Wayne-Sanderson Farms announced its continued partnership with Mississippi State University following the groundbreaking of the university’s new modular poultry feed mill this month.
$1 million investment supports research
As a cornerstone supporter, Wayne-Sanderson Farms contributed $1 million in combined funding and equipment support for the facility at the H.H. Leveck Animal Research Center. The new mill will provide a high-tech environment for research, nutrition trials and hands-on student training that mirrors real-world commercial operations.
“Wayne-Sanderson Farms is honored to partner with Mississippi State University and support one of the top poultry science programs in the nation,” said Kevin McDaniel, Wayne-Sanderson Farms president and CEO. “This impressive expansion doesn’t just benefit the students; it impacts the entire poultry industry as the knowledge and training they receive go into practice in the field.”
Advanced technology drives operations
The feed mill’s modular system is designed for precision and flexibility, with a capacity of two to three tons per hour. The facility will handle the full production cycle, including intake and grinding of raw ingredients, mixing and bagging for consistent nutrient distribution, and integrated pelleting using steam and liquid dosing to replicate commercial feed textures.
Broader infrastructure overhaul
The 5,000-square-foot feed mill represents a key component of MSU’s poultry science infrastructure upgrade. Funded by university resources and industry donations, the project includes renovated poultry houses, modernized research labs and an automated processing plant supporting the school’s “farm-to-processing” educational format.
“The positive impact this state-of-the-industry feed mill and all the modernized facilities will have on teaching, training and research is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Steve Bolden, vice president of live operations at Wayne-Sanderson Farms.
Wayne-Sanderson Farms’ commitment extends beyond financial support through direct technical leadership, with Darrin Poole serving on the Feed Mill Advisory Board’s Executive Committee.
