ZimmCast 759 – AgGateway Mid-Year and AI

Chuck Zimmerman Leave a Comment

ZimmCastHello and welcome to the ZimmCast. I’m Chuck Zimmerman.

In this episode I’m sharing my preview interview for the AgGateway Mid-Year Meeting with President/CEO, Brent Kemp. Additionally I’ve got a few comments regarding AI, or Artificial Intelligence, for those of you who haven’t heard of it. But really, AI, is moving fast and besides it is a topic for the AgGateway meeting.

I’m slow in producing a ZimmCast episode for several reasons. One is that I haven’t been traveling for work. But additionally, I’ve done a little research about how AI has affected things like agricultural marketing and communications.

Additionally, I did a post on AgWired titled “Safeguard the Human Person in Time of AI.” I hope you enjoy it and feel free to comment. I focused on the encyclical letter published by Pope Leo. It’s not just about AI but really is about people.

So, let’s get started with my interview with Brent.

Listen to the episode here:
ZimmCast 759 - AgGateway Mid-Year Mtg and AI (14:15)

That’s the ZimmCast for now. If you have some exciting news in the agrimarketing world, feel free to contact me for the next episode. Just email Chuck at chuck@zimmcomm.biz.

We hope you enjoyed it and thank you for listening.

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AgGateway, AI, Audio, ZimmCast

USDA Ramps Up New World Screwworm Fight

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

USDA confirmed the detection yesterday of a New World screwworm in a three-week old beef calf in Zavala County, Texas, about 60 miles from the Mexico border, and today officials laid out plans to keep it from spreading.

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins updated the House Agriculture Committee Thursday morning. “It is a vexing challenge that we thought we had beaten in the 1960s and 1970s. Unfortunately, that was wrong as the screwworm began to make its way back towards us in 2021. The way we defeated it before, you need about 400 million sterile flies per week to actually mate with the bad flies, sterilize them….Because over years, we had taken, we as a country, we as a hemisphere, had taken our eye off the ball thinking it was eradicated. We got down to only 100 million sterile flies in production a week in a facility in Panama.”

Rollins says the administration has fast-tracked a facility being built right now in Mission, Texas. “That facility will come online next year. When it does, it’ll produce about 300 million flies per week in addition to the 100 million from Panama. And then we outfitted an additional Mexican facility in Matapa for another 100 million,” said Rollins.

Sec. Rollins at House Ag hearing 3:07

In the meantime, Rollins says they will be focused on trapping, surveillance, and treatment. She participated in a press call with USDA and state officials on immediate actions being taken.

“We have a unified incident command team with the Texas Animal Health Commission and have deployed APHIS as of yesterday immediately down to the area. We’ve established a 20 kilometer control area, a zone around the detection and implement quarantines, movement controls and surveillance in this area. We’ve expedited the targeted release of millions of sterile new world screw worm flies by immediately deploying 4 million as of yesterday, ground release chambers in the area in addition to the 4 million sterile flies per week already being released aerially in the area,” said Rollins.

She was joined Dudley Hoskins, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs; and APHIS Associate Administrator/NWS Directorate Rear Admiral Michael Schmoyer; as well as Dr. Bud Dinges, Texas Animal Health Commission Executive Director. Listen to their comments below.

USDA NWS press update 21:49

Animal Agriculture, Animal Health, Audio, USDA

BarnTools Launches Barn360 Biosecurity

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

BarnTools today announced the launch of Barn360, a biosecurity platform that expands the BarnTools connected farm system into real-time biosecurity enforcement for swine and poultry operations.

The launch marks a significant expansion of BarnTools’ role in livestock production. Already trusted for real-time monitoring across critical farm systems, including feed, water, power, temperature, and environmental conditions, BarnTools now brings biosecurity into the same connected operational view.

With Barn360, producers can manage important biosecurity information in the same BarnTalk app they already use to monitor environmental conditions, bringing more of the farm into one connected system.

