Feedstuffs in Focus

There is a new leadership in Washington, D.C., and changes have already started to happen on the policy and regulatory front. What’s might all the change mean for the U.S. feed industry?

Joining us from IPPE 2025 in Atlanta, Ga., to talk about policy and the new Administration is Constance Cullman, President and CEO of the American Feed Industry Association.

This episode of Feedstuffs in Focus 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

The spread of high-risk human and animal diseases across borders in the last five years has clearly demonstrated that the best-laid plans can go wrong when it comes to infectious disease control and prevention. In fact, North American and European countries proved decades ago that swine diseases like ASF and classical swine fever can be eradicated through effective government policies, even without ideal vaccines. However, the world has since changed.

Joining our Ann Hess to discuss this topic and more from the PRRS Symposium in Chicago is Dr. Jishu Shi of Kansas State University. Jishu Shi’s research programs focus on the development of novel vaccine technologies for animal infectious diseases. His team is currently evaluating novel adjuvants and strategies for vaccines targeting porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, swine influenza virus, porcine circovirus, and avian influenza virus. In addition, his team is also investigating the molecular mechanisms of IL-1beta release from macrophages and the role of IL-1beta in macrophage-cancer stem cell interactions.

This episode of Feedstuffs in Focus 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

The spread of high-risk human and animal diseases across borders in the last five years has clearly demonstrated that the best-laid plans can go wrong when it comes to infectious disease control and prevention. In fact, North American and European countries proved decades ago that swine diseases like ASF and classical swine fever can be eradicated through effective government policies, even without ideal vaccines. However, the world has since changed.

Joining our Ann Hess to discuss this topic and more from the PRRS Symposium in Chicago is Dr. Jishu Shi of Kansas State University. 

Dr. Jishu Shi's research team develops vaccine adjuvants, novel diagnostic assays and vaccines for swine infectious diseases. Specifically, his team focuses research on African swine fever (ASF), Streptococcus suis, swine influenza virus (SIV), classical swine fever (CSF), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), and other emerging infectious diseases of swine.

This episode of Feedstuffs in Focus 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

This episode explores the critical issue of biofilms in waterlines and their hidden impact on swine health and productivity. Understanding biofilms can help producers implement better management practices, ensuring optimal water quality and animal welfare. 

• Dr. Gabi Doughan of the Swine Medicine Education Center discusses her research on waterline biofilms in swine operations 
• Biofilms pose significant health risks for pigs 
• Importance of testing both source and in-barn water for pathogens 
• Regular cleaning and maintenance practices for water systems are essential 
• Beyond health, managing biofilms can improve overall production metrics 
• Need for ongoing research to refine management strategies in the swine industry

This episode is brought to you by Pharmgate Animal Health, a growing business that puts livestock first. Pharmgate provides a proven portfolio of technically supported, high-quality products that are the foundation of custom herd health protocols. By offering multiple options for active ingredients, concentrations, and administration routes, Pharmgate provides you with choices to fit your needs backed by a team with technical expertise to get the results you want.

It’s the world’s largest annual poultry, feed and meat technology exposition and it’s coming up January 28-30 in Atlanta, Ga. 

Known as the International Production and Processing Expo, it offers a vast show floor highlighting the latest in technology, products and services, along with extensive networking and education opportunities for all. 

Joining us to talk about IPPE 2025 is Sarah Novak, Chief Operating Officer of the American Feed Industry Association. 

For more information, visit https://www.ippexpo.org

In this episode, we explore strategies to bolster the pork industry's resilience.

Christine McCracken, Senior Animal Protein Analyst at Rabobank, graces Feedstuffs Pork Nation with her expertise on the state of the pork industry. Curious about the path to recovery and what lies ahead in 2025 for pork producers? We're unpacking the improving financial health and potential for more robust margins, despite looming challenges like political uncertainties, tariffs, and changing immigration policies.

Discover why maintaining solid trade relationships with key partners such as Mexico and Canada is more crucial than ever. We also tackle how the industry is innovatively addressing labor shortages through automation and improved workforce management.

We also delve into critical economic concerns, including the national debt's effect on the US credit rating and its potential ramifications for agriculture. While sovereign debt issues linger, we discuss the importance of staying informed and engaging with lenders to mitigate risks. With only minor interest rate adjustments anticipated, some stability is expected.

As we close the year, Christine emphasizes the critical need for biosecurity and community support within the industry. Risk management takes center stage as pork producers are encouraged to partner with advisors to navigate shifting market conditions and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Feedstuffs Pork Nation is brought to you by Alltech. Alltech delivers smarter, more sustainable solutions for agriculture through a diverse portfolio of products and services. Contact the Alltech Pork Team or visit go.alltech.com/swine-research to learn more.

The Center for Animal Health and Food Safety, in collaboration with the Swine Health Information Center, has developed a near-real-time event-based surveillance system to support informed decision making for U.S. pork producers. To further enhance disease monitoring, the team has expanded its focus to include production diseases, and develop a global swine disease dashboard. What might this mean for the hog industry?

From the 2024 International Conference of Swine Viral Diseases in Chicago, Feedstuffs Ann Hess talks with Dr. Rachael Schulte, University of Minnesota to find out about the new surveillance system

This episode of Feedstuffs in Focus 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

With disease outbreaks on the rise across the Midwest, controlling swine respiratory disease (SRD) pathogens has become even more crucial. Air filtration has been shown to reduce pathogen introduction. However, aerosol transmission into barns continues to occur.

This episode is brought to you by Pharmgate Animal Health, a growing business that puts livestock first. Pharmgate provides a proven portfolio of technically supported, high-quality products that are the foundation of custom herd health protocols. By offering multiple options for active ingredients, concentrations, and administration routes, Pharmgate provides you with choices to fit your needs, backed by a team with technical expertise to get the results you want.

From the 2024 International Conference of Swine Viral Diseases in Chicago, Feedstuffs' Ann Hess talks with Erin Kettelkamp of Swine Vet Center to, among other things, dig into a recent study in the area of biocontainment and airborne swine pathogens and its findings. 

To access more SRD resources and connect with an expert, visit Pharmgate.com.

Similarities and differences exist in poultry production around the world. In Germany, production and labeling standards are driving change and creating opportunities. Likewise, technology aimed at reducing labor in all stages of production and processing are under evaluation and implementation. 

We catch up with Brian Earnest, lead economist for animal protein in CoBank's Knowledge Exchange research division, to get his observations from a recent trip to Germany where he visited poultry production operations, a grocery store, a feed mill and spoke during a preconference to EuroTier.

This episode of Feedstuffs in Focus 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

There is a new convenient, one-shot, low-volume antibiotic from Elanco Animal Health that offers swine respiratory disease treatment protocol flexibility from nursery to finish. Pradalex has a unique structure that differs from any molecule in its class. What opportunities might Pradalex have for your hog operation. 

Joining us to share his experience and trial work to date with Pradalex is veterinarian Dr. Paul Thomas of AMVC.

This episode of Feedstuffs in Focus is brought to you by Elanco Animal Health. Learn more about Elanco at farmanimal.elanco.com/us/swine