IFEEDER Fodder

Energy, including fuel, electricity, heating, cooling and steam generation, is a significant cost for the feed industry. Several members of the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) have been working to reduce energy costs by switching to more efficient equipment, developing more efficient processes and investing in renewable energy generation.  

It is one thing to consider our own animal food industry’s sustainability efforts, but it is equally important to consider the needs of our customers. We, being members of the feed and pet food industry, are an upstream source within their supply chain, but we may be well positioned to help them meet their identified goals and targets. 

Earlier in my career, as a contractor, I attended a transportation company meeting. Agenda item one was to participate in a safety briefing, where we learned where the exits were, any hazards we could encounter and what to do in an emergency. This impressed upon me that this company’s culture prioritized safety for its customers and workers. 

The Institute for Feed Education and Research is fueled by its mission to advance understanding and build trust in a sustainable animal feed and pet food supply chain through education and research. As part of our strategic plan, IFEEDER aims to become a recognized resource used by the industry and stakeholders alike.  

We all seek to be good stewards and know firsthand that agriculture is inextricably tied to stewardship. We live that on a daily basis. However, considering the high stakes we face on sustainability, including evolving consumer demands and government regulation, all American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) members should lean on the Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER) as a partner and resource, regardless of where we are at on our sustainability journeys.

This year, the Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER) initiated work on a project to update its pet food and feed ingredient consumption reports. The goal is to provide transparent data, quantifying the numerous ingredients used to feed livestock, poultry, fish and pets in the United States. These reports serve as some of the best reference materials available for those discussing matters impacting the U.S. animal food value chain. IFEEDER is the only public charity investing in this kind of research to inform decisions in the animal food industry.

Sure, greenhouse gas emission reductions often get the limelight when it comes to corporate sustainability programs, but sustainability goes much broader than climate change. Consider the issues that matter most to them, i.e., conducting a “materiality assessment,” as a key step in deciding where the company should focus its sustainability efforts to make an impact. This concept can be confusing, so I break it down here and explain a new resource that the Institute for Feed Education and Research is launching to help companies understand it even better. 

As I close out my term as chair of the Institute for Feed Education and Research’s Board of Trustees, I am filled with pride and gratitude for the incredible accomplishments of our entire team. IFEEDER has truly become a trusted resource for the animal food industry and our stakeholders. Let’s take a moment to reflect on our successes and recognize the areas where the team has made significant impacts.