ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, U.S. — The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) and industry partner Feedstuffs newspaper are now accepting applications for the 2015 Feed Mill of the Year award. The award program recognizes overall excellence in feed manufacturing operations, emphasizing safety, quality, regulatory compliance, operating efficiencies and overall industry awards.
 
Selection of the top plant starts with an online application process and concludes with personal visits to final sites by an inspection team from AFIA and Feedstuffs. Final selection is based on a combined scoring of the application and personal visit. The Feed Mill of the Year winner and runner-up will be announced in December.

"This program is a win-win for all applicants as each candidate will receive benchmarking information once the competition is final," said Gary Huddleston, AFIA manager of feed manufacturing. "Feedback from the judges can be used toward a firm's improvement regardless of the award outcome to improve the mill's safety, quality, efficiency, housekeeping and government compliance."
 
In 2014, the program expanded to include liquid feed manufacturing facilities.
 
The winner and runner-up of the competition can use the Feed Mill of the Year logo for one year for promotional materials. The top two facilities also receive features in the "AFIA Journal" and Feedstuffs newspaper.

Two-time winner Southern States Cooperative of Park City, Kentucky, U.S., was named 2014 Feed Mill of the Year for its excellence in feed manufacturing and food safety. That was the second time in three years the Park City plant received the award--the first being in 2007.
 
Kent Nutrition Group in Hagerstown, Maryland, U.S., was named the 2014 runner-up.

Participation in the Feed Mill of the Year program is limited to feed mills with current AFIA memberships and costs $35 per entry. To apply for the 2015 program, complete the online application or visit www.feedstuffs.com. The application deadline is June 30.