AFIA's Equipment Manufacturers Conference Explores 'Feed Industry 4.0'

AFIA's Equipment Manufacturers Conference Explores "Feed Industry 4.0"

November 13, 2024

Contact Victoria Broehm

Key Points:

• Over 60 industry professionals gathered for AFIA's Equipment Manufacturers Conference last week in Bonita Springs, Fla., with sessions covering regulatory updates, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
• Clayton Ellsworth received the AFIA-Kansas State University Feed Manufacturing Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring his career and contributions to the animal feed industry.
• Conference activities raised over $6,000 for the EMC Scholarship Fund, supporting undergraduate students pursuing careers in feed manufacturing.

Ryan Walker, Ph.D., presents "A.I. 101 for Business Productivity."

Over 60 industry professionals gathered last week for the American Feed Industry Association's (AFIA) annual Equipment Manufacturers Conference (EMC), held in Bonita Springs, Fla. Hosted by AFIA's Equipment Manufacturers Committee, this year's conference embraced the theme, "Feed Industry 4.0 - Leveraging Emerging Technologies," with sessions covering regulatory updates, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

"There is tremendous interest in how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies can be used in our industry to improve productivity and efficiency, and this conference delivered some great insights," said Gary Huddleston, AFIA's director of feed manufacturing and regulatory affairs.

The conference's educational sessions delivered powerful insights into the latest developments in technology and industry standards. Updates from the AFIA staff gave attendees insights on recent legislative and regulatory updates, including the outcome of the presidential election and how the International Organization of Standardization will impact the feed industry. Other sessions covered topics such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, providing attendees with a foundational understanding of how emerging technologies can boost operational efficiency and enhance real-time monitoring in feed production. Ryan Walker, Ph.D., associate professor at Mississippi State University, presented real-world examples of leveraging artificial intelligence, revealing how integrated these tools are in daily operations and emphasizing the role that advanced technology plays in preserving knowledge within the industry. The conference rounded out with a lively panel discussion among the speakers.

Clayton Ellswoth

At the conference, Huddleston recognized Clayton Ellsworth as a recipient of the AFIA-Kansas State University Feed Manufacturing Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honors retirees who have made a significant contribution to the animal feed industry over the length of their careers. Ellsworth founded EBM Construction in 1976 and continued to lead the company in providing millwright services until his retirement in 2007. Ellsworth's involvement with the AFIA and contributions to equipment safety in the feed industry, along with his passion for educating the next generation of leaders, have strengthened industry standards and helped develop future industry leaders.

Thirty-four participants teed off in the annual EMC golf tournament, setting a participation record at the outing that has become a highlight for conference attendees each year. The golf tournament raises money for the EMC Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to undergraduate students pursuing careers in feed manufacturing at seven different universities. Other activities, including a raffle, putting contest and a newly introduced chipping contest, contributed to the over $6,000 raised at EMC to support the scholarship fund.

The 2025 EMC will take place Nov. 5-7, in Rancho Mirage, Calif. For the latest AFIA events and educational program schedule, visit afia.org/events.

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