Fodder production as a business: features, technology and reviews

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Fodder production as a business will be a profitable enterprise only if everything is organized correctly. The agricultural industry today presents many opportunities. The constant growth of farms makes services for their maintenance in demand. People who keep a large number of livestock always need a nutritious and balanced animal feed. Therefore, the production of animal feed is one of the most successful business formats.

The main advantage of this area is the simplicity and ease of marketing. Farms often lack feed, so even a novice entrepreneur has every chance to gain a foothold in this industry. In this review, we will consider what the production of feed as a business is, the features of this area. In addition, we will draw up a rough plan.

Production Features

Despite the fact that agricultural feed is extremelya sought-after product, a beginner in this business will definitely have to take into account the requirements of customers. Experienced farmers will never buy poor quality feed. It is extremely important that the product you produce is balanced. It must contain all the microelements and vitamins necessary for the animal's body. Only in this case the livestock will be he althy. For this, it is not at all necessary to adhere to ready-made recipes. You may well create new varieties of food. This diversity will attract new customers.

Raw materials

What is feed production as a business? The plan of this enterprise must necessarily include such an important item as raw materials. Typically, entrepreneurs use legumes and grains for production. Also, in some cases, hybrid varieties can be used. The production of mixed feed will give a regular profit only if you begin to produce quality products. The farmer can easily determine how balanced the nutrition is. They very often refuse cheap products that are poor in composition in favor of more expensive products that are high in natural protein, microelements, vitamins and other useful microelements. If an entrepreneur can create a really good food recipe, their products will always be in demand.

Profitability

How profitable will the production of compound feed at home be? Of course, enterprises with large raw material productions demonstrate the highest profits. However, to open such a business,rather large investments will be required - starting from 2 million rubles. But small entrepreneurs also have a right to exist. Of course, their level of profitability will be much more modest.

Before you start the production of animal feed as a business, you need to think about the distribution channels for finished products. Usually entrepreneurs in this field work with consumers such as nurseries, farms, zoos and individuals. So that the products are not stale in warehouses, most of them should be sold to wholesale customers. To do this, it is recommended to conclude supply contracts at the initial stage of doing business. You can also try to offer your services to government organizations. However, the most promising buyers are private farms. Firstly, they are interested in buying a quality product, and secondly, they are willing to pay a high price for the product.

Types of compound feed

What are they like? How to start a feed business? Let us determine that granulated raw materials can be intended for the preparation of feed for various animals and birds. Usually cereals are included as the main ingredient. In order for the composition to promote the growth of livestock, it is necessary to additionally add nutritional protein supplements to it. In addition, vitamins E, A and D must be included. Microelements and amino acids are also included in the feed. For individuals of different ages, the composition of raw materials may vary. Basically, the concentration of biologically active substances will change.

Communicationcomposition and quality indicators

Many today are interested in a business plan for the production of animal feed. The requirements for this product are mainly based on providing the animals with all the necessary nutrients.

The following indicators will depend on the composition of the feed:

• speed of growth and development of livestock;
• physical activity;
• speed of gaining muscle and fat mass;
• hair growth rate;
• egg production;
• milk output.

A balanced and nutritious diet is especially needed for birds and animals kept in closed aviaries and pens. The fact is that such individuals do not have enough free space to maintain the required level of physical activity. Therefore, their development and growth have to be stimulated with food.

Suitable for

Who can set up the production of animal feed? The business idea is perfect for owners of their own farms. They can not only save a significant amount on the production of feed, but also independently control their composition, select only the highest quality ingredients that are optimally suited to the birds and animals they keep.

Many farmers prefer to buy feed from large suppliers. Therefore, a business plan for the production of compound feed can be especially useful for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Product range

Large farms choose large producers also because of the wide variety of products producedproducts. After all, different animals require different sets of ingredients and nutrients. Many manufacturers are still creating special product lines for young animals, pregnant and lactating animals, and adults. The first category is characterized by a high content of nutrients.

