ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, U.S. – The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has released the 2018 dates for its online feed manufacturing course, conducted in partnership with Kansas State University (KSU). The five-week “AFIA-KSU 500: Fundamentals of Feed Manufacturing” distance education program provides an in-depth understanding of the feed manufacturing process, while allowing participants to work at their own pace and engage in online discussions with other students and university instructors.

Dates for the four sessions in 2018 are: Feb. 19-March 23; April 16-May 18; Aug. 27-Sept. 28; Oct. 29-Nov. 30

Gary Huddleston, director of feed manufacturing and regulatory affairs for the AFIA.

“This course teaches participants ways they can improve facility safety and maintenance and become more efficient in feed processing,” said Gary Huddleston, director of feed manufacturing and regulatory affairs for the AFIA. “Additionally, the convenience of the online course allows employers the ability to keep their employees’ skills fresh without lost staff time or the additional cost of travel.”

The feed technology group in KSU’s Department of Grain Science and Industry developed AFIA 500 in 2010. The course covers a variety of topics, including the process flow from particle size reduction, to batching and mixing, conditioning and pelleting, boilers, post-pellet systems, packaging and loadout, and maintenance.

KSU is the only U.S. university to offer a bachelor of science degree in feed manufacturing. The courses are taught by a diverse blend of individuals from KSU and within the feed and allied industries and provides in-depth training on all aspects related to feed manufacturing.

To date, more than 450 individuals have earned a certificate for completing this course. For more information about the course or to register, visit the course webpage.