Wayne-Sanderson Farms Celebrates Groundbreaking of State-of-the-Art Poultry Feed Mill at Mississippi State University

OAKWOOD, GA (May 21, 2026) – Wayne-Sanderson Farms is proud to announce its continued partnership with Mississippi State University (MSU) following the official groundbreaking of the university’s new modular poultry feed mill this month.

Team celebrating the groundbreaking of new feed mill.

As a cornerstone supporter of the project, Wayne-Sanderson Farms has contributed a total of $1 million in combined funding and equipment support. 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.

“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, Wayne-Sanderson Farms President and CEO. “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.”

The feed mill’s modular system is designed for precision and flexibility. With a capacity of two to three tons per hour, the facility will handle the full production cycle, including:

  • Intake and Grinding: Managing raw ingredients with clinical precision.
  • Mixing and Bagging: Ensuring consistent nutrient distribution.
  • Integrated Pelleting: Utilizing steam and liquid dosing to replicate commercial feed textures.

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.

“The positive impact this state-of-the-industry feed mill and all the modernized facilities will have on teaching, training, and research is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Steve Bolden, Vice President of Live Operations at Wayne-Sanderson Farms. “From a vertically integrated perspective, it means improved bird health and nutrition, along with better outcomes for farm partners and processors.”

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 is ensuring that the next generation of agricultural leaders is prepared to drive the industry forward.

About Wayne-Sanderson Farms

Wayne-Sanderson Farms is an industry leader and the nation’s third-largest poultry producer, serving customers, consumers and communities with integrity, leadership and responsible farm, workplace and business practices. With a diverse portfolio of products, a strong operating culture and an industry-leading workforce of more than 27,000 people and over 2,000 farm partners, Wayne-Sanderson Farms owns and operates 24 fresh and further-processing facilities across Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas. Wayne-Sanderson Farms produces affordable, high-quality poultry products for retail, foodservice, restaurant, industrial and institutional segments under the brand names of SANDERSON FARMS® COVINGTON FARMS®, NAKED TRUTH®, BUFFALOOS®, FLY’N SAUCERS®, CRISPY FLIERS®, PLATINUM HARVEST®, CHEF’S CRAFT®, WAYNE FARMS®, and WAYNE-SANDERSON FARMS®. Wayne-Sanderson Farms is proud to be the “Official Chicken of the Southeastern Conference (SEC).” For more information, visit WayneSandersonFarms.com or follow Wayne-Sanderson Farms on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram.