Specialized swine nutrition and feed manufacturing course held

USSEC Soybean Meal Japan Swine Training course participants inspect the field at Bob Haselwood’s soybean farm near Berryton, Kansas. 
Nine participants from Japan traveled to IGP Institute on Sept. 22-25, 2014 for the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) Soybean Meal Japan Swine Training. The course was designed to teach nutritional components and requirements and feed manufacturing for swine through lectures, workshops, guest speakers and field trips.
“The partnership with USSEC helps those who import U.S. soybean meal to better understand its nutritional benefits and how to use it to improve their operations,” said Carlos Campabadal, IGP specialist in feed manufacturing and grain storage, and course manager.
Course participants were invited and sponsored by USSEC to increase their knowledge in the swine nutrition and feed manufacturing fields. Students were able to learn and understand amino acid concepts, the importance of using soybean meal, nutritional differences between feedstuffs and feed production in swine diets.
“This course is important in helping those in the Japanese swine industry to become more
efficient in their operations by improving nutrition and feed manufacturing,” Campabadal said.
The course included field trips where participants toured the Kansas Soybean Commission in Topeka, Kansas; Bob Haselwood’s soybean farm in Berryton, Kansas; the Triumph Packing Plant in St. Joseph, Missouri; and Midwest Ag Services in Seneca, Kansas.
Course participant Satoshi Hayashi is a company veterinarian at Hayashi Farm in Japan and said the course helped him link the biosecurity program to swine feed diets.
“I work in the health control and so I’ve been thinking more about the feed diet,” Hayashi said. “I’m interested in U.S. feed and soybeans. This course has a lot of good information.”
Kansas State University faculty members Charles Stark, Cassandra Jones, Jason Woodworth and Bob Goodband spoke to the participants about different aspects of swine nutrition.

Registration for feed manufacturing course available

Kansas State University's International Grains Program offers its feed manufacturing course to individuals in the feed industry. The course is targeted for maintenance personnel and managers of livestock, poultry, swine and agriculture facilities, as well as mill owners, managers, supervisors, merchandisers and equipment manufacturers.
"Participants come to this course to learn the new trends in feed manufacturing and to strengthen their knowledge on the important concepts that make the feed production process more efficient," says Carlos Campabadal, course coordinator and the International Grain Program's feed manufacturing and grain quality specialist.
Topics discussed during the course include grain storage, particle size reduction, extrusion, animal nutrition, pelleting, cost control and advances in feed technology. The course will include sessions in the O.H. Kruse Feed Mill and tours of the Kansas State University's animal science dairy farm.
Speakers for this course will include faculty of Kansas State University's Feed Technology group with its newest members, Charles Stark, Cassandra Jones and Carlos Campabadal. Joining them will be faculty from the university's animal sciences and industry department, Professor Emeritus Keith Behnke and Fred Fairchild of the grain science and industry department.
The one-week course will be held September 30-October 4, 2013. Visit the International Grains Program website to register and to learn about other training opportunities.

Feed ingredient supplier expands manufacturing facility

Jefo joint venture (Jefagro Technologies) announced a major expansion of its manufacturing capacity in Canada, according to company's president, Jean Fontaine.
The Canadian manufacturing facility, established in 2000, specializes in the microencapsulation technology of non-medicated feed additives.
Increasing demand for microencapsulated non-medicated feed additives prompted the 4000 square meter expansion of the manufacturing facility in Canada. The new production facility has been operational since early 2013, with the aim of doubling its exports.
Leading products are microencapsulated organic acids, essential oils and vitamins, for poultry, swine and ruminants.
Jefagro Technologies Inc. is HACCP, ISO 22000 and FAMI-Qs certified. The expansion will enable the manufacturing facility to also qualify for GMP certification.
"We have offered innovative non-medicated feed additives for the last 30 years. We are proud of this growing demand and interest of the industry for microencapsulation and for our innovative products," said Fontaine.
Jefo, with its head office located in St. Hyacinthe, Canada, promotes a full range of species-specific microencapsulated products in Canada, the U.S. and in more than 50 other countries.

AFIA, K-State hosting feed safety course

The American Feed Industry Association, along with the International Grains Program of the Department of Grain Science and Industry at Kansas State University, has partnered to offer "Advanced Feed Manufacturing Focusing on Feed Safety," February 18-21, 2013, in Manhattan, Kan.
The short course targets individuals with feed industry experience who understand the basic principles of feed manufacturing. The interactive course is taught by a unique blend of instructors who provide industry professionals in-depth training on the specifics of feed manufacturing and safety. K-State, in partnership with AFIA and the National Grain and Feed Association, has held feed manufacturing short courses since 1976.
A registration form can be found at www.afia.org.

Kansas State University International Grains Program announces 2013 schedule

Building on the traditions of providing high technology training opportunities in the areas of feed manufacturing and grain management, grain marketing and risk management, and flour milling and grain processing is something the International Grains Program at Kansas State University is aiming for in 2013, according to organizers.
“We are excited about the course offerings for 2013,” said Mark Fowler, International Grains Program associate director. “We strive to be the pulse of the industry by adapting our programs to meet its changing needs.” The 2013 schedule features the program's standard courses, and builds on the momentum that was set in 2012, according to Fowler. A growth area has been in the distance learning curriculum. The program offered its first introduction to flour milling distance course in 2011 and offered it again in 2012. For the 2013 distance learning, the program will be offering the first-time introduction to flour milling all in Spanish.
For more information or to register, visit the program online. For on-site training questions, contact Cathy McGlothin, program coordinator, at 785-532-4070. For distance learning offering questions, contact Brandi Miller, distance education coordinator, at 785-532-4053.

