Particle Size and Standard Deviation

Why process at all? Of course, the answer is ultimately feed efficiency, producing the most milk, eggs, meat or fiber at the lowest possible cost. Particle size reduction as the first step in the feed manufacturing process works toward the goal of improved feed efficiency by increasing the surface area of the materials being processed. This increases the amount of materials exposed to the animal’s digestive system and ultimately leads to more complete digestion, thus better feed efficiency. Particle size of ground feed ingredients also has a direct influence on subsequent processing and handling. To produce pellets or extruded feeds of acceptable quality the particle size of the ground materials must be correct. Generally speaking, finer grinding will result in a better quality pellet or extruded feed, increases the capacity of the pellet mill or extruder, and reduces wear of the pellet mill or extruder working parts such as dies, rollers, and worms.