ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, US — The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) recognized Keith Behnke, PhD, with the AFIA-Kansas State University Feed Manufacturing Lifetime Achievement Award.

During AFIA’s fall board of directors virtual meeting on Oct. 21, Gary Huddleston, director of feed manufacturing and regulatory affairs at the AFIA, presented the award to Behnke for his lifelong contributions to the feed industry through business and education.

“Dr. Behnke has spent over 40 years working in the feed and grain industry, making him more than deserving of this award,” Huddleston said. “I first met Dr. Behnke in 1988 when I attended a feed short course at Kansas State University. I’ve always respected Dr. Behnke as a great educator of future industry professionals. He has been a great representative of our industry over his career.”

The award honors US animal food industry retirees, or those who are no longer serving the industry or allied industries, who have made a significant contribution to the animal food manufacturing business in the United States throughout their careers. Individuals are nominated in the areas of business, science and technology. The AFIA and KSU first presented the award in 1995 and only 20 individuals have received the award to date.

Behnke began his career in the industry working as a processing research coordinator at Far Mar Co. in Hutchinson, Kansas, US. In August 1977, he began teaching and research duties at KSU. During his career at KSU, Behnke advised over 150 undergraduates, 18 doctorate and more than 20 masters students in feed science. He has published many scientific and press articles, presented papers at more than 120 conferences and symposia both domestic and abroad, and has visited nearly 50 foreign countries in his capacity as a consultant and member of the department’s International Grains Program.

Behnke retired from the university in July 2010 but has continued to serve on the feed science advisory team, helping to design and construct a new campus feed mill for the Department of Grain Science and Industry.

Behnke graduated from KSU with a bachelor’s degree in feed technology in 1968. Following three years of military service, he returned to KSU to earn a master’s in feed science and a doctorate in grain science.