The Advantages of Liquid Feeding

By Fancom - This article looks at the many advantages of liquid feeding and summarises the "Fancom way" of delivering these benefits.
calendar icon 22 January 2007
clock icon 11 minute read

Good feeding improves your results

Liquid feeding has many advantages. Animals digest liquid feed better. As by products can be incorporated in the liquid feed, you save costs. Plus, liquid feed is ideal if you want to add your own products such as maize and cereal crops. The system is labour saving as well. The closed piping system ensures feed is distributed quickly, easily and free of dust particles. Fancom's modular liquid feeding system means tailor-made, automatic feeding. Your system is customised to suit your individual situation. Extending or changing the system is always possible.

Advantages:

  • Better feed digestion by your animals;
  • Use of by-products means lower feed costs;
  • Own products such as maize and cereals can be added;
  • Various Fancom feed concepts which, depending on your situation, provide you with the best solution;
  • Easy to “Add-Ons” to optimise your system;
  • If required, Fancom can supply the entire installation including all piping work;
  • Use of premium quality material guarantees long working life;
  • Full automatic feed preparation and distribution with Fancom control.
Fancom has 3 different liquid feeding concepts:
  1. FullFix
  2. SmartFix
  3. MultiFix.
Your requirements, the size of your company and the feeding method determine the most suitable concept. We are always happy to provide advice about choosing the right concept.

Fancom Fullfix Liquid Feeding System

FullFix is Fancom’s basic liquid feed system. It consists of one or more circuits supplied successively by the weigher. There is always feed in the circuit. This feed is incorporated into the next feeding cycle. Features
  • Basic liquid feed system
  • Always feed in the circuits
  • Different blends possible per circuit using a residue tank or extra weigher.
  • Per blend the largest circuit content is left over.
  • Good and simple solution if left over feed is no problem.
  • Simple installation design and configuration: the position of the circuits and valves is highly flexible as there is always feed in the circuit.


How it works
  1. When the cycle starts, feed from the previous feeding cycle is already in the circuit.
  2. In the weigher, new feed is prepared for the feeding cycle.
  3. After preparation, the feed is first circulated through the circuit without being dosed out to ensure that any remaining feed is thoroughly mixed through the new blend.
  4. Dosing out can then start. The required valve is opened and the correct feed amount dosed out based on the weigher decrease.
  5. All the valves are supplied with feed in the same way.
  6. When all the valves have been supplied, the weigher is also empty.
  7. The entire circuit is still filled with feed, that will be distributed at the next feeding cycle.
  8. If several blends are supplied, the entire circuit content is first pumped to a different weigher or residue tank before the circuit is filed with the
Fancom Fullfix Liquid Feeding System

The most common liquid feed system is SmartFix. When no feeding cycle is active, all the circuits are filled with a positioner. This is water or one of the liquid ingredients used in the blend, such as whey. The correct feed amount is prepared in the weigher and pumped into the circuit as a column. When the feed arrives at the correct valve, the valve opens and the feed is dosed automatically. Despite the feed and positioning substance being in direct contact, any inter-mixing is minimum. An important advantage of SmartFix is that no feed is left behind in the circuits. This system is also known as column feeding or waste-free feeding.

Features
  • Only the required feed amount is pumped into the circuit.
  • The feed is transported by the positioning liquid - this means a positioning weigher or tank is required
  • No feed is left in the pipes after feeding
  • The column only moves forwards through the circuit
  • Valves are always supplied in succession.
Liquid Feeding Smartfix


How it works
  1. When the cycle starts, the positioning liquid is already in the circuit.
  2. The feed is prepared in the weigher.
  3. At the moment feed is pumped to the circuit, the positioning liquid returns and is collected in the positioning weigher/tank.
  4. The computer knows the circuit content up to the valves. This allows the head of the feed column to be transported to the valves based on the weigher decrease.
  5. The valve is opened and the correct amount dosed out based on the weigher decrease.
  6. All the valves are supplied in succession in this way.
  7. During feeding the weigher empties. At that moment the positioning liquid is placed behind the feed column from the positioning weigher.
  8. Finally, the circuit has been filled again with positioning liquid with an amount of feed residue from the mixing zone between the positioning liquid and the feed column. The computer prepares an extra amount of feed as a margin, so no positioning liquid mixes with feed at animal level.
  9. To safeguard hygiene, each circuit is completely emptied at least once a day. The existing content is used to prepare new feed, destined for the least sensitive group of animals.
Fancom Multifix Liquid Feeding System

MultiFix stands for multi-phase liquid feeding. Two circuits run through the house, with two valves per trough. The correct blend can be prepared per trough. This allows a smooth transition from one blend to another. Correct and accurate control of the two feed pumps ensures an optimal mix of the two blends in the supply line to the trough.

Features
  • Gradual transition from one blend to another.
  • A multiple circuit is required, with weigher, pump and valve per circuit.
  • Blends are dosed into the trough simultaneously.
  • Feed is left in the pipes after feeding
  • Irrespective of the blend ratio, all valves are dosed in the required order.
  • MultiFix always works based on 2 main blends.
Liquid Feeding Multifix
How it works
  1. At the start of feeding, both circuits are filled with feed from the previous feeding cycle.
  2. In the weigher new feed is prepared for the feeding cycle.
  3. After preparation, the feed is first circulated through the circuit without being dosed out to ensure that any remaining feed is thoroughly mixed through the new blend.
  4. Dosing out can then start. The valves at the feed place are opened. For an optimal mix of the two blends, the dosing out time for both blends must be identical. This is possible by running the two pumps at a different RPM.
  5. All the valves are supplied with feed in the same way.
  6. When all the valves have been supplied, the weighers are also empty.
  7. Both circuits are still filled with feed, that will be distributed in the next feeding cycle.

