The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has opened registration for its Feed Industry Institute, happening June 17-20 in Minneapolis, Minn. This biennial event brings together emerging professionals in the animal feed industry to learn more about the ingredients, processes and regulations used within the industry to manufacture and sell animal feed.
The deadline for FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative scholarships for 2024 is fast approaching and membership youth pursuing a post-secondary education in any field of study are encouraged to apply. The scholarship application deadline is March 31, 2024.
District 3 Director John Rettler of Neosho, Wis. was re-elected president of the FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative’s board of directors following the cooperative’s 12th annual meeting held on February 10, 2024. District 1 Director Steve Brock of Daggett, Mich. was re-elected vice-president, District 5 Director Stephanie Hughes of Pittsville, Wis. was re-elected secretary, and District 6 Director Bob Dietzel of East Dubuque, Ill. was re-elected treasurer. Newly elected to serve as the District 2 Director is Mark Leichtfuss of Two Rivers, Wis.
A dairy checkoff partnership is putting hot chocolate milk into the hands of students during a pilot with a leading school foodservice company. National Dairy Council (NDC) and Chartwells K12, which serves more than two million meals daily at 700 U.S. school districts, have launched the Hot Chocolate Milk program in 58 schools. The pilot, which will run through the end of the school year, features chocolate milk – with toppings such as cinnamon and peppermint – served hot during breakfast and lunch.
Smithfield Foods has named Brendan Smith as its chief marketing officer and Allyson Bouldon as its chief ethics and compliance officer.
Smithfield Foods has named Kraig Westerbeek as president of its hog production operations effective Feb. 29, reporting to President and Chief Executive Officer Shane Smith.
Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) is a disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes that infects pigs, horses and humans. In swine, this virus causes reproductive failure, delayed farrowing, stillbirths, mummified fetuses and weak piglets. While this virus has not been detected in the U.S., it is recently spreading, increasing the potential it could reach the U.S. To address this threat, the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) are funding a $1 million Japanese Encephalitis Virus Research Program to enhance U.S. prevention, preparedness and response capabilities.
dsm-firmenich received market authorization for Bovaer in Canada for use with dairy and beef cattle. Bovaer is a feed ingredient which immediately and effectively reduces methane emissions from cattle. This feed ingredient is an important tool for the nearly 10,000 dairy farmers in Canada, and will enable them to make a substantial step forward towards their net zero ambitions. Bovaer reduces methane emissions by 30 percent on average for dairy cows, and thereby lowers the overall greenhouse gas footprint per liter of milk by 10-15 percent.
Vytelle announced a strategic collaboration with Blocktrust Network, an innovative, API driven platform to enhance transparency and efficiency in the beef supply chain. This collaboration marks the first of its kind aimed to leverage their respective strengths targeting the feeder cattle market.
Nearly 500 pet food industry professionals came together Jan. 31 to hear the latest in pet food innovation, sustainability and emerging trends impacting the industry at the American Feed Industry Association’s (AFIA) 17th annual Pet Food Conference, held during the 2024 International Production & Processing Expo.
The 2024 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) had a terrific year with 1,432 exhibitors covering 620,850 square feet of exhibit space, setting two new records. IPPE is the world’s largest annual feed, meat, and poultry and egg industry event of its kind and is one of the 25 largest trade shows in the United States. IPPE is sponsored by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, American Feed Industry Association and the Meat Institute.
Veterinarians and animal health distributors continue to show support to the next generation of agriculture through the Zoetis Industry Support Program. From Feb. 1 through April 30, 2024, customers may designate a portion of sales from eligible Zoetis Cattle and Equine products to their local FFA chapters. Last year, more than $375,000 was donated to 1,175 FFA chapters with over 25,000 students benefiting from the contributions.
Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association announced student opportunities available during the 2024 Cattle Raisers Convention & Expo including a graduate research poster showcase and a youth photo contest. Application deadline for both the graduate poster showcase and youth photo contest is March 1, 2024. To learn more about contest, student opportunities and to register, visit cattleraisersconvention.com/student-opportunities.
National Farmers Union (NFU) sent a letter to Appropriations Committee leadership opposing harmful restrictions that would undo important work to revitalize the Packers and Stockyards Act (P&S Act) to better protect family farmers and ranchers. The letter, signed by national, regional, and state organizations, points out that “opponents of competitive agricultural markets are seeking to roll back the work USDA has already completed, prevent USDA from making additional progress on these rules, and prevent any similar effort in the future.”
The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) and Competitive Markets Action (CMA), publicly announced the recipients of their 2023 Congressional Leadership Awards and their Competitive Markets Legislator of the Year Award recipient, U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney, R-WV. The groups measured recognition by three actions in the U.S. House: Leaders of a letter to the House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson, R-PA, and Ranking Member David Scott, D-GA, with staunch opposition to the Ending Agriculture Trade Suppression (EATS) Act, H.R. 4417/S. 2018, led by Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-IA, and Sen. Roger Marshall, R-KS, that would nullify more than a thousand state and local laws that provide certainty and security in the marketplace for independent family farmers and ranchers. Those who received the award include Reps. Andrew Garbarino, R-NY, David Valadao, R-CA, Nancy Mace, R-SC, and Michael Waltz, R-FL.
