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The AFIA celebrated 73 graduates from its biennial FII in Minneapolis, Minn., last week.
Attendees participated in a four-day educational forum, featuring 24 expert speakers from across the animal food industry who covered a comprehensive range of industry topics.
The event included networking opportunities, interactive sessions and a social outing to a Minneapolis Twins baseball game.
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) acknowledged 73 graduates from its biennial Feed Industry Institute (FII) in Minneapolis, Minn., last Thursday. Attendees took part in a four-day, intensive educational forum to learn about the feed, pet food and feed ingredient industry from those who know it best – industry experts. In addition to the educational program, attendees mingled with colleagues from across the industry and stepped out of the classroom to attend a Minneapolis Twins baseball game.
“We are thrilled that FII returned to an in-person format this year, which allowed for more engaging and interactive sessions,” said Paul Davis, Ph.D., AFIA’s director of quality, animal food safety and education. “The excitement of reconnecting face-to-face and the dynamic exchange of knowledge truly enhanced the overall experience, marking a successful and memorable event for all involved.”
During the weeklong educational program, attendees heard from 24 expert speakers, or “professors,” from various segments of the industry, providing a complete overview of the animal food industry. Topics included physiology and nutrition in monogastric, ruminant and companion animals; the role of proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals in animal diets; various feed ingredients and additives; processing and formulation; customer service and communications; and feed industry regulations. FII also covered related industry activities, such as sourcing, logistics and grain trading.
On Monday, Adam Fahrenholz, Ph.D., post-doctoral research scholar at North Carolina State University’s Prestage Department of Poultry Science, emphasized the importance of the topoics covered at FII during his session, “Effects of Processing on Quality and Efficiency.” He highlighted how decisions made at every stage of the feed industry, from ingredient selection to processing and production methods, can significantly affect other downstream aspects, including nutrition, quality and customer satisfaction.
“Everything that we do in feed manufacturing will have an impact, and those impacts have to be considered,” said Fahrenholz.
The FII concluded with a graduation ceremony, where all attendees received a certificate of completion.
The AFIA thanks its FII sponsors: gold sponsors Bentonite Performance Minerals, LLC and Huvepharma, Inc., and silver sponsors Bill Bar and Company, Inc., Datacor, Hutchinson Salt Company, Inc. and Olsson Frank Weeda Law. The AFIA also thanks its nutrition committee for its role in planning the event.
The next FII is slated for 2026. Visit afia.org/events for the latest calendar of events for the animal food industry.