Ensuring nutritional quality and homogeneity of forage feed production batches.

 

 

Abstract

This article details the implementation of the Polispec NIR inline system for quality control in pelletized forage production for animal feed. Installed in the mill that supplies the pelletizers, Polispec NIR continuously monitors the forage’s nutritional composition to ensure the correct nutrient concentration and batch uniformity. The system allows for dynamic adjustments or batch segregation based on protein and fiber content, enhancing quality control and maintaining high nutritional standards.

 

 

 

Introduction

The production of animal feed forage requires strict control of nutritional composition to ensure consistency in declared levels of protein and fiber. Variations in forage composition can impact animal health, performance, and the commercial value of the final product. Real-time nutritional monitoring provides a strategic advantage, enabling producers to uphold high quality standards for each batch.

The Polispec NIR system has been implemented to continuously assess moisture levels and nutritional composition in the forage fed into the pelletizers. This process optimizes batch uniformity and allows for rapid, dynamic adjustments as needed.

 

Objectives

The objectives of this application are to:

• Provide inline monitoring of moisture and nutritional composition, specifically protein and fiber levels.
• Allow for batch segregation or dynamic production adjustments based on real-time data.
• Improve product efficiency and quality by reducing nutritional variability and maintaining a high value for the finished product.

 

 

 

 

 

Methodology

The Polispec NIR system is integrated within the mill that feeds the pelletizers. Utilizing near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, the system continuously monitors key nutritional parameters (moisture, ash, protein, fiber), helping to adjust production as necessary and segregate the product into uniform batches.

 

 

 

 

Process Steps

1. Continuous Scanning: The forage material is scanned by the Polispec NIR system as it moves through the mill feeding the pelletizers.
2. Real-Time Data Analysis: Moisture, ash, protein, and fiber levels are continuously analyzed to detect any deviations.
3. Dynamic Adjustment: If values deviate from target levels, operators can make corrections to ensure the nutritional quality of the pellets or separate production into homogeneous batches.

 

Results and Discussion

The use of the Polispec NIR system has enabled:

• Precise, real-time monitoring of forage’s nutritional composition.
• Reduction in variability between batches, ensuring consistent quality in production.
• Targeted adjustments upstream in the mill and pelletizer feeding process to correct moisture, protein, and fiber levels, resulting in a more uniform forage-based feed composition.

By implementing this system, producers can achieve superior quality standards, improving product consistency and operational efficiency.

 

Conclusions

The Polispec NIR system has proven effective for monitoring and adjusting moisture and nutritional composition in pelletized forage. This real-time quality control solution enhances product uniformity, supports dynamic corrections, and ensures that each batch meets nutritional requirements, benefiting both producers and end users.

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