Adapt the system to suit your situation

Fancom's modular liquid feeding system means tailor-made, automatic feeding. The various liquid feeding concepts can be extended using Add-Ons. Carefully designed to accurately adapt the feeding system to your requirements and the demands placed on the feeding process in your house.

1. PreBlending

If you want to add ingredients such as your own grain, maize or CCM to the blend manually, or to a pre mix - keeping an accurate and correct check on stocks is very important. PreBlending is Fancom’s answer. All these ingredients are weighed before being added to the blend.

2. SynchroBlending

SynchroBlending means several small weighers can be used to prepare feed instead of one large weigher. This makes feed preparation more efficient.

3. VitaExact

If you want to add vitamins, minerals or other small amounts of fluid to your liquid feed, then Fanom's VitaExact system is the solution. The system uses a small pump per ingredient to dose the ingredient into a mini weigher. Each ingredient is weighed individually before falling into the hopper. When all the ingredients have been weighed, they are pumped to the liquid feed weigher. The VitaExact system is cleaned after each use.

4. AcidAdd

To add acid to a liquid feed blend, use Fancom’s AcidAdd. This lowers the PH-value of feed for better digestion and permits longer storage times. The acid is gradually added to the feed. Acid resistant valves ensure accurate dosing, even with the smallest amounts. The dosed amounts are accurately registered.



5. FeedSeparator

The FeedSeparator can be used with the SmartFix installation. To avoid any inter mixing of feed, a FeedSeparator separates the feed column from the positioning liquid at the head and tail of the column. In the feed kitchen, extra facilities are required to ensure the FeedSeparator can also be pumped through the circuit. After feeding, the separator returns to the feed kitchen to be used in the next feed column.



6. One way Piping

With a large SmartFix and MultiFix installation the total transport distance can be limited using Fancom’s One Way Piping. A central circuit is installed, for example through the central corridor of the house. A branch off is created per section from the central circuit; this branch is a single pipe. The content of this single pipe never returns to the weigher. An important advantage is also the low installation costs for One Way Piping.

7. Sensor Feeding

Sensor Feeding allows smaller troughs to be used making the most efficient use of the available floor surface space. With Sensor Feeding, the troughs are checked several times a day to see if they contain any feed. If the trough is empty, new feed is supplied. This allows fresh portions of feed to be supplied several times a day, depending on the rate of consumption. Fancom Sensor Feeding uses two measurement sensors to reduce the risk of faulty measurements.

8. Need for Feed™

Normally the feed computer calculates the amount of feed to be dosed based on the curve, possibly influenced by biorhythm. The feed amount is usually adjusted by changing the dosing percentage. This is done based on information obtained from the daily rounds on the farm to inspect the troughs . With Fancom’s Need for Feed™ the feed amount is automatically adjusted to suit the animals' needs. The system continually measures the rate at which feed is consumed. If the pigs eat quicker than average, they obviously need more feed. At the next feeding cycle, their need is met by supplying more feed. If they eat slower than average, less feed is given at the next feeding cycle. This system allows the maximum potential of animal growth to be reached, while at the same time avoiding feed wasting and spoiling in the trough. With Need for Feed™, animals are fed 6-10 times a day. Each trough is fitted with a trough sensor. The dosing percentage history is registered per valve, so the animal's eating behaviour can be accurately tracked.

9. WaterDos

Sometimes the weather conditions mean extra water supplies. Or maybe you just want to give your sows more to drink. Fancom’s WaterDos allows this additional water dosing to be set via a separate curve so the amount can be entirely suited to your situation.

10. Multi Controlled

On larger farms when the maximum range of the possibilities of the feed computer is reached, a second system has to be bought. Not with Fancom systems! When your feed computer has reached its maximum potential, a second computer can be installed that shares its data with the main computer. An important advantage is that stock inventory management stays correct. The computers run their separate feeding process individually. This creates virtually unlimited possibilities for larger companies.

Reliable equipment completes the system

All the parts of Fancom’s liquid feed installations have been selected for quality and functionality, from the control computer to the PVC piping. These are the pivotal components of your installation - where absolute reliability is a must. The most essential components and parts have been designed and developed in-house. Using the knowledge gained from yearsof practical experience.

778 liquid feed computer with PC Operation
  • Suitable to control al Fancom feed concepts and Add-On’s
  • Controls maximum 4 processes simultaneously.
  • Automatic adjustment of daily feed amounts based on curves.
  • Automatic transition to a different blend, depending on the animals' age.
  • Careful registration of consumption per ingredient and per blend.
  • Remote operation and control using the FCentral PC program.
  • Maximum installation size: 1000 valves 100 sections – 30 blends – 50 Ingredients – 8 weighers 30 circuits.
F-Central PC program for Remote operation and analysis
  • One universal PC program for operation and analysis of all Fancom control equipment for feed, climate and data processing
  • Remote control via modems
  • Clear display with overviews, graphs and tables for simple operation
  • Extensive analysis to optimise feed processes
Stainless steel weigher
  • Completely constructed from maintenancefree stainless steel
  • Optimal mixing, durable mixer
  • The round model with conical lid combined with the stainless steel rinsing installation ensures easy weigher cleaning
  • Standard capacity of 1000 to 8700 litres, other capacities on request
Polyester Weigher
  • Supplied loose for lower transport volume
  • The round model with conical lid combined with the stainless steel mixer and rinsing installation ensures easy weigher cleaning
  • Standard capacity of 1500 to 5800 litres


Liquid feed valves
  • Robust construction
  • Manual operation with block option
  • Canvas reinforced membrane
  • Available as glue-in valve with vertical outlet and as a clamp-on valve with horizontal and vertical outlet
  • For accurate dosing out, the size of the opening in the pipes with clamp-on valves
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Added January 2007
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