Animal Cattle Feed Pellet

Pelleting of complete diets for all monogastric species involves steam-conditioning of the mixed mash followed by compaction through a die. The technological aspects of this feed pellet preparation method are beyond the scope of this discussion (and of my expertise), but benefits and issues of using animal feed pellets are not. So we shall begin straight away with a list of benefits that make pelleting an interesting and often confusing topic of discussion among producers and nutrition suppliers.

Compound cattle feeds (Fig. above) are composed of a variety of ingredients. Pelleting helps in disallowing the ingredients to segregate. It does not allow the animals to sort out certain ingredients and reject others.

2.        It reduces wastage of feeds.

3.        Pellets are less subject to infestations by insects and moulds.

4.        Pelleting    preserves    vitamin     A potency and ensures less storage losses and  prevents  disintegration of nutrients after the feed is mixed.

5.        It     reduces     the     possibility       of adulteration of feeds with undesirable substances.

6.        It is easy to handle.

7.        Pelleting kills bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, if any happen to be present in the feed due to exposure to high temperature.

8.        Increases palatability and digestibility.

9.        Reduces to certain extent, the microbial degradation of protein.