Unlike standalone biosecurity tools, Barn360 is built as part of the BarnTools platform. By connecting biosecurity with real-time monitoring across feed, water, power, and environmental systems, BarnTools gives producers a more complete view of farm operations in one place. This integrated approach helps livestock teams manage risk, respond faster, and improve accountability without adding another disconnected system to their workflow. Barn360 is included as part of BarnTools’ enterprise platform, giving producers access to biosecurity capabilities without additional per-animal or per-site costs.

Barn360 will be showcased at World Pork Expo this week in Des Moines, Booth V310. Visit https://barntools.com/barn360 to learn more.

AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Animal Agriculture, Apps, Technology

Animal Ag News 6/3

Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) opened the Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, a state-of-the-art laboratory facility today that will provide the U.S. cattle industry with innovative tools and advanced technologies to manage and eliminate the invasive fly and tick pests that threaten the U.S. cattle industry.
  • Nofence announces a new partnership with Farm Journal’s Trust in Food™ initiative. The partnership allows Nofence to grow connections with U.S. livestock producers seeking tools and technical expertise to improve profitability.
  • Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative is investing in the future of the next generation through its annual scholarship program. The cooperative has awarded five young adults with $2,000 scholarships to pursue higher education; two students are currently enrolled in college or a university, and three are graduating high school seniors.
  • From shifting cattle markets to evolving consumer demand, today’s cattle industry requires producers to make sharper, more strategic decisions than ever before. Set for August 4 and 5, 2026, in Amarillo, Texas, the 2026 Feeding Quality Forum brings cattlemen together to explore practical solutions, timely market insights and real-world strategies designed to support their bottom line. Join two days of engaging sessions, industry-leading speakers, and valuable networking opportunities to help producers navigate their business with confidence.
  • Following the success of a record-breaking show footprint and focused, high-intent audience, the Midwest Poultry Federation announced a nine-year commitment to keep PEAK 2026, the nation’s largest poultry convention in Minneapolis, highlighting the conference’s role as a central hub for peak poultry industry connection, education and forward-thinking conversations.
  • Scoops, smiles, and bipartisan camaraderie will return to Capitol Hill this summer as the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) hosts its 42nd Annual Capitol Hill Ice Cream Party on June 10. One of Washington’s longest-running summer traditions, the Capitol Hill Ice Cream Party draws thousands of attendees each year, including members of Congress and leaders from across the executive branch. The event celebrates America’s favorite frozen dessert while offering a rare, lighthearted opportunity for lawmakers, staff, and policy leaders to connect outside the halls of government.
  • Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW) and Discover Dairy invite participants across the state to meet their new favorite classroom or community companion, as enrollment is now open for the free “Adopt a Cow” program for the 2026–27 school year. The program pairs participants with calves from four Wisconsin dairy farms: OrthRidge Farms in Lancaster, Wis.; Nellie Farms in Eau Claire, Wis.; Schleis Farms in Kewaunee, Wis.; and McFarlandale Dairy in Watertown, Wis. To enroll, visit www.discoverdairy.com/adopt.
  • The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) named Mike Osborne, key account advisor at Alltech, as its Member of the Year during the AFIA Board of Directors meeting on May 13. The Member of the Year award honors an AFIA member who exhibits outstanding support in achieving the association’s goals and objectives throughout the year.
  • The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Environmental Stewardship Program released revisions to its Version 3 evaluation tool, integrating the latest scientific updates from the Ruminant Farm Systems (RuFaS) model that powers FARM ES Version 3.
  • USPOULTRY will host its 2026 Hatchery-Breeder Clinic from July 8-9 in Nashville, Tenn. The annual clinic will bring together hatchery and breeder managers and other industry professionals to discuss the latest strategies, technologies and operational practices impacting breeder and hatchery performance.
  • With consumers increasingly seeking protein-rich foods to support active lifestyles, the dairy checkoff is leveraging National Cheese Day on June 4 to position cheese as a convenient, high-quality protein option through its Dairy Does More platform. The National Cheese Day activation, launched by Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), introduces “Body by Cheese,” a lighthearted campaign designed to connect cheese with fitness, wellness and snacking occasions. At the center of the effort is the Parm Bar, a 2-ounce block of domestically produced parmesan packaged in a protein-bar-inspired wrapper that highlights cheese’s protein benefits in a modern way. The activation represents an extension of Dairy Does More, which DMI created to help consumers think differently about dairy foods and recognize benefits beyond taste.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    USDA Launches Great American Cotton Plan

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    USDA unveiled the Great American Cotton Plan Thursday, an initiative to “strengthen the cotton farm economy, restore domestic textile manufacturing, expand cotton trade opportunities, and increase demand for products made with American-grown cotton.”

