ISU Students Gain Hands On Feed Safety and Quality Training

By Andi Anderson

Students in Iowa State University’s TSM 4570: Feed Safety, Ingredient Quality and Analytics course are taking their feed production knowledge from textbooks to the production floor at the Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex.

The course offers a mix of classroom learning and practical training, giving students experience in quality control, safety procedures, and regulatory compliance.

Led by professor Gretchen Mosher, the course focuses on understanding ingredient quality, nutrient balance, and the processes that ensure safe, high-quality feed.

About half of each week is spent in the mill, where students conduct tests, record results, and recommend adjustments. They work with both destructive methods, such as mycotoxin testing, and non-destructive evaluations like protein and oil ratio measurements.

Graduate student Yan Jiang said the hands-on labs helped integrate science, engineering, and regulatory topics, building confidence in applying technical skills to industry challenges.

The course also uses real-world case studies, including contaminated products from outside ISU’s facility, to teach problem-solving and hazard analysis.

Students learn to create comprehensive food safety plans—essential for any feed facility—including hazard documentation and recall strategies. Senior Sam Martin noted that these skills are directly relevant to protecting supply chains in animal nutrition and health industries.

A key component of the course is earning the Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) certification for animal feed production, meeting FDA standards for safe manufacturing. Mosher said this credential is increasingly valued by employers, giving students an advantage in feed mill and animal food processing careers.

By combining classroom instruction with real feed mill operations, the course equips students with the technical expertise, safety awareness, and industry qualifications needed to contribute to safe and efficient animal feed production.

Photo Credit: istock-dusanpetkovic