Feedstuffs in Focus

A skilled, year-round workforce, volatile trade winds, and a surprising turn in nutrition policy: that’s the terrain U.S. dairy is navigating right now. We sit down with Gregg Doud, CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation and former U.S. ag negotiator, to map the levers that actually move the needle—from immigration reform that reflects 365‑day operations to trade strategies that depend on credible, USTR-sealed agreements.

Doud breaks down why H‑2A misses the mark for dairy, how House Ag Chair G.T. Thompson is uniquely positioned to shepherd bipartisan labor solutions, and what it really takes to keep parlors staffed and safe. We also dig into China: why geopolitical tension and agricultural necessity must coexist, what Phase One fixed, and why exporters should ignore rumors until the deal is official. When headlines like U.S. support for Argentina shake markets, he explains how to separate noise from risk—so co-ops, processors, and producers can plan with confidence.

Nutrition and consumer trust take center stage as the dairy industry explores MAHA and a potential rethink of saturated fats, with momentum building to bring whole milk back to schools. Doud shares where the votes stand, why this change matters for kids and dairy demand, and how updated guidance can align with real behavior and better outcomes. We round out with the farm bill’s current outlook, noting how recent tax wins eased pressure while leaving room for targeted updates to federal milk marketing orders.

If you care about the future of U.S. dairy—from hiring and retention to export access and school nutrition—you’ll find clear takeaways and practical context here. Enjoy the conversation, share it with a friend in agriculture, and subscribe for more policy-grounded insights. Then tell us: which policy should move first?

One sneeze at the barn door can ripple through an entire system. We sit down with Dr. Emily McDowell of Pipestone Veterinary Services to dig into one of the most fixable pathway in swine respiratory disease: human influenza spilling over into pigs. Rather than chasing every virus already circulating in herds, we focus on the front door—how people, air, and tools move—and show why simple, consistent controls can slash introductions and keep productivity steady.

We break down the practical moves that work under real barn pressure. Think sick-day policies that don’t punish crews, quick symptom checks during community spikes, and on-site flu shots that reduce shedding. We talk air and surfaces too: balanced ventilation where possible, portable HEPA in entry spaces and wipe-down routines for high-touch tools and screens. Dr. McDowell explains how to match vaccination strategy to diagnostics, when to step up PPE, and how to use surveillance data to guide short-term actions like cohorting or limiting cross-room movement. Throughout, we spotlight “low-hanging fruit” that pay off quickly—extra handwash sinks placed before animal contact, clear clean/dirty zoning, labeled tools, and visitor protocols that are easy to follow and hard to ignore.

What ties it all together is culture. When supervisors model the rules, signage sits where decisions happen, and crews have comfortable gear at arm’s reach, good biosecurity becomes the path of least resistance. The result is fewer human-origin introductions, less clinical flu in pigs, and a tighter handle on costs tied to treatment, performance dips, and downtime.

If you found this helpful, follow Feedstuffs in Focus, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review so more producers and veterinarians can find it. 

The age-old compromise between quality and yield in alfalfa production has frustrated dairy farmers for generations. Harvest too early and you sacrifice yield; harvest too late, and quality suffers, requiring expensive supplements for high-producing dairy cows. This dilemma has pushed farmers toward increasingly frequent cutting schedules just to maintain quality – until now.

Dave Witte and Parker Heise from Forage Genetics International reveal how the revolutionary HarvXtra Alfalfa trait is fundamentally changing alfalfa management on dairy farms. This innovative technology reduces lignin content in the plant, dramatically increasing digestibility and creating unprecedented flexibility for producers. Farmers can now choose between harvesting at traditional 28-day intervals for 15-20% higher quality or extending harvest to 35-36 days to gain 15-25% more yield while maintaining conventional-level quality. A wider harvest window offers valuable operational flexibility around weather events, labor shortages, and equipment breakdowns, while improving plant persistence and natural weed control.

HarvXtra Alfalfa provides dairy nutritionists with a powerful alternative for increasing digestible fiber in dairy rations. Whether you're seeking higher quality to boost milk components or looking to maximize yield while maintaining quality, HarvXtra Alfalfa delivers transformative results that are changing the economics of dairy farming. Ready to revolutionize your alfalfa management? Visit HarvXtra.com to learn more about this game-changing innovation.

This episode is sponsored by HarvXtra® Alfalfa. Every operation has different goals and priorities. There’s no silver bullet that works for everyone. But with the HarvXtra Alfalfa trait, you have options. It’s the first trait of its kind to provide the flexibility to produce higher-quality forage or extend harvest to maximize yield potential, which opens up new ways to optimize the way you grow alfalfa. Visit HarvXtra.com to learn more. 

Trust lies at the heart of agricultural innovation's greatest challenge. While technology has transformed countless industries, many promising agricultural technologies hit a wall at the farm gate. Why? Because farmers and ranchers need more than just promises – they need evidence, support, and validation from trusted sources.

