New ruminant feed mill

After continued growth in the ruminant feed market, Namibia’s major producer of animal feed Feedmaster has announced that a new N$31-million feed mill is in process of being constructed.The new ruminant feeding mill that replaces the current feed mill in the northern industrial area of Windhoek, will be one of the most technologically advanced ruminant feed plants in the world.With a total investment of N$31 million, construction of the latest technology Techmach-designed ruminant feed mill commenced in January this year and it will likely be commissioned during September.The investment came as a result of consistent growth in the ruminant feed market sector and advances in local precision farming practises which require the use of animal feeds to improve livestock production profitability.According to Ian Collard, CEO of Namib Mills, energy-efficient equipment with higher output and low electricity demand will be installed in the new mill. “This will lead to efficient production and a smaller environmental impact due to lower emissions.” The new ruminant feed mill is designed to produce twice as much as the current milling capacity and will be able to produce feeds at a rate of 20 tons per hour. The pellet mill capacity is designed to produce 10 tons per hour and thus, the mill will be able to produce more than 400 tons of ruminant feeds per day with an annual theoretical capacity of approximately 140 000 tons.Currently the old plant only produces 70 000 tons per year. Collard said complaints have been received that as soon drought hits enough feed cannot be supplied.Providing some statistics Collard said that there are currently 2.9 million cattle in Namibia, 2.6 million sheep and 1.9 million goats. He said that Feedmaster envisages having a model available that will enhance their business and make it more profitable. “We are an input cost for the farmer, having a product available of superior quality that might be more expensive, but the output will be better.”He added that world leading industrial processing, conveying, mixing and milling equipment with lower noise and dust pollution levels will enhance the working environment and will further improve the health and safety of employees.Feedmaster is the leading animal feed manufacturer in Namibia, and was founded on 27 June 1983. Feedmaster is a full subsidiary of Namib Mills. With Namib Mills investing in a wheat mill during 1986, a wider range of feed products were developed and manufactured with motorised mixing equipment. Feedmaster and his subsidiary Veekos in Upington South Africa, have grown to an animal feeds business with annual sales in excess of 160 000 tons, and an annual turnover in the order of N$800 million.The Feedmaster feed mill on the farm Okapuka for the production of monogastric animal feeds, came into production during November 2013. ELLANIE SMIT

New ruminant feed mill

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-05

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New ruminant feed mill

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-05

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