Feedstuffs in Focus

Feedstuffs

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Feedstuffs in Focus is a weekly look at the hot issues in the livestock, poultry, grain and feed industries. Join us as we talk with industry influencers, experts and leaders about trends and more. Feedstuffs in Focus is produced by the team at Feedstuffs.

1D AGO

Inside the feed supply chain: How nutrient shortages are impacting U.S. protein sector

The proper nutrients can make a big difference but what happens when they aren't available or are priced out of the diet formulation? We sit down with IFEEDER’s Laura Moody and Dr. Yuan-Tia Hong to unpack new species-level reports that reveal how disruptions in feed-grade vitamins and amino acids ripple through broilers, layers, turkeys, and swine operations. The conversation connects precise on-farm impacts—like average daily gain cut in half when lysine runs short and broiler meat yield slipping by double digits—to the bigger picture of U.S. food security and supply chain resilience. We dig into what the data say: where lysine, methionine, threonine, and tryptophan matter most by species and phase; how vitamin A, B-complex, D, and E shape animal health and carcass yield; and why reformulating with corn, soybean meal, DDGS, or fish meal is only a partial fix. You’ll hear how higher crude protein can strain gut health and barns, why costs can spike more than 50% when replacing methionine in poultry diets, and where ingredient-based vitamin replacement simply hits a wall. Then we zoom out to trade realities: imports of vitamins rising from roughly 68% to 76%, a widening price discount from China encouraging least-cost rations, and vitamin A capacity utilization hovering around 40–50%, all pointing to fragility in a system that looks cheap—until it is not. We talk through practical resilience moves for producers and nutrition teams, from mapping critical nutrients and testing reformulation scenarios to diversifying suppliers and considering targeted inventories. On the policy side, we explore why tariffs likely miss the mark for vitamins, and how credible data equips stakeholders to pursue smarter levers that encourage diversified capacity and faster approvals for alternative sources. Want the details? The full 200-plus-page report, a 12-page summary, and species subreports are available at ifeeder.org. If this conversation helps you plan better, subscribe, share with your team, and leave a review. Your feedback guides future deep dives and keeps these industry-critical insights flowing.

16 min
FEB 6

Akralos to deliver advanced feed and nutrition solutions

Akralos Animal Nutrition, a new North American animal feed and nutrition company, officially launched Feb. 1. Formed through a joint venture between global agriculture leaders ADM and Alltech, Akralos combines Alltech’s U.S.-based Hubbard Feeds and Canada-based Masterfeeds businesses with ADM’s U.S. feed operations. Operating an extensive network of more than 40 feed mills across North America and supported by more than 1,400 team members, Akralos delivers reliable, high-quality feeds, minerals and supplements through its trusted brands, backed by advanced nutrition expertise, leading-edge science and personalized service. We talk with Alltech President and CEO Dr. Mark Lyons to learn more about the longstanding relationship between the two companies, the unified organization's mission and what's ahead.

16 min
JAN 28

Trust through science: Common Swine Industry Audit

Proof builds trust, and trust keeps the supply chain moving. We take you inside the Common Swine Industry Audit (CSIA) to show how one science-based, third-party verification practices helps producers and packers demonstrate animal welfare and pre-harvest pork safety with clarity and credibility. With guests Brooke Kitting, CSIA task force co-chair and senior veterinarian at Seaboard Foods, and Stephanie Wetter, Director of Animal Welfare at the National Pork Board, we explore why a single recognized audit reduces duplicative demands while protecting freedom to operate for farms of every size. We break down the 2026 CSIA updates that matter most. The audit now reflects the Five Domains model, shifting from a narrow focus on avoiding negatives to recognizing positive welfare states that contribute to a good life for pigs. You’ll hear how the animal benchmarking section evolves, why sampling is being expanded to detect low-frequency issues with greater confidence, and how clear transport space and handling criteria close critical gaps between barn and plant. These changes align with PQA Plus and TQA, creating a teach–implement–verify loop that matches what caretakers do every day and what customers expect to see documented. Beyond passing a checklist, the goal is a reliable feedback loop that drives continuous improvement and builds stronger trust with processors, retailers, and global customers. Ready to see how a single, science-backed practices can raise the bar for welfare, safety, and transparency across U.S. pork? Follow the show, share this episode with your team, and leave a quick review to tell us what change you’re most excited about.

