IFEEDER Newsletter: Volume 9, Issue 9
September 10, 2024
Realizing a Goal Is the Reality
I am a lifelong horse girl. I have been riding since I was five and competing seriously since I was 18, always maintaining one horse at a time. With planning, creating opportunities, strengthening relationships and diligence, I am on my way to realizing a decade-long goal of training and competing two horses. An element of luck is usually involved, so hopefully by the next newsletter, my new, 17-hand ‘pony’ will have passed the pre-import bloodwork and be on his way to me.
As I have been working my way through the buying process, it occurred to me that similar actions of planning, creating opportunities, strengthening relationships and diligence have helped bring another goal into reality. In 2022, the Institute for Feed Education and Research Board (IFEEDER) of Trustees identified a goal to broaden funding support for our efforts. While we are still pursuing components within that goal, like increasing the number of individual 
donors and the number of animal food industry members who donate, we have achieved the goal of broadening support for IFEEDER from beyond the animal food industry alone.
In assessing the current projects IFEEDER has underway relative to the total funds involved and contribution sources, only 40% of our project funds originate from animal food industry members. Diversification of funding sources through grants (35%) and other stakeholders (25%) means that 60% of our project resources are from non-animal food industry support.
We are continuing our efforts to ensure this accomplishment remains a reality. There will be no resting on our laurels.
Project Update
IFEEDER has several projects underway from our support for the CLEAR Center at the University of California, Davis, to finishing up the phase two sustainability road map work. You can learn more about these and other projects at IFEEDER.org.
We currently have a few more dollars to raise on the following three projects. If you can contribute, or would like to learn more, please contact me.
- Nutrient Requirements for Swine Report - Remaining Funding Need: $13,500
- Feed Ingredient Consumption Report - Remaining Funding Need: $1,000
- Pet Food Report - Remaining Funding Need: $10,000
In the Media
IFEEDER Releases New Sustainability Materials
Representing both U.S. and Canadian industry members and stakeholders, IFEEDER released new sustainability materials, developed in collaboration with the Context Network and the Animal Nutrition Association of Canada (ANAC), which include findings from a comprehensive landscape assessment of industry sustainability practices and a literature database of how animal performance is impacted by novel feed ingredients
Advancing Sustainability in the Animal Food Industry
Published in Feed & Additive Magazine, September 2024 issue
IFEEDER fosters trust in the sustainable feed and pet food supply chain through research and education. In 2021, IFEEDER launched the Sustainability Road Map Project to provide the industry with strategic guidance toward sustainability. With phase two of the project well underway, IFEEDER has added new materials to its Animal Food Industry Sustainability Toolkit.
IFEEDER Fodder Blog
Click the links belwo to read the lates IFEEDER Fodder blog posts.
Worker Safety Is a Fundamental Aspect of Corporate Sustainability
By: Erica Burson
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.
Where are Customers of the Animal Food Industry Focusing Their Sustainability Efforts?
By: Lara Moody
It is one thing to consider our own animal food industry sustainability efforts, but it is equally important to consider the needs of our customers. We are an upstream source within their supply chain, and we may be able to help them meet some of the goals and targets they have identified.
Where You'll Find IFEEDER Next
Sept. 10-12 | Salt Lake City, Utah
Blonk Event: The Need for Harmonized Footprint Data for the U.S. Food Industry
Sept. 30 | Hybrid Event
North American Renderers Association Annual Convention
Oct. 22-25 | Santa Barbara, Calif.
28th Annual Distillers Grains Symposium
Nov. 11-13 | St. Louis, Mo.