Soybean meal is the primary protein source in most animal feed formulations today. In fact, it makes up about a third of most U.S. poultry rations—supplying a unique combination of amino acids and other nutrients that broiler chickens depend on. Unfortunately, soy meal also contains several harmful anti-nutritional factors, like trypsin inhibitors, that compromise its…
Recognizing Manufacturing Safety Hazards that Threaten Mechanical Plant Safety
Between the heavy industrial equipment, the extreme temperatures, and the high electrical loads, manufacturing plants and processing facilities are filled with potential hazards. Without proper training, caution, and common sense, workers can quickly become devastating statistics in these dangerous environments. Recognizing the most menacing manufacturing safety risks in any facility is the first step to…
Measuring Soybean Meal Protein Quality
Soybean meal is the primary source of protein for the animal feed industry, comprising nearly two-thirds of the global feed market. However, differences in soybean varieties, growing conditions, and processing methods can all impact the quality and composition of proteins in the meal. Monitoring soybean meal protein quality is key to optimizing feed rations. Unfortunately,…
Enhancing Feed Extrusion with Anderson’s Expander-Extruder-Cooker™
Extrusion technology has been used to process grains and seeds for nearly a century. As processing methods evolved, extrusion systems like Anderson’s popular Dox™ Extruder have advanced to become essential apparatus in many operations. But long before the Dox was invented, Anderson’s feed extrusion expertise originated with a modest machine called the Expander-Extruder-Cooker™, or EEC.…
Scheduled Maintenance Turnaround Planning for Oilseed Processing Plants
Regular maintenance is crucial to keep an oilseed processing plant at peak efficiency and optimal performance. Over time, the constant crushing action of abrasive materials can gradually wear down even the highest quality equipment. In addition to routine daily, weekly, and monthly upkeep, oilseed processing plants typically shut down their operations once or twice a…
Planning a Sunflower Seed Processing Plant
Sunflowers provide the third-largest source of protein for livestock diets and U.S. oilseed production. To capitalize on this supply of U.S. sunflower to produce valuable feed ingredients for farms throughout the region, Wyoming-based 307 Processing set out to build a new sunflower seed processing plant. Owners Joel and Curtis Hjorth saw an opportunity to tap…
Designing a Mechanical Crushing Plant for Toll Processing Services
In the oilseed processing industry, every type of nut, seed, and bean comes with unique processing considerations and opportunities. Each seed requires special treatment to efficiently produce high-quality oil and nutritious meal, from cleaning and cracking to cooking and drying to crushing. So, before MIDIKA International could start offering toll processing services to help its…
Transforming a Crude Oil Refinery Into a Soybean Crush Plant
As soybean production increased in Kentucky over the last few decades, some producers were transporting their harvest hundreds of miles to reach feed mills and soybean crush plants to process their crops. But now, soy producers in central Kentucky have a mill much closer to their farms, thanks to Continental Refining Company’s recent AgriTech transformation…
Resources to Support Our Oilseed Processing Clients
In light of all the recent growth and opportunity we see on the oilseed processing horizon, we here at Anderson International continue to add new resources to better support our client oil mills and processors around the world. Some of these precious resources, like our brilliant team of engineers who develop innovative new products, have…