16 min
JAN 23

Study defines value and challenges of Mississippi River shipping channel

A single stretch of water can set the tone for global prices, rural incomes, and the cost of everyday goods. We dive into the Mississippi River Ship Channel with Ken Erickson of Polaris Analytics and Consulting and Sean Duffy of the Big River Coalition to unpack new, verifiable numbers that quantify its outsized role in U.S. trade. The study pegs $226.5 billion in annual value moving through a corridor that links Midwest barges to ocean-going vessels, stitching together grain exports, fertilizer supply, refined products, coal, cement, aggregates, and more into a single, high-throughput system. We explore how reliability turns into real money: why every foot of lost draft can raise ocean freight rates about 2%, how brief closures ripple into weaker basis for farmers, and where those costs land first in local communities—lost output, fewer labor hours, and thinner tax receipts. The conversation traces supply chains from Baton Rouge past New Orleans to the Gulf, highlighting five deepwater ports that together handle nearly 500 million tons a year. We also address policy head-on, showing how hard data—sourced from vessel agents, customs districts, and industry partners—strengthens the case for sustained dredging and smarter infrastructure funding. If this story of data, infrastructure, and competitiveness speaks to you, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a review to help others find it.

27 min
JAN 14

Preparing gilts with purpose, managing to maximize genetic potential

Most farms chase averages and miss the levers that actually move sow productivity. We pull back the curtain on what truly drives reproduction and lifetime output: preparing gilts with purpose, managing health and stress to guard genetic potential, and leaning on objective, repeatable data instead of gut feel. With Dr. Chad Yoder of Elanco Animal Health, we connect the dots between environment, selection intensity, and the everyday choices that decide whether a sow flourishes or falls behind. We start by challenging one-size-fits-all SOPs. Housing systems, health status, and pen design aren’t background details—they’re the context that shapes outcomes. From stall-based to ESF group housing, the plan must fit the barn. Then we dive into body condition as a precision tool: why over-fat sows struggle to farrow and milk, why thin sows miss rebreed targets, and how calipers and emerging camera tech turn subjective scoring into actionable numbers. Consistent checkpoints through gestation and lactation let you course-correct before performance slips. Stress control is the quiet superpower. Each biological milestone—entry, training, breeding, farrowing, lactation—adds load and inflammation that erode potential. Smart handling, fewer movements, cleaner spaces, and well-timed nutrition or feed-grade interventions help sows stay on track. We pair that with data discipline: routine diagnostics to define health status, distribution analysis to spot weak subgroups, and year-over-year benchmarking to keep pace with genetic gains. Finally, we spotlight gilt development and selection—boar exposure, structure scoring, vulva size, body condition—and the advantage of raising more gilts than you need so you can select only the best. If you’re ready to shift from averages to precision—feeding where the sow is and where she needs to be, selecting for longevity, and reading data that actually guides action—this conversation is your playbook. Subscribe, share with your team, and leave a review with the one metric you’ll start tracking differently this week.

16 min
JAN 9

Eggs take top billing in new U.S. Dietary Guidelines

Protein took the main stage in the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and we dig into why eggs rose to the top. With Emily Metz, President and CEO of the American Egg Board, we explore the real-food case for eggs: complete protein, nutrient density, affordability, and a versatility that works for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything between. We also clear the air on cholesterol with current science and discuss how consumer understanding has shifted from fear to trust. The conversation turns to new brain health research, including studies indicating a relationship between eating two eggs a day and a lower risk of Alzheimer’s dementia. We talk about nutrients like choline and lutein, why this matters as populations age, and how simple, daily habits can support cognitive health. If you’re focused on satiety or navigating GLP1 medications, eggs offer a compact calorie-to-protein ratio that makes sticking to a higher-protein pattern easier and more satisfying. From the industry side, we shares why the guidelines validate years of research support from egg farmers. We also look ahead to IPPE highlights, consumer education around all-day egg eating, and the role of U.S. egg products in promising export markets. Enjoy the episode, share it with a friend who still thinks eggs are only for breakfast, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review to help more listeners find the show.

