Improvement in pellet production parameters and pellet quality characteristics with sepiolite supplementation in dairy cattle concentrate

Abstract

The aim of this study was conducted to determine the effects of sepiolite usage on pellet production parameters and pellet quality characteristics for dairy cattle concentrate feed under regular industrial conditions. In the experiment, 14 mt pellet feeds for control and two treatment groups with 7 batch each were produced in a commercial feed factory. Each batch was 2 mt. Control group feed produced contained 87.37% dry matter, 18.06% crude protein, 6.95% crude fibre and 5.34% ether extract. For the treatment groups, 1% and 1.5% sepiolite (Exal T) were used as top dressed in the mixer. Pelleting disc having 6.5 mm hole diameter was used in the factory. Energy consumption during pellet manufacturing was decreased with sepiolite supplementation (P<0.001) and pellet durability index (PDI) was enhanced with 1.5% sepiolite (P<0.05). These findings demonstrated that 1.5% sepiolite in dairy cattle concentrates as top dressed may be used as a binder to improve pellet quality and to reduce energy consumption during pellet production in the feed mill.

Keywords

• energy consumption
• dairy cattle concentrate
• pellet durability
• sepiolite