Why Feed Mills Run NIR on Every Truck: Soybean Meal, DDGS, and Finished Feed
Why feed mills run NIR on every ingredient truck — soybean meal, DDGS, corn, fish meal — and how NIR verifies finished feed before it ships to farms.
Feed Mill: Receiving to Pelleted Feed
Pet Food: Ingredients to Finished Kibble
Why Feed Mills Depend on NIR
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why do feed mills use NIR on every ingredient truck?
- Feed cost and consistency depend on knowing what you're buying. Soybean meal from the same supplier can vary 2–4% in protein depending on season and extraction method. Corn moisture affects storage stability and diet formulation. NIR at receiving let...
- What does NIR measure in finished feed?
- NIR measures the composition of the final feed — protein, moisture, fat, fiber — across the mixed and pelleted product. This verifies that the diet was formulated correctly and that the mixer, extruder, and cooler didn't change composition significan...
- How often should feed mill NIR calibrations be validated?
- Feed mill calibrations should be validated monthly against reference methods for the main parameters (protein, moisture, fat, fiber). If raw material suppliers change or seasonal composition shifts significantly, recalibration may be needed. Most mil...