Land O'Lakes has launched an ambitious solution to this persistent problem. Their new coalition, AgRogue Growth Partners brings together Radical Growth, six major retail partners, and Winfield United to create a powerful innovation platform. As Jason Trusley, Senior VP and Chief Strategy Officer at Land O'Lakes explains, this platform addresses a critical gap in the agricultural innovation ecosystem – the transition from early development to widespread adoption.

The initiative targets companies at that crucial growth stage where many agricultural technologies falter. With investments ranging from $5-10 million, AgRogue Growth Partners offers more than just capital. They provide market access through their vast network of retailers, validation through extensive testing capabilities, and management expertise from experienced entrepreneurs who understand both agriculture and technology scaling challenges.

What problems are they focused on solving? Driving farm efficiency and income, navigating retail transformation, sustaining soil health, and optimizing the agricultural supply chain. Their approach is technology-agnostic but laser-focused on addressing these fundamental challenges facing today's agricultural operations.

For innovators, this represents a unique opportunity to overcome the trust barriers that have prevented agriculture from seeing its first billion-dollar technology startup. For farmers, it means access to technologies that have been properly vetted and supported by trusted advisors. And for the agricultural industry as a whole, it offers a promising pathway to the productivity and sustainability improvements necessary for future success.

Curious about agricultural innovation or how to bring your technology to market? This conversation provides invaluable insights into what's needed to transform promising ideas into adopted solutions. Subscribe to hear more discussions about the big issues affecting agriculture and how industry leaders are working to address them.

Agriculture needs new voices and perspectives, but how do you attract talented individuals who've never considered careers in the field? Ryan Locke, National President of MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences), offers a compelling answer in this eye-opening conversation from this week's Husker Harvest Days in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Locke reveals how MANRRS bridges the critical gap between agricultural opportunities and underrepresented groups, going beyond mere awareness to actively create employment pathways. What makes this organization truly unique is its lifetime membership model—starting with high school students and continuing through retirement—creating a self-sustaining community where seasoned professionals mentor newcomers through every career stage.

His personal journey from suburban "food ignorant" background to passionate agricultural advocate demonstrates agriculture's welcoming nature. "Everything that I have that I value is because I took a chance on agriculture," Locke shares, explaining how farmers and industry professionals embraced him despite his initial lack of knowledge. This experience now fuels his mission to show others—especially those without traditional agricultural connections—that the industry offers diverse careers spanning technology, finance, environmental science, and sustainability.

For what Locke calls the "now generation"—young people eager to address global challenges immediately—agriculture provides a powerful platform to make meaningful impact. By changing the narrative around agricultural careers and demonstrating the sector's technological innovation and global importance, MANRRS is reshaping who enters the field and how they contribute to feeding, clothing, and fueling the world.

This episode is sponsored by United Animal Health, a leader in animal health and nutrition. You can learn more about United Animal Health and how they are working to advance animal science worldwide by visiting the website at UnitedANH.com

Facing the stark reality that roughly one-third of all pigs in commercial production never make it to market, the swine industry has mobilized an unprecedented collaborative effort to tackle mortality head-on. The Improving Pig Survivability Project represents a groundbreaking partnership between academic institutions and commercial producers, funded by the National Pork Board and the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research.

This comprehensive initiative has already yielded tangible results. Enhanced individual sow care protocols have reduced mortality by 2-3% on multiple farms. Researchers have identified effective strategies for addressing prolapse issues while also discovering which common practices—like certain split-suckle protocols—simply don't improve outcomes despite consuming valuable time and resources. These findings empower producers to redirect their efforts toward interventions that genuinely move the needle on survivability.

Perhaps most remarkably, the project has fostered an environment where competitors openly share what works and what doesn't. The upcoming International Conference on Pig Livability (November 5-6 in Omaha) will feature speakers from major production systems alongside representatives from competing genetic companies — all united by the common goal of improving pig survivability industrywide. The conference structure includes both general sessions and production-specific breakouts with dedicated time for open discussion, creating fertile ground for innovation and problem-solving.

Joining Feedstuffs Ann Hess to talk more about pig survivability and the upcoming conference are Dr. Joel DeRouchey, Kansas State University, and Stacie Matchan, Iowa State University. Registration, hotel information and more details on the project can be found here: https://piglivability.org/

Avian influenza has hit Hickman's Family Farm in Arizona, wiping out 6 million egg-laying hens and forcing hundreds of layoffs. But as Glenn Hickman and veterinarian Dr. Kay Russo reveal, this devastating loss might have been preventable.

The current H5N1 virus has evolved in an unprecedented way, jumping from birds to dairy cattle and even back to poultry operations. This complex transmission pattern has created a perfect storm for egg producers, with 28 million of last year's 39 million layer hen losses directly linked to spillover from dairy infections. The result? Americans paid a staggering $11 billion in higher egg prices while taxpayers spent an additional billion on cleanup efforts.

At the heart of this crisis lies a contentious debate between science and trade policy. Egg producers advocate strongly for vaccination, pointing to France's successful program that reduced outbreaks by 90%. Meanwhile, the broiler chicken industry, which exports $4-6 billion annually, resists vaccination due to potential trade repercussions. This standoff continues despite available vaccines that wouldn't affect egg quality or food safety.

