All categories
Featured selections
Trade Assurance
Buyer Central
Help Center
Get the app
Become a supplier

Portable containerized feed mills

(9 products available)

About portable containerized feed mills

Types of portable containerized feed mills

Portable containerized feed mills have become an easy choice, especially for farmers dealing with a large number of animals. The feed mill is portable, and thus, the manufacturer can produce the feed, the feed mill is contained in a portable container, and thus, the unit can be moved to other places with ease. Nevertheless, the types of portable containerized feed mills vary in some ways, such as on the kind of power drive, the processing capacity, and the type of feed to be processed.

By power system

  • Electric mills

    Electric portable containerized feed mills depend on electric energy to process the feed. These mills can be more appropriate for operation on farms that have access to electrical power. They are more suitable for small-scale production and usage in localized contexts around a large feeding stock or in stable feeding stock.

  • Diesel-driven mills

    Diesel-powered mills are convenient for locations that do not have constant power supply or are engaged in massive feed production. They have significant output and can be useful for large-scale agricultural activities or milling businesses. The costly maintenance involved in these mills discourages their usage on small-scale farms.

  • Hybrid mills

    Hybrid mills, which are both electrical and diesel-powered, are applicable to farms that commonly shift between electrical supply and diesel fuel. They offer great versatility and can be used on farms that experience frequent power outages or are faced with the need to depend intermittently on electric power.

By processing method

  • Grinding mills

    Grinding mills are used to produce powdered feed from solid raw feed ingredients. The grinding mills use hammer mills to pulverize grains, minerals, and other additives into particulates fine enough to mix and be easily ingested by animals. These mills are suitable for the production of dry feed formulae for different species of livestock.

  • Pellet mills

    Pellet mills form feed into pellets or rather small, compact expelled bars. Pellet feeds are more convenient to handle, have low wastage, and carry a high nutritional density since the feed particles are compacted during pelleting. Pellet mills are suitable for producing feeds that have been recommended for poultry, pigs, aquaculture, and ruminant animals.

  • Feed extruders

    The feed extruders combine heat, moisture, and pressure to produce either floating or sinking feeds. These machines are meant for producing fully cooked feeds for fish and pet animals like dogs and cats. Containerized extruders and other related machines are usually manufactured to come with self-contained boilers and other units that may be missing in some country’s farming system.

By production capacity

  • Small-scale mills

    Small portable containerized feed mills work at low production capacity, say, a few tons per hour. They are the most suitable for small to medium-sized farms that require processing just a few raw materials at a time. It is also convenient that these mills have lower power requirements, which are more accessible to electric power or low diesel fuel consumption.

  • Large-scale mills

    Large-scale mills offer high production capability, which might be several tons each hour. These are optimal for large-scale farming or commercial feed production operations that demand high output. Although such mills are generally more likely to require a stable power supply or greater fuel availability, they are more sophisticated, needing constant supervision for optimum functionality.

Commercial use cases of portable containerized feed mills

Agricultural feed production

Portable containerized feed mills are primarily utilized in agriculture to process feedstuff into animal feed. They can use raw materials like corn, wheat, and soybean meal, which are readily available on the farm or from nearby suppliers, to produce customized feed for livestock. By producing feed on-site, agricultural firms cut transportation costs, guarantee the freshness of the feed, and control the feed composition to enhance livestock health and production.

Remote and rural farming operations

Feed mills are useful for remote farms that have no access to commercial feed suppliers. The containerized design of the feed mills allows them to be moved to such remote areas and provide feed production capabilities. Such mills are diesel-operated, and thus the production of feed is not affected by power outages or inaccessibility of roads.

Emergency and disaster relief programs

Portable feed mills can be employed in humanitarian emergency response situations where there can be a shortage of animal feed due to conflict, famine, or natural disasters. These mills manufacture feed on the ground from available raw materials to help non-governmental organizations meet their immediate feeding needs for beneficiaries' livestock. The feed mill's mobility makes it appropriate for various emergency situations, including refugee camps or communities that are recovering from disasters.

