Feed manufacturing technology: Current issues and challenges

Feed cost represents the major item in the cost of animal production. Without doubt, efforts will continue to refine feed processing techniques to reduce the cost of feed and to increase the value of feed for a target animal. The possibilities for improvements in feed processing are endless; however, the cost of each innovation must be carefully weighed against demonstrated improvements in animal performance. In some cases, changes in feed processing technology will be dictated, not by animal response, but by other motivations such as regulatory guidelines or human health concerns. A case in point is the use of hydro-thermal processes, such as pelleting, extrusion, or roasting to reduce the microbiological load in the feed. These processes have been demonstrated to reduce microbial population to near zero, but may have little or no impact on human health risk.