The purpose of the International Grain & Feed Industry Academy
The purpose of the International Grain & Feed Industry Academy at Iowa State University is to develop and deliver Extension and Industry & International Outreach programs in support of the Iowa (and global) grain, feed and animal industries.
The domestic focus of the Academy is to develop and deliver ISU Extension program offerings to Iowa farmers, grain handlers, feed manufacturers, ethanol processors, soybean crushers, and allied equipment and service suppliers. Efforts include innovative and relevant workshops and short courses, continuing education programs, practical hands-on training, technology and best practices demonstrations, technical assistance, and professional credentialing onsite, off-site and virtually. Collaborators include ISU County Extension educators, Iowa Pork Industry Center, Iowa Institute for Cooperatives, ISU Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS), Agribusiness Association of Iowa (AAI), Grain & Feed Association of Illinois (GFAI), American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), National Grain & Feed Association (NGFA), other industry and commodity associations, government agencies, companies, and other universities.
The international focus of the Academy is on enhancing the market preference, consumption and utilization of Iowa (and U.S.) corn, soybean and their value-added products for the global grain, feed and animal industries. Efforts include innovative and relevant continuing education and technical assistance programs to strengthen and enhance agricultural trade linkages, develop agricultural systems and value chains, and improve global food and nutrition security. Collaborators include ISU County Extension educators, Iowa Pork Industry Center, Iowa Institute for Cooperatives, ISU Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS), Agribusiness Association of Iowa (AAI), Grain & Feed Association of Illinois (GFAI), American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), National Grain & Feed Association (NGFA), Grain Elevator & Processing Society (GEAPS), other industry and commodity associations, government agencies, companies, and other universities.
Midwest Mill Operators Conference
Dates: Evening of Monday April 13 - Wednesday, April 15, 2026
The 2026 Midwest Mill Operators Conference will be held April 13–15 in Ames, Iowa, at the Gateway Conference Center, bringing together feed and grain industry professionals for focused, practical learning and networking. Sessions will cover mill operations, maintenance, grain processing, liquid systems, trucking efficiency, safety, team management, and regulatory updates, along with insights from industry experts and a state inspector’s perspective. The post-conference tour will include a site visit to the ISU Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex.
Website: https://midwest-millops.com/
Grain Conditioning School
Dates: Wednesday, March 11, 2026
A one-day Grain Conditioning School focused on improving stored grain quality will be held on March 11, 2026, at Iowa State University’s Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex in Ames, Iowa. This hands-on training program is designed to help grain industry stakeholders improve grain quality, reduce shrink losses, and increase profitability. The school will address the natural hydration of stored grain, including corn and soybeans, to appropriate moisture levels to minimize shrink costs and reduce losses from field drying. By improving grain quality, participants can potentially gain additional bushels and receive higher market value for their grain.
Participants will receive practical, in-depth instruction in:
- Grain conditioning concepts and planning
- Use of weather data for aeration management
- Using sensors and mobile apps for aeration scheduling
- Detection of storage hotspots
- Fan sizing and aeration requirements
- Handling grain in different-sized bins
Equipment and technology providers will be part of the training and will showcase innovative grain conditioning technologies.
The event is sponsored by Shivvers, SYNK powered by Sukup, Tri-States Grain Conditioning, AGI Digital, and Brock Grain Systems.
Advanced Feed and Milling Short Course Offered
A new advanced short course for feed manufacturing and milling is being offered for grain, feed, animal and bioproducts industry professionals. The five-day course will provide instruction utilizing the state-of-the-art facilities at the Iowa State University Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex in Ames, Iowa.
IGFIA Advanced Feed Manufacturing & Mill Management Short Course
May 11-15, 2026
ISU Kent Feed Mill and Grain Complex
Ames, Iowa
Course Fee - $1750
Registration Open Now - Registration Online
The course will cover:
· Principles of Hammer and Roller Milling
· Maintaining Quality of Stored Grains, DDGS, SBM and Ingredients
· Principles of Batching and Mixing
· Utilization of Plant Automation Systems
· Principles of Steam Generation, Distribution and Regulation
· Mash Conditioning, Hygienizing and Pelleting
· Cooling, Crumbling, and Post-Pelleting Liquid Applications
· Optimizing Feed Mill Operations and Moisture Management
· Benchmarking Feed Mill Performance and Profitability
· Implementing Quality Management, Feed Safety and Biosecurity Plans
The course also will provide hands-on training and a facility tour. Additional details and information can be found on the short course registration site.
Recent workshops, short courses and hands-on training topics have included:
· Advances in Feed Technology (Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics)
· Aqua Feed Manufacturing
· Ethanol Production, DDGS and Co-Products Utilization
· Extrusion Technology
· Feed Mash Conditioning, Hygienizing and Pelleting Processes
· Feed Safety and Quality Management
· FSMA Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) Certification
· Grain Entrapment Prevention and Rescue
· Grains, Co-Products and Ingredients Storage, Monitoring and Management
· Grinding, Mixing and Batching Processes
· Materials Handling and Equipment Maintenance
· Mill Operations Management
· Regulatory Compliance
· Steam Generation, Distribution, Utilization and Control
Our faculty, staff and industry collaborators are internationally recognized experts in storage, handling, transportation, purchasing, risk mitigation, operations management, processing, equipment maintenance, nutrition and utilization of U.S. grains, oilseeds and their value-added products. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss your training, market development and technical assistance needs. For more information contact Dr. Dirk E. Maier or Camille Schroeder (feedmill@iastate.edu)
Academy Faculty and Content Experts
Dr. Dirk E. Maier, Professor & Director – Grain Handling, Drying & Storage; Feed Technology; Bulk Materials & Ingredients Handling
Ms. Camille Schroeder, Associate Director – Programs Coordination; Course Registrations; Business Administration
Ms. Esther Akoto, Lecturer – Quality Control; Feed Safety; Regulatory Compliance; Risk Management; Hazard Analysis & Preventive Controls; FSMA PCQI Certified
Mr. Anthony (Tony) Ewing, Senior Lecturer – Feed Technology; Mill Management; Equipment Maintenance; Mill Automation & Control; FSMA PCQI Certified
Mr. David Fairfield, Senior Lecturer – Feed Safety; Regulatory Compliance; Risk Management; Hazard Analysis & Preventive Control; FSMA PCQI Animal Food Trainer
Mr. Robert Marlow, Senior Lecturer – Grain Operations Management; Bulk Materials & Ingredients Handling; Equipment Maintenance
Dr. Gretchen Mosher, Professor – Feed Safety; Regulatory Compliance; Risk Management; Hazard Analysis & Preventive Controls; FSMA PCQI Animal Food Trainer
Dr. George Obeng-Akrofi, Lecturer – Feed Technology; Bulk Materials & Ingredients Handling; Monitoring & Measurement Technology; Mill Automation & Control; FSMA PCQI Certified
Mr. Younus Sabbir, Lecturer – Grain Handling, Drying & Storage; Bulk Materials & Ingredients Handling; Monitoring & Measurement Technology