Water activity is an unknown and undervalued indicator in the field of feed, but it can provide more effective information for quality control than traditional water measurement. For example, it is a key parameter related to product shelf life, taste, texture, microbiological and chemical stability. It is an important factor affecting the stability of feed storage, product research and development, production, transportation, processing, handling, and packaging.

Under certain conditions, both grain seeds and processed compound feed and premix have a certain water activity, and the growth and reproduction of various microorganisms and various chemical and biochemical reactions also need to be carried out at a certain water activity. Controlling water activity in feed is an important attribute for maintaining the structure, texture, stability, density, and water holding capacity of feed. Therefore, the measurement of water activity should be widely applied in the research, development, production, and quality control of feed raw materials, compound feed, and premix.

With the improvement of quality and competition in upstream and downstream links, water activity is widely used in the research and development, production, and storage processes of animal and poultry feed, pet feed, pellet feed, aquatic feed, powdered feed, and green storage feed.

Due to changes in temperature and humidity in the environment, factors such as microorganisms, texture, taste, appearance, aroma, nutrition, and cooking quality of feed also reflect the activity level of the feed. The decrease in water activity in feed indicates a reduction in the energy of water in the feed, which can be used for microbial growth, chemical reactions, water migration, and even a decrease in the amount of water used as a solvent.