"We need to put the politics aside and come up with solutions that allow us to continue to feed people economically," urges Hickman, whose operation faces a 20-month recovery timeline. With empty egg shelves affecting families and food banks nationwide, the question becomes increasingly urgent: should protecting trade agreements take precedence over ensuring a stable domestic food supply?

As fall migration approaches—traditionally a high-risk period for avian influenza—producers anxiously await guidance from USDA on vaccination protocols. The clock is ticking on a crisis that threatens not just individual farms, but America's food security itself.

This episode is brought to you by United Animal Health. For more information on United Animal Health, visit unitedanh.com and discover how they're advancing animal science worldwide.

Feed milling dynamics might not sound like the most thrilling topic at first glance, but as Shawn Bradshaw of Adisseo reveals, it's at the heart of animal agriculture's future. 

What truly defines success in feed manufacturing? Bradshaw takes us beyond the obvious metrics of quality and consistency to explore the multifaceted nature of operational excellence. Safety rightfully claims the top spot, encompassing both product safety and employee wellbeing, followed by regulatory compliance and cost management. These costs extend beyond the visible expenses of energy and labor to include less quantifiable factors like material shrinkage through handling, moisture loss, or dust—all critical components of the manufacturing equation.

The conversation pivots to practical improvement strategies, highlighting two surprisingly powerful yet sometimes underappreciated areas: maintenance and housekeeping. These foundational elements work in tandem, with well-maintained equipment supporting cleaner operations, which in turn contributes to employee satisfaction and retention. In an industry wrestling with knowledge transfer as experienced staff retire, creating an environment where people want to work becomes increasingly valuable.

Looking toward the future, Bradshaw's excitement is palpable as he describes the technological revolution on the horizon. The next decade promises unprecedented advancement through automation, AI, and IoT applications—creating integrated systems linking everything from batching with NIR analysis to feed delivery with autonomous vehicles and on-farm inventory management. AI's role as a comprehensive decision-maker could transform operations by processing all available data points simultaneously, addressing persistent industry challenges from inventory management to preventing cross-contamination.

Subscribe to Feedstuffs In Focus for more conversations exploring the biggest challenges and opportunities in animal agriculture.

Could something as seemingly simple as air quality management cut your PRRS outbreak risk in half? The latest research suggests exactly that – and it's changing how producers think about biosecurity investments.

A groundbreaking study from the University of Minnesota has revealed that properly implemented air filtration systems reduce PRRS outbreak risks by 51-58% compared to non-filtered farms. This comprehensive research analyzed data from the Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project, representing about 60% of US breeding herds over a 15+ year period. What makes this study particularly valuable is its consideration of both positive and negative pressure filtration systems, along with sophisticated controls for regional pig density and spatial correlation factors.

For producers weighing the investment, the findings provide clear ROI calculation guidance. With implementation costs ranging from $250-500 per sow and filter lifespans typically reaching 4-6 years, the protection against costly PRRS outbreaks makes a compelling business case – particularly in pig-dense regions like Southeast Iowa and Minnesota. Retrofitting existing facilities often requires upgrading fan capacity and improving building seals, but these investments extend facility lifespans by 10-20 years while dramatically reducing disease risks.

Robert Langenhorst, technical service manager with American Air Filter, and Dr. Xiaomei Yue of the University of Minnesota, emphasize that filtration must be viewed as one layer in a comprehensive biosecurity approach. Regular maintenance, inspection for damage, and proper sealing are essential for system effectiveness. 

As the industry increasingly looks to protect nurseries and growing facilities in addition to sow farms, this research provides timely guidance for strategic disease prevention through improved air quality management. 

Every summer, pig farmers face a frustrating reality: heat stress causes carcass weights to drop by 8-10 pounds precisely when market prices peak. But what if you could capture those lost pounds and the profits they represent?

Dr. David Rosero of Iowa State University and Dr. Bart Borg of Passel Farms reveal game-changing strategies to combat the summer weight dip through strategic soybean meal utilization. Their research demonstrates that understanding the minimum effective levels of soybean meal for each growth phase can maximize pig performance even during challenging heat conditions. With current markets offering dollar-plus prices during summer months, producers stand to gain $3-4 per head by implementing these approaches.

Beyond soybean meal, the experts share critical insights about ingredients that may worsen summer performance problems. High-fiber ingredients like corn DDGs can reduce feed intake during heat stress, further diminishing carcass weights. Making these nutritional decisions requires planning months ahead – typically December or January – for pigs marketed during summer. The researchers are developing new economic tools that integrate diet costs, animal performance data, and market forecasts to help producers make optimal feeding decisions.

Don't let summer heat melt away your profits. Listen now to discover how strategic nutrition management can help you maintain growth performance when market prices are at their peak. Share this episode with fellow producers who struggle with seasonal production challenges and subscribe for more practical insights that directly impact your bottom line.