Tag: cereal quality

Animal feed quality control is not a peripheral concern — it sits at the intersection of animal health, farm profitability, and food safety. A batch of feed with incorrect protein content wastes money; feed contaminated with mycotoxins can devastate a livestock operation. Yet many feed mills still rely on infrequent third-party testing rather than in-house analytical capability. Here is a look at the essential tests that any serious feed mill should be running regularly. Moisture Content Moisture is the entry point for all feed quality analysis. High moisture in stored raw materials and finished feeds promotes mould growth and mycotoxin development. Target moisture levels vary by ingredient — typically below 14% for cereals, below 12% for compound feeds — but the key is consistency and monitoring over time. Crude Protein Protein content determines the nutritional value and cost of any feed formulation. NIR analysers provide rapid protein estimates for incoming raw materials and finished feeds. Periodic verification against the reference Kjeldahl method is essential to maintain NIR calibration accuracy. Systematic deviations from formulation targets quickly erode margins and animal performance. Starch and Energy Content For energy-dense feeds, starch content is a key formulation parameter. NIR instruments can estimate starch alongside protein and moisture simultaneously. Accurate energy estimation reduces the risk of over- or under-supplying energy to livestock, both of which have direct economic consequences. Mycotoxin Screening Aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone, and fumonisins are among the most economically and clinically significant mycotoxins affecting feed raw materials. Rapid lateral flow immunoassay strips provide field-level screening; ELISA kits offer greater sensitivity. Positive screens should always be confirmed by accredited laboratory methods before reject decisions are made. Particle Size and Pellet Quality Physical feed quality — particle size distribution and pellet durability — directly affects feed intake, digestibility, and wastage. A pellet durability index (PDI) test takes minutes and predicts how well pellets will survive handling and transport to the feed trough. Consistent physical quality is a key differentiator in the competitive compound feed market. Fuhler Labor supplies verified pre-owned feed quality control instruments including NIR analysers, moisture meters, and laboratory balances — allowing feed mills to build robust in-house analytical capability without prohibitive capital expenditure.