Bentoli AgriNutrition, Inc.

Feed Preservation, is a fundamental requirement of livestock feed and feed ingredients; because these are acquired and stored in bulk over extended periods of time. Spoilage of feed during storage not only adversely affects health and performance of livestock, but may also compromise the feed manufacturer’s brand reputation. This constant challenge faced by the feed producer, is an invisible phenomenon caused by a series of microbial and chemical degradation processes that occur in feed ingredients and feed.

A nutritionally formulated livestock feed is a balanced presentation of feed ingredients for nutrients such as energy, protein, vitamins, minerals and moisture. Such a balanced set of nutrients is a feast for the omnipresent microbial (molds, bacteria etc) and chemical (auto-oxidation) degradation mechanisms. Amongst the inherent set of nutrients, moisture determines the stability of feed or feed ingredients. Moisture, regarded as the primary input for degradation mechanisms, is well protected when the feed ingredients are intact. However, the grinding/milling process often releases moisture to be free and easily available for molds and oxidative changes. Aided by the other nutrients, these degradation mechanisms potentiate each other through a liberal exchange of end products of degradation. Once set, these degradation changes aggressively diminish the nutritive and shelf life profile of feed or feed ingredients. Considering this, it is imperative that a high quality feed be protected sufficiently from the degradation mechanisms such as molds, bacteria, oxidation and their metabolic end products.

Feed Processing, is the conversion of feed ingredients into feed. This stage in feed dynamics converts a diverse set of feed ingredients into a homogenized and single presentable form, such as mash, pellet, crumbles, etc. In addition, feed processing helps improve the digestibility and bioavailability of feed. Finely milled feed particles are better digested than coarse or whole feed ingredients. The steam conditioning process helps in gelatinizing starches, hydrating, and partially digesting proteins for easier breakdown by the digestive enzymes during digestion.

The most common form of feed, the pellet, offers innumerable benefits to both the feed miller and the livestock farmer resulting in improved profitability, such as higher bulk density, preventing segregation of ingredients, reduced transportation and storage costs, improved digestion and bioavailability of nutrients, minimizing pathogen load, etc. Given that this is the largest of feed processing costs, any input that improves the efficiency of pelleting is valuable to a feed manufacturer. Pellet binders are among the most proven tools for this purpose.

The process of grinding/milling feed ingredients releases the moisture that was held together by whole ingredients, often resulting in a gross weight loss between 0.35 – 1%; which the feed mill attributes to process loss. In addition, this moisture loss leaves feed excessively dry; which may add to digestive stress in the animal or leaves a larger gap between the actual and permitted levels of moisture in feed sold. Recovery or optimization of this portion of feed moisture improves digestibility and also the feed economics. Surface active wetting agents (moisture optimizers) are proven to be of significant help for this purpose.

A superior value and high profit feed can be achieved by using the right set of technological tools, such as pellet binders, moisture optimizers, grain and feed conditioners, etc. that help in minimizing processing costs.

Feed Nutrition, is the very objective of feed. It is singularly the most important factor affecting livestock productivity and farm profitability. Feed for production livestock is probably the most scientifically designed food among all living beings, including humans. Nutrition is a critical requirement of livestock production and its perceived value is measured and defined in very broad terms; which are meant to include: nutritional value, nutrient balance, nutrient bioavailability, etc.

Feed formulation softwares are of immense help in drafting the most economical and balanced feeds. However, there always exists a gap between the nutrients formulated and nutrients available to the animal which is attributed to factors such as feed intake, gut environment, assistance in digestion and absorption etc. Even the best formulated feed can only provide value to the animal if and when consumed. The changes to feed ingredients or feed during storage and exposure to adverse environments often leave colors and odors that are less palatable to livestock. Additionally, there are similarly unpalatable components of the feed such as minerals, vitamins and medicinal ingredients that can reduce consumption. Natural or nature identical flavors capable of masking such off odors significantly help livestock increase consumption.

The optimal conditions inside the gut are critical for improved bioavailability of nutrients. The gut environment is regulated by a combination of inter-dependent factors such as gut acids and naturally inhabiting microflora. An acidic pH favors digestion, absorption and control the pathogenic microorganisms. Products that can acidify the gut are immensely helpful in optimizing performance.

In addition, products that assist digestion, absorption, etc. such as digestive enzymes and organic minerals are of great value to enhancing the nutritional value of feed.