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…
Author: Nabil Said
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…
Author: Michael Martin
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…
Author: Kenneth Aniunoh
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…
Author: Kevin Kacere
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…
Author: John Doud
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’…
Author: Nabil Said
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…
Author: Adam Sackett
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…
Author: Michael Martin
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…
Author: Kenneth Aniunoh
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.…
Author: John Doud
“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…
Author: Michael Martin
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.…
Author: Kevin Kacere
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…
Author: Nabil Said
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…
Author: John Doud
“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…
Author: Michael Martin
How Does an Extruder Work?
July 25, 2012
We should probably start with what an extruder is. In fancy terms, it is a positive displacement machine designed to apply shear forces to raw ingredients in order…
Author: Kenneth Aniunoh
Will My Feed Processing Plant Be Profitable? – Part III – Raw Material Costs
July 18, 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(s) My…
Author: Adam Sackett
Vibration
July 11, 2012
Anybody who owns more than one extruder will tell you they have one extruder machine that vibrates more than the other. Why is this? And what can you…
Author: John Doud