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K-State Today

September 26, 2018

Petfood Research and Development Showcase presents opportunities for faculty, students

Submitted by Kiley Moody

Petfood R&D

Kansas State University's growing involvement in the pet food industry is helping provide numerous opportunities for faculty and students.

The university will host the Petfood R&D Showcase, an industry-focused hands-on workshop and conference, themed "Treats, Toppers and Inclusions," Oct. 9-11 to provide an opportunity to connect K-State's expanding research presence with the needs of the pet food industry.

The events are open to students and faculty. For more information, visit k-state.edu/petfood/events. Registration for the event is now open. K-State faculty and staff receive complimentary registration via the link above.

To register:

  • Click "New Registration."
  • Use the code FACULTY in the ID code field and then click "Apply Code."
  • Select "Petfood R&D Showcase 2018 Attendee" registration and then continue on to enter your information.
  • The promo code will apply a 100 percent discount on the payment page so that registration is complimentary.

If you have questions, please contact Kiley Moody at kmoody@k-state.edu. More than 100 industry and university representatives participated in a similar event last fall.

The Petfood R&D Showcase will explore the topic of treats and supplemental additive foods and forms for companion animals. K-State faculty, industry partners and other researchers will present research and explore cutting-edge technologies that address this growing segment of the market. The second day, Oct. 11, will feature interactive labs to provide attendees with a chance to see these ideas in action — firsthand. Two evening receptions and a dine-around event at local Manhattan restaurants also will provide a setting for students, faculty, staff and pet food professionals to network.

"The event will create significant opportunities to network, stimulate innovative ideas and learn new approaches to creating extra-nutritional food forms," said Greg Aldrich, research associate professor of grain science and industry.

Globally, pet owners spend more than $70 billion on their furry friends. Of that, about $30 billion goes toward pet food, and estimates for Kansas indicate that pet food contributes as much as $7 billion to the state's economy.