Grain Science Complex News Today

Facility provides hands-on training for students, industry

Complex includes warehouse, educational building, pilot plant, milling tower, pelleting plant and grain storage.

Iowa State University Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex ready to train next generation of talent.

World Grain - Arvin Donley

The $30 million research and educational facility was made possible through industry support.

Kansas Wheat

From Kansas to Oklahoma to Iowa, universities are working more closely with agribusiness in search of ways to pay for projects where tax dollars have become more scarce. Critics worry that agriculture schools might focus more on industry than the public interest.

Iowa State University had its eye on building its own feed mill.

Venkat Nemani, left, and assistant professor Chao Hu pose next to a test stand where initial vibration research was conducted. Grace Technologies has estimated that its new system could be worth up to $10 million to the company over a five-year period as equipment operators rush to save money on downtime, expensive repairs, and maintenance-related injuries. Drew Allen, Grace Technologies vice president for strategic innovation, said large organizations in high-value industries have long had pre...