11 min
12/26/2025

IPPE 2026: Bigger, busier, even better

Planning a smart, efficient International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) 2026 starts long before you hit the show floor. We break down the must-see sessions, the most valuable networking spots, and the tools that will help you navigate 665,000 square feet of exhibits and nearly 1,400 companies without missing the moments that matter. We talk with Victoria Broehm of the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) to find out more about a free AFIA Feed Production Education Program delivering fast, useful updates on FDA’s new ingredient review and consultation processes, GRAS reforms, EPA’s approach to formaldehyde, and OSHA’s heat injury and illness prevention rules. Add in practical mycotoxin management and you’ve got a crisp briefing to align your team on compliance, quality, and operational risk. From there, the AFIA nutrition program reframes “old” ingredients with new data on animal health, feed efficiency, and sustainability, plus micro and macro ingredient trends that inform modern ration design and clear consumer communication. Pet food leaders will find an all-day conference that digs into AI for recipe design and kibble production, along with the rise of black soldier fly larvae as a credible protein option. Expect regulatory perspective from FDA and fresh insights from students shaping the future of pet nutrition. On the Tech Talks stage, AFIA and iFeeder share new research on vitamin and amino acid supply chains, showing how disruptions can ripple across species and how to plan resilient procurement. The Animal Agriculture Sustainability Summit connects the dots between ingredient innovation, feed efficiency, and measurable progress across poultry, meat, and feed. We also map the lighter, high-value touchpoints: a show-floor happy hour with a country vibe, courtyard meetups, and the return of the hot wing challenge. First-timer or veteran, bring a buddy, download the app, plan your routes, and bookmark lunch spots near your sessions to keep your energy up and your calendar tight. Subscribe, share this guide with your team, and leave a review telling us which session or technology you’re most excited to explore. For more information, visit ippexpo.org.

14 min
12/17/2025

Intestinal health, immunity and profit in modern dairies

Milk yield, fertility, and resilience don’t start in the parlor—they start at the intestinal barrier. We sit down with Dr. Elliot Neto, Dairy Technical Service Manager at Kemin North America, to unpack why gut integrity is the hidden driver of modern dairy performance and how a leaky barrier quietly siphons energy, components, and profit. From calves with permeable, naive guts to fresh cows facing intake swings and heat stress, we connect the physiology to practical decisions that make or break the lactation curve. We walk through the core stressors that challenge the intestine: inconsistent colostrum delivery, abrupt weaning, pathogenic pressure from E. coli and Salmonella, transition-related drops in dry matter intake, and rising heat stress that redirects blood away from the gut. Dr. Neto explains the cascade when tight junctions fail—LPS translocation, systemic inflammation, and glucose diverted from milk to the immune response—translating into lost kilograms of milk per day, poorer feed efficiency, and higher disease risk. The message is clear: protect the barrier and you protect the balance sheet. Then we get tactical. We dig into strain-specific probiotics—especially characterized Bacillus subtilis—that deliver three proven modes of action: pathogen inhibition via antimicrobial metabolites, inflammation reduction through signaling control, and quorum quenching to block pathogen communication and biofilms. For calves, that means fewer scours and steadier intake; for transition cows, stronger barriers, better DMI, improved liver function, and higher peak milk. We also discuss Kemin’s research frontier: genomic strain mapping, metabolite profiling, biomarkers like circulating LPS and tight junction proteins, and functional nutrition with targeted amino acids and postbiotics. If you’re ready to stop chasing gut problems and start building resilience, this conversation gives you the roadmap and the why behind it. Subscribe, share this episode with your nutritionist or herd manager, and leave a review telling us the one gut-health change you’ll implement this season.

16 min

5

out of 5

8 Ratings

Feedstuffs in Focus is a weekly look at the hot issues in the livestock, poultry, grain and feed industries. Join us as we talk with industry influencers, experts and leaders about trends and more. Feedstuffs in Focus is produced by the team at Feedstuffs.

Creator

Feedstuffs
Years Active

2019 - 2026
Episodes

319
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 Feedstuffs in Focus
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Feedstuffs in Focus