How Good is Your Data?
May 21, 2013
When I studied feed manufacturing at Kansas State University’s International Grains Program I recall a professor who repeated again and again “you can’t control what you can’t measure.”…
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Extrusion Facility for Poverty Alleviation (Part I)
May 14, 2013
In the Bicol Region, Philippines, poverty is a way of life. Most of the youth have a lack of knowledge because they can’t finish studies or never go…
How to Avoid Getting the Wrong Spare Parts
May 7, 2013
During the time around the holidays, I spent a few days helping out in the parts department for the end of the year rush. Many customers have a…
A Great International Financing Solution
April 30, 2013
As we work to assist our customers with all aspects of their business plan, the greatest challenge seems to be financing of their projects. Our customers are sometimes…
Imitation is the Highest Form of Flattery
April 24, 2013
We are living in an era where imitations and copycats are fact of life. Some of us are tempted to invest in a knockoff item if we perceive…
Gas is Great
April 16, 2013
In East Africa these days, there’s a lot of excitement about gas. Tanzania has upped its estimate of gas reserves to 33 trillion cubic feet (tcf)…
Hammer Mill or Roller Mill for Soy Extrusion?
April 9, 2013
In the blog “Particle Size Reduction,” we touched based on the various types of equipment used to pre-grind materials before extrusion. The majority of projects we work on…
Moisture Tester
April 2, 2013
In my opinion, anybody who owns an extruder needs a good moisture tester. No matter what kind of product is being extruded, the moisture tester is a critical…
Visiting an Oilseed Crushing Plant…a Valuable Opportunity?
March 26, 2013
If a business person is interested in processing oilseeds such as soybeans, cottonseed, or canola seed, they should arrange for a visit to one or two oilseed facilities.…
Save Money on a Creative Protein Source
March 19, 2013
As protein ingredient options become more and more expensive, alternative ingredients are sought to control feed cost. One option has been the use of Urea as a source…
Annual Budgeting & Planning…Part 2.
March 12, 2013
The final step to the strategic planning process is setting the company’s annual tactics. This is where your strategy comes to life. The tactics are the specific action…
Crowdfunding: The Next Normal in Project Funding?
March 5, 2013
A Ghanaian crowdfunding start-up was one of the winners of this year’s Apps4Africa competition, sponsored by the World Bank and the U.S. government: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21513287. The company –…
Is the Stability an Issue in Extruded or Extruded-Expelled Oil Seed Meal and Oil?
February 19, 2013
In a recent ExPress Extrusion Clinic conducted by the Insta-Pro International team here in Des Moines, Iowa, I was asked several good questions after my presentations on the…
The Extruder Shop
February 12, 2013
This post will cover some of the additional tools and equipment that are often overlooked when extrusion plants go into operation. This is especially important for the producer that…
Plant Layouts
February 5, 2013
Here at Insta-Pro, we not only sell equipment, but we have the unique opportunity to provide engineering services as well. This can prove to be a valuable resource…
Re-Investment for Partners in Food Solutions
January 30, 2013
I have blogged in the past about a sustainable business model as the long term answer to solving food issues around the world. Progress continues to be made…
Factors Influencing the Selection of an Extruder
January 23, 2013
Many feed or food related business owners that have realized the advantages of an extrusion system to their business can be faced with the decision of which extruder…
Cooler Maintenance
January 16, 2013
Cooling of post extruded products is important, especially as it relates to the production of Full Fat and ExPress Soy. Acceptable levels of urease and trypsin inhibitors, achieved…