This 1946 image of the Midwest Mineral Co. near Indianapolis, Ind., typifies the exteriors of many feed stores of that era.
Photo: From the AFIA Archives.
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As World War II fueled agricultural and industrial production and employment, the U.S. economy surged again, starting what would become a quarter-century of prosperity. Agriculture showed new vigor. Feed manufacturers and their customers were armed with fresh knowledge in animal nutrition and production technologies.
“World War II was a turning point for both the industry and the association,” reported Glenn Berger, head of the American Feed Manufacturers Association department of marketing and information, in a presentation at a 1975 seminar. “Research in animal nutrition had increased in tempo, and manufacturers could apply this research almost immediately. The association extended its service in 1941 by establishing the Nutrition Council, which has become one of the most valued and active groups.” The Nutrition Council brought industry nutritionists together to research data from agricultural colleges an experiment stations to help move the data into broad use and raise standards among feed manufacturers and mixers.
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A chemist closely examines the latest batch.
Photo: From the AFIA Archives |
World War II led to more challenges and changes at AFMA. The federal government asked the industry to collect information on livestock producers’ protein needs, and AFMA turned to land-grant colleges for help collecting the information.
Price controls during World War II ultimately pulled the feed industry and federal government together. Early in the war, an AFMA committee “was shocked and disappointed to discover the low priority assigned by USDA to the industry’s needs,” wrote AFMA President Oakley Ray in an AFMA 75th anniversary look back. The industry and association worked to change that. “By the end of the war, USDA came to realize that AFMA and the feed industry were its best allies in protecting the supply of meat, milk and eggs,” wrote Ray.
Education tied to feed manufacturing also was taking a new turn. Feed industry leaders formulated ideas for a university training and research program. They launched an effort with Kansas State University that raised more than $470,000 in cash, equipment and construction for the program. Over time, the effort developed into bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in feed-related fields of study.
As AFMA concluded its fourth decade, the association and the industry carried new strength in research and technology, enjoyed a positive image and relationship with USDA, and operated in favorable economic conditions. War-time rationing ended, and the way was open to new growth.
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