IFEEDER: Supporting the Animal Food Industry's Future Success Through Research & Education

EAs part of its sustainability road map work, this year, IFEEDER added several resources to its Animal Food Industry Sustainability Toolkit. Working in collaboration with Iowa State University (ISU), IFEEDER described 16 issues that are ‘material’ to the industry, identifying the value and importance of each and highlighting examples of industry members’ actions and benefits received. In addition, working with the Context Network and the Animal Nutrition Association of Canada, IFEEDER conducted value chain stakeholder assessments and a literature review of ration innovation-derived performance and environmental metrics to create a comprehensive database and resource materials for the animal food industry. Additional resources are being developed based on industry life cycle assessment (LCA) experiences and perspectives. This work is being supported by over 25 IFEEDER contributors

Learn More>>

IFEEDER’s 2019 pet food report found that U.S. pet food manufacturers use roughly 8.65 million tons of animal- and plant-based ingredients for dog and cat food to provide pets with complete nutrition. As trends in pet ownership and care shift, it is important to update the pet food ingredient dataset. The dataset is used by industry members, upstream and downstream value chain stakeholders, and researchers to understand the scope and status of pet food components and the industry’s contribution to rural economies. With support from the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), the Pet Food Institute (PFI), the Fats and Protein Research Foundation (FPRF) and IFEEDER contributors, IFEEDER launched a new pet food study, with results expected in early 2025.

Learn More>>

IIFEEDER launched a research project to provide the most precise, comprehensive analysis of feed ingredient use for aquaculture, beef cattle, broilers, dairy cattle, hogs, horses, layers, sheep and meat goats. The research will build on previous years’ reports, quantifying the use of 48 ingredients. As animal and crop production shifts, industry members, value chain stakeholders and researchers need data to understand the scope and status of feed ingredient components and their use. With support from the AFIA, FPRF and IFEEDER contributors, the feed ingredient report update will be made available in early 2025.

Learn More>>

Serving as the basis for formulating U.S. commercial and research swine diets, IFEEDER is supporting the update of the Nutrient Requirements of Swine to ensure advances in swine nutrition research are incorporated. Collectively, feed efficiency, feed cost reductions and profitability drive continuous improvements in pork production. Collaborators include National Pork Board, National Corn Growers Association, United Soybean Board and IFEEDER Contributors.

Learn More>>

IFEEDER has two projects under way to enhance feed ingredient datasets within the Global Feed LCA Institute (GFLI) database. First, in collaboration with ISU and funds awarded by the United Soybean Board, IFEEDER is updating the corn and soybean data within the GFLI database, ensuring the LCAs are generated with the most recent U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics. Second, in collaboration with an ISU-led team and funded by the National Pork Board, IFEEDER is supporting efforts to add key ingredients used in swine diets to the GFLI database.

Learn More>>

In partnership with The Nature Conservancy and Dairy Management Inc., dairy feed management additives are being evaluated to inform greenhouse gas mitigation actions for cattle. Funded by a USDA Conservation Innovation Grant, the work is focusing on economic and social considerations to inform the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s conservation incentive programs for farmers.

Learn More>>

Gaining insights into IFEEDER’s efforts is now just a click away. Whether it is checking out the new website at IFEEDER.org, reading the monthly e-newsletter or IFEEDER Fodder blog, listening to a recent podcast or keeping up with activities on LinkedIn, people can learn what IFEEDER has under way and provide feedback.

Learn more about the following projects.

• Protein PACT 
• CLEAR Center 

In fiscal 2023-24, IFEEDER and AFIA’s Liquid Feed Committee raised nearly $39,700 to support the Kenny Berg Research and Education Fund, which strengthens the science behind delivering nutrients through liquid feed.

In fiscal 2023-24 IFEEDER and AFIA’s Equipment Manufacturers Committee raised over $42,800 to support students pursuing feed or grain sciences careers. Together, we awarded scholarships at: