MillSmart and Nutrition School comes to Zim
Feed stuffs represent the largest single cost in feed manufacturing and optimising their usage through the whole feed chain is therefore imperative.
IT IS for this reason that the Stock feed Manufacturers Association of Zimbabwe in collaboration with Kemin, Inspired Molecular Solutions, will be holding their first MillSmart and Nutrition School in Zimbabwe. MillSmart, developed by Kemin, eliminates shrinkages and optimises the utilisation of feed stuffs by reducing ingredient segregation and minimising false intakes. Mash feed is optimised to achieve its target moisture level for optimal pellet making.
This school will discuss better feed mill efficiency and feed quality by improving the four “P’s” in feed milling — Processes, Productivity, Pellet quality and Profitability. Product quality includes physical, chemical, biological and nutritional specifications of feed free from moulds that can affect animal productivity. MillSmart is an innovative programme designed to address these issues and grow profitability through effective feed processing, with the highest productivity, the lowest cost and risk while assuring product quality.
The programme also optimises the overall conditioning performance of milling operations.
It is sometimes difficult to predict the end results of pelleting, especially if the specifications of a batch of ingredients are different each time they are milled. MillSmart gains control of these variations by limiting fluctuations and reduces the energy input in pelleting thereby increasing feed throughput.
The Nutrition School is a two-day event and is being led by Maja Sakkers (Customer Laboratory Services Manager) and Kiersten Kirk (Monogastric Technical Manager) from Kemin.
On Tuesday March 20, participants will discuss the effect that moulds, yeasts and mycotoxins have on feed safety. Oxidation and bacterial contamination also affect the quality of feed and these topics will be in the spotlight. In the afternoon, mill hygiene, biosecurity and solid state disinfection will be debated. Plenty of time has been allocated for questions and discussion as the Nutrition School is an interactive forum.
Optimising feed mill efficiency is the topic for Wednesday March 21, as well as ways to improve digestion for healthy animals.
Participation is open to all feed mill operators, stock-feed manufacturers and interested members of the public. Attendance costs $30 per person per day and includes all teas and lunches as well as an information pack and certificate of attendance.
The venue is Exhibition Park, Samora Machel Avenue.
Bookings can be made via e-mail to admin@lit.co.zw or on 04 – 756 600.
Availability of molasses a challenge for cattle producers
Molasses is a key ingredient in the making of stock-feeds for ruminants, including beef and dairy, sheep and goats.
In the past two years, the supply of this feed ingredient to the feed manufacturing sector has been very erratic, leading to high cost and increased dependency on imports as well as the increasing cost of foreign currency demand this entails.
This has negatively impacted upon the cost of milk and beef production at a time when government has embarked on an ambitious livestock sector investment initiative under the Command Livestock Special Programme.
The main reasons for the erratic supply has been the increased demand for molasses, mainly driven by the demand for ethanol for fuel and the needs of the yeast factory in Gweru. Although import substitution that ethanol blending with petrol as well as export earnings from yeast exports is positive for the country, the negative impacts of the irregular supply of molasses on cattle, sheep and goat production cannot be ignored.
The livestock industry is proposing that the allocation of available molasses is rationalised to ensure that the livestock sector continues to be supported while reducing the fuel import bill at the same time and earning crucial foreign currency inflows from the export of yeast.
This will ensure win-win solutions for the overall development of the country. Specifically, the industry is calling for adequate supply of molasses for the sector with the remainder being allocated to production of yeast and ethanol.