5-6T/H Cattle Feed Processing Machine in Zimbabwe

Who is the Client: A Local Mid-Sized Feed Mill

The client behind this story is a growing mid-sized cattle feed mill that supplies feed to several cattle farms in the Midlands region. Unlike giant integrated feed plants, they operate a practical model — sourcing maize and groundnuts from local farmers and blending these with small amounts of bran and mineral supplements.

They have run a basic hammer mill and mixer setup for years, selling loose mash feed to nearby farms. But they faced increasing complaints about:

• Dusty feed being wasted during transport.
• Cattle sorting out maize grains and leaving bran uneaten.
• Lower feed efficiency during harsh dry periods.

To address this, they decided to invest in a cattle feed pellet making machine, adding value to their current process and helping local farmers get more from each kilogram of feed.

Why One Cattle Feed Processing Machine, Not a Whole Plant

This customer chose to buy just a single ring die pellet mill instead of building a whole new cattle feed production line. Why? It fits their scale and budget:

• Their current hammer mill and mixer still work well.
• They wanted a gradual upgrade, not a massive debt burden.
• They can test pelleted feed demand step by step.
• It’s easier to train a small team on one new machine.

This practical approach is exactly why the cattle feed processing machine in Zimbabwe is becoming more common among small and medium feed suppliers who want to compete with bigger brands.

Choosing the Right Model: Fitting Local Conditions

After multiple discussions with RICHI’s engineers, the feed mill selected the SZLH350 cattle feed pellet machine. Here’s why this model fits Zimbabwe’s context:

• Main motor power: 55 kW — strong enough for maize-based rations with moderate fiber.
• Feeder motor: 1.5 kW — smooth, steady feed flow.
• Conditioner motor: 4 kW — good steam conditioning for dense, durable pellets.
• Ring die diameter: 350 mm.
• Pellet diameter: 4–10 mm, but their standard is 8 mm for beef cattle.
• Output capacity: 5–6 tons/hour — matches local market size and allows some excess for new customers.

For a region where power supply can be unstable, this cattle feed processing machine in Zimbabwe strikes the balance between capacity and manageable power requirements.

Local Raw Materials: Using What Zimbabwe Has

The feed mill's main ingredients are locally available:

• Maize: The backbone of most cattle rations, grown widely in Midlands and Mashonaland.
• Groundnut cake: Byproduct of local peanut oil pressing — adds valuable protein.
• Maize bran: Low-cost fiber source.
• Small amount of urea: Sometimes added under veterinary guidance to boost nitrogen levels.
• Minerals & salt: To balance the ration.

Their typical pellet formula is:

• 65% maize.
• 20% maize bran.
• 10% groundnut cake.
• 5% minerals, salt, and small additives.

They purposely keep fiber under 20% so the ring die cattle feed processing machine in Zimbabwe runs efficiently. Pure grass-based feed is not common for them because reliable forage is limited, especially in dry months.

What They Make: Cattle Feed and More

This new cattle feed processing machine in Zimbabwe produces:

• Beef cattle grower pellets: Higher energy for young steers in feedlots.
• Maintenance pellets: For mature cattle grazing on dry grassland with poor quality forage.
• Limited sheep feed: A few customers use the same pellets for sheep during drought.

They do not attempt to produce poultry, pig, or aquafeed with this machine — they know it’s not designed for extruded or floating feeds. Staying focused on cattle feed helps them maintain consistent pellet quality and avoid clogging or die wear problems.

How the Pellet Mill Changes Daily Work

Before the pellet mill, the feed mill relied on selling dusty mash feed. Farmers lost part of it during transport. Some cattle refused to eat bran or fine minerals mixed in. All this added up to poor feed conversion.

Now with the SZLH350 cattle feed processing machine in Zimbabwe, the benefits are clear:

• Pellets are uniform — cattle can’t pick out just maize.
• Bulk handling is neater — feed trucks stay cleaner.
• Pellets store longer without spoilage.
• Local farmers trust the quality more, which means stable repeat orders.

From Mash to Pellets: Practical Layout

The new cattle feed processing machine fits right into the mill’s simple line:

• Ground maize and bran flow from the hammer mill.
• A horizontal mixer blends the dry ration.
• A small steam generator feeds the pellet conditioner.
• Pellets drop straight to a simple cooler, then bagging.

There’s no complicated tower, no huge silos — just a practical setup that works.

Early Results: Local Benefits Already Visible

Since installing the pellet mill, the mill reports:

• 18% less feed wastage during transport.
• Farmers see faster weight gain in feedlot cattle.
• A small but steady stream of new orders from farmers in nearby districts.
• Better bargaining power with maize suppliers — buying larger volumes gets them better prices.

Why Not Just Flat Die? Why Ring Die?

Some farmers in Zimbabwe have tried small flat die pellet mills for cattle feed. But local results show that for maize-heavy feed with moderate bran, flat die pelletizers often:

• Overheat on long runs.
• Make uneven pellets.
• Need more downtime for cleaning.

A ring die cattle feed processing machine in Zimbabwe like the SZLH350 handles more continuous work with less maintenance headache — which is key when parts supply can be slow.

What RICHI Provided: More Than Just a Machine

RICHI Machinery didn’t just ship a box and leave. Our team:

• Guided the client on die hole size for local maize quality.
• Helped adjust steam pressure for local climate and humidity.
• Provided extra rollers and a second die for quick changeover.
• Offered step-by-step video calls when they tested the first batch.
• Delivered manuals in both English and simple diagrams so local operators could learn fast.

The Bigger Picture: Local Feed, Local Jobs

This one cattle feed processing machine in Zimbabwe has done more than improve profits for one feed mill:

• Local maize farmers have a stable buyer.
• Cattle ranchers get reliable feed year-round.
• Small transporters earn more hauling bagged pellets.
• Two new jobs were created for operators and maintenance.

It’s a small step, but exactly the kind of local solution that can help Zimbabwe’s beef industry reduce feed imports and keep money in local communities.

Should More Zimbabwean Feed Producers Do This?

Definitely. Many small feed suppliers in Bulawayo, Gweru, or Masvingo still sell dusty mash feed. A practical cattle feed processing machine in Zimbabwe upgrade helps them:

• Add value to local crops.
• Cut down transport losses.
• Build loyalty with local cattle farmers.
• Expand slowly without massive new buildings.

For a country rebuilding its livestock economy, this kind of smart investment makes sense.

RICHI: Local Support Matters

Buying a cattle feed processing machine in Zimbabwe is only the first step. RICHI is always ready to:

• Analyze your raw material samples.
• Suggest the best die configuration for your ration.
• Train your people on safe operation.
• Ship wear parts fast.
• Answer questions by video or phone — even during harvest season.

The Bottom Line: Practical, Local, Reliable

The feed mill's cattle feed processing machine in Zimbabwe is not just another piece of hardware. It’s proof that local, practical technology can help small feed producers stand up to big imports and keep local cattle healthy.

Ready to Start? RICHI Is Here

Whether you run a feed mill, a cattle farm, or a farmer cooperative, you too can benefit from a practical cattle feed pellet mill, cattle feed pellet press, or cattle feed pelletizer — built for real African conditions.

Contact RICHI Machinery today — let’s help Zimbabwe’s beef sector grow stronger, one pellet at a time.