From farm to future: collaborative solutions

The Animal Agriculture Alliance is keeping busy engaging with stakeholders across the animal agriculture community and building awareness of our key priorities and concerns. Last month, we hosted 14 representatives from global, national, and regional restaurant companies, CPG brands, and agricultural organizations for a series of trips to several farms and agricultural research facilities around North Carolina.

First, we visited NC State University’s creamery and dairy farm, where we discussed animal welfare practices on dairy farms, including responsible antibiotic use and the comprehensive precautions taken to ensure no antibiotics enter the milk supply. The Howling Cow ice cream was a great bonus!

Next, we traveled over to TDM Farms, where our attendees were able to see both group housing and gestation stalls in use on a pig farm, watch piglets being born, and learn about farrowing stalls and how they are used to keep piglets safe. We also made a quick stop at a beef farm where we explored the complexity of the beef supply chain and the challenges of traceability.

We then stopped by the NC Center for Poultry Education, a Perdue Farms contract grower, where we learned about broiler production and discussed different production methods. In particular, we explored the pros and cons of differing policies on antibiotic use and free-range poultry production. Lastly, we visited NC State’s Chicken Education Unit for a crash course on broiler genetics and a look into the importance of research partnerships between academia and industry. Our attendees were able to see how partnerships between CPG companies and land grant universities allow for pioneering research into animal welfare and sustainability.

During these trips, our attendees had many questions about animal welfare practices and sustainability impacts, allowing for valuable engagement between food producers and consumer-facing brands. Outside pressures on animal welfare and sustainability decision-making were frequently discussed, with several farmers referencing the challenges posed to their businesses by activist groups, legislation, and marketing campaigns that are not always science-based. Additionally, the importance of industry programs and guidelines like PQA, BQA, and FARM was widely recognized by both producers and retailers.

While this past month has undoubtedly been one of our busiest ones, I can’t help but feel an immense sense of hope as I reflect on all the work our community has done and continues to do. These engagements help develop and foster positive connections between industry stakeholders across the supply chain, showcasing the animal agriculture community's dedication to innovation in animal welfare and sustainability. We are a passionate community, and I am so honored to be surrounded by such hardworking individuals dedicated to the safety of animals, workers, and consumers alike. By working together and exchanging insights, we can tackle industry challenges and create a future that serves farmers, processors, retailers, and consumers alike.

Please join the Alliance online (Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook) and learn about animal ag-wide continuous improvement by following our partners in The Protein PACT for the People, Animals & Climate of Tomorrow (LinkedIn Twitter, Instagram, Facebook).