October 15, 2013
New feed technology innovation centre opens in Kansas, USA
The newly completed O.H. Kruse Feed Technology Innovation Centre at Kansas State University was opened last Friday (Oct 11).
The Centre worth USD$12.3 million, built by McCownGordon Construction, is a joint project of the Department of Grain Science and Industry and the Department of Animal Science and Industry. It is one of Kansas State''s top priorities as it works to become a top 50 public research university by 2025.
The Kruse Family of Goshen, California provided the lead gift of US$2 million to honour the company founder O.H. Kruse, who was a strong believer in the importance of education in preparing the next generation of feed industry professionals. Additional funds came from the State of Kansas, the Kansas Bioscience Authority, Kansas State University and K-State''s College of Agricultural Experiment Station, which provided in total US$10 million in funding required for the new facility.
"The Feed Technology Innovation Centre will greatly benefit not only the industry, but our students and faculty as well. It is critical for our future success," said Dirk Maier, Professor and Head of the Department of Grain Science and Industry and Director of the International Grains Programme. The building will permit production of all necessary research needs for the Department of Animal Science on its research farms, and will offer contract and graduate level research and related teaching.
"The design of this building makes it unique and allow us to meet the educational needs for the future of the feed industry," Maier said. In building the feed mill, focus was placed on flexibility to accommodate new equipment and prototypes as they are being developed for current and future students. A smaller research feed mill area is embedded in the facility, providing more opportunities for students and scientists to conduct feed safety research. This facility can accommodate any type of processing research and data acquisition that is needed, from an industrial client to a university scientist using the new facility.