Feedstuffs in Focus

The agricultural landscape is evolving rapidly, and artificial intelligence (AI) stands at the forefront of this transformation. Jacqui Fatka, farm supply and biofuels economist with CoBank, takes us on a comprehensive journey through AI's emerging role in agricultural retail and farm supply cooperatives.

Far from threatening the traditional relationships between farmers and their trusted advisors, AI offers powerful tools to strengthen these connections. As Fatka explains, "That relationship is paramount. Farmers really depend on that trusted partner with those ag retailers." The technology enables agronomists to develop more precise prescriptions, capture critical field observations, and respond proactively to emerging threats – all while preserving the human touch that agriculture demands.

The accessibility of AI continues to grow, with entry points spanning from simple front-office applications to sophisticated supply chain optimization. Microsoft Teams' Co-Pilot feature, for instance, can streamline communication and documentation, while more advanced implementations might connect divisions within organizations that previously operated in silos. Fatka emphasizes the importance of privacy considerations and finding partners who truly understand agriculture's unique challenges rather than generic AI providers promising unrealistic returns.

Perhaps most significantly, AI offers a solution to one of agriculture's persistent challenges: preserving institutional knowledge when experienced staff members retire or change positions. By capturing detailed customer profiles and operational insights, AI systems create continuity that benefits both businesses and the farmers they serve, especially in today's tight labor market. As Fatka notes, "The relationships and how you really lean into knowing that producer, that grower, having it captured in an AI system, allows that easy transition." 

Discover how this powerful technology is reshaping agricultural service delivery while honoring the human connections that remain at the heart of farming communities.

A Super Bowl commercial extolling "a world without cows" became the final straw for Alltech, spurring them to commission a documentary that would tell the real story of global animal agriculture. What emerged after three and a half years of investigation across 40 locations worldwide is a compelling narrative that's changing minds—even among non-agricultural audiences.

"World Without Cows" takes viewers on a global journey examining the multifaceted role of cattle in our food systems, economies, and ecosystems. The documentary challenges prevailing narratives by presenting science-based facts gathered from diverse sources including ranchers, economists, nutritionists, and even vegans. It reveals surprising truths about how livestock contributes to carbon sequestration, provides essential nutrition to vulnerable populations, and sustains the livelihoods of millions worldwide.

Though centrally focused on cattle, the documentary resonates deeply across all livestock sectors. As Lori Stevermer, a pig farmer and past president of the National Pork Producers Council explains, the core messages apply universally—whether discussing cows or pigs, the positive impacts on nutrition, rural communities, and environmental sustainability remain constant. The film has become a powerful tool helping producers "show up" and explain their practices to consumers and policymakers who may be disconnected from agricultural realities.

Already translated into 19 languages and screened everywhere from financial institutions to parliamentary chambers, "World Without Cows" represents just the beginning of Alltech's commitment to science-based storytelling and advocacy, says Susanna Elliott of Alltech. Discover the documentary and join the conversation that's building bridges between producers and consumers, science and storytelling, at www.WorldWithoutCows.com.

Phibro Animal Health made a landmark move in the animal health industry with its recent acquisition of the medicated feed additive product portfolio and certain water-soluble products from Zoetis, Inc. This pivotal expansion marks a significant advancement in fulfilling the company's mission of optimizing global animal health for a more sustainable world.

During our conversation at the World Pork Expo with Scott Fry, Director of Swine Business, and Larry Miller, Chief Operating Officer, we explored how this acquisition transforms Phibro's capabilities. The newly expanded portfolio brings scientifically validated products marketed in approximately 100 countries worldwide under Phibro's umbrella, complementing it existing offerings.

What makes this development particularly exciting for swine producers is the comprehensive coverage it now provides across the entire production cycle. Phibro has traditionally excelled in solutions for the sow and nursery phases, but can now deliver expert support from birth through finishing. This complete approach combines medicated feed additives, branded nutrition products, customized autogenous vaccines, and mineral nutrition solutions —allowing producers to implement more integrated health management strategies tailored to its specific challenges.

Discover how Phibro's expanded capabilities could transform your approach to livestock health management by visiting www.pahc.com or connecting with a Phibro representative. 

