A Career That Fuels the Future

Behind every glass of milk, pack of eggs or bowl of pet food is the animal food industry—an essential but often overlooked part of our food system. From feeding farm animals to creating high-quality pet nutrition, this industry plays a powerful role in keeping our food supply strong, sustainable, and innovative.

This is why, in 1951, when the feed industry turned to Kansas State University for support, we allied ourselves strongly with it by establishing a unique academic program. Today, over 50 years later, we remain the only program in the world to offer a four-year degree in Feed and Pet Food Science, an exclusivity that gives our graduates ample opportunity for success in this large and stable industry.

K-State develops new technologies and practices that are used throughout the industry. Our research laboratories include a modern extrusion processing center, a micro-spectroscopy center and various cereal product research and testing labs. In 2013, the O.H. Kruse Feed Technology Innovation Center was dedicated. This facility is a fully automated, state of the art, teaching and research facility that will include a biosafety-level 2 teaching and research feed mill.

As the needs and demands of feed science grow and change with world populations, we will grow and change with them. Developing new technologies and business strategies and educating new generations of graduates. By always remaining strong in research and teaching, we will ensure that our department, the industry and world populations stay fortified and strong.

Options within the major

There are two specialties within the Feed and Pet Food major for students to choose from: Production Management and Science.

Download 2025-26 Production Management degree requirements (PDF)

Download 2025-26 Science degree requirements (PDF)

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