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Feed milling is the combination of processes used to produce feed suitable for animal consumption. It forms an important part of the South African agro-processing landscape. The Animal Feed Manufacturers Association (AFMA) is responsible for hosting a biennial two-week short course on feed milling with Ernst Nef of Nef Feed Milling Consulting as its presenter.
The need for knowledge
The short course was first presented in 2010 and has become a sought-after course to attend. The course’s inception was inspired after a gap was identified in the knowledge chain of local feed milling operations. Nef says knowledge exchange is necessary for feed millers to understand the entire process. Without an understanding of each individual link in the chain, operators could end up not being aware of challenges and/or issues that may occur in each step. Nef added that the course will add value to feed mill operators, allowing for more than just starting and stopping a process with the push of a button.
Liesl Breytenbach, interim executive director of AFMA, opened the event and said that this year’s course drew a record 58 participants from 25 feed milling companies across Southern Africa and Mauritius. The increased level of attraction over the last 13 years, highlights the importance and value of training and skills development opportunities such as this. AFMA is looking forward to continuing the partnership with Nef Feed Milling Consulting and to further expand the course with a practical component at a local research and training feed mill in future.
What will the course entail?
Nef has more than 25 years’ experience in the feed milling industry. He started his career as a millwright at the Bühler Group in his native Switzerland, and has 18 years’ experience in the installation of feed and flour mills.
The course covers important topics such as the legal requirements of the manufacturing of animal feed, aspiration systems, batch mixing, the objective of size reduction, hygienising and compacting of feed, drying and cooling of feed and mechanical transport elements. The course is presented from 2 to 12 May 2023 at the Glenburn Lodge in Muldersdrift.
Watch this space for interviews and a wrap-up of the course when it concludes on 12 May. – Phillip Crafford, Plaas Media
