Photo credit: David Ammon/Mississippi State University.
Mississippi State University (MSU) has broken ground on a new poultry feed mill designed to strengthen feed research, student training and industry collaboration within one of the state’s largest agricultural sectors.
The modular, containerized feed mill will be located at the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station’s H.H. Leveck Animal Research Center, commonly known as South Farm. The system is being manufactured by Netherlands-based Ottevanger Milling Engineers.
The facility will allow researchers to produce controlled feed batches for poultry trials while also giving students hands-on experience in feed manufacturing operations. University officials stated that the project is intended to connect research, education and commercial application while providing room for future expansion.
"Feed and feed manufacturing account for most operational costs for poultry producers, and proper nutrition is essential to poultry health, growth and production," explained Kelley Wamsley, MSU poultry science professor and MAFES scientist. "The new feed mill will enhance our research and complement our existing commercial facilities, giving students practical experience and allowing them to better understand the industry from farm to fork."
The feed mill is expected to handle 2-3 tons per hour and will include intake, grinding, mixing and bagging capabilities, along with an integrated pelleting line supported by steam and liquid dosing systems.
Mississippi's poultry industry has played a key role in supporting the project through donations, technical guidance and participation on the feed mill advisory board, which was formed in 2020 to help evaluate proposals and guide development of the facility.
Wayne-Sanderson Farms President and CEO Kevin McDaniel stated that the company views the partnership as an investment not only in students, but in the broader poultry industry as graduates apply their training in the field.
"Wayne-Sanderson Farms is honored to partner with Mississippi State University and support one of the top poultry science programs in the nation," said McDaniel. "This impressive expansion doesn't just benefit the students; it impacts the entire poultry industry as the knowledge and training they receive go into practice in the field."
Additional project donors include Amick Farms, Aviagen, Cal-Maine Foods, Koch Foods, Mar-Jac Poultry, Novus International, Peco Foods, Phibro Animal Health, Pilgrim’s Pride and Zoetis, along with private contributors and support from MAFES.
Source: Mississippi State University Extension Service, “MSU breaks ground on new poultry feed mill”