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      1. Home
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      Tag: laboratory instruments

      Feed Quality Control: Essential Tests Every Feed Mill Should Run

      admin
      March 4, 2026

      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.

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      How to Extend the Life of Your Laboratory Equipment

      admin
      March 4, 2026

      Laboratory instruments are a significant capital investment — whether purchased new or as verified pre-owned units. With proper maintenance, leading instruments from manufacturers such as Perten, Bastak, Chopin, and Carbolite can provide accurate, reliable service for 15–20 years or more. Neglect, by contrast, accelerates wear and leads to costly breakdowns at the worst possible moments. Follow the Manufacturer’s Maintenance Schedule Every instrument comes with a recommended maintenance schedule covering cleaning intervals, lubrication points, consumable replacement, and periodic calibration. These schedules are not suggestions — they are the result of engineering analysis of failure modes. Document every maintenance action in a log book alongside the date, operator, and any observations. Control the Laboratory Environment Temperature and humidity fluctuations are silent destroyers of precision laboratory equipment. Electronic components, optical systems, and mechanical bearings all degrade faster under variable environmental conditions. Aim to maintain your laboratory at a constant 20°C ± 2°C and relative humidity between 50% and 60%. This is especially important for balances, NIR instruments, and polarimeters. Use the Right Consumables The temptation to substitute cheaper generic consumables for manufacturer-specified parts is understandable but frequently costly. For Falling Number instruments, for example, off-specification viscometer tubes alter the fluid dynamics of the test and produce systematically biased results — invalidating all data generated until the error is identified. Always use manufacturer-approved consumables or verified equivalents. Train Your Operators The majority of instrument damage in flour laboratories is caused not by mechanical failure but by operator error. Overloading balances, using incorrect cleaning solvents on optical surfaces, failing to allow warm-up time, and mishandling glassware are all preventable causes of instrument damage. Invest in thorough initial training and refresher sessions when procedures or personnel change. Address Issues Promptly An unusual reading, an unfamiliar noise, or a slower-than-normal response are all early warning signs that something is developing. Addressing these signals promptly — by consulting the service manual, contacting the manufacturer, or engaging a specialist — almost always results in a simpler and cheaper repair than waiting until the instrument fails completely.

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      Buying Second-Hand Lab Equipment: What to Check Before You Purchase

      admin
      March 4, 2026

      The market for pre-owned laboratory instruments has grown substantially in recent years, driven by tighter R&D budgets, the growing availability of certified refurbished equipment, and the simple fact that many high-quality analysers last for decades with proper maintenance. But not all second-hand equipment is equal — and knowing what to look for can be the difference between a smart investment and an expensive headache. 1. Verify the Calibration Status Before anything else, ask for the instrument’s calibration records. A well-maintained lab instrument should have documented calibration intervals. For grain analysers such as NIR units or Falling Number machines, recent calibration against certified reference materials is essential. If records are unavailable, budget for recalibration costs before committing. 2. Inspect Physical Condition and Wear Points Look carefully at the specific wear points for each instrument type. On a Falling Number unit, check the viscometer tube and plunger for scratches or corrosion. On an alveograph, examine the kneading bowl and the inflation system. On moisture meters, inspect the sample chamber for contamination or residue build-up. Surface cosmetic issues rarely affect performance; mechanical wear does. 3. Request a Test Run with a Reference Sample Any reputable seller should allow you to run a certified reference sample on the instrument before purchase. Compare the result against the known value. For Falling Number analysers, a discrepancy of more than ±10 seconds from the reference should prompt further investigation. 4. Check for Spare Parts Availability Older models of some brands have discontinued spare parts. Before buying, confirm that consumables and replacement parts — such as viscometer tubes, thermal cups, or sensor modules — are still available. Fuhler Labor maintains a network of parts suppliers for brands including Perten, Bastak, Chopin, and Carbolite. 5. Ask About the Equipment’s History Find out how intensively the instrument was used. A unit from a research laboratory running 20 samples per week is very different from one from a production mill running 200 samples per day. Usage intensity directly correlates with mechanical wear. At Fuhler Labor, every instrument listed on our platform is physically inspected and tested before listing. We believe transparency is the foundation of trust in the pre-owned equipment market.

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