Executives from The Essmueller Co. visited Cal Poly's Animal Nutrition Center Feed Mill in San Luis Obispo, California, in early July, marking two decades of equipment donations to the university's animal science program.
The company, now led by brothers Matthew and Chris McLean, has supplied bucket elevators and chain conveyors to the feed mill since 2006, when their parents, Bill and Pat McLean, first spoke at the university about industry support for agricultural education. The donated equipment remains in use at the facility today.
During the visit, Essmueller representatives met with Cal Poly students and staff, including Dr. George Gallagher, animal science department head; Tim Northrop, senior director of development; and Brian Larson, feed milling manager. Gerry Leukam, vice president of design services for The Weitz Company, also joined the group. Attendees toured the university's Swine Research Unit, Equine Unit, Poultry Unit and Dairy Unit, and spent time in the feed mill discussing equipment and milling processes with students.
Cal Poly's Animal Nutrition Center serves as both a working feed-production facility and a teaching lab, with students involved in formulation, manufacturing, packaging and daily plant operations. The center supplies feed for campus animal units and also supports contract research and planned industry short courses.
