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KBC Connects With Athletes On How Beef Helps Fuel Peak Performance

Student-athletes constantly juggle rigorous training schedules, academic demands and the pressures of competition. Despite their dedication to practice, one critical factor remains essential to their success—proper nutrition. 

Recognizing this need, the Kansas Beef Council (KBC) has extended the Sports Nutrition Game Plan, originally developed by the Texas Beef Council. This premier program equips high school coaches, trainers and athletes with practical nutrition tools and information on beef’s role as an essential protein source in a well-rounded, performance-driven diet.  

Since launching in Kansas less than two years ago, the program has gained traction, with more than 100 coaches, athletic directors and trainers embracing its benefits and receiving weekly sports nutrition topics to share with both athletes and parents. Beyond supporting student-athletes, it also empowers coaches and trainers with valuable nutrition education to integrate into their team culture. 

KBC staff have extended the program through statewide professional conferences for coaches, trainers and athletic directors. In 2024, KBC Director of Nutrition Abby Heidari, RD, presented on sports nutrition at the Kansas Athletic Trainers’ Society Conference and the Kansas High School Activities Association Conference. In early 2025, KBC further strengthened connections with Kansas football and baseball coaches through coaching conferences, ensuring more teams have access to these valuable nutrition resources.

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What It Takes to Stop African Swine Fever - Dr. Jishu Shi

Video: What It Takes to Stop African Swine Fever - Dr. Jishu Shi



In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Jishu Shi, Professor of Vaccine Immunology at Kansas State University, discusses African swine fever prevention and vaccine development. He explains why ASF differs from classical swine fever and swine influenza, how the disease threatens trade and pork production, why immunization safety remains a critical hurdle, and what producers can do now to reduce the risk of introduction. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Before a safe and efficacious vaccine for ASF can be commercialized, what we really have is prevention."

Meet the guest: Dr. Jishu Shi is Professor of Vaccine Immunology and the Dr. Wayne & Hilda Appleton Endowed Professor at Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He directs the Center on Biologics Development and Evaluation and the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health. A veterinarian and vaccine immunologist, Dr. Shi has focused on vaccines for pigs and has worked on African swine fever vaccine development, control, diagnostics, and international training since 2018. Learn more from Dr. Jishu Shi on The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, available on all major platforms.