The Institute for Feed Education and Research has released its annual update detailing collaborative efforts to advance sustainability across the animal feed and pet food supply chain through targeted research and education initiatives.
"Our work reflects a commitment to provide tools and knowledge that help the industry address today's challenges and prepare for tomorrow's opportunities," said Lara Moody, IFEEDER executive director. "We continue to grow the number and scope of projects we can annually undertake so we may better serve the industry's needs."
The report highlights several significant accomplishments over the past year, including two major studies quantifying ingredients used in U.S. pet food and consumed as livestock and poultry feed. These reports specifically examined materials upcycled from other industries, supporting sustainability efforts across the agricultural sector.
Other key initiatives include advancements in life cycle assessment data through the Global Feed LCA Institute and on-farm research exploring methane mitigation strategies in dairy production through specialized feed additives and ingredients.
IFEEDER is also addressing supply chain resilience with ongoing research examining vitamin and amino acid availability, updating swine nutrition requirements, and expanding U.S. feed ingredient data to improve environmental impact assessments.
Beyond research, the organization continues its educational mission through collaboration with the American Feed Industry Association's Equipment Manufacturing Committee. This partnership generated $23,476 in scholarship funds this year to support students pursuing careers in feed and grain sciences.
