The University of Saskatchewan and its partners officially opened the Canadian Feed Research Centre (CFRC) in North Battleford today, highlighting the many research and training opportunities this unique facility will provide for Canada's crop and livestock sector.
The $13.9-million feed research centre is a major Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)-led project and a partnership with the Saskatchewan government, Cargill's animal nutrition business, and Western Economic Diversification. The centre will research, develop and commercialize new and better high-value animal feeds derived from low-value crops and co-products of bioprocessing and biofuels industries.
Estimates are that increased feed processing from CFRC activities will contribute more than $2M to Canada's gross domestic product through direct benefits to the crop and livestock industry and indirect benefits through employment.
"Thanks to the university's partners in government and industry, this national feed research centre is one of the most advanced and diverse in the world—the only one with both pilot-scale and high-volume commercial processing production lines," said Karen Chad, University of Saskatchewan vice-president research. "This means that promising lab discoveries can move quickly from pilot-plant testing to industrial-scale research—a major advantage in attracting commercialization activities and engaging industry."
Building upon the university's signature area of research titled agriculture: food and bio-products for a sustainable future, CFRC researchers will add value to low-quality crops, improve nutrient availability to animals, reduce antibiotic use, and develop enzymes and other bioactives or nutraceuticals to maintain animal health and improve feed efficiency.
Both graduate and undergraduate students will participate in the research, gaining advanced training for careers in the feed and livestock sectors.
The centre is the first of its kind in North America to install new seed-sorting technology that promises to maximize value, quality and safety.
"Feed accounts for 60 to 70 per cent of the production costs of animal protein such as meat, milk and eggs," said Tom Scott, University of Saskatchewan Research Chair in Feed Processing Technology. "The centre will research the use of processing to improve conversion of low-quality and highly variable ingredients, such as feed grain or co-products of bioprocessing, resulting in safe, high-quality animal feed and providing value to both producers and consumers."
Funding includes $5 million from the Government of Saskatchewan, $4.88 million from the CFI, $2.46 million from Cargill, $911,544 from Western Economic Diversification (including the seed sorter), and $600,000 from University of Saskatchewan and its suppliers.
Quotes from partners in the feed research centre:
Government of Canada: "Our Government's top priority is economic growth and job creation," said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. "The technology and capacity for advanced research at the Canadian Feed Research Centre will keep Canadian producers on the cutting edge, generating greater profits, jobs and long-term economic development."
Government of Saskatchewan: "The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to support the establishment of the Canadian Feed Research Centre," said the MLA for North Battleford, Herb Cox, on behalf of Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart. "This important research and training initiative supports the goals in our Saskatchewan Growth Plan and is a welcome addition to our vibrant agricultural sector."
Canada Foundation for Innovation: "When you bring together researchers and their industrial and provincial partners under one roof, innovation is bound to happen," said Gilles Patry, president and CEO of the Canada Foundation for Innovation. "Working in state-of-the-art labs, these unique teams will find real-world solutions for Canada's agriculture and livestock sectors."
Cargill: "The University of Saskatchewan's new Canadian Feed Research Centre provides an important partnership that offers a broad range of research scale capabilities—from a laboratory, to a pilot plant, to industry-scale research—which is a major advantage in attracting commercialization and engaging our industry," said Jennifer Henderson, managing director of Cargill's animal nutrition compound feed business in Western Canada. "The University of Saskatchewan and Cargill have a longstanding relationship and both invest in communities where we are located. We are proud to be associated with the university and look forward to the capabilities the centre will offer to the animal feed industry."
The CFRC has stand alone equipment and two scales of operating lines. The Pilot Scale Line (PSL) is 2 tonne/hr and the Industrial Scale Line (ISL) operates at ~ 20 tonne/hr. The CFRC is globally unique in allowing for demonstration of manufacturing specifications at two scales of operations.
