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Energy conservation, dry vs. steam flaking When feeding milo, it is important to consider whether to dry process or steam flake the grain. Dry processing takes less energy than steam processing, but much grain energy is lost in the manure. If dry processing is used, some improvement is made by fine grinding dry processed milo. This can be done by using a hammer mill or a roller mill with fine corrugations. To conserve energy, grind the milo fine and then manage the feed bunks to get maximum intake. Steam flaking (if properly performed) results in more energy used, but less energy is wasted in the manure. The steaming and flaking process changes the starch for more extensive fermentation and digestion. However, more facility costs are needed with steam flaking. Tempering time is critical When steam flaking, adding water is the first step in tempering the grain and may cause an energy loss if not done properly. When using cold grain, hot water may be added to the grain to increase the moisture content and assist flaking. This process has been used in the flour milling industry for generations. Often a tempering agent such as a surfactant is used to help the tempering process. Lost energy will occur if insufficient time is allowed to get water penetration. In my opinion, one day of tempering would be ideal. Time of tempering may be more critical than the temperature of the grain and the water. Proper conditioning in the chamber will save energy The second critical step is conditioning the grain in the steam chamber. Time in the steam chamber is critical. The energy losses are easy to see. On a cold day, steam can be seen escaping from the top of the steam chamber. Another loss is the heat going up the exhaust stack from the boiler. Caution: If adequate retention time in the steam chamber is not achieved, a poor flake will result with loss of grain energy in the manure. One of the tactics used at feedyards that feed steam flaked milo is to feed a second grain such as dry rolled corn or wheat, or high moisture corn. This tactic allows the yard to have time to properly process the milo. Use of a "Vaporator" A reduction in energy losses can be achieved when flaking milo by the use of a special steam generating and injection system called a "Vaporator." This system reduces energy losses by injecting steam and exhaust directly into the grain in the conditioning chamber. The result is the grain is warmed and wet steam is added. Caution: The conditioning time is still critical. If proper wetting of the grain is not achieved, then a poor flake will result and energy will be wasted by poor feed conversion. The Vaporator steam generation system is used at several feedyards on the high plains. One of the early users of this system was Terry Gigot at Garden City, Kansas. He has seen, "Better precision of the steaming process and considerable energy savings. We have had very little maintenance costs. But training the mill operator to run the system is important." Dick Diven, a pioneer livestock consultant, was early to see the value of this method and is an advisor to Terry Gigot. The Vaporator system is a product now represented by Kemco System of Clearwater, Florida. The rolling process The use of heavy roller mills to flake the milo is also a critical step in energy conservation. If the grain is properly tempered and conditioned, then the flaking will result in excellent feed conversion with minimum starch in the manure. A poor flake may be little better than dry rolled. |
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