Southern Africa sees opportunities for feed manufacturing growth

Participants from four countries came together to discuss growth opportunities for Southern Africa and improve their knowledge of feed manufacturing, sharing knowledge and comparing operations at the first-ever Southern Africa Feed Manufacturing Training Activity held March 5–9 at the Kansas State University International Grains Program Conference Center.
Extrusion basics, record keeping and batching and mixing were among the topics discussed during the course. “There is a lot of opportunity in Southern Africa for growth," said course manager Carlos Campabadal. "If we can help them gain a better understanding of how to run their operations, or just do their job better, the whole industry benefits. This particular group seemed to enjoy sharing information among each other by telling stories and experiences they’ve had."
As a director and manager for a family business, participant Hellen Zalira said she found the field trips to feed manufacturing operations the most beneficial part of the course. “We’re expanding our feed operation to include swine due to the Chinese coming into our country and their interest in this species," said Zalira. "I liked seeing the ingredients that the operations here use to produce this kind of feed." Peer interaction was also a plus. “We learn from each other," she said. "I learned a lot from my colleagues and identified opportunities that exist among them. Networking opportunities back home just aren’t there."
For more information about other International Grains Program course offerings go to www.ksu.edu/igp.

ExtruAfrica 2012 to address extrusion as food, feed processing instrument

Participants experiencing food and feed extrusion by seeing how the technology works, as well as touching and tasting the end-products, during one of ExtruAfrica’s previous training events.

ExtruAfrica 2012, an international conference and practical training seminar on extrusion technology applied in food and feed manufacturing, will focus on the topic "a global perspective on food and feed extrusion for Africa."
The event, which will be presented by the Centre of Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing of the North-West University’s Potchefstroom Campus at the Protea Hotel Kruger Gate in Mpumalanga, South Africa from July 31 to August 3, will include a two-day practical training seminar on food, feed and pet food extrusion and a two-day international conference on food and feed extrusion. Keynote speakers will be:


• World-renowned extrusion expert Dr. Mian Riaz from Texas A & M University
• Mr. Norman Mokoena, member of the Executive Council responsible for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
• Professor Herman van Schalkwyk, well-known agricultural economist and rector at the NWU’s Potchefstroom Campus 

Environmental Protection Agency revises feed mill emission standards

The Environmental Protection Agency issued a direct final rule on Dec. 23, 2011 to revise certain provisions of the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Prepared Feed Manufacturing. The direct final rule, which became effective Feb. 21, revises an earlier rule the agency finalized in 2010 that requires general housekeeping practices and sets efficiency standards for cyclones that operate on pellet mills. The rule applies to facilities that produce more than 50 tons of feed per day and also add magnesium or chromium to their feed. The earlier 2010 regulation required facilities to formally certify that existing pellet mill cyclones were designed to reduce emissions of particulate matter by at least 95 percent. The American Feed Industry Association, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association and National Grain and Feed Association were able to demonstrate to the Environmental Protection Agency that the three alternatives for complying with the certification mandate for existing cyclones were problematic and often impossible. The certification requirement would force the replacement of a large universe of existing, properly functioning cyclone units. The agency confirmed in the direct final rule that it was not its intent for the industry to replace existing cyclones. Although the direct final rule maintains the certification requirements for new cyclones, it significantly revises requirements for existing cyclones. Under the streamlined measure, existing facilities will be required operate cyclones in accordance with good air pollution control practices. The direct final rule also simplifies inspection and documentation requirements and clarifies earlier provisions pertaining to bulk load and the operation of doors.  

JBS United, DeKalb Feeds partner on feed manufacturing

JBS United and DeKalb Feeds have entered into a joint venture, Central Nutrition Services LLC, focusing on manufacturing livestock feeds and nutritional supplements for both JBS and DeKalb and their customers throughout the Midwest. 
The venture takes advantage of an existing Frytown, Iowa, mill facility which DeKalb acquired in September 1996, and which has never been fully utilized. According to Doug Webel, COO of JBS, the mill can be operated more efficiently and cost-effectively by combining the companies' efforts.
The facility also includes a large warehouse space and office space, which will allow the new company to grow and accommodate more production, according to the partners. The mill’s central location is expected to allow JBS to react to customer needs more effectively and efficiently. 

Balchem gains FAMI-QS certification for North American animal feed plants

Balchem Animal Nutrition and Health has gained FAMI-QS certification for its North American feed plants, putting them on par with the company's already-certified European manufacturing facility.
The FAMI-QS program is designed to help streamline U.S. exports with European feed and ingredient customers. "The FAMI-QS certification is an important part of our continued commitment to our customers in the [European Union]," said Vice President and General Manager Dana Putnam. "By acquiring the FAMI-QS certificate for our North American facilities we can ensure our customers that all of our products are meeting the highest standard of regulatory feed requirements set forth by the 183/2005 regulations of the European Commission."
Prior to achieving this status, the Balchem plants held FEMAS certification.

AFIA offering 'Fundamentals of Feed Manufacturing' distance education program

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) will be offering a new distance learning program, "Fundamentals of Feed Manufacturing," in conjunction with Kansas State University in January 2011.
The five-week course will provide an in-depth look at feed manufacturing and will be offered completely online. It will cost $499 for AFIA members and $685 for non-members, and course size is limited to 50 participants. To register, visit www.afia.org.