Corn and Soy Prices Drive the Need for Milling Efficiency Programs

Rising Corn and Soy Prices Worsen Consequence of Shrink

With 2021 projections for corn and soybeans prices to rise 14% and 8%, respectively, target moisture attainment in feed rations has become increasingly vital to milling efficiency efforts. Shrink, a moisture loss phenomenon is something that has long been observed. Research from Kansas State University found shrink in US commercial mills to be on average 0.81%. Moisture loss in raw materials and finished feed occurs throughout feed processing. As it's known, shrink can cause feed valued at $450 per ton to lose up to $3.65 in value by the time it leaves the plant. Suppose each week a mill produces 6,000 tons. The total loss would come to $21,870 for a single week. Nutritionists and mill managers are cognizant of the vital role moisture targets serve in formula rations and feed production. Moisture management plays a crucial role in milling efficiency and the production of high-quality pellets. When determining feed formulation, nutritionists seek to optimize feed form to promote feed intake and nutritional values driving productivity and uniformity. Managing moisture via a milling efficiency aid, such as Maxi-Mil, optimizes the value of ingredients, reduces the impact of compositional changes, and creates cost benefits by minimizing shrink, increasing throughput, and driving overall mill efficiency through a reduction in energy use and downtime, for example.

Moisture Management Lessens the Impact of Corn and Soy Prices

Those with a robust milling efficiency regime in place are more confident in their ability to manage moisture and optimize efficiency. Shrink within feed mills is always an inventory nightmare in feed production, but the shrink cost is magnified when the material cost is high. Directly correlating to the reduction of saleable product, shrink is destructive to efficiency. The last thing any production facility wants to deal with is the loss of expensive materials. Moisture management programs reduce shrink losses and improve mill efficiency, resulting in higher profitability and sustainability. The presence of Maxi-Mil in a ration helps mill managers be precise in the attainment of moisture goals.

Optimizing Feed Conversion Rates to Mitigate Corn and Soy Prices

Moisture loss is equivalent to reduced output weight and has severe consequences to the nutrient density and uniformity within finished feed. Live production benefits when nutrient density and uniformity are adequately managed by achieving a target moisture content; delivering nutrient-balanced pellets capable of supporting the livestock's genetic potential to grow and reproduce. In addition, moisture is essential to the gelatinization of starch within feed matrices. Gelatinization is critical for the binding between feed particles, which is necessary to create good pellets. When gelatinization occurs, certain bonds within the feed are broken, increasing the digestibility of feed. Feed that is easier to digest and meets nutritional specifications can improve animal performance.

A well-crafted moisture management program enhances nutritionists' and producers' abilities to achieve nutritional specifications. It allows producers to achieve target moisture content, eliminates the need for free water in pelleting, and improves milling efficiency. Due to the recent rise in raw materials' cost, primarily corn and soy, it is more important than ever to maintain moisture in feed. Not only does moisture retention provide cost savings during production, but it also plays a vital role in animal nutrition. Improved feed conversion and the proper nourishment of livestock result in efficiencies that carry through the entire production cycle. The use of a milling efficiency product provides the needed control to optimize the use of raw ingredients in feed production.

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