    The announcement comes as cotton producers face a fifth consecutive year of negative returns driven by rising input costs, trade distortions, and increasing competition from synthetic materials. As part of the plan, USDA will elevate the “Plant Not Plastic” initiative to encourage consumers to purchase products made with healthy natural American cotton fibers rather than synthetic plastic-based alternatives.

    USDA forecasters estimate that producers could lose approximately $2.6 billion across 9 million planted acres during the upcoming crop year. Since 1980, the number of U.S. cotton gins has declined from 2,254 to 446, while domestic textile production facilities have sharply contracted over the last two decades.

    The National Cotton Council (NCC) commended USDA for initiating the Great American Cotton Plan and welcomes the support of America’s cotton farmers, strongly supporting the bipartisan Buying American Cotton Act (BACA) which would help increase domestic demand and production of U.S. cotton, encourage investment in U.S. textile mills, and create jobs here at home.

    “Measures like BACA, along with the USDA’s Great American Cotton Plan and other recently implemented cotton initiatives, demonstrate key progress for America’s cotton industry,” said NCC Chairman Nathan Reed. “At a time when cotton producers are facing pressure from high input costs and market uncertainty, these steps are critical to the long-term success of our industry.”

    Listen to Secretary Rollins’ announcement here:
    Sec. Rollins announces cotton plan 3:42

    Audio, Cotton, USDA

    Alltech ONE 2027 Getting Closer

    Chuck Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Alltech ONE 2027It’s just a year now for the Alltech ONE Conference 2027.

    ONE is coming home.

    The Alltech ONE Conference (ONE) returns to its hometown — Lexington, Kentucky — for an immersive exploration of the bold ideas shaping the future of agri-food.

    Set for May 24-26, 2027 at the Central Bank Center in downtown Lexington, Kentucky, ONE 2027 will feature:

    Inspiring keynote speakers
    Dynamic tracks and workshops
    Leading-edge insights from global leaders across agriculture, business, technology and sustainability
    With the theme “Together, bright becomes brilliant,” this world-class event will spotlight the power of connection, collaboration and bold thinking to address agriculture’s most significant challenges and unlock its greatest opportunities.

    Together, we will explore what’s next for our industry — and for our planet.

    Whether you are returning to ONE or joining us for the first time, this world-class event promises to inspire, challenge and connect.

    Don’t miss a moment. Sign up now for exclusive updates, speaker announcements, registration info and more.

    Agribusiness, Alltech, Animal Health

    Safeguard the Human Person in Time of AI

    Chuck Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Magnifica HumanitasBefore you make a judgement of this document I recommend you read it. What is it? Just published, it is The Encyclical Letter Magnifica Humanitas ENCYCLICAL LETTER of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV On Safeguarding The Human Person In The Time of Artificial Intelligence.

    I’ve talked with quite a few people about AI and all the agents that can come into play in just about every business of any kind. When it comes to agriculture it seems like just all the releases sent to me include the new AI built into their products. In fact, that’s basically the purpose of the release. Some have strange names and I don’t know how they work or if they are working well. When it comes to journalism, including ag journalism, we know that it can make writing a story simple and fast. But what is this doing to people who hold jobs and are now no longer necessary?

    The first sentence of the introduction of the Encyclical is “Humanity, created by God in all its grandeur, is today facing a pivotal choice: either to construct a new Tower of Babel or to build the city in which God and humanity dwell together.”

    What do you think about AI and humanity of today? You might already understand this or perhaps you haven’t spent any time with it. However, I think it’s worth thinking about what all this means, either for work or for family.

    Here are some excerpts in the encyclical I picked out.

