VA SizeMatters

VA SizeMatters is a Patented sieving machine for automated and ongoing analyze of particle size in finished feed.

VA SizeMatters takes a sample from the mixer and sieves using 3-, 2- and 1mm screens. The process is performed during production. When the particle size is not in desired grinding profile range, an alarm is sent, and the operator adjusts the mill settings to optimize the grinding.

Real-Time Feed Analysis – Anytime, Anywhere

A huge advantage of VA SizeMatters is that this device is fully automatic. It doesn’t require any manual work. The sieve takes the sample after the mixer and delivers it back to the production line. The results are sent to an interface which can be accessed in every internet browser. You don’t need any program on your computer, just an internet connection. Everyone can access data from anywhere – operators from the control room, nutritionists from the office, consultants from another country, etc.

In addition, a camera is installed above the 3 mm sieve. It is important to follow this fraction, as animals are not digesting full grains. Therefore, full grain in finished feed is a money waste. It also allows us to see any damages in the production line and react fast. In theory this fraction should be empty, but not in real life. Thanks to VA SizeMatters we can now see the fragments appearing.

Innovative character

Until now the determination of particle size was performed by either dry or wet analyzes. This test was only possible after feed was produced, which didn’t allow for any adjustment during the production process. The analyze of the sample was performed quite some time after the actual production – often also after the delivery. Furthermore, an employee was dedicated only to make sieve analyzes, which was an important task, but at a high cost.

After implementation of VA SizeMatters in Vestjylland Andel’s feed factories, work, which was made before in lab after the production, has been moved into the production line.

Positive experience with VA SizeMatters used in our own factories led to development of a smaller and cheaper model, which can assist private farmers who cover their feed needs themselves.

This brought second model of VA SzieMatters to the portfolio.

State of art

VA SizeMatters gives the possibility to react and adjust mills while the feed is still in the production. This gives the sureness that feed leaving the feedmill is produced in the desired particle size. Making the feed correct in the first time allows to reduce feed waste and overproduction.

Pigs’ stomachs are very fragile. It only takes a few days to disturb its balance, but on the other hand it takes months to recover. And there is no medicine for it. It can only be solved with correctly grinded feed.

VA SizeMatters runs constant analyzes to ensure that the delivered feed will not cause any damage to the animals, and at the same time will be used by them as efficient as possible in order to reduce the feed consumption. In other words: Thanks to VA SizeMatters we can make a difference in both animal welfare and environmental.

Pro Insights on VA SizeMatters

Hear from an industry expert! After 3 years of using VA SizeMatters, feed factory manager shares how it transformed his production—from unpredictable particle sizes to full control and efficiency.

Expert Insights

In my view, VA SizeMatters is breaking news in the feed industry. The concept contributes to constant monitoring of feed particle size and enables immediate adjustments. All this aims to produce and develop feed that mazimizes feed utilization in pigs while taking gut health into consideration to avoid problems like stomach ulcers.

Thomas Sønderby Bruun

Chief Consultant, SEGES Innovation

The development of SizeMatters for controlling and changing FPS while producing pig feed provides an opportunity for continuously optimizing the pig feed utilization but at the same time to avoid delivery of feed with too fine FPS to the farmers, which could cause an increase the prevalence of stomach ulcers, and thus, negatively affect welfare.

Anja Varmløse Strathe

Associate Professor, Københavns Universitet

I am very satisfied with the experiences that VA SizeMatters has given us so far. Previously, we took samples every quarter, and now we can follow the grinding in real-time.
This way, we avoid making feed that is either too coarse or too fine, which can lead to ulcers. So the machine helps us address problems early on.

Niels Overgaard

Danish Pig Producer, Enggaarden