AMES, IOWA, US — The Iowa State University Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex celebrated its grand opening on Sept. 8 in Ames, Iowa, US. 

The grain storage and feed milling complex located on 10 acres of university farmland can produce up to 30,000 tonnes of feed and store more than 200,000 bushels of grain.

Its development and construction were possible because of the financial investment and support from the feed and grain industries, the university and equipment manufacturers.

Kent Corp. gave the lead $8 million gift.

“The contribution celebrates a 100-year commitment to the success of generations of people engaged in livestock production and agriculture,” said Gage Kent, chairman and chief executive officer of Kent Corp. “Kent is proud to partner with those working to advance new technologies in the feed and grain markets. This complex is a hands-on platform to further advance innovation and sustainability for future leaders in feed and grain processing.”

The 47,000-square-foot complex includes a warehouse and an educational building with an analytical laboratory, pilot plant, a 100-foot-tall concrete milling tower, a 40-foot-tall pelleting plant and 220,000 bushels of steel grain storage with handling and drying systems.

“It is incredibly rewarding to have been part of this project because we at Kent Nutrition Group know it will provide an authentic, challenging and fun learning environment for students and industry professionals,” said Mike Gauss, president of Kent Nutrition Group. “This industry is intrinsically linked to our everyday lives; teaching that, in this real-world way, will be meaningful to all involved.”

Along with hands-on training and developing new workers for the feed and grain industry, the complex will offer training and research opportunities for the grain and feed industries.

VIDEO: ISU Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex