May 7, 2008

UK feed producer attains 99 percent accuracy in feed recipes

UK-based Nichols (Cowmills) Ltd., an animal feed producer, said it is now achieving a 99-percent accuracy for 50 different animal feed recipes due to a throughput weighing system from Avery Weigh-Tronix.

The UK feed company specified the system to accurately formulate its recipes from ingredients held in 13 storage hoppers.

Previously, Nichols used a hand controlled auger system and a scale to weigh out the ingredients.

With the cost of ingredients such as soy and barley rising, it has become more important to accurately control the use of the system and improve efficiency, the company said.

Mill manager, Graham Millard, said that the new system gives accuracy to the nearest kilogramme for each ingredient.

Using the old system, about three tonnes could be mixed per hour, now the company can mix up to six tonnes per hour, Millard explained.