Feed Management - May/June 2008

true when looking at the power unit or the tractor. An under-powered tractor will in turn end up costing more than the properly spec’d tractor for a whole lot of other reasons. It is important that the purchaser look at every aspect of handling the feed, not just the bottom line of what his upfront cost is on this particular issue. Savings in dollars upfront do not necessarily translate into savings five years down the road.

FM: What are some of the new innovations in transport equipment that can improve transportation efficiencies for feed manufacturers?

Medemblik: Hydraulic oil coolers, high efficiency hydraulic components, light weight structural extrusions, light weight tire/rim combinations and better unloading components (tighter auger/trough tolerances). These are a few of the things that come readily to mind.

FM: The rising cost of corn and other grains has put a spotlight on alternative ingredients, including distillers grains. Are there difficulties in transporting some of these ingredients and if so, are there equipment choices or transport options that can minimize difficulties in dealing

with some of these alternative ingredients and reduce inefficiencies?

Medemblik: For the most part, I think that these commodities flow out

foot”—what does the commodity weigh? With lighter commodities you need more cubic capacity. The irony of these two points is, the options that are there add

While transportation is too often thought of as the

‘necessary evil’ in the feed business, customer delivery is the important last leg of the sales process.

without a great deal of difficulty. There are some ingredients that need to have a “wide open throat”, and for this there are optional gates that can be used to give a good clean out.