Reasons for pelleting

The transformation into pellets is an extrusion thermoplastic modeling operation. During the pelleting process, the proteins and sugars contained in the feed ingredients become plastic when heated and subjected to the action of steam. Pelletizing is the key to the production of high quality nutritional feed, as the substances that make up the formula are in the correct quantities to meet the nutritional needs of each animal. Each bite will have the same wording, so all animals are feed as intended.

Let’s go into detail about the reasons that we pelletize and which are the advantages of using pelleted feed 

1.BETTER FEED TO GAIN CONVERSION
2.MORE ECONOMICAL STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION
3.BETTER HANDLING, AND FLOATABILITY
4.REDUCTION OR ELIMINATION OF FEED LOSSES FROM WIND CARRY-OFF
5.DESTRUCTION OF SALMONELLA ORGANISMS FROM ANIMAL FEEDS

1.BETTER FEED TO GAIN CONVERSION

In certain feeds, the steam conditioning process prior to pelleting creates chemical changes in the feed, making it possible for animals to more rapidly digest and convert feed to weight. This is particularly true in complete high energy feeds in the poultry and dog categories.Feeding trials of properly conditioned pellets versus mash show that up to 10% greater conversion is achieved in feeding pellets over mash

By combining moisture, heat and pressure on feed ingredients, a degree of gelatinization is produced which allows animals and poultry to better utilize the nutrients in these ingredients.  Feed conversion will be improved.
Animals feed pellets are forced to accept every ingredient in the formula, preventing them from picking from the mash only those ingredients they like and rejecting others. This shows up in higher feed conversion efficiencies.

2.MORE ECONOMICAL STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION.

Pelleting normally increased the bulk density of mash anywhere from 40 to 100%, thus decreasing the volume of required storage in the same proportion.
For example, pelleting alfalfa will increase ground alfalfa bulk densities from approximately 250 kg. per cubic meter to approximately 600   kg. per cubic meter. This will allow twice the amount of pelleted alfalfa to be stored in the same tank as meal. In addition, twice as much can be shipped in a rail car or truck, thus greatly reducing transportation costs.

3. BETTER HANDLING, AND FLOWABILITY.

Many forms of mash, particularly light, fluffy feeds, molassified or high fat added feeds and urea feeds will hang up in the customers bins. Pellets will flow much better, In addition, for those customers using automatic small, high speed augers as in dairy or poultry, pellets can be readily conveyed as opposed to problems of choking and jamming with mash. A better flow and handling characteristic of pellets is one of the least mentioned advantages but probably one of the most important for the livestock feeders. 

4. REDUCTION OR ELIMINATION OF FEED LOSSES FROM WIND CARRY-OFF.
Feeding mash in outdoor lots or bunkers can result in blow-away of substantial percentages of mash. Densified mash in pellet form pretty will solve this problem of waste 

5. DESTRUCTION OF SALMONELLA ORGANISMS FROM ANIMAL FEEDS.
These bacteria when ingested by an animal remains in the animal tissues and when eaten by humans can cause an intestinal disease known as salmonellosis. The USDA {FDA) has recommended pelleting for preventing salmonellosis by killing salmonella possibly present in animal feeds. Destruction of the bacteria occurs from the conditioning process (high temperatures) combined with friction heat and pressures of the pelleting process. 

You can read more about this subject in our article Prevention and Feed Contamination
The transformation of feed meal into pellets has nutritional, economic, practical and safety benefits. The positive effects of pelleting are well documented, and these may vary according to the quality of the raw materials, and that of the grinding and pelleting processes.