Products are generally classified according to nutritional value. Concentrated foods contain a wide variety of nutrients. Balanced additionally enriched with microelements and vitamins useful for animals. For daily use on farms, full-ration raw materials are usually used.

If you consider the production of compound feed as a business, then you can specialize in one type of feed or several at once.

Issue form

At the initial stage, you will also need to decide in what form you will start producing finished products.

The following options exist here:

1. Pellet: Comes in elongated or rounded kibbles.
2. Briquetted: this variety is characterized by an increased density of raw materials. Produced in the form of rectangular and square tiles.

The demand for a particular type of product for the most part depends on who the food is made for. Large livestock farms prefer to buy products in briquettes. For poultry and pigs, loose and granular compound feed of medium grinding can be used. Buthow to determine which form of release will be more in demand? This question is asked by many of those who have decided to plunge into the production of animal feed as a business. Reviews from professionals will help you choose the right format. Experts will also advise on how to select components and develop a composition. Please note that after creating the recipe, it will be necessary to carry out the necessary laboratory tests and studies. The results of such an examination will become proof of the high quality of the nutritional value and usefulness of your products.

Business plan

What is it? How to write a business plan for an IP? Feed production is an extremely specific type of activity that requires taking into account many factors. If necessary, here you can still use the help of specialists. Entrepreneurs with experience in the production of mixed fodder will help you correctly assess the real cost of finished products, determine the amount of necessary costs and the approximate demand for goods from farms. If a novice entrepreneur is extremely serious and plans to open a large production with various product lines, then it is better to work in several directions at once. The wider the range of products, the more customers the entrepreneur will be able to attract. The end result will be a good profit for the entire enterprise.

What you need to get started

What do you need to set up feed production as a business? The first issue to take care of is the purchase of raw materials. As a rule, entrepreneurs in this field usemeal and cake. Quality straw and grain can also be used.

Additional components are:

• meat and bone meal;
• molasses;
• s alt;
• vitamin and mineral supplements;
• protein premixes.

Production technologies

What do you need to know about this? The quality of the finished feed also depends on the production technologies used. For example, during the release of bird food, peeling the grains is a mandatory procedure. This is not required for other types of raw materials.

Most entrepreneurs today prefer to produce granular feed. This process consists of several stages. First, the raw materials are ground on special equipment. The size of the obtained particles varies from 10 to 40 mm. After that, the raw material obtained in the first stage is placed in the dispenser. There it is mixed with various additives. The quality of the finished product will depend on the accuracy of dosing of all ingredients. To mix all the components of the compound feed and turn them into a homogeneous mass, special equipment is used. After that, granules are made using a press. Then the finished chilled products are packaged in bags.

In the production of loose feed, the first technological steps will be exactly the same. Finished products are packaged immediately after mixing.

Premises and equipment

What do you need to set up feed production? Ideabusiness requires significant costs to implement. If a novice entrepreneur decides to open a full-fledged automated production, he will need a fairly spacious room with professional equipment. It is also worth taking care of the place for storing raw materials and finished products in advance. There are no special requirements for the warehouse premises. The main thing is to keep it dry.

All equipment in the production hall must be installed in accordance with the regulations. Therefore, it is best to purchase specialized equipment from large suppliers who also debug and install it. The quality of the finished product will ultimately depend on the quality of the technologies used. It should be borne in mind that the production of granular feed is a rather costly process. The purchase of one production line of sufficient capacity will cost you 1.5 million rubles.

Reviews from entrepreneurs

Every type of business has its own characteristics. Feed production as a business is no exception. Reviews of the owners of enterprises for the production of raw materials confirm this. Before starting such a business, it is worth thinking about distribution channels. If there are not enough consumers in the area where you plan to establish production, the business may not be profitable. Some difficulties still arise with the purchase of the necessary equipment. Finding the right option can be quite difficult.