TECHNOLOGY FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE March 2026 71 can lead to a decrease in the energy value of the feed and a reduction in palatability. Furthermore, vitamins and certain functional components are extremely sensitive to storage conditions. Traditional storage systems are generally built upon routine manual inspections, fixed aeration schedules, and limited data tracking. This method, which fails to meet modern-day requirements, makes it difficult to detect sudden risk changes in the storage environment in a timely manner. In contrast, storage in the modern feed industry has moved beyond being a static process; it has evolved into a field of continuous surveillance and technology-driven quality management. Storage Must Actively Contribute to Quality Preservation Evaluating the reasons behind this evolution, Alfonso Garrido, CEO of Symaga, explains why modern storage has become a critical control point in the production chain: “The feed industry is operating in a far more demanding environment than ever before. Raw materials travel longer distances, climate variability is more pronounced, and quality standards are increasingly strict. Under these conditions, storage is no longer a passive phase between production and processing — it is a critical control point that directly impacts feed safety, nutritional value, and profitability.” “The fundamental challenge is maintaining stability in a living biological product. Variations in temperature and moisture inside a silo can trigger condensation, microbial growth, oxidation of fats, nutrient degradation, and ultimately mycotoxin development. Even minor fluctuations can create localized “hot spots” that compromise an entire batch,” says Garrido, continuing: “Traditional storage approaches were largely reactive: periodic manual checks, limited monitoring points, and corrective actions taken after a problem appeared. Today, this is not sufficient. The industry requires continuous monitoring, predictive capability, and structural solutions that minimize risk from the outset. Storage infrastructure must actively contribute to quality preservation, not simply contain the product.” EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES IN STORAGE At the heart of current feed storage technologies lie sensor-based monitoring systems. These systems measure temperature, relative humidity, oxygen, and carbon dioxide levels within silos and warehouses in real-time, enabling monitoring via digital platforms. These sensors typically operate integrated with IoT (Internet of Things) infrastructure. This allows operators to track storage conditions remotely and receive instant alerts when pre-defined threshold values are exceeded. This approach provides the opportunity for preventive control rather than intervening after problems have already emerged. Another key component of next-generation storage systems is automated aeration and temperature control solutions. These systems analyze environmental conditions and activate only at optimal times. In doing so, they both reduce the risk of moisture condensation and molding while preventing unnecessary energy consumption. Furthermore, smart silo solutions enable the detection of "hot spots" by digitally mapping different zones within the silo. Working in tandem with digital traceability applications, these systems make it possible to record the storage conditions for every single batch. Toward Smart, Connected, and Automated Systems Providing information on the emerging technologies in feed and raw material storage, Garrido shares Alfonso Garrido Symaga
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNjkxNQ==