Quality Control in the Feed Mill

Sampling for Microorganisms in The Feed Mill
Sampling is an often over-looked area when gathering information about pathogens in the feed mill environment. Certainly, the collection of adequate samples that represent the batch being sampled is important. However, a more basic question must be addressed. Are we certain that the contamination detected in the feed came from the sample or from the hands of person collecting the sample?

At one feed mill facility, mill personnel were instructed to collect sample while researchers collected samples from many of the same locations. While a variety of methods exist for dealing with the issue of cross contamination, perhaps one of the simplest is one developed by Jim Andrews of Holly Farms (now Tyson). Paper cups are purchased in a plastic bag. Mill employees are instructed not to touch sample and to keep cups tightly closed within the plastic bag when not in use. Samples are collected only in new paper cups. Cup are used only once and then discarded. Samples are placed in sterile plastic bags following collection for transport to the laboratory. Although simple, this method is quite effective at preventing cross contamination.

Steps toward Control of Microorganisms in the Feed Mill
Control of microbial pathogens in feeds and feed mills involves procedures to

1. Exclude pathogens form the feed
2. Prevent multiplication of the organism in the feed
3. Kill pathogens within the feed and prevent recontamination.

It should be clearly understood that feed milling processes are incapable of killing certain pathogens (i.e., spore formers) Thus, these pathogens MUST be excluded for control. Furthermore, even when feed mill processes destroy pathogens, higher numbers of these pathogens in feeds require ever-harsher treatments. Harsher treatments cause nutritional damage to the feed as well as costing more. Thus, in reality, each of these control procedures is interdependent and must be pursued simultaneously.

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