The purpose of particle size reduction or grinding is to create uniform particle size to ensure adedquate mixing of ingredients in a complete feed ration. Particle size reduction can be accomplished by the use of a hammer mill or roller mill. Each machine can accomplish this task with some degree of accuracy, with the roller mill having a more uniform finished product.
For proper mixing results with ground grains, periodic sampling and testing must be done to unsure the proper particle size is achieved. Particle size is measured on the average micron size along with standard deviation of the sample. The chart below show general guidlines of acceptable ranges for average particle size in order to optimize quality, animal performance and product flow ability.
INGREDIENTS IN PELLETED FEEDS 600-800 MICRONS
INGREDIENTS IN MEAL FEEDS 700-900 MICRONS
CRACKED CORN OR GRAINS FOR TEXTURED FEEDS 2500-3500 MICRONS
The normal standard deviation of the sample size being tested should be 2.20 or less which indicates the uniformity of the particle size reduction. The purpose of the random sampling and testing of the grains is to help maintain high quality feeds and keep your animals at their optimum feed efficiencies.
Cooperative Elevator Association strives to bring you the best product for your indicidual situation. We at CEA, believe MICRON SIZE is a way to improve your herd efficiency, And save you a few dollars all at the same time.
Hartley and Ocheyedan feed mills keep daily record to unsure your feed is ground to the high standards of the industry. We are sampling the grain for micron size and standard deviation dialy and send in spot checks weekly. This assures the company of the accuracy. This is just another way CEA is committed to Excellence in Agriculture.
What is Wheat Gluten?
Wheat Gluten is a grayish-white elastic protein made from wheat flour. It is produced by washing wheat flour with water to remove the starch. Gluten is believed to have originated in China where it is used as a meat substitute. Since the mid-20th century, westren nations have used wheat gluten in vegetarian diets and pet foods. Gluten is commonly added to canned pet foods ( and some dry pet foods) to provide protein and texture ("chewiness and body") to the pet food. Wheat Gluten has become a topic of conversation for pet owners since it was linked to contamination with melamine and death of pets. Wheat Gluten is not used as an ingredient in Country Vet Pet Foods and therefore you can be assured of the continuing high quality of Country Vet dog and cat foods.
What is Melamine?
Melamine is a strong chemical that is manufactured from urea. Melamine is primarily used to produce a plastic resin that when combined with formaldehyde produces a very durable plastic. The plastic is often used to produce utensils, furnature, cabinets and is the main constituent in Formica flooring. Melamine has become a topic of conversation for pet owners since it was linked to contamination of the pet food ingredient wheat gluten and the death of pets. Wheat Gluten is not used as an ingredient in Country Vet Pet Foods and therefore you can be assured of the continuing high quality of Country Vet dog and cat foods.
May 1, 2007 To Whom It May Concern:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found that recent animal deaths, which resulted in various pet food recalls, were linked to pet food contaminated with melamine. Their investigation continues and is centered on imported, grain-based, protein materials from China.
According to the FDA, two ingredients imported from China, wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate, have tested positive for melamine.
Cooperative Elevator Association does not use any wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate at any of our plants that manufacture our horse, companion animal, lab, zoo, swine, poultry, dairy or beef feed products.
Feed Operations Manager
Steve Petersen
Land O'Lakes Purina Feed LLC April 26, 2007 To Whom It May Concern:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found that recent animal deaths, which resulted in various pet food recalls, were linked to pet food contaminated with melamine. Their investigation continues and is centered on imported, grain-based, protein materials from China.
According to the FDA, two ingredients imported from China, wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate, have tested positive for melamine.
Land O'Lakes Purina Feed does not use any wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate at any of our plants that manufacture our horse, companion animal, lab, zoo, swine, poultry, dairy or beef feed products.
