RICHI Machinery Completes 12 T/H Animal Straw Alfalfa Pellet Plant in Romania

RICHI Machinery proudly announces the successful commissioning of a 12 t/h animal straw alfalfa pellet plant for a Romanian livestock feed enterprise. The client, operating multiple dairy and beef cattle farms in the Transylvania region, faced rising demand for high-quality, nutrient-rich forage pellets to support their expanding herd. With Romania’s livestock industry emphasizing sustainability and cost-effective feed solutions, the client decided to invest in a dedicated alfalfa and straw pellet production line to improve feed quality, reduce dependence on purchased hay, and increase overall farm productivity.

Alfalfa and cereal straw are abundant in Romania, making them ideal raw materials for pellet feed. The client’s feed formula includes 70% alfalfa hay, 25% wheat straw, and 5% binders and molasses to improve pellet density and palatability. The pellets produced by this line are used as high-fiber, protein-rich feed for ruminants, including cattle, sheep, and goats. The client required the plant to produce pellets in 6–8 mm diameter with consistent quality, uniform size, and high durability to withstand transport and storage.

Special project requirements included:

• Integration with an existing warehouse facility to minimize construction costs
• Moisture control and dust management suitable for Romanian climate conditions
• Automated feeding and batching to reduce labor intensity
• Energy-efficient operation compatible with local electricity supply
• Capability to process both fresh alfalfa and dry straw blends without clogging or excessive wear

Plant Design and Customized Process

RICHI Machinery provided a fully customized pellet production process, tailored to handle Romania’s regional feed materials and meet the client’s operational requirements. The design utilized the client’s existing warehouse space, with minor retrofitting to accommodate ventilation systems, electrical wiring, and pellet flow pathways.

The production process is designed for efficiency and pellet quality:

• Raw Material Preparation: Alfalfa and straw are chopped and ground to uniform particle size to ensure consistent pelleting.
• Mixing and Conditioning: Raw materials are mixed with binders and molasses in a twin-shaft mixer and conditioned with controlled moisture and temperature to improve pellet durability and nutrient retention.
• Pelletizing: A high-capacity ring die alfalfa pellet machine produces 12 t/h of dense, uniform pellets suitable for cattle and sheep. Pellet diameter can be adjusted between 6–8 mm depending on livestock type.
• Drying: Rotary drum dryers reduce moisture content to 10–12%, ensuring storage stability and preventing mold growth.
• Cooling and Screening: Pellets are cooled to prevent condensation and mechanically screened to remove fines.
• Packaging and Storage: Automatic bagging ensures efficient handling and readiness for farm distribution.

The plant also includes conveyors, dust collectors, and real-time monitoring systems, enabling continuous operation with minimal downtime and ensuring strict adherence to quality standards.

Equipment Configuration and Capacity

The 12 t/h alfalfa pellet plant supplied to the client includes:

• SLHJ series twin-shaft mixer for consistent raw material blending
• High-efficiency ring die alfalfa straw pellet making machine capable of 12 t/h production
• Rotary drum dryer and cooler for moisture control and pellet durability
• Vibrating screening machine to ensure uniform pellet size
• Conveyor systems for smooth material flow
• Automated packaging system for labor-efficient operations

The equipment was configured to Romania’s 400V three-phase electricity system with energy-saving motors and controls to reduce operational costs.

Operational Benefits and Applications

The 12 t/h straw alfalfa pellet production line offers multiple operational advantages:

• Feed Quality Improvement: The dense, high-protein pellets improve ruminant digestion and milk/meat production.
• Cost Reduction: On-site production reduces reliance on purchased hay and imported feed.
• Efficient Resource Use: Straw, previously considered low-value waste, is transformed into nutritious feed.
• Flexible Feed Options: Pellet diameter can be adjusted to cater to different animal species and age groups.
• Labor and Energy Efficiency: Automation reduces labor costs and energy consumption while maintaining high throughput.

These benefits support the client’s long-term operational sustainability and profitability, positioning them as a regional leader in livestock feed innovation.

This project underscores Romania’s growing emphasis on sustainable and locally sourced livestock feed production. By converting readily available alfalfa and straw into high-quality feed pellets, the client reduces feed costs, improves livestock performance, and contributes to environmentally responsible farming.

RICHI Machinery demonstrates through this project that tailored engineering solutions, advanced equipment, and professional support can transform feed production operations, delivering both economic and environmental benefits to the livestock sector.

Conclusion

The 12 t/h animal straw alfalfa pellet plant in Romania is a prime example of RICHI Machinery’s commitment to providing professional, turnkey pellet production solutions. From design and engineering to installation, training, and after-sales support, RICHI ensures clients receive reliable, efficient, and high-quality production systems that enhance productivity, profitability, and sustainability.