceability procedures are the main focus in Japan, especially in the production of feedstuffs for layer hens.

The steps to be taken before pressing the meal through the die are even more important than the actual pelleting itself to obtain a quality pellet. In this second article in the Feed Tech series on feed processing, feed technology specialist Jared Froetschner focuses on the conditioning process in general and the role of steam in particular.

The upcoming total ban on the use of antimicrobial growth promoters in feed has created a whole new plethora of substitutes, each with its unique properties. Incorporation of these live products in pelleted feed, however, is a different story. Many of them are heat sensitive and therefore require novel approaches in application.

Dinnissen has developed a two-stage thermal processing system for meals, based on their Pegasus mixers and an intermediate cooler.

With all the food scares in the media, feed hygiene is quite a hot topic in the compound feed industry. At Victam, several developments in this area will be shown. When it comes to mechanical cleaning, time and temperature and a little moisture are the key words for creating a clean feed. How do these two simple factors relate to hygienising feed?