New grain bins at the Poultry Science Research, Teaching, and Extension Center feed mill facility

Tyson Foods recently sponsored the replacement and upgrade of the grain bin system at the Poultry Science Research, Teaching, and Extension Center feed mill, an essential infrastructure element that plays a key role in the proper storage and handling of feed commodities.

Matt Loupe, the facility manager, emphasized that Tyson's investment will significantly enhance operational efficiency, providing both students and faculty with a more reliable and modern environment for poultry production studies. "Maintaining feed quality is paramount in ensuring the accuracy of our research trials and the integrity of the rations used in both educational and practical applications," says Loupe.

The gift of $220,000 helped to fund a complete overhaul of the grain bin system. The outdated bins, which are estimated to have originally been installed in 1985, were replaced due to issues such as pinholes that allowed moisture to spoil the feed. Two of the original bins were so severely rusted that they were deemed unusable.

In addition to replacing the bins, the augers were also upgraded, and variable frequency drives were installed to regulate voltage to the new auger motors. This addition allows for more controlled and flexible movement of feed, improving the overall efficiency of the system. Furthermore, the sizes of three bins were expanded to hold an additional 15,000 pounds per bin, addressing the increased demand for feed storage.

Matt expects that the increased auger size and upgraded motor horsepower will boost feed production capacity by 50%, further enhancing the center's ability to support research and teaching efforts.