Released: March 12, 2002

K-State Feed Short Course Updates Industry

MANHATTAN, Kan. – It’s as true for livestock as it is for humans – "you are what you eat." And to make a high quality livestock feed in a cost-efficient manner is an ongoing learning process.

For that reason, Kansas State University’s Department of Grain Science and Industry, along with the American Feed Industry Association, will offer its 17th Feed Manufacturing Short Course June 3-13, 2002.

In years past, the short course has drawn a total of 717 attendees from 34 countries, including participants from almost every feed manufacturing company in the United States, said Tim Herrman, K-State Research and Extension state leader in grain science and short course coordinator.

"We incorporate a lot of hands-on learning activities. We now spend about 20 hours learning through doing," he said. The remaining 46 hours are spent with K-State faculty and industry leaders sharing their knowledge of the industry through presentations on every cost center in the feed manufacturing process.

Lab sessions include work in grinding and particle size evaluation; mycotoxin analysis; mixing and pelleting; extrusion; steam; microscopy; and safety.

Participants are challenged to identify five ways in which they will incorporate the information they receive at the opening banquet. As a "final exam"everyone writes down the five new ideas they plan to implement. Then they receive a survey one year later to follow-up on their progress.

Gerry Faucher, corporate engineer with Blue Seal Feeds, Londonderry, N.H. said he had used the short course information to improve the air quality in a minerals packaging room at one of Blue Seal’s plants, and had documented the ingredients receiving flow diagrams for another plant as part of a project to replace an ingredient tank. Faucher attended the 2000 course.

"Since returning from the short course, we have implemented a much more detailed quality control program for both incoming ingredients and finished products," said Corey Illman, sales manager with Kenpal Farm Products, Inc. of Centralia, Ontario, Canada. "We have started to ask people in all levels of our company their thoughts on new ideas and products before implementing them."

In addition to benefitting from increased knowledge, short course participants develop professional contacts that serve them throughout their careers. "Most, if not all of the alumni feel an attachment to K-State after completing the short course, as do we toward the participants," said Herrman.

The $1,950 short course registration fee covers two weeks of instruction at K-State’s Manhattan campus, including all course materials, a copy of the textbook "Feed Manufacturing Technology IV" and numerous meals.

Registration forms for the 2002 short course are available at www.oznet.ksu.edu/grsiext/htm or may be requested by calling Herrman at 785-532-4082, or send email to tjh@ksu.edu. Forms also are available through Brian Bursiek at AFIA at 703-524-0810.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Mary Lou Peter, Communications Specialist
mlpeter@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News