A method of preparing a feed ration for an animal includes storing a cut crop material in an accumulation having an oxygen barrier. The cut crop material is fermented within the accumulation to form a silage material. A nutritive value of the silage material is determined with a nutrition sensor. A desired amount of maceration of the silage material is determined based on the determined nutritive value of the silage material. The silage material is then macerated with a mechanical macerator to achieve the desired amount of maceration. The macerated silage material is then combined with other feed materials to define the feed ration, and may then be fed to the animal.

An extruder with a non-stop die change device includes an extrusion cavity, a die change device located at the outlet of the extrusion cavity, and a first die and a second die that are connected to the side wall of a housing of the die change device. A transfer channel is provided in a movable block of the die change device. When the movable block moves to a first position in the housing, the transfer channel communicates to the extrusion cavity with a first channel, and when the movable block moves to a second position in the housing, the transfer channel communicates to the extrusion cavity with a second channel. Therefore, die change and product type change can be achieved without stopping the extruder. If a die is blocked, the extruder does not need to stop for changing a new die.

A method of preparing a feed ration for an animal includes determining an initial nutritive value of a forage material, and then macerating the forage material with a mechanical macerator. An actual amount of maceration of the forage material achieved by the mechanical macerator is then determined with a macerator sensor. The initial nutritive value may then be corrected to define a corrected nutritive value that accounts for the change in digestibility of the forage material caused by maceration. A formulation for the feed ration may then be defined or determined based on the corrected nutritive value of the forage material.

A method of preparing a feed ration for an animal includes storing a cut crop material in an accumulation having an oxygen barrier. The cut crop material is fermented within the accumulation to form a silage material. A nutritive value of the silage material is determined with a nutrition sensor. A desired amount of maceration of the silage material is determined based on the determined nutritive value of the silage material. The silage material is then macerated with a mechanical macerator to achieve the desired amount of maceration. The macerated silage material is then combined with other feed materials to define the feed ration, and may then be fed to the animal.

A process to remove the glucosinolates of oilseed meals, such as Brassica carinata oilseed meals, is provided. In one embodiment, exogenous myrosinase is used to convert the glucosinolates to volatile isothiocyanate compounds, which can then be removed under conditions of mild heat and negative pressure. In another embodiment, heat and pressure are used to remove glucosinolates from Brassica carinata oilseed. The processed meals may contain less than 80% of their starting levels of glucosinolates and may be suitable for use in various applications, including as animal feeds.

An extruder with a non-stop die change device includes an extrusion cavity, a die change device located at the outlet of the extrusion cavity, and a first die and a second die that are connected to the side wall of a housing of the die change device. A transfer channel is provided in a movable block of the die change device. When the movable block moves to a first position in the housing, the transfer channel communicates to the extrusion cavity with a first channel, and when the movable block moves to a second position in the housing, the transfer channel communicates to the extrusion cavity with a second channel. Therefore, die change and product type change can be achieved without stopping the extruder. If a die is blocked, the extruder does not need to stop for changing a new die.

A method for allowing the custom mixing of liquid and dry enhancers with pet food kibbles comprising a tumbler into which the kibbles are placed; a means for adding a pre-determined amount of liquid/dry enhancers to the kibbles; a means for mixing the enhancers with the kibbles; and a means for feeding the enhanced kibbles into packages.

Apparatus and methods for producing multiple extruded products having different characteristics from the extruded stream of a single main extruder are provided. A satellite extruder assembly is removably attached to a main extruder allowing for the production of a plurality of different extrusion products from a single stream from one main extruder that is divided into multiple streams channeled to a plurality of satellite extruders. Each of the extruders may be operated at different temperature, pressure, moisture and shear conditions. Additional components may be selectively added to one or more of the material streams.

Apparatus and methods for food production including a food preconditioner (228) operable to heat and partially pre-cook food ingredients, and a twin screw extruder (20) operable to further cook the preconditioned ingredients to create final food products. The extruder (20) includes a pair of hollow core extrusion screws (50, 52, 124, 126, 190) having elongated hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192) equipped with helical fighting (56, 132, 134, 194) along the lengths thereof. The fighting (132, 134, 194) is also of hollow construction which communicates with the hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192). The fighting (56, 132, 134, 194) also includes forward, reverse pitch sections (64, 162, 216). The extrusion screws (50, 52, 124, 126, 190) are designed to impart high levels of thermal energy into materials being processed in the extruders (20), without adding additional moisture.

An apparatus and method for simulating the effects of dew are disclosed. The apparatus includes a moveable platform; a rotatable base, the rotatable base being connected to the platform; and a plurality of elongated rods for penetrating and spraying beneath the surface of a windrow. The rods radiate from a longitudinal axis of the rotatable base.