OAKWOOD, GEORGIA, US — Wayne-Sanderson Farms has donated $1 million in funding and equipment support to the new modular poultry feed mill under construction at Mississippi State University (MSU).

The new mill at the H.H. Leveck Animal Research Center will provide a high-tech environment for research, nutrition trials, and hands-on student training that mirrors real-world commercial operations. The university broke ground on the project on May 7.

“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, president and chief executive officer of Wayne-Sanderson Farms. “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.”

Wayne-Sanderson Farms’ commitment to the project extends beyond financial support to include direct technical leadership. Darrin Poole, corporate manager of feed mill quality assurance at Wayne-Sanderson Farms, serves on the executive committee of the Feed Mill Advisory Board.

By investing in these facilities and providing leadership through the advisory board, Wayne-Sanderson Farms said it is ensuring that the next generation of agricultural leaders is prepared to drive the industry forward.

The feed mill’s modular system is designed for precision and flexibility. With a capacity of 2-3 tph, the facility will handle the full production cycle, including: intake and grinding; and mixing and bagging; integrated pelleting. The 5,000-square-foot feed mill is a key component of a broader overhaul of MSU’s poultry science infrastructure.

Funded by university resources and industry donations, the upgrade includes renovated poultry houses, modernized research labs, and an automated processing plant to support the school’s unique “farm-to-processing” educational format.

Wayne-Sanderson Farms is an industry leader and the nation’s third-largest poultry producer. It owns and operates 24 fresh and further-processing facilities across Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas.

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Susan Reidy is senior editor with World Grain and editor of the Grain & Milling Annual. She has 21 years of experience covering the grain handling and milling industries, the past 17 years with Sosland Publishing Company. She received a bachelor’s of journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Connect with Susan Reidy on LinkedIn or via email.