The feed milling process: A focus on the pelleting, liquid application, and their effects on animal production

Depending on ingredient pricing, feed accounts for the highest proportional cost of raising livestock, ranging between 60 and 80% of production costs. Even though it is important to recognize that feed cost represents a significant part of animal production, it is just as important to pull back and understand why this is so. Aside from the absolute cost of feed ingredients, there are several processes in feed manufacturing that have an undeniable impact on final feed form, both nutrient quality and quantity, and the ultimate performance of the animals being fed. To feed the world, it is necessary to understand the practices under which feed is made. This symposium was designed to broaden the audience’s knowledge base on feed manufacturing and the effects that feed production has on various aspects of the poultry industry. This symposium evaluated both the scientific and real-world production approaches, with a particular focus on understanding the historical advantages of feed manufacturing and the innovative technologies that are being developed to provide high quality feed for healthy growth, development, and reproduction of poultry.