A lot has changed since our last blog on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on March 6. In fact, it seems information is changing hourly. Companies and individuals are now trying to figure out how they can “flatten the curve” instead of wondering if the deadly virus will really spread across the U.S.
I clearly remember one of my early classes as an animal science student at the University of Vermont, ASCI 141 - Feeds and Feeding. Throughout the semester, Dr. Jim Welch walked us through the formation of diets for every stage of growth, pregnancy and lactation for a number of livestock species. As earnest students, we agonized over the correct combination of forages, grains and mineral mixes to meet the exact nutrient requirements for a lactating sow or a weaned dairy calf. We carefully balanced the availability of an ingredient with its cost and benefit to the intended animal. In our homework exercises, ounces and pennies would impact our decisions and the validity of our answers. We rigorously defended our answers and challenged anyone, including Dr. Welch, to question our findings.
While you would not think it from the news and your social media feeds, the risk to the average American from the new coronavirus (COVID-19) is still low. However, if you are near Seattle or have family or friends there, you are well aware that there are pockets in the U.S. where the virus is spreading more rapidly, bringing more attention to ways we can prepare for the virus should it spread further. Now is an opportune time to look at the policies and procedures in place for your animal food business to protect your employees and still be able to provide feed and pet food to your customers.
You can’t check your social media feed, turn on the TV or read a newspaper without a reference to the coronavirus. So, how does it impact the animal food industry? What do I need to know? This blog post is the first of a two-part blog series on the topic. Let’s start with the basics.
“A clean work area is a safe work area.” That is the messaging prominently displayed at the Koch Farms mill located in Morton, Miss., and, to mill manager Frank Garczynski those aren’t merely words. A clean facility and a safe work environment go hand in hand and are the center of his team’s daily mission.
Each year, during the second full week of October, the School Nutrition Association sponsors National School Lunch Week. There’s a lot of options and opinions when discussing the contents of a school lunch, but one food group remains a bona fide staple — for good reason. When it comes to a child’s nutrition, brain development and — of course — their taste buds, meat and poultry should always be considered when packing that lunch box each morning.
“Safety first!” This age-old adage rings just as true today as it did when it originated in the 1900s. The American Feed Industry Association recently asked a few of its members to discuss how they make sure safety always comes first, especially when onboarding new employees.
What makes a feed facility “the best?” Modern equipment, efficient operations and high-quality ingredients are all very important aspects, but it goes beyond that.