Feedstuffs in Focus

Cattle producers often turn to average daily gain, feed conversion or reproduction when targeting improved efficiency but while they all have a place, a focus on feed efficiency traits is critical as it zeroes in on both the cost of feed and the value of gain.
Jason Osterstock, Chief Science Officer at Vytelle, joins Sarah Muirhead to explore how data-driven approaches are transforming herd management decisions. Rather than relying solely on conventional measures like average daily gain or feed conversion, forward-thinking producers are harnessing sophisticated analytics to identify animals with superior efficiency traits. These insights enable more strategic breeding decisions that compound benefits across generations.
What makes this evolution particularly exciting is its accessibility. Technologies that were once reserved for only the largest operations are now available to producers of all sizes through user-friendly platforms and mobile devices. This democratization of data science allows the entire industry to advance toward more sustainable production methods. Vytelle exemplifies this approach with its integrated technology platform designed to help cattle producers deliver more protein with fewer inputs, ensuring that meat and milk remain competitive food choices for future generations amid growing sustainability concerns.
Want to learn more about optimizing your herd's efficiency? Visit vytelle.com to discover how their technology solutions can transform your operation.
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The razor-thin margins in today's pork industry demand a laser focus on herd health to maintain profitability. Dr. Nic Lauterbach, Technical Services Veterinarian with Pharmgate Animal Health, draws on his years of industry experience to deliver practical insights on keeping pigs healthy during challenging times.
What makes sick pigs so costly? As Dr. Lauterbach explains, illness diminishes the efficiency of every production input – feed conversion suffers, space utilization decreases, and labor requirements increase. This cascade effect can quickly erode already slim profit margins. The key is developing systems that both prevent disease entry and respond rapidly when health challenges emerge.
Producers should watch for specific warning signs that might indicate brewing health issues. Reduced water consumption often serves as the earliest indicator, followed by lethargy, decreased feed intake, and increased need for individual treatments. Dr. Lauterbach emphasizes the critical importance of establishing a strong health team before problems arise, creating clear communication channels that enable quick diagnostic testing and appropriate intervention strategies. This proactive approach can mean the difference between a manageable health event and a devastating outbreak.

Taste is taking center stage as the National Pork Board unveils a bold new strategy to transform how consumers—especially younger generations—think about pork. Sarah Showalter and Neal Hull reveal how deep consumer insights are reshaping the future of pork marketing in America.
At the heart of this transformation is a surprising disconnect: millennials and Gen Z consumers who claim they "don't eat pork" while enthusiastically consuming bacon, ribs, pepperoni, and sausage. This revelation has sparked a strategic pivot from positioning pork as merely a center-of-plate protein to showcasing it as a versatile ingredient in culturally-inspired recipes that younger consumers already love—like potstickers, tonkatsu, stir-fries, and carnitas.
The new "Taste What Pork Can Do" campaign leverages fascinating consumer trends, including the explosion of air fryers (now more common in American homes than coffee makers) and growing interest in smokers and grilling. By targeting specific consumer segments—from "confident meat eaters" who love grilling to "culinary adventurers" seeking new flavors—the Pork Board is meeting consumers where they are while highlighting pork's unmatched versatility. The campaign represents a long-term commitment to making pork relevant for future generations, embracing a "whole hog" approach that celebrates both fresh cuts and processed products while honoring pork's cultural significance across diverse communities.
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While the world has been focused on dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, a small but diverse group of members of the food supply chain gathered to evaluate if there are enough shared goals and beliefs on climate policy to speak on the issue with a unified voice for agriculture.

In the past, climate legislation has failed in the U.S. in no small measure because the agriculture and forestry industries weren’t unified on the issue, and didn’t have a seat at the table. In an effort to correct that, the Food & Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA) was formed in February 2020 by four groups that now co-chair the alliance: American Farm Bureau Federation, Environmental Defense Fund, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives and National Farmers Union. The alliance has since expanded to include FMI – The Food Industry Assn., National Alliance of Forest Owners, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and The Nature Conservancy.

In this episode of Feedstuffs in Focus, Feedstuffs policy editor Jacqui Fatka talks with Chuck Connor, CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, about the work of the Alliance, including the more than 40 recommendations the group developed on climate policy this year.

RELATED STORY: Unlikely bedfellows unite on ag climate policy

This episode is sponsored by Balchem Animal Nutrition and Health. Balchem has launched a new podcast called the Real Science Exchange. Get to know top researchers like you’ve never known them before: Search for “Real Science Exchange” on your favorite podcast platform.

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Fifteen research projects have now been funded as part of the Swine Health Information Center’s Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Program. It is a program that is being conducted in collaboration with the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research and the Pork Checkoff. What does the program mean for the US pork industry? What are the lessons learned to date? And what’s ahead?
Joining our Ann Hess from World Pork Expo with an update is Megan Niederwerder, executive director, Swine Health Information Center.

This episode is brought to you by Topigs Norsvin, the second-largest swine genetics company in the world. Topigs Norsvin is not just a genetics supplier but a production partner. By working together you can unlock your operation’s productivity and profitability. Visit topigsnorsvin.us to learn more about how partnering with Topigs Norsvin can help your business.