Food Chain Chats

Why is the rumen so important to dairy cattle production and reproduction? What are some practical ways to keep it functioning at a high level? What is feed hygiene and how can it lead to better results on a dairy farm? Tapping his years of experience developing customized microbial products, Dr. Tom Rehberger, Director of Innovation and Product Development at Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production, discusses optimal rumen function and the role that products like CERTILLUS™ can have on ultimate success. If you want to learn how high-functioning rumens drive dairy productivity and profitability, don’t miss this #ScienceHearted discussion with host Andy Vance.

What are some of the latest, research-proven strategies for helping beef cattle deal with transportation stress and other challenges? How can building resilience in cattle reduce the chance of Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD)? Why does the G.I. tract play such an important role in immune function? In this practical, wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Elliot Block, Research Fellow and Director of Technology at Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production, talks about the role diet can play in helping beef cattle when they need it most. If you want to get all the details, you won’t want to miss this #ScienceHearted conversation with host Andy Vance.

How can those involved in animal and food production build greater trust in their work and ongoing sustainability efforts? What role does credible research play in sharing that story? How are organizations like the Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER) advancing the conversation? Drawing on his continuing work as General Manager of Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production, as well as his recent appointment as board chair at IFEEDER, Scott Druker shares his take on these and related questions. If you want to hear strategies for building even more confidence in the safety and reliability of the world food supply, you won’t want to miss Scott’s #ScienceHearted conversation with host Andy Vance.

How can the poultry industry better manage the multimillion-dollar threat of heat stress? What are key signs that indicate your birds could be at risk? Which management practices can help mitigate both the long- and short-term effects of heat stress in poultry? Using her extensive background in academic, research and industry settings, Dr. Theresia Lavergne, Monogastric Manager, Field Technical Services, at Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production, discusses everything from water and ventilation strategies to using feed additives in poultry diets. If you want to help birds keep their cool when the heat is on, you won’t want to miss Theresia’s #ScienceHearted conversation with host Andy Vance.

How can an integrated, farm-to-table approach advance food safety? What bridges can be built between government, industry and academia moving forward? How will performance standards for Salmonella and other pathogens impact the future of food safety? In this in-depth discussion, Dr. Mindy Brashears, former Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety (2019-2021) and currently Associate Vice President of Research at Texas Tech University and Director of the International Center for Food Industry Excellence, discusses key takeaways from her years in key regulatory, academic and research roles. If you want to learn more about the most pivotal food safety topics, you won’t want to miss Mindy’s #ScienceHearted conversation with host Andy Vance.

What did the first half of 2021 teach us about the state of the global food chain? What were some of the more positive developments after a difficult 2020? What opportunities and challenges lie ahead in Q3 and Q4? In this wide-ranging chat Ben Towns, Global Business Director at Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production, discusses everything from pricing, consumption and transportation trends to recent developments in microbial technologies. If you want to use learnings from the first half of the year to make the rest of 2021 as successful as possible, you won’t want to miss Ben’s #ScienceHearted conversation with host Andy Vance.

Which innovations, both in dairy nutrition and elsewhere, have contributed most to the dairy industry’s incredible advances over the years? What industry innovations can we expect to see next? Tapping a diverse background that includes both academic leadership and hands-on experience, Dr. Elliot Block, Research Fellow and Director of Technology at Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production, leads a celebratory journey through the industry’s past, present and future. If you want to reflect this June Dairy Month on how far the industry has come and anticipate what’s next, you won’t want to miss Elliot’s #ScienceHearted conversation with host Andy Vance in this episode of “Food Chain Chats.”

How can a close evaluation of protocols, procedures, and data help address food safety challenges within the poultry industry? What are some specific points in the system that can make all the difference when it comes to Salmonella and other pathogens? With a background that includes both research and hands-on experience “in the arena,” Kara Stewart, Poultry Business Manager at Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production, shares insights on taking a multi-technology, multi-hurdle approach to food safety—from live production through processing. If you want to hear the latest thinking on maintaining a safe, consistent, farm-to-family food supply, you won’t want to miss Kara’s #ScienceHearted conversation with host Andy Vance in this episode of “Food Chain Chats.” You can also learn more about the Salmonella webinar series she introduces at this link https://www.youtube.com/c/ArmandHammerAnimalandFoodProduction/videos.

How can you help your dairy cows beat the heat this summer? What steps can you take to keep them cool, healthy and productive as the temperature starts to rise? Tapping into an advanced degree from Virginia Tech and years of hands-on experience working with cows in California and the Midwest, Jeff Kearnan, Ruminant Account Manager at Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production, provides practical tips for relieving heat stress—everything from maintenance for fans and soakers to ration adjustments. If you want your cows to perform at their best when the heat is on, you won’t want to miss Jeff’s #ScienceHearted conversation with host Andy Vance in this episode of “Food Chain Chats.”

How can you manage gilts for improved sow productivity and longevity? What economic considerations should drive the decision-making process? How can data help deliver the best possible results? In this highly informative chat, Dr. Billy Flowers, a leading expert on swine management and reproduction, and a Williams Neal Reynolds and Alumni Distinguished Professor at North Carolina State University, discuss how to manage gilts for lifetime productivity. If you want healthier, more productive females that stay in the herd longer, you won’t want to miss Dr. Flowers’ #ScienceHearted conversation with host Andy Vance in this episode of “Food Chain Chats.”