RESEARCH

Pro's and cons on the use of different formulation techniques for feed additives Enzymes and fat addition Make your own poultry feed through MakeFeed Make your own dairy feed through MakeFeed

The factors that determine the quality of feed additives are the particle size [and its distribution], the targeted concentration of the active material in the final feed and the formulation technique use to manufacture the additive. This leads to the following conclusions.

Reducing particle size of feed additives gives a higher chance of a homogenous feed mix. However, too small particles are prone to percolation and loss through filters and sticking onto equipment.

Increasing particle size reduces the risk of feed mill contamination and carry-over. However, increasing particle size decreases the distributability of the active material with the risk that not all animals receive the correct (not too few and not too much) amount of active material with their daily diet.

Simple mixing is an unsuited technique for manufacturing of additives. Such products do not meet the quality requirements of the feed industry today. Other formulation technologies (fluid bed processing, mixer granulation and vacuum coating) exist which are better suited to obtain the desired characteristics of the feed additive.

A properly formulated and granulated feed additive [in terms of plasticity, hardness and disintegrating behaviour], with the correct size reduces risk in operation of a feed plant .It ensures that the proper amount of active material reaches the animal and is liberated ‘on-site’ in the digestive tract. It’s a means of reducing risk with feed additives and ensuring safety to both people and animals in the feed and food chain

Feed Tech – Volume 7 Number 9/10 - 2003

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