Lab Scale
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Horizontal Vacuum Coater
UAS - Muyang Model:2440SS Capacity: 500 kg/hr Mixing device: single shaft paddle mixer Vacuum pressure: 910 mbar at sea level Number of nozzles: 3 Cycle time with vacuum, 10% fat, 0.5% enzyme: 6 minutes Cycle time without vacuum, 10% fat, 0.5% enzyme: 4 minutes Material: contact parts in stainless steel |
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Near Infrared Seed Sorter
BoMill Model: TriQ30 Capacity: 3t/hr Dimensions: W 1.2m x L1.36m x H1.8m |
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NIR Analyzer
Unity Scientific SpectraStar 2400 Wavelength range: 1200-2400nm |
Pilot Scale Line (PSL)
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Hammermill
G.J. Vis Model: VISHM2014 5 t/hr wheat at 700 microns 3600 RPM
800 sq. in screen surface area Screens: 300 microns 6/64" 500 microns 8/64" 700 microns 10/64" 900 microns 12/64" Rotary Feeder Model: HMPF14 Magnet Destoner Roller Grinder G.J. Vis Triple Pair 12" x 20" 9 t/hr wheat at 700 microns Rolls diameter: 12" Rolls length 20" Rolls differential speed ratio 1.6:1 Roll weight 295 kg Roll-type Feeder Model: Feeder is integral to mill Magnet Scalper |
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Flaking Mill
A.T. Ferrell Flaking mill with 24" leg extension Model: 18x36 Dual Drive Capacity (flake thickness of 1.5 mm) 5460 kg/hr Rolls diameter: 18" Rolls length: 36" Rolls RPM: 391 Rolls differential speed ratio: 1:01 Roll weight: 1025kg/each Rotary Feeder Model: Pin feeder Capacity: 9000 kg/hr Rotary size: 4" D x 34" L Mixer UAS-Muyang Model: SLHSJ1 Twin-shaft Paddle Optimal Loading Mixing capacity:Â 35.6 cu-ft Mixing time: 40-60 sec CV: <5% Minimum Loading Mixing capacity: 6 cu-ft Mixing time: ~ 10 sec CV: <5% Maximum Loading Mixing capacity: 31 cu-ft Mixing time: ~ 20 sec CV: <5% |
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Pellet Conditioner
UAS-Muyang Model:Â MUTZ350-J Triple layered twin Capacity: 2-7 t/hr Steam pressure required: 15-60 psi Steam flow rate: 330-1100 lbs/hr |
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Pellet Mill
UAS-Muyang Model:MUZL350II Capacity: 2-6.5 t/hr Die Inside diameter: 350 mm Width: 100mm Thickness: 30-60mm Working area: 170 sq in Holes area: 4.0mm die, 35% perforated Material: X46Cr13 Weight: ~ 55kg Peripherical speed: 6.5 m/s Rolls Quantity: 2 Diameter: 150 mm Width: 106 mm Material: 20CrMn |
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Extruder
UAS-Muyang Extruder Model: MY56X2 Conditioner Model: SBTZ10 Conditioner Capacity: 0.3-0.8 t/hr Steam pressure required: 15-30 psi Steam flow rate: 60-110 lbs/hr Water flow rate: 20-40 lbs/hr Extruder Capacity: 70-550 lbs/hr Screw diameter: 2.25 inches each Twin screw Material: Alloy Steam pressure required: 80-100 psi Steam flow rate: 50 lbs/hr |
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Counter Flow Cooler
UAS-Muyang Model: SLNF14X14A Capacity (pellet 3/16"): 5000 kg/hr Max outlet product temperature: 5°C above Moisture reduction: 3.80% Rotary spreader |
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Fluid Bed Dryer
UAS-Muyang p>Model: ZG 6 x 60 p>Type of feeder: Gravity/vibratory Dimensions: W 1.3m x L 6.6m x H 2m Capacity: 100-500 kg/hr Drying air temperature: 120oC Rentention time: 20-40 min Max outlet product temperature: 50-130oC p>Material: Contact parts stainless steel, carbon steel other |
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Crumbler
UAS-Muyang Model: MUSL 24 x 110 Capacity: (pellet 3/16") 8000-10000 kg/hr Rolls diameter: 9.5 in Rolls length: 43 in Rolls RPM: 720-480 RPM Roll Feeder Model: MU 1100 |
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Roto-shaker Screener
UAS-Muyang Model: SFJH80x3C Capacity (4.7mm pellets) 5000-6500 kg/hr |
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Horizontal Vacuum Coater
UAS-Muyang Model: SYPZ120 Capacity: 5000 kg/hr Mixing device: Single shaft paddle mixer Vacuum pressure: 910 mbar at sea level Number of nozzles: 6 Cycle time with vacuum, 10% fat, 0.5% enzyme: 6 minutes Cycle time without vacuum, 10% fat, 0.5% enzyme: 4 minutes Material: Stainless steel |
