Influence of Storage Bin Design and Feed Characteristics on Flowability of Pig Diets Containing Maize Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles

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2016-01-01
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Hilbrands, Adrienne
Rosentrater, Kurt
Shurson, Gerald
Johnston, Lee
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Rosentrater, Kurt
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Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Since 1905, the Department of Agricultural Engineering, now the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE), has been a leader in providing engineering solutions to agricultural problems in the United States and the world. The department’s original mission was to mechanize agriculture. That mission has evolved to encompass a global view of the entire food production system–the wise management of natural resources in the production, processing, storage, handling, and use of food fiber and other biological products.

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In 1905 Agricultural Engineering was recognized as a subdivision of the Department of Agronomy, and in 1907 it was recognized as a unique department. It was renamed the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in 1990. The department merged with the Department of Industrial Education and Technology in 2004.

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1905–present

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  • Department of Agricultural Engineering (1907–1990)

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Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Abstract

Maize dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) is a valuable ingredient in the swine industry but when incorporated into diets at high levels (40%) poor flowability of the feed often results. Researchers have investigated the physical properties of DDGS and use of anti-caking agents to determine their influence on flowability but few studies have evaluated effects of feed storage structures on flowability. Thus, two experiments were designed to evaluate the effects of feed bin design and passive agitator use on flowability of a commercial swine finishing diet containing 40% DDGS. Six bins of three different designs were used, which included: a galvanized steel, seamless bin with a 60° cone (Steel60; Dealers Livestock, Glenwood, Minn.); a galvanized, corrugated steel bin with a 67° cone (Steel67; PigTek, Milford, Ind.); and a white, polyethylene bin with a 60° cone (Poly60; Prairie Pride, Winnipeg, MB). In Experiment 1, rate of feed flow from each bin was assessed on days 3, 7, and 21 post-feed delivery. Feed flow from Poly60 (736.8 kg/min) was faster than Steel60 (602.9 kg/min), with Steel67 having intermediate flow (663.3 kg/min). In Experiment 2, passive feed flow agitators (Sure Flo Agitator, Farmer Boy Ag Supply, Myerstown, Pa.) were installed in one bin of each design. Feed flow was evaluated on days 2, 3, 6, 7, 20, and 21 post-feed delivery. Feed flow from Poly60 (900.7 kg/min) was greater than flow from either Steel60 (826.7 kg/min) or Steel67 (843.8 kg/min). The passive agitator increased flow in Poly60 (970.0 vs. 831.4 kg/min), tended to improve feed flow in Steel67 (880.2 vs. 807.4 kg/min), but had no effect in Steel60 (826.8 vs. 826.7 kg/min). Results indicate feed bin design can influence flowability of feed containing 40% DDGS. Of the bins tested, the passive agitator appeared to improve feed flow in some, but not all bin designs.

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Published in Applied Engineering in Agriculture 32(2): 273-280 (doi: 10.13031/aea.32.11175). Copyright 2016 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. Posted with permission.

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Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 UTC 2016
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