Procedures Good mixing begins with an understanding of the equipment used. The continuous mixing systems used on swine farms are metering mills. These mills meter ingredients into a mixing auger in set proportions. Batch mixing systems mix a set amount depending on their capacity.
Most continuous systems are stationary, while batch systems can be stationary or portable.
Mixing procedures are totally different for batch and continuous systems. The big advantage of a continuous mixing system is its automatic operation. Once you start the mill, it mixes until it runs out of ingredients, fills a finished feed bin, or is turned off. The main unit of this system is the proportioner, which controls the volume of each ingredient added. This proportioner must be routinely calibrated for the proper mix.