    • Therefore, the primary choice is not between a “yes” or “no” to technology, but rather between constructing Babel or rebuilding Jerusalem; between a power that claims to dominate the heavens and a people who work together in the presence of God to rebuild the walls of fraternal coexistence.
    • I limit myself to recalling a few essential elements for a moral and social discernment that safeguards the primacy of the human person, in order to ensure that it will always be human intelligence, with its conscience and freedom, that guides technical innovations and responsibly determines their use and limits.
    • The speed and simplicity with which information, complex analyses, media content and practical assistance can be accessed undoubtedly makes life easier. Yet they can also encourage excessive reliance and the search for ready-made answers, and weaken personal creativity and judgment.
    • Here, the danger is not so much that a person may believe they are communicating with another person, but rather that they may gradually lose the very desire to form genuine human connections.
    • Indeed, entrusting an algorithm in practice with the power to select who is worthy or not, without anyone bearing responsibility for that judgment, is to hand over the task of redefining the boundaries of human possibilities.
    • Disarming AI means freeing it from the mentality of “armed” competition, which today is not limited simply to the military context, but is also an economic and cognitive phenomenon. This entails a race for ever more powerful algorithms and larger datasets, driven by the desire to secure geopolitical or commercial dominance. To disarm means discrediting the assumption that technical power automatically confers the right to govern. To disarm does not mean rejecting technology, but preventing it from dominating humanity.
    • Disinformation did not begin with AI, yet today it finds a powerful amplifier in AI. The ability to manipulate content, images and videos exposes people to biased or misleading perspectives.
    • Online phenomena such as grooming, blackmail and the sexual exploitation of minors are not uncommon, and are made more insidious by the use of fake profiles, algorithms that facilitate dangerous contact, and AI tools capable of manipulating images and videos. Having a personal mobile device at too early an age and using it without adult supervision can exacerbate young people’s vulnerabilities, foster addiction and expose them to isolation, bullying and cyberbullying, as well as to pressures to share intimate images or sensitive information.
    AI, Media

    Industry Ag News 5/26

    Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) is pleased to announce that Ross Bodine has joined the organization as Policy Manager. In this role, Bodine will support NAWG’s advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill and with federal agencies, working to advance federal policy priorities on behalf of U.S. wheat growers.
  • Farmer-leaders of the United Soybean Board built something their fellow farmers have long needed: one place for near-term solutions that matter. The Soy Farmer Support Hub combines resources that the checkoff curated into an easy-to-follow location focused on fields, operations and the farmers themselves.
  • The World Food Prize Foundation has opened registration for the 2026 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, convening under the theme Before Hunger Wins, marking a decisive moment for the future of global food security. More information on registering, opportunities to engage and how to plan your trip can be found at worldfoodprize.org/register.
  • American Farmland Trust has named Julia Valliant as Director of the national Farms for a New Generation team, where she will lead efforts to increase access to land and capital for the rising generation of farmers and ranchers and support elder farmers and landowners in transferring their farms with dignity and confidence.
  • The Plant Based Products Council (PBPC) this week honored Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Reps. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) and Mark Messmer (R-IL) with its inaugural Congressional Bioeconomy Champion Awards in recognition of their bipartisan leadership advancing America’s growing ag bioeconomy and championing policies that support biobased manufacturing, rural economic development, and domestic innovation.
  • Over the next several weeks, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct the June Agricultural Survey by contacting over 90,000 producers across the nation to determine crop acreage and stock levels as of June 1, 2026. Producers can respond to the June Agricultural Survey online at agcounts.usda.gov, by phone, or mail. They will be asked to provide information on planted and harvested acreage, including acreage for biotech crops and grain stocks.
  • Meister Media Worldwide (MMW), the leading agriculture media and events company, has won National Silver Award for the American Fruit Grower, “Inside the State of the Fruit Industry” in the 2026 Azbee Awards of Excellence, presented by the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE).
  • In a year defined by resilience and renewal, the Apple Grower of the Year program honors a grower whose story reflects both. Extending a long line of industry standouts, American Fruit Grower® and Western Fruit Grower®, publications of parent company Meister Media Worldwide, announce Robert “Bobby” Brown III, owner of Orchard Dale Fruit Co., in Waterport, NY, as the 2026 Apple Grower of the Year. Brown is the 38th recipient of the prestigious award, presented annually and sponsored by Valent U.S.A. since 2015.
  • The Renewable Fuels Association announced that Clean Fuels Credit Consortium (CFCC) and Boulay have joined as new associate members. Together, they bring a combination of market-driven tax credit solutions and deep financial and advisory experience that will help ethanol producers better capture value and make informed decisions in an increasingly complex operating environment.
  • As the Kansas wheat harvest season begins across the Sunflower State, Michael Hinton — founder of National Antique Tractor Preservation Day, National Agricultural Hall of Fame inductee, and creator of TalkingTractors.com — has released a new country music single titled “Kansas Wheat Harvest | Golden Anthem of the Plains.” The release follows Hinton’s recent track, “Talking Tractors,” a tribute to vintage farm machinery and agricultural heritage. His latest song honors Kansas farmers, the annual wheat harvest, and America’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration. The song is available on YouTube.
  • The Missouri Rice Research and Merchandising Council has voted to rejoin the USA Rice Federation, the national trade association and global advocate for all segments of the U.S. rice industry. The decision restores Missouri’s full participation in the Federation alongside fellow rice-producing states Arkansas, California, Louisiana, and Mississippi, reuniting the industry’s major producing regions under one coordinated national voice.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    Precision Ag News 5/22

