Case Note — 2021 Collaboration (BellaEx × Modern Dairy)
In 2021, we partnered with Modern Dairy to design, build, and commission a 10 TPH steam-flaked corn line. The line processes organic steam-flaked corn exclusively for internal use across a six-ranch cluster serving ~80,000 Holstein dairy cows, with zero external sales. We completed fabrication, installation, and ramp-up to handover within one year.
Modern Dairy Group (China Modern Dairy Holdings Ltd.) was established in 2005 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2010. It focuses on large-scale dairy farming and raw milk production, operating 60+ standardized farms across 14 provinces with a controlled herd exceeding 500,000 heads and nearly 10,000 tons of fresh milk per day. The company describes itself as a leading dairy farming enterprise in China and partners strategically with Mengniu. Industry research places Modern Dairy among China’s top producers (No. 2 by raw milk output in 2023), underscoring its top-three scale and influence.
Modern Dairy Group operates a large-scale dairy cluster in Bayannur, Inner Mongolia—part of China’s “Golden Milk Belt.” The local footprint includes six ranches with roughly 80,000 Holstein dairy cows, supplying raw milk within a top-tier, vertically integrated operation. To secure high, consistent feed quality, the customer invested in two lines: a 10 TPH steam-flaked corn line and a 10 TPH ruminant feed line. Because the group manages extensive organic corn acreage, all output is for internal use only—processed on site and transferred just-in-time to adjacent ranches. We designed, built, and commissioned the system within one year, delivering stable moisture and bulk density to support uniform TMR and predictable yields.
Equipment configuration: a three-stage line—stone remover, vibrating screen, and magnetic separator—to remove impurities, gravel, and metal debris.
High-efficiency option: A Bühler moistening system can be specified as an alternative.
Key points: after water–material separation, soaked corn is conveyed to a Steam Conditioner (conditioning tower) for steam cooking. Parameter control: cooking time 45–65 minutes depending on starch type; temperature 100–108 °C (212–226 °F) at 0.15–0.25 MPa (22–36 psi); gelatinization target 65–85% by DSC; moisture increases from about 14% to 18.0 ± 0.5%, which is critical for starch gelatinization.
Flaking: cooked corn discharges directly into the flaking mill for continuous online flaking; roller surface temperature is held at 80–90 °C (176–194 °F). Thickness control: standard feed use is 1.2–1.8 mm with ±0.05 mm tolerance. Custom options include ultra-thin flakes ≤1.0 mm for high-digestibility formulas and thicker flakes ≥2.0 mm to moderate rumen degradation rate.
Operations: a horizontal dryer supplies 80–100 °C (176–212 °F) hot air for 25–28 minutes, reducing moisture from 18–19% to ≤14%. Product then passes through counterflow cooling before storage.
Packaging and logistics: bulk storage in vertical silos with moisture monitoring (typical setpoint ≤12%) and compatibility with large-scale feeding systems. Custom packaging is available, including 15–25 kg woven bags and vacuum-packed one-ton bags.