A collaboration between the Angus Foundation and the Bezos Earth Fund and Global Methane Fund has sparked passionate debate throughout the cattle industry. At its heart lies a $4.85 million research grant focused on exploring genetic differences in methane production among cattle—but as we discover, this project represents far more than environmental concerns.

Matt Perrier of Dalebanks Angus, whose family has ranched the same Kansas land since 1867, offers a producer's perspective on why this research matters. "Our interest is trying to find cows that do more with less," Perrier explains, highlighting that the primary motivation isn't climate change mitigation but identifying cattle that convert range forage more efficiently into meat and milk. The research builds upon promising work at land-grant universities suggesting that cattle emitting less methane may be retaining more energy for productive purposes.

What makes this initiative particularly significant is how it bridges different worlds. For ranchers, it promises economic benefits through more efficient animals. For environmental groups, it offers potential methane reductions. The research structure ensures the beef industry maintains control of the data while accessing funding that would otherwise be unavailable—a pragmatic approach to advancing genetic selection tools that benefit producers first and foremost.

Beyond the technical aspects, Perrier points to another valuable outcome: changing the conversation about cattle production. Rather than merely defending against environmental criticism, this research positions ranchers as proactive stewards willing to innovate. "We're as concerned about the environment as anybody," Perrier notes, "and that's why we're doing this." This forward-thinking approach may represent the next frontier in sustainable beef production, combining generations of ranching wisdom with cutting-edge science.

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PRRS (Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome) stands as the most economically devastating disease in US swine production since the eradication of classic swine fever. What makes this viral pathogen so destructive? Dr. Nic Lauterbach, Technical Services Veterinarian with Pharmgate Animal Health, brings seven years of front-line experience battling PRRS to this essential conversation.

The days of PRRS being merely a seasonal concern have vanished. Modern producers now face this challenge year-round across operations of all sizes and geographic locations. Dr. Lauterbach explains how PRRS manifests through its namesake symptoms – reproductive failures (including abortions and stillbirths) and respiratory distress that weakens immune defenses. This immunosuppression creates the perfect storm for secondary bacterial infections that would otherwise pose little threat to healthy pigs.

Prevention through rigorous biosecurity remains the gold standard approach, but when PRRS threatens, a comprehensive strategy becomes essential. Dr. Lauterbach details Pharmgate's multi-faceted approach, highlighting their PRRSGard vaccine, which has demonstrated efficacy against relevant wild-type strains. For herds experiencing active infection, managing secondary bacterial complications becomes crucial – another area where Pharmgate offers proven solutions.

Ready to strengthen your PRRS defense strategy? Visit Pharmgate.com/usa or connect with the Pharmgate team at the upcoming World Pork Expo to learn how their experience and solutions can work for your operation.

Taste is taking center stage as the National Pork Board unveils a bold new strategy to transform how consumers—especially younger generations—think about pork. Sarah Showalter and Neal Hull reveal how deep consumer insights are reshaping the future of pork marketing in America.

At the heart of this transformation is a surprising disconnect: millennials and Gen Z consumers who claim they "don't eat pork" while enthusiastically consuming bacon, ribs, pepperoni, and sausage. This revelation has sparked a strategic pivot from positioning pork as merely a center-of-plate protein to showcasing it as a versatile ingredient in culturally-inspired recipes that younger consumers already love—like potstickers, tonkatsu, stir-fries, and carnitas.

The new "Taste What Pork Can Do" campaign leverages fascinating consumer trends, including the explosion of air fryers (now more common in American homes than coffee makers) and growing interest in smokers and grilling. By targeting specific consumer segments—from "confident meat eaters" who love grilling to "culinary adventurers" seeking new flavors—the Pork Board is meeting consumers where they are while highlighting pork's unmatched versatility. The campaign represents a long-term commitment to making pork relevant for future generations, embracing a "whole hog" approach that celebrates both fresh cuts and processed products while honoring pork's cultural significance across diverse communities.

Subscribe to Feedstuffs in Focus for more conversations about the innovations and strategies shaping the future of food and agriculture.

The safety nets protecting America's agricultural workforce are unraveling. Dr. Jeff Bender, Director of the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH), reveals the far-reaching consequences of recent budget cuts to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) - cuts that have already eliminated 85% of the agency's workforce.

