Industry Code: 01602
This industry covers the processing of forage crops and includes any harvesting conducted by the processor. This industry also includes the harvesting, processing and bagging or baling of peat moss.
Operation Details:
Forage processing is primarily related to alfalfa or timothy hay and incorporates various methods to transform the product to an economical size for handling and transportation.
Processing methods include:
- pelletizing (alfalfa)
- cubing (sun-cured alfalfa)
- compression or double compression (timothy hay)
Alfalfa pelletizing and cubing plants are quite similar and are highly automated. One worker is situated at a control panel and the other operates a front-end loader. A front-end loader typically carries the harvested alfalfa to a feeder (conveyor) which pushes it into a dryer, 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. Sun-cured alfalfa does not require the same degree of dehydration, if at all. A cyclone is a cylindrical hopper used to hold the alfalfa prior to it going through a hammer mill, which reduces it to a meal. The alfalfa meal then enters a pelletizer or cuber, where low heat and pressure are applied. The outlet of a pelletizer/cuber is similar to that of a meat grinder which forms the meal into pellets. Pellets/cubes are then sold in bulk form, although a small amount is sold in bags.
The processing of timothy hay (commonly used for feed) utilizes compression or double compression processes and results in a product referred to as densified hay. In some cases, round bales are unrolled and chopped prior to being fed into a compression chamber where the hay is compressed into two feet squares. In cases where square bales are used, the chopping process is eliminated. Bales are moved from the storage area by forklift and placed on a conveyor. The twine is automatically sliced as the bale moves into the compression chamber. The bale, with hydraulics, is reduced to about half the size, again two feet squares. Once "rebaled", the compressed bales are palletized by hand and then transferred by forklift to tractor-trailer units for delivery.
Harvesting peat moss is usually done by mobile equipment that vacuums the peat moss. On occasion this process involves draining the marsh or bog where the peat moss is located, clearing the land, digging or harvesting the peat.
Once peat moss is harvested, it is trucked to a processing site and stockpiled. The peat moss is moved by front-end loader into the plant for processing. Using automated equipment, moisture is pressed out and the peat moss is cleaned and graded by passing over large shaker units. After grading, the peat moss is bagged for distribution.
Equipment used can include mobile equipment, trucks, process equipment and machinery, balers and bagging equipment and storage facilities. Staff can include operators, drivers, laborers, equipment/maintenance personnel and sales and office administration staff.
Underwriting Considerations:
Businesses in this industry do not seed or grow crops; instead, crops are grown by others under contract.
Businesses which specialize solely in the harvesting of Forage or Peat Moss with no processing are classified in Industry 01601 – Harvesting/Baling – Custom.
Employers using the pelletizing method are usually involved in the harvesting of alfalfa. This is required to coordinate the harvesting with the processing, to ensure the alfalfa has a minimum moisture content needed for pelletizing. Harvest activity, when conducted by the processor, are considered part of this industry.
Businesses which only operate mobile equipment in harvesting peat moss are classified in Operation of Mobile Equipment, Industry 40604. In bogs where peat moss is found, barge-type units may be used for harvesting. Businesses which only operate these barges are classified in Industry 40604.
Premium Rate History:
Activities:
Alfalfa Cubing (Including Harvesting)
Alfalfa, Pelletized, Mfg (Including Harvesting)
Compressed Hay Mfg (Including Harvesting)
Forage Processing (Including Harvesting)
Hay Compression (Including Harvesting)
Hay Processing (Including Harvesting)
Hay Processing (Including Harvesting)
Peat Moss, Harvesting and Processing
Processing and Harvesting of Peat Moss
Rate Group History:
In 2016, new rate groups were established to better define the various types of farming operations being conducted in Alberta. Rate group 016100 encompasses industries that pertain to the farming of field crops.
This industry covers the processing of forage crops and includes any harvesting conducted by the processor. This industry also includes the harvesting, processing and bagging or baling of peat moss.
Premium Rate History:
Activities:
Alfalfa Cubing (Including Harvesting)
Alfalfa, Pelletized, Mfg (Including Harvesting)
Compressed Hay Mfg (Including Harvesting)
Forage Processing (Including Harvesting)
Hay Compression (Including Harvesting)
Hay Processing (Including Harvesting)
Hay Processing (Including Harvesting)
Peat Moss, Harvesting and Processing
Processing and Harvesting of Peat Moss
Operation Details:
Forage processing is primarily related to alfalfa or timothy hay and incorporates various methods to transform the product to an economical size for handling and transportation.
Processing methods include:
- pelletizing (alfalfa)
- cubing (sun-cured alfalfa)
- compression or double compression (timothy hay)
Alfalfa pelletizing and cubing plants are quite similar and are highly automated. One worker is situated at a control panel and the other operates a front-end loader. A front-end loader typically carries the harvested alfalfa to a feeder (conveyor) which pushes it into a dryer, 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. Sun-cured alfalfa does not require the same degree of dehydration, if at all. A cyclone is a cylindrical hopper used to hold the alfalfa prior to it going through a hammer mill, which reduces it to a meal. The alfalfa meal then enters a pelletizer or cuber, where low heat and pressure are applied. The outlet of a pelletizer/cuber is similar to that of a meat grinder which forms the meal into pellets. Pellets/cubes are then sold in bulk form, although a small amount is sold in bags.
The processing of timothy hay (commonly used for feed) utilizes compression or double compression processes and results in a product referred to as densified hay. In some cases, round bales are unrolled and chopped prior to being fed into a compression chamber where the hay is compressed into two feet squares. In cases where square bales are used, the chopping process is eliminated. Bales are moved from the storage area by forklift and placed on a conveyor. The twine is automatically sliced as the bale moves into the compression chamber. The bale, with hydraulics, is reduced to about half the size, again two feet squares. Once "rebaled", the compressed bales are palletized by hand and then transferred by forklift to tractor-trailer units for delivery.
Harvesting peat moss is usually done by mobile equipment that vacuums the peat moss. On occasion this process involves draining the marsh or bog where the peat moss is located, clearing the land, digging or harvesting the peat.
Once peat moss is harvested, it is trucked to a processing site and stockpiled. The peat moss is moved by front-end loader into the plant for processing. Using automated equipment, moisture is pressed out and the peat moss is cleaned and graded by passing over large shaker units. After grading, the peat moss is bagged for distribution.
Equipment used can include mobile equipment, trucks, process equipment and machinery, balers and bagging equipment and storage facilities. Staff can include operators, drivers, laborers, equipment/maintenance personnel and sales and office administration staff.
Underwriting Considerations:
Businesses in this industry do not seed or grow crops; instead, crops are grown by others under contract.
Businesses which specialize solely in the harvesting of Forage or Peat Moss with no processing are classified in Industry 01601 – Harvesting/Baling – Custom.
Employers using the pelletizing method are usually involved in the harvesting of alfalfa. This is required to coordinate the harvesting with the processing, to ensure the alfalfa has a minimum moisture content needed for pelletizing. Harvest activity, when conducted by the processor, are considered part of this industry.
Businesses which only operate mobile equipment in harvesting peat moss are classified in Operation of Mobile Equipment, Industry 40604. In bogs where peat moss is found, barge-type units may be used for harvesting. Businesses which only operate these barges are classified in Industry 40604.
Rate Group History:
In 2016, new rate groups were established to better define the various types of farming operations being conducted in Alberta. Rate group 016100 encompasses industries that pertain to the farming of field crops.