How do I check a feed mill’s mixing equipment and batch records?

A feed mill sells consistency. Start by asking for a list of mixers, grinders, conveyors, scales and bins, with age, repair history and replacement plans. Ask a millwright to check wear on paddles, bearings and motors. Dust control and housekeeping are worth a look too, as they show how the plant is looked after day to day.

Batch records tell you whether the plant does what it says. Pick a few recent batches at random and trace them from the recipe through to the delivery. Look for missing entries, handwritten corrections, scale adjustments and notes on contamination or mix-ups. Ask what happens when a customer complains.

Ask how recipes and customer formulas are stored, and who knows them. If the know-how sits with one person, ask how it would be passed on. Equipment financing or leases may also matter, so ask your lawyer to check what is attached to the plant. Ask also how the mill handles a mistake, such as a wrong ingredient or a mislabelled bag. A calm, practised answer is reassuring.

Key takeaways

• Watch a batch being made and trace it through the paperwork, from recipe to delivery.
• Ask a millwright to check mixers, scales and motors for wear, and to comment on dust control.
• Find out who holds the recipes and how complaints are handled.
• Ask how the mill handles a mix-up, and who is told when one happens.