AFIA: Liquid Feed Symposium attracts 185 attendees from niche fields; Dr. Chet Fields inducted into hall of fame

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) recently held its 42nd Liquid Feed Symposium.  The 2013 Symposium attracted more than 185 attendees to St. Louis, Missouri, USA from the 10th - 12th September as a source to educate and promote the agricultural liquid supplement industry. 

The event is the country’s largest gathering of liquid supplement leaders in manufacturing, nutrition, quality, sales and marketing, boasting high-quality speaker presentations, research funding reports, achievement recognition and the Liquid Feed Symposium Trade Show.

“AFIA is extremely pleased with the Liquid Feed Symposium’s turnout and looks forward to the 2014 event in New Orleans, Louisiana.” said Joel G. Newman, AFIA president and CEO. “This group of people from an important niche in the feed industry showed an overwhelming amount of enthusiasm for the strong program throughout the conference.”

Dr. Michael Swanson, a Wells Fargo Agriculture Economist, was the event’s keynote speaker, presenting on the topic of the U.S. energy revolution. Swanson explained the complex factors influencing the agricultural economy, reiterating that the relationship between corn and ethanol is a weakening partnership, which will inevitably affect the price of grain.

Other presenters and topics included: Dr. Dell Allen, Future of the Beef Packing Industry; Randy Blach, Cattle Outlook; SSA James Castano, Crisis Communication; Dr. Art Douglas, Weather Outlook; John Geuss, Milk Pricing-Global and Domestic Factors; Dr. Brad Johnson, Application of Beta-agonist to Enhance Lean Tissue Yield of Beef Cattle; Dr. Adam Lock, Milk Fat and Human Health Update; Mark Moss, Ingredient Forecast; David Nelson, Global Competiveness of Meat Production; Dr. Tommy Perkins, Cattle Stress and its Relationship to Yield Grade and Marbling; Joe Riley, Energy Sources/Co-products; Dr. Kim Stackhouse, Beef Life Cycle; and Dr. Kimberly Vonnahme, Fetal Programming.

Attendees were also invited to attend a Milwaukee Brewers vs. St. Louis Cardinals baseball game at Busch Stadium, an ice cream social and the Liquid Feed Hall of Fame awards luncheon.

Liquid Feed Symposium attracts 185 attendees from industry’s niche field

Dr. Chet Fields, Ph. D., was inducted into the American Feed Industry Association’s Liquid Feed Hall of Fame, the highest award offered by the AFIA Liquid Feed Committee and the liquid feed industry.

Fields founded C.L. Fields, Ph.D., Inc., an independent consulting company, that provided nutrition and management counseling to feedlots and ranches throughout North America and across the globe. He also served as a technical liaison to the feed, veterinary, pharmaceutical, meat packing, legal and insurance industries, universities trade associations and governmental agencies.

Dr. Chet Fields, Ph. D inducted into AFIA Liquid Feed Hall of Fame

Exosect announce further funding

UK based research company Exosect have announced the completion of a US$4m round of funding. The investment comes from its existing investor base and from ClearlySo, the social entrepreneur's funding network. 

Martin Brown, managing director, Exosect said, "This investment is a further testament to the versatility of our platform technology, Entostat. We have demonstrated its potential as a sustainable delivery system for a wide range of applications, ranging from grain and seed protectants to higher efficiency conventional pesticide reformulations. our out-licensing strategy continue to attract attention and this additional funding will ensure that we can capitalise on these new and exciting opportunities'.

The business strategy will continue to follow the successful open innovation model by focusing on the co-development of a range of pipeline solutions based upon Entostat electrostatic wax powder formulations together with out-licensing specific product applications and product registrations.

Professor Geoff Randall, non-executive director, Exosect said, "The agrochemical and animal health sectors have experienced a monumental shift in the last 20 years. Consumer and regulatory pressure have initiated a move towards ensuring safe and sustainable foo production. The major R&D companies are actively looking for unique and proven solutions to add to their portfolios and innovators like Exosect are providing these solutions". 

Grain (Photo credit: Wikipedia)