A dairy cow looks at the camera as other cows eat corn feed in the background.
by Blake Sandnes
Ag Feed

Today’s dairy farmers are competitive and always looking for ways to improve feed efficiency and cost effectiveness. Steam flaked corn is an efficient feed product, but it’s costly. A corn grinder for animal feed is more cost effective, but doesn’t necessarily give the best product. Farmers are increasingly considering how the particle size of ground corn can improve milk production without the high costs of steam flaking animal feed. This is why we recommend the VersaMill®.

Size Matters in Ground Corn Feed for Dairy Cattle

The RMS VersaMill®, 12x52 with triple roll Dairy farmers need to consider particle size for optimizing milk production and quality, but also for animal health. Correct particle size is a balance between these two factors. Smaller particles improve digestibility and nutrient access, but if feed particles are too small, they can negatively impact cattle health. Very small particles (often called ‘fines’) can even cause gastric ulcers by not stimulating enough saliva to buffer acidity.

A study of geometrical mean particle size (GMPS) of dairy cattle corn feed concluded that the optimal GPMS is less than 400 microns. As particle size increased, rumen starch digestibility decreased. Smaller particle size was found to be particularly important during peak lactation. Cows in this stage require optimal feed particle size to stimulate intake and to keep up high milk production rates. This is less important in later lactation.

Other studies have found similar results. One study found that smaller feed particles decreased the amount of time cows spent chewing, and improved rumen capacity. Both of these factors made feeding more efficient, increasing nutrient utilization and milk production.

Achieving Optimal Dairy Cow Feed Grind with the VersaMill®

A handful of ground corn in blue sack of cattle feedIt’s important to get the grind size right and to be consistent, but how do you do it? Studies show that steam flaking corn provides similar results in terms of dry matter intake, milk production, and milk quality as compared to grinding corn. If dairy farmers can get a small enough particle size for corn animal feed using a roller grinder, they can get the same results as the more expensive steam flaked corn.

Our VersaMill® is capable of achieving the optimal 300 micron grind on corn. This machine is our most advanced industrial roller mill to date, utilizing a direct drive grinder that allows for greater control over particle size. You can control both the roll speed and differentials, which makes all the difference compared to standard roller mills.

Wisconsin Feed Mill Achieves Unmatched Precision and Energy Efficiency

A dairy barn shows two workers and several cows lined up eating feed. Last year, we installed a 12×52 Quad Pair VersaMill® for a Wisconsin feed mill that was opting to go with a roller mill instead of a hammer mill. Roller mills provide a more consistent grind with less waste product as compared to hammer mills.

The feed mill operators were skeptical that we could get them a fine enough grind using a roller grinder, so we put it to the test for them. Not only did we get the desired particle size, which they had never seen achieved before with a roller grinder, but we also showed them how much energy they could save.

In addition to greater control over particle size and consistency, the VersaMill® is cost-effective because it is 60% more energy efficient. With the Endurance Rolls, our VersaMill® helped them save money in the long run while getting a better product. Only the VersaMill® can provide the consistent, cost-saving particle size fine enough for optimal dairy cattle feed. It’s also ideal for pelleting.

Save Energy and Improve Feed Quality with RMS

If you’re looking for a more cost-effective solution to producing corn feed for cows, even down to a particle size of 300 microns, contact us. We love a challenge, so tell us how we can help you solve an ag feed problem. We would love to chat with you about it!

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