Rising prices are stimulating producers to consider different raw materials for their animal feed formulations.
This can, in some situations, adversely affect pellet quality, and reduce throughput at the feed mill press according to agricultural specialists Kiotechagil.
With electricity at 0.16 USD per kilowatt-hour and rising, feed compounders are also paying increasing attention to energy usage. Double pelleting for example costs an extra 1.6USD per tonne compared to single pelleting comments Mark Meynell, Director of Lloyds Animal Feeds.
“These two factors are increasing the demand for low inclusion pellet binders,” says Kiotechagil’s chief technical officer Murray Hyden. “Part of the benefit comes through the chemical binding attributes which help lower the amount of energy consumed in pellet production. This is achieved by improved die lubrication and a reduction in fines losses.”
“Feed producers are also recognising the ability of binders like Mastercube which improve pellet quality and allow greater inclusion of oils in high-energy diets", said Mr Hyden. “Farmers too are looking to protect their investment in quality feeds by seeking out improved pellet durability and the more consistent pellet quality they achieve when using low inclusion pellet binders.”