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Feed cost is of significant importance in animal production, since it represents around 70% of the cost of live animals or derived products. Therefore, maximizing the use of feed, improving the productive efficiency index by improving feed conversion and reducing the negative impact of microorganisms, is essential for economic and environmental viability. One of the ways to improve this efficiency is through heat treating the feed.
The objective of this article is to indicate some referential parameters of operation for the different processes, with an emphasis on pelletizing, expansion and for formulas classified as having high starch content (broilers and fattening pigs), in order to improve the results with the use of these processes.
It is a very controversial topic where doubts and uncertainty appear, both in companies and in the different scientific works available. In addition, there are also several aspects that need to be studied in greater depth. However, here we will try to offer some practical and operational guidelines.
Main variables worked in heat treatments:
These variables can be worked with different correlated intensities and will basically depend on the type of feed treated, the defined objectives and the structure of the processes.
Thermo-conditioning: Heat treatment without physical format change. It consists of heating the feed, generally via indirect heat; and its basic objective is to sanitize it, that is, to reduce or eliminate microorganisms. More often used for poultry breeders and commercial layers in order to maintain the grain size advantage.
Pelletizing: It is the most widely used process in the feed industry, especially for economically exploited animals (pigs, poultry, cattle, …). In this process, the powdered feed is transformed into granules (pellets). It is the best known process and where there are fewer doubts about economic and operational viability.
Expansion: This process uses the variable pressure with greater intensity and is normally used as a conditioning intensification process in pelletizing lines. It is also used to heat treat (expand) individual or joint products such as corn, soybeans, wheat, cakes, etc.
Extrusion: It is the most complex process and works the variables with greater intensity. Depending on its cost, it is generally not economically viable, except for pet and fish food.
Main Objectives of Heat Treatments:
Referential specifications for physical quality (see below).
Starch gelatinization: (Pelletization 20 to 35%, Expansion 40 to 70%). Despite being less intense in pelletizing, it is decisive for the resistance of the pellets.
Lamination of organic particles. Fundamental to establish strong bonds between the particles.
Permeability of cell walls. Facilitates the penetration and action of digestive enzymes.
Production animals: <10,000 cfu / gr and breeders 1,000 cfu / gr
Enterobacteriaceae: Production animals: <1,000 cfu / gr and breeders 100 cfu / gr of food.
Salmonella free
Calculation of the return on investment based on some previously established premises for chickens in Brazil, May 2018
Heat treatments:
Main impacts on food and subsequent processes
Nutrients
Microbiology:
Reduction / Elimination
Although in pelletizing the reduction of microorganisms is quite efficient, we still have great contamination risks such as:
Lack or deficiency of a good cleaning and disinfection procedure in long stops of the process. When the stops are greater than 3-4 hours, we must do a complete cleaning and disinfection.
Physical Quality
The physical quality of the pellets improves with the intensity of the use of the variables (temperature, humidity, time and pressure).
The physical quality of the pellets depends a lot on the conditioning process . Without good gelatinization and plasticization, good bonding bridges between the particles are not achieved.
The compaction pressure, despite being important, without gelatinization and plasticization, will not cause lasting resistance.
As a general rule, the feed plant should deliver the pellets within a specified physical quality. Based on the literature and some referential standards, we can consider quality pellets:
Pigs: + – 2.5 kgf / mm2
Poultry: + – 3 kgf / mm2. Kahl referential method. Others Wagner, Schleuniger, ..
Chiller output fine %: <5% (max 8%).
% fine screen output: <5% (ideal 2 to 3%)
With shaker <5 to 6%
Without shaker <8 to 10%.
The important thing is to have enough pellets in the feeder. Based at LJ McKinney and RG Teeter, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, at least 70% pellet.
After leaving the plant, the pellets undergo a series of impacts whose intensity depends on the quality of the following processes:
Truck: The impact on the pellets will depend on the type of truck, the handling of the unloading and especially the unloading system. Main types of trucks and unloading systems:
Pneumatic discharge: mainly used in Europe. It practically does not damage the pellets. Increase fines between 1 and 3%.
Mechanical unloading:
Transport of the silo from the farm to the feeder.
There is not much academic information on this topic. In practice, based on different evaluations in companies, it allows us to conclude that we can have; depending on the type and degree of automation of the farm, a rupture similar to that registered in the truck.
Final Considerations:
One of the biggest challenges in the compound feed industry, in terms of processing, is heat treatments. Everything indicates that we have great opportunities and at the same time great challenges.
The main opportunities are:
The challenges begin in the project, as physical quality and productivity move in the opposite direction. Therefore, we suggest focus on processes with defined quality and productivity specifications. To produce with quality, it will be necessary to invest in bigger and safer machines, invest in shakers to remove the fines and in the addition of post pellet liquids.
There are still many doubts that need to be studied and scientifically clarified on this subject, which is a challenge for companies, universities and research centres.
Thus, without pretending to exhaust the matter, nor being the owner of the truth and not giving prompt and definitive answers, we hope we have contributed to advance the subject a little more.
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