Key facts
- Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has leased a high-tech feed trailer.
- The trailer is on lease from KT Pacer, a bulk feed transportation equipment manufacturer.
- It features safety and biosecurity systems, including a remote-controlled disinfecting spray system and a telematics system.
- The trailer enables the delivery of feed produced at the university's Kent Feed Mill to its animal science farms.
- This allows for a closed-loop system connecting crop production and animal production at Iowa State.
Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has acquired a new high-tech feed trailer through a lease agreement with KT Pacer. This 26-foot-long trailer will be used to transport bulk feed produced at the university's Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex directly to its various animal science farms, including those for dairy, poultry, turkey, and swine.
The trailer is equipped with advanced safety and biosecurity features. These include a remote-controlled spray disinfecting system for tires, augers, and gates, designed to maintain biosecurity as the trailer moves between locations. A telematics system is also integrated to document the feed's travel history, crucial for feed safety issue tracking. KT Pacer technicians can remotely diagnose and resolve any operational problems.
This initiative is expected to create a more efficient and cost-effective operation for the animal science department and the college. It also enhances the educational experience for students by allowing them to observe the complete production cycle, from grain cultivation on university farms to processing at the Feed Mill and final delivery to the animals. This closed-loop system connects crop and animal production within the university.
Jay Sarver, senior vice president of sales at KT Pacer, expressed excitement about the partnership, noting it allows the company to learn from Iowa State's experience to improve its trailer technology for all customers. Daniel J. Robison, endowed dean’s chair at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, highlighted the trailer's role in advancing feed technology training for students and faculty.