OUTREACH PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES UPDATE AT IOWA STATE UNIVERSITYErin Bowers, PhD February 19, 2015

NC213

A Bit of Context• Iowa Grain Quality Initiative (IGQI)-research and

information program; rapid responders to issues impacting producers and agribusiness• Mycotoxins, storage issues, GMO acceptance issues, etc…

• Grain Quality Laboratory-testing services for grain quality factors (composition and physical traits) for a variety of grains and grain products (e.g., DDGS, bakery meal)

• Recent happenings…

Grain Lab/IGQI move• Summer 2014• Increased lab space

• Service and research capacity

• We are now located in the National Swine Research and Information Center, Iowa State University

IGQI now sponsors ISU’s AgMRC renewable energy newsletter

The Ag Marketing and Resource Center at Iowa State University produces a monthly newsletter providing information and analysis from agricultural economists and others on current issues facing the renewable energy industry. 

Tools- profit margin spreadsheets;

Widely used in research and industry as benchmarks

Updates from current grad student projects

http://www.agmrc.org/renewable_energy/agmrc-renewable-energy-newsletter/

Forthcoming issue of Ethanol Producer Magazine

2014 Corn quality survey• Ethanol plants testing

incoming grain

High relevance to Grain Quality Lab/IGQI

Completed Grain Handling and Processing Distance Education Series

• Mycotoxins modules made available through ISU Extension in addition to previously existing educational modules and Ag Decision Maker Tools

• http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Grain/

• Topics• Grain and oilseed basics,

quality, risk management• Corn, wheat, oilseed

processing• Mycotoxins• Grain handling chain

• Part of larger NIH grant with K-State• Training FDA inspectors

working in grain and feed industries

• Opportunity to re-purpose this work?

Dept. ABE – Elings and Sukup Halls• Dedicated in Fall 2014• More than 100,000 ft2 of classrooms, labs, office, and

gathering spaces

http://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/releases/isu-dedicates-elings-hall-and-sukup-hall-new-home-department-agricultural-biosystems http://www.engineering.iastate.edu/brl/

The potential – A Feed Mill and Research Grain Science Facility at Iowa State• Preliminary planning stages• Multi-faceted benefits:

• A potential solution to a complex problem ISU is facing• Feed acquisition

• An opportunity • to bolster extension and outreach programs• to conduct new applied research

• Academic opportunities for ISU students and beyond

Feed Acquisition Difficulty

The Problem

• Currently, there are dwindling options for obtaining small-batch and specialty feeds in central Iowa (1-2 bidders, ISU contracts)

• On-campus facilities are outdated, ill-functioning, and impractical for current needs.

Potential Solution

A multi-species feed mill and research grain science facility at ISU would provide consistent, customizable feed for university research• Manageable quantities• Minimal transportation

ISU Animal Agriculture Research and Teaching CorridorIncludes:• teaching and research

facilities• farms with diverse

livestock and production animals

• poised for expansion (e.g., swine and beef nutrition facilities NW of Ames will move here)

Most ISU feed needs (>15,000 ton/year, anticipated to expand to >18,000 ton/year) are concentrated in a 9mi2 area

The Opportunity

A multi-species feed mill and research grain science facility at ISU would:• Provide unique research opportunities

• Especially key feed ingredients produced in Iowa (corn, soybeans)• There are unique applied research opportunities in grain

processing, novel ingredients, animal nutrition, and feed manufacturing

• Support educational needs of students; and extension, outreach, and education for industry professionals• The grain and feed industry is facing high retirement rates in the

next 5 years with dwindling numbers of potential employees with adequate knowledge, exposure, and/or experience

• There are educational needs in the grain handling and feed production industries going un-met (AAI)

Gathering Input for the Potential Feed Mill and Grain Science Facility• Industry representatives and advisory boards were

surveyed to collect ideas, needs, and potential functions• AAI Feed committee survey (unanimous support)1. Location (IA, Corn Belt) with respect to relevant industries and

resources

2. Addressing the anticipated employee shortage

3. Meeting the requirements of FSMA• Hazard analysis and preventive controls plan implemented and

supervised by a “qualified person”

Value - Meeting a Pressing Need and Providing New Opportunities• Provide small batch specialty feed to ISU farms • Provide uniform animal diets for research purposes• Provide training and educational opportunities for students

and industry employees alike• Conduct research in animal nutrition, feed value, novel

ingredients, and process optimization

Thanks for your attention

Erin Bowers

Post Doctoral Research Associate

Dept of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Iowa State University

erin@iastate.edu