Producing high-quality animal feed relies on effectively sourcing, processing and mixing of plant-based ingredients to meet animals\u2019 nutritional needs for amino acids, energy, protein, lipids and minerals. Currently, many of North Carolina\u2019s 130+ feed mills rely on historical data about the ingredients, adjusting mixtures from week to week or every two weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the project\u2019s team leader, optical sensing expert Mike Kudenov<\/a>, explains, the researchers are pursuing a low-cost optical sensing system that could detect protein, energy and moisture levels in real time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The data captured by the sensors would be analyzed instantaneously by an AI-based solution, allowing feed mills to adjust ground ingredients from batch to batch to meet precise animal nutritional needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Such a dynamic approach to feed mixing could offer several advantages, avoiding both an economically wasteful and an environmentally taxing tendency to over-fortify the feed to ensure that it meets minimal nutritional standards, Kudenov says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The project draws on diverse expertise from the colleges of Engineering<\/a> and Agricultural and Life Sciences<\/a>, access to sensor fabrication capabilities of the Plant Sciences Building Makerspace<\/a> and direct access to a unique testing ground NC State\u2019s Feed Mill Education Unit<\/a>, one of the country\u2019s few university-owned mills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The team consists of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kudenov will be designing a sensing system rugged enough to survive the dust and vibration of a working mill, while Liu will develop an AI pipeline to process the data captured by the sensors. Castillo will validate the models against lab standards, and Fahrenholz will ensure the technology integrates seamlessly into existing mill workflows. Meanwhile, Raff will delve into economic implications for real-world profitability and regulatory compliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n NC State Project Launch Director Lauren Maynard<\/a> is supporting the team, providing guidance and resources for project development.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMeet the Expert Team<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Funding Kickstarts Pursuit of Ambitious Goals<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Feed](\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/03\/feed-mill-1024x576.jpg\")