IFEEDER Newsletter: Volume 9, Issue 8

August 13, 2024

Putting the Toolkit to the Test

Last week, I had the chance to travel to Amarillo, Texas, to visit Global Animal Products. It is always great to learn a new aspect of ingredient production and see industry members’ operations. Like others in the sector, Global Animal Products has been considering how to approach sustainability.

The Institute for Feed Education and Research’s Animal Food Industry Sustainability Toolkit contains over 25 documents that provide background, insights, descriptions and guidance to support initial efforts. While ‘just getting started’ can be daunting, elements within the toolkit can help companies take the first steps. Starting with defining sustainability and the glossary of terms, and then reviewing the documents that provide insights into industry trends and the needs of our downstream customers and stakeholders, is a good beginning. Then, you can explore the industry’s material issues as a precursor to learning what it means to pursue a materiality assessment.

With the Global Animal Products team’s prep work before our discussion to understand the sustainability efforts of their suppliers, customers and competitors, and with company leadership, the plant manager and other key team members in the room, we had a robust discussion about where the company has opportunities and the low-hanging fruit that could be addressed to mitigate risks. Together, we laid out some steps the company could take to advance its sustainability efforts.

It was a good test of the toolkit’s resources, and I think we all valued the discussion. If you are still experiencing challenges with understanding how the toolkit’s resources may help you, reach out! We would love to hear from you. Contact us>>

In the Media

IFEEDER Adds New Resource to Animal Food Industry Sustainability Toolkit

In its mission-driven work to provide the U.S. animal food industry with tools to support industry members in developing and advancing internal sustainability programs, IFEEDER has added new materials to its Animal Food Industry Sustainability Toolkit.

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Feed & Grain Podcast

Moody shares updates on IFEEDER's current projects and initiatives, including the sustainability roadmap, ingredient consumption datasets and the importance of communication in the feed industry.

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What We're Reading

Pet Sustainability Coalition Blueprint to Sourcing Animal Protein

This month, the Pet Sustainability Coalition released guidance for sourcing animal proteins for the pet food industry. The blueprint discusses the merits of extensive production systems (characterized as having increased environmental complexity and lower reliance on invasive procedures, antibiotics and concentrated feed) over intensive production systems (characterized as high productivity systems with high efficiency and limited land allocated to animal housing and feed production). The coalition describes the environmental and animal welfare considerations by species and promotes four steps toward a more sustainable agricultural system, including reduced reliance on animal-sourced proteins and giving preference for animals raised in extensive systems. IFEEDER would be interested in your thoughts on the blueprint and the coalition's work, contact us to share! Read now>>

IFEEDER Fodder

Click the links below to read the latest posts on the IFEEDER Fodder blog.

Evolving to Meet the Animal Food Industry's Future Needs Requires Your Support

By: Carlos González, Ph.D., Hill’s Pet Nutrition

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 members should lean on IFEEDER as a partner and resource, regardless of where they are at on their sustainability journeys.

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On Air With IFEEDER: Educating Industry and Beyond One Podcast at a Time

By: Taylor Lekin

IFEEDER 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. Just this year, Moody has appeared on five industry podcasts. By sharing insights on these platforms, she is actively contributing to the broader conversation about sustainability in the animal food industry and enhancing IFEEDER’s visibility as a trusted resource.