Volume VIII Number 4 August 2000

Feed Additive System Makes Mills Run Smoother

by Jill J. Dunkel

Most feed mill managers will agree that the feed additive system is an important part of the mill. "If the feed additive system is not working right, it throws a kink in the entire system," says Jeff Sibley, manager of Fowler Feeders in Fowler, Kansas. "Every part that the feed additive system puts in the ration is a trace or micro amount, but that is what makes the entire ration balance. If it's not working, it totally throws off the whole ration."

Therefore a quality, dependable feed additive system is a vital part of a smooth-running mill, Sibley says. We depend on our Walco Feed Additive System, manufactured by ITA.

"The system can add up to 15 individual products," says Tony Janes, vice president of technology for Walco International.
This is a close-up view of two dry ingredient
dispensers. The ingredients are released with
water to help prevent clogging.
"Each ingredient in the feed additive system is individually dispensed to the feed truck or stationary mixer. The ingredients are stored in individual stainless steel hoppers."

To decrease potential clogging, each ingredient is dispensed with a liquid to ease the flow of the products through the feed additive system. "They've come up with a new way of dispensing the micro ingredients with water, and conveying them from the machine to the feed truck with minimal clogging," says Sibley. "Since each micro nutrient is individually added, a problem with one doesn't interfere with dispensing the others."

"Our system also adjusts to large fluctuations in batch sizes," Janes says. "Computers and controllers get used to running a 12,000 pound batch, and when you drop down to a 2,000 pound load, it's not uncommon for a system to overshoot those ingredients a little bit. Our system handles large changes in batch sizes very well."

The overall design of the system also eliminates the need for any partial bags of ingredients. "You can put the entire bag in the system due to the size of the hoppers," Janes says. "It keeps the area cleaner."

This feature also shortens the end-of-day inventory. "You just count the full bags you have. There's a digital readout that tells you how many grams are in each hopper.
The portable feed additive system holds up
to six ingredients. With power, water and rations loaded
into the computer, the portable system
is ready to go.
Put those in the computer, and it calculates your total inventory."

Excellent service and a minimum number of moving parts contribute to easy maintenance. Additionally, a representative delivers the micro ingredients every two weeks, and thoroughly cleans and inspects the feed additive system each time. "It is always virtually spotless," says Sibley. "They keep the machine very clean."

The service has been top-notch, according to Sibley. "They've been very good to us. They've been right out here anytime we've had a problem."

If a feedyard is switching systems, ITA has a mobile system that can handle the work while the current system is changed out. "Hook the mobile system up to power and water, load the rations in the computer, and the system is ready to go," Janes says.

Sibley used the portable system when he changed feed additive systems. "We didn't have to wait while the other supplier removed their system before changing over. The portable system was really nice."

In addition to the feed additive system, ITA also has hospital and bunk reading computer software and a feedyard accounting system. The hospital and bunk system was developed by InfoTech, and the accounting software is from ABA, or American Business Analysis. The two divisions were combined in January 2000 to form ITA. ITA is a division of Walco International.

All information is copywrited by Feed Lot magazine and cannot be printed or re-printed without the publishers express consent. Please contact Feed Lot Magazine for reprint and copy authorization.