Traceable accuracy for animal feed

The feed company specified the system to accurately formulate its recipes
from ingredients held in 13 storage hoppers. Previously Nichols used a hand
controlled auger system and a scale to weigh out the ingredients.

With
the cost of ingredients such as barley and soybean rising, it has become more
important to accurately control their use and improve efficiency. In addition,
all animal feed has to meet strict traceability legislation.

Using the
old system paper records were kept, but now all the formulations are recorded on
a PC. This will record both the normal recipe and the actual formulation used,
since if an ingredient is running low in a storage hopper the system can suggest
substituting an alternative. The new system has also improved the repeatability
of recipes.

“The new system gives us an accuracy to the nearest kilogram
for each ingredient”, said mill manager Graham Millard. “It is also faster and
easier for the operative to use with no chance of error. Using the old system we
could mix about three tonnes per hour, now we can mix up to six tonnes per
hour.”

The system uses a P911 throughput weigher. This uses
high-resolution technology to provide accurate bulk weighing of free flowing
solids.

An E1310 programmable indicator from Avery
Weigh-Tronix controls the system. This stores the recipes and
collects and records data and interfaces with a PC and software also supplied by
Avery Weigh-Tronix.

In the mean time Nichols has already added a second
system at their other mill.

For regular updates on feed news subscribe here
to our free newsletter