Abstract: Minibulk quantities, e.g., 500-6000 pounds, of dry, free-flowing feed for large animals, e.g., horses, are delivered to small farms and ranches, e.g., less than fifteen horses, located remote from a distribution center for the feed by a method comprising the steps of: A. Filling a container sealable to the environment with a minibulk quantity of dry, free-flowing, manufactured animal feed at a distribution center for the feed, the container equipped with at least one sealable opening through which the feed can be loaded into and unloaded from the container; B. Transporting the filled container to the site remote from the center; C. Positioning the filled container onto a support rack at a location remote from the manufacturing center, the filled container positioned upon the support rack in a manner such that the feed flows under the force of gravity to the at least one sealable opening of the container; D. Recovering a container depleted of feed from the remote site; and E.

Abstract: An improved pellet mill die is disclosed which has improved production efficiency without a corresponding loss in pellet quality or durability. The die comprises a compression side, a discharge side, and a plurality of die holes extending through the die. The die holes have a countersink on the compression side, and preferably at least a portion of die holes have a relief section to thereby define a working section of the die hole where the pellet is formed, and an effective thickness for the die holes which is preferably less than the distance between the compression and discharge side of the die. The die has a ratio of effective thickness to countersink diameter of at least about 1.8 to 1 wherein the countersink diameter is at least about 137% and preferably between about 137-159% of the working section diameter.

Abstract: An improved pellet mill die is disclosed which has improved production efficiency without a corresponding loss in pellet quality or durability. The die comprises a compression side, a discharge side, and a plurality of die holes extending through the die. The die holes have a countersink on the compression side, and preferably at least a portion of die holes have a relief section to thereby define a working section of the die hole where the pellet is formed, and an effective thickness for the die holes which is preferably less than the distance between the compression and discharge side of the die. The die has a ratio of effective thickness to countersink diameter of at least about 1.8 to 1 wherein the countersink diameter is at least about 137% and preferably between about 137-159% of the working section diameter.