For fourteen years, UMASH has served as a vital resource for farmers, agricultural workers, and rural communities across the Upper Midwest, and beyond. Under the recent cuts to NIOSH, the center's funding is set to expire in September. 

Using a "One Health" approach and recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, the center has pioneered innovative solutions to complex problems. From training rural volunteer firefighters to handle farm emergencies to researching better respiratory protection in swine and dairy facilities, UMASH projects, past and present, address real-world challenges that commercial interests typically overlook.

For more information on UMASH, visit: https://umash.umn.edu/about-the-center/

A tug-of-war is brewing between building America's shipbuilding capacity and maintaining the competitiveness of U.S. agricultural exports. As Mike Steenhoek, Executive Director of the Soy Transportation Coalition, explains, this tension stems from recent USTR actions addressing Chinese dominance in global shipbuilding—a position China achieved through 25 years of focused development to capture over 50% of vessel production worldwide.

While promoting domestic shipbuilding represents a worthy national goal, Steenhoek argues the implementation timeline creates impossible expectations for critical export industries. "I'd rather have government policy be predictably good than sporadically great," he notes, highlighting how short-term trade disruptions often lead to permanent shifts in global supply chains. When the 2018-2019 trade dispute with China redirected agricultural purchases toward Brazil, it accelerated Chinese investment in Brazilian infrastructure—investments that remain in place regardless of future U.S.-China relations.

The immediate effects of current policies are already visible at American ports. The Port of Los Angeles projects a 35% decrease in vessel arrivals compared to last year, with retail inventory shortages expected within 5-7 weeks. For agricultural exporters, the situation threatens both immediate access to shipping capacity and long-term market relationships. When fees remain on vessels both built and operated by Chinese entities—vessels that currently transport substantial volumes of U.S. grain—the available shipping pool shrinks while export demand remains constant, inevitably driving up transportation costs. As Steenhoek aptly summarizes using an aviation metaphor: building domestic shipbuilding capacity requires a runway length appropriate for takeoff, not an aircraft carrier deck that sends the economy plunging into the ocean.

Subscribe now to hear more conversations examining how transportation and trade policies affect the competitiveness of American agriculture.

The razor-thin margins in today's pork industry demand a laser focus on herd health to maintain profitability. Dr. Nic Lauterbach, Technical Services Veterinarian with Pharmgate Animal Health, draws on his years of industry experience to deliver practical insights on keeping pigs healthy during challenging times.

What makes sick pigs so costly? As Dr. Lauterbach explains, illness diminishes the efficiency of every production input – feed conversion suffers, space utilization decreases, and labor requirements increase. This cascade effect can quickly erode already slim profit margins. The key is developing systems that both prevent disease entry and respond rapidly when health challenges emerge.

Producers should watch for specific warning signs that might indicate brewing health issues. Reduced water consumption often serves as the earliest indicator, followed by lethargy, decreased feed intake, and increased need for individual treatments. Dr. Lauterbach emphasizes the critical importance of establishing a strong health team before problems arise, creating clear communication channels that enable quick diagnostic testing and appropriate intervention strategies. This proactive approach can mean the difference between a manageable health event and a devastating outbreak.

Cattle producers often turn to average daily gain, feed conversion or reproduction when targeting improved efficiency but while they all have a place, a focus on feed efficiency traits is critical as it zeroes in on both the cost of feed and the value of gain.

Jason Osterstock, Chief Science Officer at Vytelle, joins Sarah Muirhead to explore how data-driven approaches are transforming herd management decisions. Rather than relying solely on conventional measures like average daily gain or feed conversion, forward-thinking producers are harnessing sophisticated analytics to identify animals with superior efficiency traits. These insights enable more strategic breeding decisions that compound benefits across generations.

What makes this evolution particularly exciting is its accessibility. Technologies that were once reserved for only the largest operations are now available to producers of all sizes through user-friendly platforms and mobile devices. This democratization of data science allows the entire industry to advance toward more sustainable production methods. Vytelle exemplifies this approach with its integrated technology platform designed to help cattle producers deliver more protein with fewer inputs, ensuring that meat and milk remain competitive food choices for future generations amid growing sustainability concerns.

Want to learn more about optimizing your herd's efficiency? Visit vytelle.com to discover how their technology solutions can transform your operation. 

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