Reducing dust when rolling this summer’s dry grain for feed
FARMERS struggling to mill over-dry grain for livestock feed this winter, now have access to a treatment which is more typically used by the feed processing industry.
The technique of ‘tempering’ grain is said to be particularly relevant this year, after much of this summer’s harvest recorded low moisture contents and feed preservation specialists, Kelvin Cave, told The SF it was increasingly hearing reports from farmers that dry grain was shattering and turning to dust in the mill.
This has numerous disadvantages, ranging from difficult working conditions for operators through to poor rumen health in the livestock fed over-processed grain. As a result, the company has reported a surge in interest in methods of adding moisture to grain before rolling, which also allow the processed product to be preserved and stored over winter.
Increasing numbers are turning to ‘tempering’, a process which is widely used in hotter climates – most notably Australia and New Zealand –it involves applying Proflake NC (a product comprising a mixture of surfactants and preservatives) to the grain and soaking with a known volume of water. This causes the grain to swell, increases its feed value and makes it easy and dustfree to roll.
Michael Carpenter, Kelvin Cave’s technical director, said: “Milling dry cereals and pulses can be a dusty business as any farmer who rolls grain of 14% moisture or less will know. It not only results in wastage, but the effects of the dust are detrimental to the operator of the mill.
“The over-processed grain also has knock-on effects in livestock, whose rumen health and performance will deteriorate, potentially leading to acidosis. By treating the grain, it can be rolled and stored for up to three months.
“The fact that the product contains non-corrosive organic acids also increases the energy content of the feed,” he adds.
Yorkshire farmer, Phil Metcalfe used Proflake NC at Foxberry Farm. “The big problem we had was dust, especially when rolling dry wheat, which creates an unpleasant operating environment for us,” he said, adding that he also sells on feed to other farmers.
“But treating the grain with Proflake NC means we not only significantly reduce dust, but the physical quality of the product looks better and it’s becoming increasingly popular with our customers.”
Mr Carpenter added that the handling benefits are one reason why the feed processing industry has tempered grain for many years. “The feed trade uses a similar tempering process to reduce the dust and increase the shelf-life of feeds. But, through the catalyst of this summer’s dry conditions, we have made the same benefits available direct to farmers who are increasingly reporting positive results, both in the handling of the grain and the performance of their stock.”