    Carrie Muehling

  • Ag Leader Technology announced the launch of Z-Row, a corn head row guidance solution that keeps the combine centered on the row while operating entirely within the InCommand® Go display.
  • Syngenta’s new Durastak Traits of Tomorrow Scholarship program is accepting applications through June 15, 2026. The program will award five $2,000 scholarships to exceptional students pursuing careers in STEM and agriculture-related fields. Syngenta’s scholarship program recognizes students who embody the traits that define leadership and drive progress: determination, resourcefulness and a forward-thinking mindset. Students can view the full rules and apply by submitting an online application at Students can view the full rules and apply by submitting an online application at Syngentaus.com/Scholarship.
  • Agraya GmbH recognizes a 25-year trajectory of advancing responsible farming worldwide. Founded as a retailer-driven initiative in 2001, the company has thoughtfully evolved alongside changing regulatory, market, and supply-chain demands, including founding GLOBALG.A.P. North America for the US and Canadian markets in 2010. Over more than two decades, it has grown into a global organization helping shape how farmed products are produced, verified, and traded. Agraya and GLOBALG.A.P. North America draws on that experience to support a wide range of value chain partners with practical, scalable solutions for a changing industry.
  • Syngenta Vegetable Seeds is opening a new R&D Technology Center in El Ejido, Almería – a state-of-the-art facility designed to combat emerging pathogens that are destroying crops and impacting grower livelihoods around the world. As part of a larger Innovation Center footprint in El Ejido, the new Technology Center plays a key role in developing solutions for fruity crops while reducing traditional breeding timelines.
  • The Plant Based Products Council (PBPC) recently concluded its 2026 Ag Bioeconomy Policy Summit, bringing together more than 60 attendees representing dozens of organizations from across the U.S. bioeconomy to advocate for policies that strengthen domestic biomanufacturing, expand markets for agricultural feedstocks, and advance America’s leadership in plant-based products innovation.
  • The International Seed Federation (ISF) has issued a new guidance document aimed at helping seed companies, suppliers, growers, and associations strengthen social rights and ethical practices in seed production. The guidelines, “A Practical Guide for Seed Production: Navigating Social Rights and Ethical Practices in the Seed Sector,” officially launched on May 20 at the World Seed Congress 2026 in Lisbon. The guidelines were developed collaboratively with some of the world’s largest seed companies including BASF, Bayer, Syngenta, and East-West Seed, alongside NGOs and seed associations from five continents.
  • Western Growers unveiled the details behind its three-year, $1.5 million partnership with on-farm ag tech robotics innovation center Reservoir Farms, a commitment that gives WG members and affiliated startups exclusive access and opportunities for robotics field trials.
  • Syngenta Group announced the signing of an agreement to divest its Flowers business into a strategic joint venture with Dümmen Orange, bringing together two global players in ornamental breeding and propagation. This partnership represents an important step forward for both organizations as they work together to better serve growers around the world. Both boards of directors have formally approved the deal, and completion of closing is subject to any necessary regulatory approvals. Syngenta Group will maintain a significant economic interest in the joint venture.
  • The Inter-American Institute for Agricultural Cooperation (IICA), alongside INNOVAGRO and the Rosario Castellanos National University, has launched the Bioeconomy and Sustainable Production Projects degree program, designed to bolster capabilities in transforming agricultural practices.
  • Join Women in Ag Tech for a discussion on what’s working with AI — and what’s falling short. Explore which challenges present real opportunities for AI, where hype may outweigh the reality, and where traditional approaches still deliver the best results. Register here.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    Animal Ag News 5/21

