World Grain - December 2024 - 53

Wheat milling
Like cleaning operations, milling is subject to human intervention,
machine wear and setting. Millers are keenly aware
that flour yield based on tempered wheat to the mill is critical
to milling site success and impacts the cost of goods sold.
As previously mentioned, process control is confounded
by weight bases without consideration of moisture balance.
Variations in wheat quality are more obvious and often more
detrimental to the transformation process. Not all wheat processes
the same or provides for the same yield of high-quality
flour despite having the same " grade. " Some wheat produces
broad-flaked, low-density bulky stock at B1 and B2 that holds
onto endosperm even passing through the last break while
other wheat shatters into smaller-piece, higher-density stock
at B1 and B2, which is relatively free of endosperm at B4.
In the reduction system, endosperm reduction characteristics
are similarly varied in each of the endosperm reduction
and sifting properties. Likewise, bran released into the reduction
system easily surrenders endosperm or holds tight with or
without bran shattering.
In these instances, corrective actions taken or compromises
made may impact yield or operating performance. Reducing
mill load to compensate for poor wheat milling characteristics,
poor machine settings or maintenance increases both
fixed and variable cost of flour production, reducing an already
thin profit margin.
Conclusion
The impact of each primary functional center on dirty wheat
yield was explored and considered. In some cases, the impact
on the fixed and variable costs of manufacturing was identified.
Primary functional centers on a milling site have a bearing on
extraction or dirty wheat yield. They require timely monitoring
and management, preferably in real time.
Unfortunately, in some cases functional area performance is only
an estimate based on differences between functional area input and
one of several outputs in addition to limited data, such as in the case
of screenings or feed production or moisture content. Proper accounting
is essential in identifying control failures or opportunities
for improvement, but only when good data and measurements
properly reflect the reality of the site's overall process.
The next article in this series will explore other shortcomings
or limitations of dirty wheat yield.
Jeff Gwirtz, a milling industry consultant, is president of JAG Services, Inc.
He may be reached at jgwirtz@att.net.
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World Grain - December 2024

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