The half-day 2025 Feed Mill of the Future Conference, organized in partnership with the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) at the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) 2025, brings together leading feed industry experts to examine emerging feed mill technologies and processes that will impact animal feed manufacturing in the years ahead. 
Organized by Feed Strategy and Feed & Grain magazines
The event will be held at the 2025 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) as part of the feed education program.
2025 Feed Mill of the Future Conference
How AI and technology will shape the future of feed production
January 28, 2025 |Â 8 a.m. - noonRoom A411 | IPPE 2025 | Georgia World Congress Center
$95 early bird | $125 after Jan. 10, 2025
Registration is open. To attend, first register to attend IPPE. See www.ippexpo.org, and visit the Education Programs/Paid Conferences for details. Onsite registration will also be available.
Feed Mill of the Future Conference Program
Cybersecurity: Fortify your data, future-proof your networks
Speaker: Brandon Bohle, endpoint security team lead, Interstates
As the threat of cybercriminals and ransomware attacks escalates, feed manufacturers must prepare to defend their businesses and data. Cybersecurity expert Brandon Bohle delves into the consequences of ransomware and other cyber threats, highlighting the urgent need for proactive measures. Learn how to build a robust internal defense, develop a comprehensive incident response plan, implement stringent security measures and educate your workforce.
Sustainable feed production starts with the formulation
Speaker: Ian Mealey, product marketing director – formulation, Format Solutions/Datacor
Formulation software will play a critical role in addressing modern sustainability challenges in the feed industry. Learn how traditional optimization techniques can be adapted to incorporate environmental factors alongside cost-effectiveness and nutritional requirements. Format Solution’s Ian Mealey explains how formulation software models sustainability scenarios and integrates environmental criteria into recipe optimization. Applications provide data transparency and reporting for informed decision-making, as well as apply advanced optimization algorithms to meet your company’s — and your customers’ — sustainability targets. Discover how to use feed formulation software to balance cost, nutrition and the environmental impact in feed manufacturing, positioning your business for a sustainable future.
Elevated automation systems deliver feed mill efficiency, profitability
Speaker: Liam Cassidy, senior executive director - automation, Knobelsdorff
The future of the feed industry lies in automation. Feed mill automation is crucial for enhancing efficiency, consistency and productivity. Liam Cassidy, Knobelsdorff senior executive director – automation, explores the benefits of enhanced automation systems, including reduced operational costs, improved product quality, and real-time monitoring and data analysis that leads to better decision-making and optimized performance. Cassidy will demonstrate how the application of the latest advancements in automation technology allows feed manufacturers to stay competitive and achieve operational excellence.
Practical solutions for four common feed facility bottlenecks
Speaker: Brady Gaalswyk, co-president, Easy Automation
Building a new facility with brand-new technology and equipment is a significant capital expense — one not realistic for most feed manufacturers. Feed producers need to optimize their facility to meet the changing demands of their market, now and in the future. Easy Automation’s Brady Gaalswyk provides feed mill managers with actionable strategies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, to enable them to meet changing market demands with their existing infrastructure. His presentation offers practical, cost-effective solutions for immediate implementation, making it invaluable for those seeking to improve productivity without major capital expenditure.
AI-powered feed mills: Paving the way to smart, efficient production
Speaker: Matthew Boland, sales territory manager, CPM Automation
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with feed mill control systems offers manufacturers real-time adjustments to optimize production efficiency. CMP Automation’s sales territory manager Matthew Boland discusses the practical steps to prepare your systems with essential infrastructure for AI integration, from robust OT networks to advanced sensors. He will also discuss the gradual evolution toward autonomous, or “lights-out” facilities, examining the path from current ERP interactions to future self-optimizing systems. Attendees will gain insights into immediate steps for preparing their feed mills for AI integration, positioning operations for increased production, reduced waste and consistent quality.
Harness AI to lower the operation costs of feed production
Speaker: Ben Allen, CEO, BinSentry
Ben Allen, CEO of BinSentry, explores the transformative impact of artificial intelligence and automation on feed mill operations. Discover how early adopters are leveraging these technologies to significantly cut costs and enhance operational efficiency, creating immediate and long-term advantages. The presentation will outline how AI improves customer interactions, leads to substantial cost reductions, lessens pressure of labor shortages and streamlines production processes. He will also discuss the adoption of vendor managed inventory (VMI) practices, traditionally seen in retail, and how they are being integrated into animal feed operations to optimize inventory management.
Biographies
Ben Allen, CEO, BinSentry
Ben Allen is the CEO of BinSentry. He has led multiple hardware, software and ag tech companies with a history of maintaining strong relationships with investors. Prior to joining BinSentry, Allen was the head of global market development at Indigo Ag, an ag tech startup he helped grow from US$300 million in 2017 to US$3 billion in 2021. He also led the effort to scale Agri-Trend’s Agri-Data software organization, resulting in its acquisition by Trimble.
Brandon Bohle, endpoint security team lead, Interstates
Brandon Bohle is the endpoint security team lead at Interstates. Bohle has a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer and Network Security and a Master of Science degree in Information Assurance from Dakota State University. Since he joined the company in 2016, his is primary responsibilities at Interstates include cybersecurity governance and compliance, analyzing and recommending cybersecurity improvements, and endpoint system security. Bohle is a Certified Information Systems Auditor and Certified Information Systems Security Professional.
Matthew Boland, sales territory manager, CPM Automation
Matthew Boland is a sales territory manager at CPM Automation. He has nearly 20 years of sales and operations experience, specializing in automation solutions. Boland excels in solution selling, relationship building and driving consistent revenue growth. His technical expertise spans across Salesforce CRM, industrial automation software, and a variety of engineering tools, making him a trusted adviser to clients nationwide.
Liam Cassidy, senior executive director - automation, Knobelsdorff
Liam Cassidy, Knobelsdorff senior executive director of automation, brings more than 23 years of industrial experience, specializing in automation systems and digital transformation. He excels in designing solutions that boost productivity and output. Known for a customer-centric approach, Cassidy fosters strong partnerships. His expertise includes PLCs, MES/SCADA, and Industrial IoT. A skilled project manager, he has led major U.S. companies to enhanced revenue, customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Brady Gaalswyk, co-president, Easy Automation
Brady Gaalswyk is a second-generation owner and co-president at Easy Automation. Before joining Easy Automation in 2019, he was involved in the feed ingredient transportation industry. Today, Gaalswyk leads the sales and finance teams and focuses on finding and capturing technology and capital opportunities in agricultural industries. He works directly with customers to push the innovation boundaries and find powerful solutions for their facilities.
Ian Mealey, product marketing director – formulation, Format Solutions/Datacor
Ian Mealey is the product marketing director for Format Solutions, a Datacor company. His career began after earning a degree in agriculture and joining a graduate program, then progressing from formulator to formulations manager. Mealey has excelled at Format Solutions in various roles, including implementation, software product design and consultation. He has collaborated with clientele across sectors like feed, pet food, aqua, premix, and food and beverage.
The Feed Mill of the Future Conference is sponsored by
About the Feed Mill of the Future Conference
The 2025 Feed Mill of the Future Conference will be held on January 28, 2025. The half-day event brings together leading feed industry experts to examine emerging feed industry trends and new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), that will impact how animal feed is manufactured in the years ahead. Feed milling professionals will leave with a better understanding of how innovation and early adoption will help their business achieve its sustainability, productivity and profitability goals.
The conference is organized and presented by Feed Strategy and Feed & Grain magazines, in partnership with the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) at the 2025 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE).