Global summit on food waste to feed - Bridging sustainability in agriculture

Feb 28, 2024

By Farms.com

The University of Minnesota, University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, and Feedstuffs are spearheading a virtual conference to tackle one of the most pressing issues in agriculture today - converting food waste into sustainable animal feed. The conference, "Global Summit on Food Waste to Feed," is an initiative aimed at bridging sustainability gaps in the agricultural sector by promoting the upcycling of food waste.

Scheduled over March 26-28, this conference will serve as a melting pot for ideas, showcasing opportunities, confronting challenges, and presenting solutions in the realm of food waste for animal feeding. The event is designed to be inclusive, with discussions tailored to engage a global audience, starting each day at 7 am Central to accommodate participants from various time zones.

The agenda is structured around 15-minute insightful presentations, focusing on the suitability of food waste streams for animal feed and case studies that exemplify successful integration into business models. Esteemed hosts, Dr. Jerry Shurson and Dr. Zhengxia Dou, will guide the dialogue, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of the subject matter.

With the backing of major organizations like the World Wildlife Fund and the American Feed Industry Association, and support from a USDA grant, the conference underscores the collective drive towards sustainable agricultural practices. The participation of global and regional experts underscores the conference's commitment to fostering a rich exchange of knowledge and ideas.

This virtual gathering is not just an educational endeavor but a call to action for stakeholders in the feed and feeding industries to explore sustainable practices that can mitigate food waste while contributing to global food security. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the potential that lies in food waste, inspired to implement solutions that make a difference in the world of agriculture.

Video: Season 7, Episode 1: Managing Risk and Seeing Opportunities in U.S. Pork Production

Today’s episode features three guests discussing the similarities and differences between pork production in the United States and Brazil, along with strategies for managing risk in today’s industry while recognizing and acting on opportunities. First, Dr. Anne Caroline de Lara, executive manager of live pig production at Seara Alimentos, a JBS company in Brazil, is joined by Dr. Matthew Turner, head of operations for JBS Live Pork. Together, they discuss how labor, climate and ventilation challenges vary between Brazil and the United States, while underscoring their shared commitment to raising healthy pigs. They also point to lessons producers in both countries can take from one another’s systems and on-farm experiences. Then, Brady Reicks, risk manager at Reicks View Farms, shares his perspective on risk management, drawing from his background in markets and his transition into farming. He discusses how protecting margins varies by operation and offers practical approaches producers can use to make marketing and business decisions with greater confidence rather than hesitation.

Both conversations were recorded at recent industry events focused on swine livability, including the International Conference on Pig Livability and Iowa Swine Day.