APEC Blog

Recent changes in food, environmental, and worker safety have caused many grain and pet food engineers to take another look at their manufacturing facilities. For greenfield sites or renovations, appropriate attention to food and workplace safety regulations from the outset will save thousands in fines…

Mycotoxins proliferate in grains and seeds, creating hazards for both human and animal consumption. Aflatoxins are among the most dangerous mycotoxins, and are most problematic for grain and feed mills. Mycotoxins thrive in hot, humid conditions. With temperatures steadily increasing around the globe and heavy…

With proper planning and the right equipment, a feed mill can operate seamlessly with minimal supervision or oversight required. There are multiple ways to improve feed mill efficiency. This includes improving production speed, reducing maintenance costs, reducing downtime, reducing error and waste, improving safety, and…

  Powder flow problems cause frustration and hours of expensive downtime. They can also damage machines, create backups, and produce sub-par products. Some types of materials, machines, and working conditions make powder flow problems more likely. We’ve identified the most common powder flow control problems…

Enzymes essentially speed up chemical reactions, including metabolic reactions. There are many different types of enzymes, and many different ways to apply them to animal feed. They may be added in liquid or dry form, and the ideal application process depends on the type of…

In any industry, automation is based on goals: solving problems, minimizing risks, and reducing costs. The same is true for feed mill automation. There are a number of ways that feed mill automation can improve the end product and solve or reduce problems throughout the…

Animal feed pellet coating presents a number of challenges to feed manufacturers. The consistency and properties of the pellets, as well as the consistency and properties of the liquid or powder coating, can all create unique obstacles to adequate and uniform coating. The right pelleting…

The right specialty coating systems for animal feed will help to produce higher-quality end products while making the entire process more efficient. The wrong coating equipment during animal feed processing can introduce problems and inefficiencies. Which animal feed processing equipment works best depends on a…

A hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) assessment is an essential part of food safety at every level. The Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA) made HACCP assessments and plans more stringent for food manufacturers and processors, with the goal of reducing risk and…

There are many factors affecting feedlot efficiency that operators cannot control. This makes the factors that operators can control even more important. Automation technology is one way that feedlot operators are finding ways to improve efficiency. With the right strategy and the right equipment, you…