Research and educational programs

Feed mills are used by universities, research institutions, and vocational training centers for their animal nutrition, feed formulation, and milling technology investigations and courses. These mills allow practical experience in feed production and study the impact of different feed types on livestock.

Commercial feed manufacturing

Some entrepreneurs establish portable containerized feed mills to give feed production services commercially to local farmers within a particular region. They make a profit by processing feed for farmers on demand, which leads to the availability of various feeds within a short time at a lower distance. They can also produce specialized feeds for particular markets, such as organic farming or for particular livestock species.

Important features of portable containerized feed mills

Mobility and transportability

One of the most important aspects of portable containerized feed mills is the mobility aspect. Containerized mills are established inside standard shipping containers, which means they can be transferred by trucks, trains, or vessels. The mobility enables the production of feed at various places, thus eliminating the transportation costs and time required to take raw materials to processing plants.

Production versatility

These feed mills can produce different types of feed, including meals, pellets, and extruded feed. All these depend on the processing equipment that has been installed in the container. Such versatility is useful for clients who require various feed products for different livestock.

Self-sufficiency

Most portable containerized feed mills are fitted with complete milling, mixing, and blending equipment so that they do not require anything externally to produce animal feed. They even have systems for power generation, storage, and distribution of raw materials and finished products.

Durability and weather resistance

The majority of the portable containerized feed mills are housed in shipping containers, which are built to withstand rough sea conditions. Hence, they are strong enough to function in remote locations under not-so-good weather conditions. This hardiness means that the mills can operate in various settings and will not easily degrade over time.

Low operational costs

The operational costs of these feed mills are lower than the operational costs of building a stationary feed mill due to their portability and the possibility of producing feed on-site. Since the mills run on either diesel fuel or electric power, they can easily adapt to the local energy prices, thus allowing small-scale farmers to reduce the production costs of animal feed.

How to choose portable containerized feed mills

Mobility requirements

Assess the operational needs for mobility and transportation to decide on the most appropriate portable containerized feed mill. If the operation involves shifting the mill frequently, prefer units that are lightweight and can be easily mounted on vehicles. For stationary applications, heavier and larger units are suitable, which offer greater production capacity.

Feed production needs

Determine the type of feed to be produced and the demand for feed within space and time. Choose a mill suitable for the type of processing method (grinding, pelleting, or extrusion) that is required for the feed production. Also, select a mill with the right capacity in order to meet feed demands. Large-scale operations require greater capacity, whereas smaller operations can be served with low-capacity mills.

Power source

Evaluate the availability of power sources at the milling site to choose the most suitable mill regarding power operation. If the site has stable electricity, prefer an electric mill. If the site has not been described above, a diesel-operated or hybrid mill is a better choice. Hybrid mills are the most appropriate for regions that experience power outages but occasionally have access to electric power.

Maintenance and support

Consider the required maintenance needs and the availability of spare parts for the chosen mill. Choose mills from reputable manufacturers because they mostly have good customer support and service options. Ensure there is easy access to spare parts and other related components to ensure that the mill will not be inoperational for long because of repairs.

Budget

Determine several budgets, including the initial capital outlay and the costs that will be incurred to run the mill day in and day out. Ensure that the selected mill fits into the financial plan while taking into account the possible return on investment that would be achieved through the increased efficiency of feed production.

Q&A

Q1: How does grinding happen in a portable containerized feed mill?

A1: The grinding in the mills primarily uses a hammer mill to pulverize the solid ingredients to the desired particle size.

Q2: What is the advantage of feed pelleting?

A2: Pelleted feed has low wastage, is more convenient to handle, and has high nutritional density because the feed particles are compacted during pelleting.

Q3: Are Portable Containerized Feed Mills Suitable for Remote Areas?

A3: Yes, they are appropriate for remote areas because they are portable and can operate on electrical power or diesel fuel.

Q4: Can these feed mills produce specialized feeds?

A4: Yes, they can produce feeds that are demanded by specific markets, such as organic farming or for particular livestock.

Q5: Do these feed mills require regular maintenance?

A5: The maintenance required depends on the type of the mill and the manufacturer. However, regular maintenance is required to keep it in a healthy operating condition.