Extruder Screw Design and Purpose
October 11, 2012
At its core, the extruder is a very simple machine. The various configurations of shaft speed, number of chambers and types of screws/steamlocks enables the operator to create…
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Can I Make my own Aquatic Feed?
October 9, 2012
As corn, wheat and soybean prices sky rocket, manufacturers of feed for retail are forced to increase their prices. Feed constitutes the main operational cost of all livestock,…
Spare Parts
October 4, 2012
Nowadays it’s a real balancing act to keep the costs associated with a feed business down. Being competitive with input costs that change daily can drive you crazy.…
In Feed Formulation, the Input Determines the Output
September 27, 2012
I received a correspondence from a practicing nutritionist and feed formulator wanting to verify the True Metabolizable Energy (TMEn) of an Extruded-Expelled soybean meal (ExPress® soybean meal) that…
Knocking on the Dollar Door: 5 Do’s for Raising Project Finance
September 25, 2012
DO prepare a Business Plan. Have it written, or at least checked, by a professional. It is easy to overlook key items, or include basic mistakes, that your…
Soybean Dehulling – How Does it Work?
September 20, 2012
A topic we come across often is the need, or want, for soybean dehulling. Dehulling (or decortication) is the process of removing the hull of a seed and…
Strategic Focus: Needs of Market versus Company Strengths
September 18, 2012
In my last blog, I discussed the importance of defining “Where We Will Play” and “How We Will Win” when defining your strategic focus. Digging deeper into this approach…
Important Parameters for Processing Soybeans – Part II
September 13, 2012
In my previous blog post, I discussed two important parameters to monitor when pressing soybeans (moisture and steam extraction). Now, we will focus on the other two important…
What are My Options to Produce Clean Feed?
September 11, 2012
There has been a continuous effort by the feed, the animal industry and food industry to eliminate (or at least reduce) the source of salmonella and other pathogens’…
Will My Feed Processing Plant be Profitable? – Part IV – Market Value of Output
September 6, 2012
We’ve already established three key variables which will determine the ultimate profitability of your feed processing plant: Feed formulation Raw material costs Market value of your output Today…
Welcome to New Alliance
September 4, 2012
The New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition was born back in May at the G8 Summit. It joins a prestigious family of worthy initiatives, such as the…
Statistical Process Control (SPC): Quality Tools for Your Plant
August 30, 2012
An area sometimes overlooked within a plant is quality control. Quality control does not have to be limited to visual appearance only, though. It is easy to associate…
Important Parameters for Pressing Soybeans – Part I
August 28, 2012
The process of pressing oil from soybeans appears at first glance to be a pretty simple process: you extrude the soybeans and run it through an oil press.…
“Our Future is Bright”…with Sorghum
August 23, 2012
Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Jonathan, is upbeat about the future of food production in his country, telling his compatriots “our future is bright”. He needs to be optimistic. Nigeria spends…
The Value of a Clear Game Plan
August 21, 2012
Sports teams just don’t run onto the field and play. They have a game plan which they have practiced to put themselves in the best position to WIN.…
The Unique Healthy Soy Oil with Better Stability and Flavor
August 15, 2012
I was recently invited by the American Soybean Association – International Marketing (ASA-IM) to Amman, Jordan, to conduct seminars to promote the use of properly processed, good quality…
Start-Up Time
August 8, 2012
After doing hundreds of equipment start-ups over the last 30 years, I’m here to tell you it can be a wild time that comes with emotional ups and…
“I Had a Farm in Africa…”
August 1, 2012
Less than 30% of total cultivable land in Africa is presently under cultivation. That excludes forests. The data may be unreliable, but for want of better, Africa has…