U of I to Open Animal Feed Ingredients Innovation Hub

The University of Illinois plans to construct a new research facility for animal feed ingredients in Urbana, IL near its College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (College of ACES) campus under a public-private partnership to advance the state’s position in the animal nutrition industry.

“The new Feed Technology Center will significantly expand our capabilities in the animal nutrition space, which is critical to developing new diets that utilize novel ingredients, improve production efficiency in livestock and poultry, and enhance the health and wellbeing of animals, including dogs and cats,” Rodney Johnson, head of U of I’s Department of Animal Sciences, said in a press release announcing the plan. 

Upon completion, the university’s Feed Technology Center will produce 8000 tn/yr of small-batch research diets and offer a range of services including diet formulations, milling, processing of ingredients, pre-mxing and mixing, pelleting, extrusions, and bagging. 

“The Feed Technology Center is a game-changing asset that will elevate our ability to conduct innovative research while training the next generation of experts in feed science and animal nutrition,” College of ACES Dean Kim Kidwell said in a statement. “This facility, along with increased capacity in precision animal management, will advance our capabilities to perform industry-relevant research designed to support food production while ensuring animal wellbeing.”

Students will be able to use the new facility to gain hands-on experience prior to entering the workforce. New courses are being created for undergraduate and graduate students at the university to compliment the new facility, including offerings on food processing technology.  

U of I said construction on the site is slated to begin early next year, reaching completion by early 2020. 

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