SEARCH
Industry Partners
Prairie Swine Centre is an affiliate of the University of Saskatchewan
Prairie Swine Centre is grateful for the assistance of the George Morris Centre in developing the economics portion of Pork Insight.
Financial support for the Enterprise Model Project and Pork Insight has been provided by:
Assessing Particle Size and the Cost of Grinding
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Prairie Swine Centre, Production by student on June 19, 2018
Author: Danilo Sotto, Tom Scott, and Denise Beaulieu
Publication: Centred on Swine, Winter 2016 Volume 22 Number 2
Summary:
Studies have shown that particle size reduction improves feed efficiency in all stages of production. Studies at Kansas State University have identified a recommended average particle size for corn-soybean meal based diets. Information regarding particle size in wheat is limited.
This study focuses on particle size in wheat with regards to feed efficiency to improve animal performance and income for producers by improving understanding of particle size under regional conditions.
Through utilizing a hammer mill it can be estimated that grinding barley from 850 to 550 um would cost between $0.65-$1.05/mt. Assuming that for every 100um the feed efficiency is improved by 1.3% it is estimated that a net savings of $7.80/pig in total feed cost can occur by reducing the particle size to 300 um.
As flowability is a concern when grinding particles finely it is suggested that finding the optimum balance between wheat and barley could address this issue as wheat is more flowable than barley.
Assessing Particle Size and the Cost of Grinding