MANHATTAN, Kan. — Here in the Heartland the animals must be fed, and they must be fed tons, literally. So how better to learn the nuances of large scale industrial feed than witnessing a running feed mill up close?
Twenty-nine participants from eight countries did just that and more when they attended the feed manufacturing course held on July 7-10, 2015 to improve their knowledge of the feed industry. Feed mill supervisors and managers, plant operators, quality assurance managers, nutritionists and supplement manufacturers were some of the individuals who attended the training.
“Taking this course, participants were able to learn the new trends in feed manufacturing and to strengthen their knowledge on the crucial concepts that make the feed production process more effective,” says Carlos Campabadal, Feed Manufacturing and Grain Management Curriculum Manager and course manager.
The four-day course focused on grain storage, particle size reduction, batching and mixing, extrusion, animal nutrition, pelleting, quality control and advances in feed technology. The course encompassed lectures, workshops and tours of the O.H. Kruse Feed Mill and Kansas State’s dairy facilities.
Course participant Peter Dehn, feed mill manager from KJMM Pork & Grain, appreciates the networking opportunities he will gain by attending an IGP Institute course. New to the industry, Dehn decided to attend the course to understand what his employees’ jobs entail.
“The fact that we can communicate back with IGP Institute after the course, that’s fantastic. This has been a top-notch, professional and classy course, top to bottom,” says Dehn.
Fellow course participant Ayoola Oduntan, group managing director of three companies, national president of the Poultry Association of Nigeria adds, “I’m now better equipped to manage the feed complex. I’m definitely going to get some of our managers to attend this course.”
Oduntan praises the work done by the IGP Institute, noting its positive impact on the feed industry.
“It’s comforting to know there is an organization like this that is working toward improving the standards and quality of feed milling around the world,” says Oduntan.
Oduntan jokes about needing to sleep for two days after the course, but is serious about making a return visit.
“I had a great time here. This is my first time in Kansas, and I’m looking forward to coming back soon,” says Oduntan.
In addition to feed manufacturing and grain quality management, the IGP Institute offers courses in the areas of flour milling and grain processing, and grain marketing and risk management. To learn more about other training opportunities offered through the IGP Institute, please visit the IGP website at www.grains.k-state.edu/igp.
— Jacob Miller, Kansas State University’s IGP Institute
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