PERFORMANCE OF DIFFERENT BINDERS DURING ALFALFA PELLETING

Production of good duality dehydrated alfalfa pellets is essential in the reduction of dust and fines generated during transport and handlin g. Durable pellets can be produced by controlling the production proce ss and by using binders. The objective of this experimental work was t o determine the durability and hardness of dehydrated alfalfa pellets with the use of binders. The study was conducted in two crop years. In the first crop year (1993) the factors used in the experiment were ch op quality and binder used. Alfalfa chops used were of three qualities (low, medium, and high) based on durability of pellets without binder s. Five binders were mixed with ground alfalfa: lignosulfonate, benton ite, pea starch, collagen protein, and hydrated lime. Results indicate d that all binders improved the durability of pellets made from low qu ality chop but did not improve the durability of pellets made from med ium or high quality alfalfa. Hardness of pellets increased with the us e of binders. Hydrated lime and pea starch were further tested in the second crop year (1994) using inclusion levels of 1.0 and 0.5%. An inc lusion of 0.5% of either hydrated lime or pea starch was sufficient to increase pellet durability.