Many livestock producers using and storing often enquire about the best way to store pellets on farm. A common cause of confusion is understanding the difference between storing grain and storing pellets; and the requirements or correct set up of a silo that is storing pellets, as opposed to grain. Milne Feeds Sheep Specialist, Wayne Manoni, explains the ins-and-outs of pellet storage.
“The manufacturing of commercial stockfeed is a very complex and involved process. Storing your pellets can be made easy by following a few simple guidelines”, Wayne says. Manufacturing starts with the selection of numerous ingredients that are best suited to the particular animal the ration is designed for. The form of these ingredients can range from cereal fibre and grains, to meals and powdered mineral additives. The coarser materials are ground to a more suitable size for even blending.
Once all the ingredients are in the required form, they are thoroughly mixed together. Once mixed, they go through a pelleting process where steam is added to facilitate the pelleting and enhance the digestibility. After pelleting, the feed is passed through a conditioner and cooler, to cool the pellets to ambient temperature. The cooled pellets are then ready for despatch, storage and eventual use.
After pellets arrive on farm, Wayne advises that correct storage will ensure they remain in good condition and run easily out of the silo or through feeder belts. The unique nature of pelleted feed necessitates special storage requirements. Unlike grains and cereals, pellets can need to ‘breathe’ and are likely to absorb and release moisture as the surrounding atmosphere changes.
“When storing in a silo, pellets should be stored in a waterproof, well-ventilated silo designed to accommodate pellets”, says Wayne. Pellet silos will generally have a steeper cone to facilitate movement, and will also have a whirly-bird or mushroom cap for ventilation. Wayne says it is not advisable to store pellets in sealed silos and a whirly-bird vent can be an easy silo addition to assist with storage. Most silo manufacturers will be able to advise you on the right storage silo for pellets.
It is recommended that silos be regularly emptied and cleaned, at least every six months. When pellets first go into such silos, it is advisable to keep any vents or covers open (obviously keeping a close eye on the weather) for a time to allow them to breath and air out.
As an alternative, storage of pellets in a shed is acceptable, providing normal precautions are taken to prevent any contamination of the feed (vermin, fertiliser, water etc). For optimal performance, pellets should be used within 90 days from date of manufacture.
Wayne has found that field bins are a very convenient storage solution, as they allow for plenty of air flow and, as the name might suggest, their portability can be very useful at times.
One other point to consider is handling of pellets. Milne Feeds’ pellets are manufactured to high quality standards and are fairly robust, however, with repeated handling they may begin to chip or break up. It is therefore recommended that when pellets are handled they are done so with the right equipment to minimise the chance of breakage. Obviously the least possible handling will assist in their durability and augers with larger circumferences are also kinder to the pellets. Pellets can be dusty, so remember to use the correct safety equipment, especially in confined spaces.
Delivery of pellets via blower trucks is available, if your infrastructure allows for it, which is also an ideal method of transfer and delivery.
With workplace safety a major focus these days, it is always advisable to check on your silos and equipment on a regular basis. Below are some pointers that may assist as a ‘ready reckoner’:
• It is advisable to regularly inspect your silo for any damage, so as to eliminate the possibility of moisture contamination (this is a key to good pellet storage, moisture is not your friend in this instance).
• Safety cages and ladders should also be checked regularly to minimise possible injury to staff.
• Ensure the silo hatch and access ladder are not accessible to unauthorised people.
• Hatches and covers should form a watertight seal.
• Ventilation equipment should be checked to ensure that it is in working order and not leaking (again it is pivotal for pellets to be able to have some breathing space).
• Regularly clean out the silo to remove any pellets that may have become lodged on the silo walls (extreme heat will sometimes cause some sweating, so it is vital once a silo is emptied that it is checked for hang-ups before more pellets are loaded).
• Keep the silo clear of any obstructions around the silo (trees, wire etc).
• If you have more than one silo, Milne Feeds can supply you with numbers to stick on to your silos so that our drivers can deliver the feed into the correct silo.
One final word from Wayne – “As the old adage suggests, always best to store pellets in a cool, dark place.”
For further information regarding the storage and handling of pellets please contact your Milne Feeds representative or our sales team on 9351 0700.
