In this section:
The feedmill
Nutrition researchers at the Pig and Poultry Production Institute (PPPI) have access to an experimental feedmill, a commercial feedmill and an experimental stockfeed extrusion centre all in the one facility.
All ingredients can be accurately weighed and mixed to ensure the integrity of research experiments. Weighing facilities range from laboratory balances in the Nutrition Research Laboratory, to platform scales, double beam pallet scales and a weighbridge.
Feed ingredients can be either roller milled or hammer milled prior to mixing and enzymes applied either in solid form or sprayed in liquid form.
Experimental feedmill
The experimental mill can produce 10 to 350 kg batches of cold-press pelletted or mash feed for use in nutrition experiments. Major equipment comprises of a roller mill, hammer mill, vertical mixer, small mixer, large and small pelleter with dies of various sizes, two one tonne storage silos, interconnecting augers and ample rack space for storage of feed ingredients and mixed diets. Bulk grain used for experiments can be stored in eight one tonne silos outside of the feedmill.
Commercial feedmill
The commercial mill can mix up to 6 tonne batches of mash feed for nutrition experiments. The commercial mill supplies more than 2,000 tonnes of mixed feed annually to the Institute'spiggery and poultry facilities and the University of Adelaide’s animal production enterprises. An electronic switchboard allows total control of grain content in a variety of stock feed mixes. Grain harvested from the Roseworthy Campus farm is stored in two 200 tonne and eighteen 50 tonne silos which are connected to the shed via augers. A small and large forklift aid in handling ingredients and mixed diets.
Australian Experimental Stockfeed Extrusion Centre
The new $1.34 million Australian Experimental Stockfeed Extrusion Centre includes a Wenger X-85 extruder, Wenger dryers and coolers, and a UAS vacuum infusion system. The facility is the only one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. PPPI in conjunction with other research groups and industry will use the facility to produce new high value diets and supplements for pigs and other species.
For further information on contract extruder research trials contact Rob van Barneveld at Barneveld Nutrition Pty Ltd
