Producing your own animal feed on the farm is no longer a niche practice — it’s a strategic move adopted by more and more farmers aiming for greater autonomy, reduced dependency on industrial suppliers, and tighter cost control. This approach allows better use of farm-grown cereals and protein crops, while offering animals fresher, more tailored, and more efficient rations.
However, a successful on-farm feed production system depends heavily on the choice of equipment — tailored to your animal species, nutritional goals, and available raw materials. Here’s how to choose the right setup based on your livestock and what you grow.
1. Cattle, Calves, and Horses: Optimize Digestibility with Structured Feed
Ruminants like dairy cows and beef cattle require structured feed to support rumen function. Proper grain processing improves digestibility and limits sorting and feed refusal.
Main objective: Enhance digestibility and ensure a homogenous mix.
Recommended processing methods:
- Flaking: Produces flat flakes with high digestibility.
- Crushing Gently presses grains without pulverizing them, preserving structure for rumination.
- Roller Milling: Uses high pressure for optimal grain breakdown.
Best equipment:
- Flaker: Ideal for improving grain digestibility, especially maize, while reducing fine particles.
- Grain crusher : Great for soft cereals grown on-farm.
- Roller mill: Large rollers and robust pressure for efficient processing of harder grains
- Use a precision mixer (e.g., paddle or twin-screw) to ensure uniform distribution of minerals and additives, even in very low doses
2. Pigs: Fine Grinding and Precision Are Key
As monogastrics, pigs require a fine and homogenous feed to ensure optimal digestion and nutrient absorption.
Main objective: Fine grinding and accurate dosage.
Preferred equipment:
- Hammer mill: Very efficient for cereals and legumes.
- Fine grinding screens (2–3 mm): Suitable for various pig growth stages (weaners, finishers, sows).
Use a horizontal feed mixer for rapid and even distribution of amino acids, premixes, and other supplements.
3. Poultry: A Balance Between Structure and Consistency
With fast digestive systems, poultry need coarsely ground yet uniform feed to avoid selective feeding and nutrient waste.
Main objective: A coarse yet consistent feed.
Recommended setup:
- Hammer mill with larger screens (4–6 mm).
- Thicker hammers for a more structured grind.
- Ribbon mixer: Maintains particle integrity while ensuring proper blending.
Pro tip: Combine coarse particles and fine materials to match digestive needs
4. Adapt Your Feed Mill to Your Raw Materials
Your choice of equipment should also reflect what you grow:
Cereals (wheat, barley, maize, etc.):
- Grain crusher: Efficient and cost-effective for soft cereals.
- Flaker: Increases digestibility, versatile for mixed grains and forage cereals.
- Roller mill: Better for hard grains and large volumes. Starts under load and has a longer lifespan.
Protein crops (peas, faba beans, rapeseed, etc.):
- Roller mill: Handles hard seeds smoothly while preserving protein quality.
- High-performance hammer mill: Ideal for complex rations including co-products or minerals.
Storage matters too: choose silos that match the diversity of your ingredients and your processing schedule
5. A Custom Feed Mill: The CABI Group Expertise
Every farm is unique. That’s why CABI Group offers tailor-made on-farm feed production solutions, based on:
- Your livestock type and numbers
- Your available raw materials
- Your production goals
- Technical constraints and ROI expectations
We design and install full lines — from intake hoppers to mixers — balancing performance, simplicity, and automation to fit your needs.
Conclusion: A Profitable, Technical, and Sustainable Approach
Investing in an on-farm feed mill means reclaiming control over animal nutrition. Whether you raise cattle, pigs, poultry — or small ruminants like sheep and goats — there’s a tailored solution that fits your needs.
With CABI Group, you not only get reliable equipment but also personalized advice to ensure your feed production is efficient, cost-effective, and future-ready.
📩 Interested in a custom setup?
Contact CABI Group and let’s build your feed mill together.
