MANRRS: Building lifetime connections, careers in agriculture

Agriculture needs new voices and perspectives, but how do you attract talented individuals who've never considered careers in the field? Ryan Locke, National President of MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences), offers a compelling answer in this eye-opening conversation from this week's Husker Harvest Days in Grand Island, Nebraska.Locke reveals how MANRRS bridges the critical gap between agricultural opportunities and underrepresented groups, going beyond mere awareness to actively create employment pathways. What makes this organization truly unique is its lifetime membership model—starting with high school students and continuing through retirement—creating a self-sustaining community where seasoned professionals mentor newcomers through every career stage.His personal journey from suburban "food ignorant" background to passionate agricultural advocate demonstrates agriculture's welcoming nature. "Everything that I have that I value is because I took a chance on agriculture," Locke shares, explaining how farmers and industry professionals embraced him despite his initial lack of knowledge. This experience now fuels his mission to show others—especially those without traditional agricultural connections—that the industry offers diverse careers spanning technology, finance, environmental science, and sustainability.For what Locke calls the "now generation"—young people eager to address global challenges immediately—agriculture provides a powerful platform to make meaningful impact. By changing the narrative around agricultural careers and demonstrating the sector's technological innovation and global importance, MANRRS is reshaping who enters the field and how they contribute to feeding, clothing, and fueling the world.This episode is sponsored by United Animal Health, a leader in animal health and nutrition. You can learn more about United Animal Health and how they are working to advance animal science worldwide by visiting the website at UnitedANH.com

Facing the stark reality that roughly one-third of all pigs in commercial production never make it to market, the swine industry has mobilized an unprecedented collaborative effort to tackle mortality head-on. The Improving Pig Survivability Project represents a groundbreaking partnership between academic institutions and commercial producers, funded by the National Pork Board and the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research.This comprehensive initiative has already yielded tangible results. Enhanced individual sow care protocols have reduced mortality by 2-3% on multiple farms. Researchers have identified effective strategies for addressing prolapse issues while also discovering which common practices—like certain split-suckle protocols—simply don't improve outcomes despite consuming valuable time and resources. These findings empower producers to redirect their efforts toward interventions that genuinely move the needle on survivability.Perhaps most remarkably, the project has fostered an environment where competitors openly share what works and what doesn't. The upcoming International Conference on Pig Livability (November 5-6 in Omaha) will feature speakers from major production systems alongside representatives from competing genetic companies — all united by the common goal of improving pig survivability industrywide. The conference structure includes both general sessions and production-specific breakouts with dedicated time for open discussion, creating fertile ground for innovation and problem-solving.Joining Feedstuffs Ann Hess to talk more about pig survivability and the upcoming conference are Dr. Joel DeRouchey, Kansas State University, and Stacie Matchan, Iowa State University. Registration, hotel information and more details on the project can be found here: https://piglivability.org/

Avian influenza has hit Hickman's Family Farm in Arizona, wiping out 6 million egg-laying hens and forcing hundreds of layoffs. But as Glenn Hickman and veterinarian Dr. Kay Russo reveal, this devastating loss might have been preventable.The current H5N1 virus has evolved in an unprecedented way, jumping from birds to dairy cattle and even back to poultry operations. This complex transmission pattern has created a perfect storm for egg producers, with 28 million of last year's 39 million layer hen losses directly linked to spillover from dairy infections. The result? Americans paid a staggering $11 billion in higher egg prices while taxpayers spent an additional billion on cleanup efforts.At the heart of this crisis lies a contentious debate between science and trade policy. Egg producers advocate strongly for vaccination, pointing to France's successful program that reduced outbreaks by 90%. Meanwhile, the broiler chicken industry, which exports $4-6 billion annually, resists vaccination due to potential trade repercussions. This standoff continues despite available vaccines that wouldn't affect egg quality or food safety."We need to put the politics aside and come up with solutions that allow us to continue to feed people economically," urges Hickman, whose operation faces a 20-month recovery timeline. With empty egg shelves affecting families and food banks nationwide, the question becomes increasingly urgent: should protecting trade agreements take precedence over ensuring a stable domestic food supply?As fall migration approaches—traditionally a high-risk period for avian influenza—producers anxiously await guidance from USDA on vaccination protocols. The clock is ticking on a crisis that threatens not just individual farms, but America's food security itself.This episode is brought to you by United Animal Health. For more information on United Animal Health, visit unitedanh.com and discover how they're advancing animal science worldwide.