    Carrie Muehling

  • Zoetis Inc. announced that Dectomax/Dectomax®-CA1 (doramectin injection) was recently granted conditional approval of the 100 mL vial size for the prevention and treatment of infestations caused by Cochliomyia hominivorax (New World screwworm) larvae in cattle, and prevention of reinfestation for 21 days.
  • Leaders of Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB) and the United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) announced newly elected officers who will help guide national dairy checkoff strategies and programs aimed at protecting and growing dairy sales. Marilyn Hershey, a Cochranville, Pa., farmer was re-elected chair of DMI.
  • Chocolate has reclaimed its place as America’s favorite ice cream flavor, according to the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) biannual National Ice Cream & Frozen Novelty Trends Survey. After vanilla took the top spot in 2024, this year’s results show chocolate back at No. 1, with butter pecan also rising ahead of vanilla among U.S. consumers.
  • World Pork Expo 2026, presented by the National Pork Producers Council, returns to the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines on June 3-4 with a strong lineup of seminars, discussions, and industry learning opportunities.
  • The National Pork Board (NPB) has established a new Swine Health Advisory Committee, which held its inaugural meeting in Des Moines, Iowa. The producer-led committee will provide strategic input and guidance to help ensure the National Swine Health Strategy remains aligned with industry priorities and delivers meaningful progress.
  • The National Milk Producers Federation applauded USDA’s Interim Final Rule, “Expanding Fluid Milk Options in Child Nutrition Programs,” which includes whole and two percent milk as options in the school breakfast, Special Milk and Child and Adult Care Food programs. The rule is an important step in implementing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 that was signed into law in January.
  • Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) has announced his plans to retire at the end of 2026, concluding a decade of leadership marked by significant industry growth, policy achievements, and organizational transformation. IDFA’s Executive Council officer group is forming a committee to support the process for selecting the association’s next president and CEO while Dykes continues to serve in his role through the end of 2026 to support a smooth and thoughtful leadership transition.
  • America’s demand for meat continues to grow, even as the cost of beef, pork and chicken rises. Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff to grilling season, and in the latest Market Intel, American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed what prices shoppers may find at the grocery store. Industry analysis shows meat sales hit $112 billion in 2025, with more than 98 percent of American households purchasing meat for daily meals. USDA is forecasting consumption of beef, pork and chicken to rise in 2026.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will provide approximately $12 million to support efforts by States and Tribal governments, research institutions, and universities to control and prevent chronic wasting disease (CWD) in wild and farmed cervids (e.g., deer, elk).
  • The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) announced that Joel G. Newman, former president and CEO of the association, has been named the 2026 AFIA Distinguished Service Award (DSA) recipient in recognition of his decades-long leadership, steady guidance and lasting contributions to the animal food industry.
  • Ten universities recently participated in the 77th USPOULTRY Foundation Ted Cameron National Poultry Judging Contest, held at Mississippi State University (MSU). Texas A&M University (TAMU) won the high team overall category, while Ohio State University placed second. Additionally, TAMU’s Kyle Leibham and Annalyn Flores were recognized, with Leibham earning high individual overall honors and Flores finishing second.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites