Kansas State University is expanding its Feed Science and Management program to include petfood production. Greg Aldrich, PhD, was appointed research associate professor and petfood program coordinator by Dick Maier, head of the university's Grain Science and Industry department.
Initially, Aldrich will be responsible for establishing an interdisciplinary petfood research program. He will provide guidance on course development and work with university and allied industry members to assimilate support for broader program development.
“Bringing Greg on board is the next step to expanding the reach of our Feed Science and Management program,” Maier said. “We hope to leverage his background and personal interest in Kansas State to help guide the program through its beginning years.”
Aldrich is a graduate of Kansas State (BS Agriculture, 1984) and an industry consultant from Topeka, Kansas, USA. He writes the "Ingredient Issues" column in Petfood Industry.
“Many of the parts for a great petfood research and teaching program are already here at Kansas State,” Aldrich said. “I look forward to establishing a vibrant research program and to helping establish Kansas State as the leader in this vital and growing area of our economy.”
Ernie Minton, associate director of research for Kansas State Research and Extension, said that “adding pet food research expands the opportunities for adding value to agricultural products from Kansas and extends the scope of research in the biosafety level two feed safety research center being built as part of the new O.H. Kruse Feed Technology Innovation Center.”
For more information about the program and specific course offerings, call +1.785.532.4051 or go to www.grains.ksu.edu.