Southern States News

AFIA, Watt Announce Top Feed Mill Finalists for 2007; Revised Program Provides Benchmarking Feedback (03/11/08)

ARLINGTON, VA.—The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) announced the first place and runner up recipients in its annual Feed Mill of the Year contest today.  Southern States Cooperative’s, Park City, Ky., feed plant captured first place while Cargill Animal Nutrition’s plant at Seguin, Texas won runner up honors.  This is the 23rd consecutive year for the program which is co-sponsored with Watt’s Feed Management magazine.

The 2007 Feed Mill of the Year underwent a strategic redesign process based on changes recommended by the AFIA Production Compliance Committee.  Among other revisions, the committee incorporated a new grading system that provides” benchmarking feedback” to every plant that entered the competition.  

According to AFIA Vice President of Manufacturing and Training Keith Epperson, the new changes were well-received by the industry and helped make this year’s program the most meaningful ever.   “The program offered feed manufacturers a tremendous tool for increasing their overall plant efficiency and awareness of food safety.  Many previous participants have indicated that the greatest value they receive comes from using this program as a continuous improvement yardstick for their plant operations and employee teams. Every plant that participates is a winner,” Epperson stated.

AFIA’s sponsoring partner, Feed Management magazine concurs on the program’s benefits.   FM Editor Lori Weaver, says, “the Feed Mill of the Year program goes beyond being just an awards program and becomes a mechanism for feed mills to gain some valuable information on how they can improve as well as how they match up against other top facilities in the industry.”

Nearly 80 plants submitted entries in the 2007 Feed Mill of the Year program.  The competition was extremely tough and the final results were close, according to VP Epperson. 

Gary Huddleston, plant manager at Park City, Ky. led Southern States’ first place performance.  His plant manufactures over 67,000 tons of feed a year, with approximately 75 percent bulk.

Heading up the Cargill team at Sequin, Texas, manager Paul Yandle’s team puts out 114,000 tons a year with 80 percent bagged.

Both Southern States and Cargill’s facilities will be highlighted in the March/April 2008 issue of Feed Management.  Video and photo tours of the facilities will also be available via the web at www.feedindustrynetwork.com, the online home of Feed Management.  A full list of 2007 FMOY finalists will also appear.

AFIA is the only national organization devoted exclusively to representing the business, legislative and regulatory interests of the animal feed industry and its suppliers.  The recognized leader on international industry developments, AFIA boasts a membership that includes 550 domestic and international companies; state, national and regional associations.  Firms are feed manufacturers, integrators, pharmaceutical companies, ingredient suppliers, equipment manufacturers and companies which supply other products, services and supplies to feed manufacturers.

For additional details, contact AFIA, 2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 916, Arlington, Va. 22201. Tel: 703-524-0810. E-mail: afia@afia.org; Fax: 703-524-1921. Web: www.afia.org.

AFIA News Release

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