Pet brands that focus on sustainability have grown 7.1 times faster than their conventional counterparts in the last five years. This insight comes from our latest episode of the AgFuture podcast. This week, we are joined by Jim Lamancusa, Executive Director of the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC); Hannah Tirrell-Wysocki, Accreditation Manager at the PSC; and Kami Grandeen, Alltech’s North American Companion Animal Sales Manager. They discuss the mission and growth of the PSC, Alltech's recent reaccreditation with the PSC, and the platinum, gold, and silver sustainability medals from EcoVadis, an organization that provides business sustainability ratings. They also explore the shifting demand for sustainable pet foods by Millennials and Gen Z. Tune in to learn how these initiatives are transforming the pet industry.

Neutral Foods was the first U.S. company to be certified as carbon neutral. In this enlightening episode of Ag Future, we talk with Jake Schmitz, carbon reduction manager at Neutral, about developing a carbon-neutral company. An organic dairy expert and advocate for sustainable farming practices, Jake offers expert insights into the opportunities for dairy farmers to not only meet their sustainability goals but to improve performance and profitability. Jake shares insights on various Neutral projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gases, including interior fermentation, manure management, and transitioning to electric power. He also discusses the use of Agolin®, a Carbon-Trust-certified essential oil blend added to cow feed. Despite the challenges, Jake remains hopeful about the future of farming and the role of companies like Neutral in driving sustainable change.

Dairy producers earned over $3 million through carbon projects initiated with Agolin in 2021 and 2022. Recently, Concord Agriculture Partners selected Agolin® Ruminant to launch a new carbon inset project, ensuring that participating dairy producers will receive an industry-leading 85% of the gross value of the carbon asset. Join us as we delve into this transformative carbon inset project with Kevin Ogorzalek, partner and sustainability supply chain leader at Concord Agriculture Partners. Discover how this initiative is making sustainability profitable for U.S. dairy farmers and assisting businesses in reducing their carbon footprint.

In this episode of Ag Future, we are joined by Dr. Patrick Ward, Europe and Asia-Pacific applications manager at Alltech, to discuss the role of balancing sustainability and profitability on-farm. Dr. Ward discusses Agolin, a revolutionary Swiss company, now part of Alltech. Agolin's essential oil technologies optimize the rumen in beef and dairy animals, improving performance while helping producers meet their sustainability goals.

In this episode of Ag Future, we are joined by Martha Baker, Agolin and Carbon Lead for Alltech's Dairy Business, to explore the intriguing world of carbon markets. Is it truly the Wild West, as some believe? Martha, with her background in dairy nutrition and consulting, provides an insider’s perspective. She explains the complex dynamics of carbon markets, including key terms like offsets, insets, and Verified Emission Reductions. She also highlights the role of innovative technologies like Agolin®, which help producers meet sustainability goals and drive performance, with Agolin carbon projects paying back $3 million to farms in 2023 alone. Martha then offers valuable advice for dairy farmers considering entering the carbon market space.

Explore crucial insights on calf and herd health with Dr. Shelby Roberts, beef technical sales support at Alltech, and Brett Steinocker, sales manager covering the South Dakota region for Alltech, in this episode of the Ag Future podcast. Recorded live at the Alltech booth during the National Cattlemen's Beef Association annual convention, CattleCon 2024, the conversation delves into the issue of calf scours, offering producers valuable information and practical tips for optimizing calving season management.

The US pork industry is undergoing dynamic shifts in response to various challenges and opportunities. In this episode of the Ag Future podcast, Mark Hulsebus, sales and portfolio director of Alltech’s US Pork team, shares valuable insights into the current trends shaping the industry in 2024. 

In 2023, American pet owners are projected to invest a substantial $143.6 billion in the welfare of their beloved furry companions. Joining us in this episode of Ag Future are Kami Grandeen, companion animal sales manager for North America, and Dr. Richard Murphy, research director at the Alltech European Bioscience Center in Ireland. Together, they delve into the current trends in pet food, placing special emphasis on the growing focus on gut health. Discover how Alltech is at the forefront of addressing pets’ microbiomes with the recent launch of Microbuild™ in the U.S. market.

How are climate challenges shaping the future of Saudi Arabia’s dairy industry? Join Andrew Oddy, herds director at Al Safi Danone, as he shares insights on the Ag Future podcast from #AlltechONE Dubai. With over four decades of expertise, Andrew delves into the region’s progress and how feed efficiency, renewable energy and artificial intelligence are playing a major role in the future of dairy sustainability and profitability.

