How to make animal feed pellet with hay

As a key technology for refined management of animal husbandry, hay pellet processing is driving the efficiency revolution of traditional roughage. Based on the principles of forage engineering, this article systematically explains the whole process from raw material screening to pellet forming, focusing on the selection parameters and operating specifications of feed pellet machine, and verifies its outstanding advantages in storage stability, nutrient utilization and economic benefits through comparative experimental data, providing a feasible technical solution for large-scale ranches.

Why choose hay to make feed pellet?

As a traditional roughage, hay can achieve three major breakthroughs after pellet processing: First, the volume of naturally dried forage is reduced by more than 60% after being compressed by a feed pellet machine, significantly reducing storage costs; secondly, the pellet shape can prevent livestock from being picky eaters and ensure balanced nutritional intake; most importantly, the density of hay pellets reaches 1.2-1.4g/cm³, which is more conducive to transportation and automated feeding than loose hay. This processing method is particularly suitable for deep processing of high-protein forage such as alfalfa and oat grass.

The whole process of hay pellet processing

Raw material pretreatment

Cut hay with a moisture content of 12-15% into 3-5cm segments with a hay cutter. Too long fibers will affect the mold life of the feed pellet machine. When mixing different types of hay, it is recommended to prepare according to the nutritional needs of ruminants such as cattle and sheep.

Key equipment operation

The feed pellet machine is the core equipment, and the ring mode model is more suitable for hay processing. Note when operating:

The mold aperture is selected to be 4-8mm (large aperture for large livestock)

The pressing temperature is controlled at 60-80℃ to avoid nutrient loss

The hourly output is maintained at 200-500kg according to the power

Post-processing points

The new pellets contain about 15% moisture, and a countercurrent cooler is required to cool and dehumidify. The final moisture content should be less than 13% for long-term storage. The surface of high-quality pellets is smooth and crack-free, and the length is 1.5-2 times the diameter.

Feeding effect measured data

Comparative test of a ranch in Inner Mongolia shows:

The daily weight gain of beef cattle in pellet group is 17% higher than that in loose grass group

Feed conversion rate is increased by 23% (FCR is reduced from 6.8 to 5.2)

Feeding time is shortened by 40%, reducing forage waste

Especially in winter, pellet feed can avoid the phenomenon of food rejection caused by hay freezing.

Analysis of four core advantages

Economic upgrade

1 ton of hay pellets is equivalent to the feeding effect of 2.3 tons of loose grass, and the transportation cost is reduced by 55%. The investment of feed pellet machine can usually be recovered in 1.5 forage seasons.

Nutrient lock technology

The short high temperature generated during the pressing process can kill mold, and at the same time partially gelatinize starch to improve digestibility. Experiments show that the NDF digestibility of pellet feed is increased by 8-12%.

Intelligent adaptation

The standardized pellet specifications perfectly match the automatic feeding system, and can achieve precise feeding with TMR mixer trucks. Modern feed pellet machines are generally equipped with Internet of Things monitoring modules.

Environmental protection and double benefits

Urea and other non-protein nitrogen can be added during the pellet processing process to increase the nutritional value of low-quality hay. Sealed storage reduces nutrient loss and increases crude protein preservation by 35% compared to traditional haystacks.