M6205 - Alfalfa dehydrating - excluding harvesting

Operational Details
Alfalfa or forage processing incorporates various methods to process the crop, however, the most common in the province is dehydration.

Dehydration is a highly automated process that begins with a worker operating a front end loader and delivering the alfalfa onto a conveyor which carries the product to a dryer (which is similar to a cement mixing drum). The alfalfa rotates in the drum and is dried by a natural gas flame. As it moves through the drum, a fan sucks the dried alfalfa into a cyclone, or a cylindrical hopper. The alfalfa is then conveyed through a hammer mill that crushes the alfalfa into a meal-like substance. The meal then enters a pelletizer or cuber, where low heat and pressure are applied.

The pelletizer is similar to a meat grinder that forms the meal into pellets. The pellets are approximately 3/4 of an inch long and of pencil thickness. Larger pellets may also be manufactured. The alfalfa is sold in bulk, although small amounts may also be sold in bags.

SIC Codes
000000535 - Alfalfa dehydrating