How do you cook the perfect Thanksgiving turkey? Dr. Roy Brister, strategic poultry advisor at Alltech, joins the Ag Future podcast to discuss his journey in the poultry industry, upcoming trends for 2024 and his top tip for achieving turkey perfection.

If left unchecked, the potential global impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could result in a tenfold increase in AMR-associated human deaths by 2050. On this episode of the Ag Future podcast, Dr. Jules Taylor-Pickard, director of gut health at Alltech, discusses the primary contributors to AMR — including factors such as antimicrobial misuse in humans and animals, as well as the influence of climate change on animal health. Dr. Taylor-Pickard also explores optimal gut-health strategies that producers can adopt to enhance the resilience of animals to infectious and non-infectious stresses, ultimately reducing their reliance on antibiotics.

Gain insights into the crucial role of transparency, compliance, and sustainability in the food supply chain — as Ruud Overbeek, senior vice president for corporate development and strategic relationships at FoodChain ID, shares strategies for fostering sustainable growth in the Ag Future podcast.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest threats to the global health of humans, animals and the environment. By 2050, more humans globally will die from issues related to antibiotic resistance than from cancer. Within the same timeframe, there will be an 11% loss in livestock production just from antimicrobial resistance. Dr. Fiona Walsh, professor of microbiology at Maynooth University and head of the Antimicrobial Resistance One Health Research Centre, joins the Ag Future podcast to discuss ideas on reducing animal disease without increasing antibiotic resistance.

Globally, approximately 970 million tons of milk were produced in 2022, with 55% of it processed for further dairy commodity production. The remaining 45% is considered part of the "informal market," either consumed by households or sold to traders. As milk consumption continues to increase, it is crucial for dairy farmers to understand what they need to remain profitable. Muzaffar Yunusov, the lead of key account management at the IFCN Dairy Research Network, joins the Ag Future podcast to discuss the six current trends that dairy producers should monitor. These trends encompass various aspects, ranging from the economics of dairy farming to the labeling challenges associated with alternatives to cow milk.

Can egg production be both sustainable and profitable? Graham Atkinson, agricultural sustainability manager at Noble Foods, joins the Ag Future podcast to explore this fascinating question. Discover how Noble Foods is leading the way in sustainable practices by reducing food loss, transitioning to cage-free production and enhancing water quality — all while maintaining profitability. Explore the pivotal role of Noble Foods' partnership with Alltech's Planet of Plenty™ program in driving these innovative practices and the transformative power of collaboration.

Does diversity foster innovation? Tanya Torp, executive director of Step by Step, a nonprofit organization based in Lexington, Kentucky, joined Ag Future to discuss the benefits of diverse teams, the empowerment individuals gain from inclusion, the positive impact of inclusive policies on the bottom line, and the necessity for sustained commitment and clear plans to create lasting change in organizations.

Consumers are increasingly demanding proof of sustainability, but many producers are struggling to meet these expectations. Failure to demonstrate efforts could lead to a loss of consumer trust and, ultimately, reduced revenue. Erica Lain, sustainability manager at Iowa Select Farms, joins the Ag Future podcast to share insights on the measures producers need to take to meet the growing demand for sustainability.

How is precision dairy farming revolutionizing the dairy industry? Dr. Marcia Endres, professor and the director of graduate studies in the department of animal science at the University of Minnesota, joins Ag Future to discuss the various ways precision dairy farming can help dairy farmers save time and money while improving cow health and welfare.

What insights can we gain about enzymes and their role in animal nutrition? Dr. Amy Petry, assistant professor in the department of animal and food sciences at Texas Tech University, discusses how these enzymes can enhance gut health and fiber fermentability in pigs and improve the energy contribution of fiber in pig diets. Additionally, Dr. Petry shares her experience as a graduate student and provides advice for those interested in pursuing research careers.

In this episode of the Ag Future podcast, we're joined by Dr. Yael Joffe, founder and chief science officer at 3X4 Genetics, to discuss the emerging field of nutrigenetics. Dr. Joffe explains how understanding the relationship between food, genetics and health can be used to personalize diets and lifestyles for optimal health. They also discuss the importance of personalized nutrition and the challenges of building trust in the field of genetics.