AFIA’s 2024 Equipment Manufacturers Conference focuses on “Feed Industry 4.0”

The American Feed Industry Association’s (AFIA) Equipment Manufacturers Conference explored the theme “Feed Industry 4.0 – Leveraging Emerging Technologies” on November 6-8, 2024. The conference included sessions covering regulatory updates, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies.

AFIA’s 2024 Equipment Manufacturers Conference focuses on “Feed Industry 4.0”Over 60 industry professionals gathered for the American Feed Industry Association’s (AFIA) annual Equipment Manufacturers Conference (EMC), held in Bonita Springs, Florida on November 6-8, 2024. 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 covered 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.

At the conference, Gary 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, AFIA stated.

  The 2025 EMC will take place Nov. 5-7, in Rancho Mirage, California. The latest AFIA events and educational program schedule can be found on AFIA’s website.