Fine milling of feed particles enhances digestibility compared to coarse or whole feed ingredients. Processing plays a key role in improving the digestibility and bioavailability of feed. The steam conditioning process in particular contributes to starch gelatinization, hydration, and partial protein breakdown, facilitating easier digestion.

Pelleting stands out as the most common feed form, offering numerous advantages for both feed millers and livestock farmers. It enhances profitability by increasing bulk density, preventing ingredient segregation, reducing transportation and storage costs, improving nutrient digestion and bioavailability, and minimizing pathogen load. Given that pelleting is a major feed processing cost, any improvement in efficiency is valuable to feed manufacturers, with pellet binders being proven tools for this purpose.

The grinding or milling of feed ingredients releases moisture previously held by whole ingredients, resulting in a weight loss of 0.35–1 percent. This loss leaves the feed excessively dry, potentially causing digestive stress in animals or creating a gap between actual and permitted moisture levels in sold feed. Recovering or optimizing this moisture improves digestibility, with moisture optimizers, acting as surface-active wetting agents, proving effective.

The achievement of superior value and high-profit feed involves leveraging the right technological tools. Pellet binders, moisture optimizers, and grain and feed conditioners play a crucial role in minimizing processing costs and enhancing overall feed economics.