Having been with the American Feed Industry Association for many years, I have the honor to work with some of the most interesting and amazing leaders in the animal food industry. While I’m happy for them as they near retirement, I’m also sad to see them go. Here’s an interview with one such titan of the industry, Rob Brock. Rob is officially retiring at the end of the year after a very robust career (more than 40 years!) in the animal feed industry, most recently as President of Westway Feed Products in The Woodlands, Texas. He has served two terms on AFIA’s Board of Directors and is a strong supporter of our Liquid Feed Committee and Symposium. Below is our conversation.
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) is pleased to announce the addition of Meghan Dicks as its director of membership and engagement. In this role, Dicks will play a pivotal role in setting the standard for exemplary member service and member experience. While many may remember her from her previous engagement with the AFIA and jobs within the industry, we wanted to take the opportunity to introduce her to some who may not know her well.
Every year, the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) sponsors various nutrition research awards that honor animal scientists who advance animal nutrition, both with their research programs and by mentoring young industry leaders. The 2024 winners are listed below. Thank you all for your passion and dedication!
In late September, the American Feed Industry Association held its fall committee fly-in, where AFIA members advocated for key policy priorities impacting the animal food industry on Capitol Hill.
Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of interacting with some of the feed industry’s finest folks at the American Feed Industry Association’s Liquid Feed Symposium (LFS) in Salt Lake City, Utah. Each year, this event is planned, moderated and hosted by AFIA’s Liquid Feed Committee. LFS remains a perennial favorite of mine, as my involvement spans nearly 25 years and is filled with good memories.
In today’s business landscape, sustainability is not just about environmental stewardship; it’s also a key factor in attracting and retaining top talent. Employees, particularly younger generations, are increasingly seeking out companies that align with their values, especially in areas of social good. Given I recently joined the workforce, I was curious: what are some of the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) members doing in the space of social good?
This month, Mallory Gaines, Ivy Torres and I had the privilege of joining the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s agricultural trade mission to Vietnam, where we represented the American Feed Industry Association alongside a diverse group of agribusiness leaders. Led by USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor, this mission provided a unique opportunity to further explore the market and strengthen relationships between U.S. agribusiness and key players in Vietnam.
Earlier this year, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization released a report designed to help governments create healthier diets for their populations while making food systems more sustainable and equitable. The FAO stated in the “Food Systems-Based Dietary Guidelines” report that the guidelines are comprehensive and developed through a multidisciplinary and multisectoral process that considers environmental sustainability and socio-economic equity.
In a recent episode of The Feed Science Podcast Show, Gary Huddleston, American Feed Industry Associations' director of feed manufacturing & regulatory affairs, dives into The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s new heat safety standard, explaining the impact the updates will have on U.S. feed mills. Don't miss Gary's valuable insights by listening here.
One of the things I enjoy most about summer is the opportunity to catch up on reading that often gets pushed to the back burner during busy meeting seasons. It was a treat, this summer, to read a collection of articles on the University of Illinois farmdocdaily site and consider how macroeconomic trends might be shaping the future of U.S. food and agriculture.