Report on Industrial Visit - KMF Cattle Feed Industry

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The students of second B.Com and BBA (around 150 students), along with their mentors Ms. Prathima Prabhu, Ms. Jenisia Lasrado and Mr. Guru Prasad visited the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) Cattle Feed plant at Holenarsipura Road, Hassan.

Feed has a fundamental influence on productivity, health and welfare of the animal. Feed quality influences animal product quality and safety, and the environment. To achieve balance among these parameters, the animal's nutritional requirements must be properly met. KMF has an in house laboratory where the raw materials, semi-finished products and finished food pellets are carefully tested. The lab crew gave us the details of the various parameters used for testing the quality of the pellets.

Students were divided into batches and taken to the 2 production units that they have. Unit 1 is an old unit and unit 2 is a new unit with a huge space and all modern equipment. Before witnessing the production process the students were taken to the computer lab where in they explained the production process through the system. As the production was in process students were fortunate enough to see the live graphical images of the production process.

Students were then asked to go to plant to see and understand the production process. The major operations involved in the production of cattle feed pellets are raw material preparation, primary crushing, molasses mixing, fine crushing, pellet making and packaging. Raw materials are first sled into tanks after which they are crushed with a primary crusher. Crushed materials are separated by a sieve and are stored in bins according to the kind of raw materials. The raw materials are then mixed by the food mixer where in essential fatty ingredients are added to increase the nutritional value of the feed. The feed is then mixed with the molasses. Assorted animal feed then undergoes fine crushing and finally are made into pellets by the pellet mill. Before the pellets are packed they are thoroughly cooled down with the help of the feed pellet cooler so that no fungus is formed. Sample of the pellets are then tested to check if they meet the quality requirements. Pellets are weighed and packed after which they are sent to the storage session with the use of the conveyor belt. The pellets will be then sent to different destinations as per the client requirement.

The staff and the students are grateful to Mr. Vivek, The General Manager of KMF Cattle Feed Unit for giving us the opportunity to witness and learn the pellet production process.