Feed milling dynamics might not sound like the most thrilling topic at first glance, but as Shawn Bradshaw of Adisseo reveals, it's at the heart of animal agriculture's future. What truly defines success in feed manufacturing? Bradshaw takes us beyond the obvious metrics of quality and consistency to explore the multifaceted nature of operational excellence. Safety rightfully claims the top spot, encompassing both product safety and employee wellbeing, followed by regulatory compliance and cost management. These costs extend beyond the visible expenses of energy and labor to include less quantifiable factors like material shrinkage through handling, moisture loss, or dust—all critical components of the manufacturing equation.The conversation pivots to practical improvement strategies, highlighting two surprisingly powerful yet sometimes underappreciated areas: maintenance and housekeeping. These foundational elements work in tandem, with well-maintained equipment supporting cleaner operations, which in turn contributes to employee satisfaction and retention. In an industry wrestling with knowledge transfer as experienced staff retire, creating an environment where people want to work becomes increasingly valuable.Looking toward the future, Bradshaw's excitement is palpable as he describes the technological revolution on the horizon. The next decade promises unprecedented advancement through automation, AI, and IoT applications—creating integrated systems linking everything from batching with NIR analysis to feed delivery with autonomous vehicles and on-farm inventory management. AI's role as a comprehensive decision-maker could transform operations by processing all available data points simultaneously, addressing persistent industry challenges from inventory management to preventing cross-contamination.Subscribe to Feedstuffs In Focus for more conversations exploring the biggest challenges and opportunities in animal agriculture.

Could something as seemingly simple as air quality management cut your PRRS outbreak risk in half? The latest research suggests exactly that – and it's changing how producers think about biosecurity investments.A groundbreaking study from the University of Minnesota has revealed that properly implemented air filtration systems reduce PRRS outbreak risks by 51-58% compared to non-filtered farms. This comprehensive research analyzed data from the Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project, representing about 60% of US breeding herds over a 15+ year period. What makes this study particularly valuable is its consideration of both positive and negative pressure filtration systems, along with sophisticated controls for regional pig density and spatial correlation factors.For producers weighing the investment, the findings provide clear ROI calculation guidance. With implementation costs ranging from $250-500 per sow and filter lifespans typically reaching 4-6 years, the protection against costly PRRS outbreaks makes a compelling business case – particularly in pig-dense regions like Southeast Iowa and Minnesota. Retrofitting existing facilities often requires upgrading fan capacity and improving building seals, but these investments extend facility lifespans by 10-20 years while dramatically reducing disease risks.Robert Langenhorst, technical service manager with American Air Filter, and Dr. Xiaomei Yue of the University of Minnesota, emphasize that filtration must be viewed as one layer in a comprehensive biosecurity approach. Regular maintenance, inspection for damage, and proper sealing are essential for system effectiveness. As the industry increasingly looks to protect nurseries and growing facilities in addition to sow farms, this research provides timely guidance for strategic disease prevention through improved air quality management. 

The agricultural landscape is evolving rapidly, and artificial intelligence (AI) stands at the forefront of this transformation. Jacqui Fatka, farm supply and biofuels economist with CoBank, takes us on a comprehensive journey through AI's emerging role in agricultural retail and farm supply cooperatives.Far from threatening the traditional relationships between farmers and their trusted advisors, AI offers powerful tools to strengthen these connections. As Fatka explains, "That relationship is paramount. Farmers really depend on that trusted partner with those ag retailers." The technology enables agronomists to develop more precise prescriptions, capture critical field observations, and respond proactively to emerging threats – all while preserving the human touch that agriculture demands.The accessibility of AI continues to grow, with entry points spanning from simple front-office applications to sophisticated supply chain optimization. Microsoft Teams' Co-Pilot feature, for instance, can streamline communication and documentation, while more advanced implementations might connect divisions within organizations that previously operated in silos. Fatka emphasizes the importance of privacy considerations and finding partners who truly understand agriculture's unique challenges rather than generic AI providers promising unrealistic returns.Perhaps most significantly, AI offers a solution to one of agriculture's persistent challenges: preserving institutional knowledge when experienced staff members retire or change positions. By capturing detailed customer profiles and operational insights, AI systems create continuity that benefits both businesses and the farmers they serve, especially in today's tight labor market. As Fatka notes, "The relationships and how you really lean into knowing that producer, that grower, having it captured in an AI system, allows that easy transition." Discover how this powerful technology is reshaping agricultural service delivery while honoring the human connections that remain at the heart of farming communities.

Phibro Animal Health made a landmark move in the animal health industry with its recent acquisition of the medicated feed additive product portfolio and certain water-soluble products from Zoetis, Inc. This pivotal expansion marks a significant advancement in fulfilling the company's mission of optimizing global animal health for a more sustainable world.During our conversation at the World Pork Expo with Scott Fry, Director of Swine Business, and Larry Miller, Chief Operating Officer, we explored how this acquisition transforms Phibro's capabilities. The newly expanded portfolio brings scientifically validated products marketed in approximately 100 countries worldwide under Phibro's umbrella, complementing it existing offerings.What makes this development particularly exciting for swine producers is the comprehensive coverage it now provides across the entire production cycle. Phibro has traditionally excelled in solutions for the sow and nursery phases, but can now deliver expert support from birth through finishing. This complete approach combines medicated feed additives, branded nutrition products, customized autogenous vaccines, and mineral nutrition solutions —allowing producers to implement more integrated health management strategies tailored to its specific challenges.Discover how Phibro's expanded capabilities could transform your approach to livestock health management by visiting www.pahc.com or connecting with a Phibro representative.