Calculation of FPQF
Calculation of the Feed Pellet Quality Factor (FPQF) indicates how well a feed formulation will pellet. The level of acceptability is the feed producer’s decision and will depend on market area, production constraints, feed type, availability of raw materials, etc.
We see 4.7 as a 'reference' FPQF-value. A FPQF below 4.7 usually means pellet quality problems, unless a higher than normal amount of electrical energy is used. Our pellet binders, Ameri-Bond 2X (in North America) and LignoBond DD (other regions) work very well in such feeds, since they will help improve pellet durability/quality.
A FPQF above 4.7 indicates that there is room to lift/increase production capacity. We recommend our unique processing aid PellTech for such formulations, as PellTech will make feeds that are hard to pellet ‘run faster’.
Example 1: FPQF-calculation of a duck feed
| Inclusion (%) | PQF | FPQF | |
| Maize meal | 16.0 | 5.00 | 0.80 |
| Rice (rough) | 35.0 | 5.00 | 1.75 |
| Soybean meal | 30.0 | 4.00 | 1.20 |
| Vegetable oil | 0.5 | -40.00 | -0.20 |
| Fish meal | 5.0 | 4.00 | 0.20 |
| Mins + Vits | 3.5 | 2.00 | 0.07 |
| Rice bran | 10.0 | 2.00 | 0.20 |
| 100.0 | |||
| Total FPQF | 4.02 |
With an FPQF below 4.7, this feed is likely to have a poor pellet durability/quality and would benefit from the inclusion of Ameri-Bond 2X/LignoBond DD (see above).
Example 2: FPQF-calculation of a dairy feed
| Inclusion (%) | PQF | FPQF | |
| Maize gluten feed | 13.0 | 3.0 | 0.39 |
| Citrus pulp | 22.5 | 7.0 | 1.58 |
| Distillers grains – maize | 6.0 | 3.0 | 0.18 |
| Barley meal | 20.0 | 5.0 | 1.00 |
| Palm kernel meal | 10.0 | 6.0 | 0.60 |
| Rapeseed meal | 6.0 | 6.0 | 0.36 |
| Minerals | 2.5 | 2.0 | 0.05 |
| Wheat meal | 20.0 | 8.0 | 1.60 |
| 100.0 | |||
| Total FPQF | 5.76 |
With an FPQF above 4.7, this feed is likely to be hard to pellet and production rate is therefore significantly lower than press capacity. This formulation would benefit from the inclusion of PellTech (see above).
Calculate the Feed Pellet Quality Factor of your own feeds by using our online FPQF Calculator!