Ag Future: Innovation in Agri-Food

#065: ZnO ban: An alternative plan? - Torben Skov Ancker

The European Commission has given producers five years to remove zinc oxide from animal feed. The pig industry, which relies on the mineral to promote gut health, must now find an alternative solution. Can farmers eliminate zinc without increasing antibiotics? In this podcast, Torben Ancker offers his insight as the product manager at a Danish feed mill, where he sees the impact firsthand.

#064: Male layer loss: The eggXYt strategy - Yehuda Elram

Is there an alternative to culling male layers? Could the poultry industry avoid this costly practice? In this podcast, entrepreneur and startup co-founder Yehuda Elram explains how eggXYt could revolutionize hatcheries using CRISPR technology.

#063: Biostimulants: The quiet agronomic revolutionizer - Dr. Átila Mogor

In 1970, Dr. Norman Bourlog received the Nobel Peace Prize for his contributions to The Green Revolution and the war against starvation. Today, another revolution is afoot as biostimulants offer a sustainable approach to promoting crop growth, nutrient absorption, climate tolerance and disease resistance. In this podcast, we discuss the emerging possibilities with Dr. Atila Mogor, who has dedicated his work to sustainability in agriculture with a focus on plant physiology and plant nutrition.

#062: The farmer's partner - USDA Under Secretary Bill Northey

Can the United States Department of Agriculture become a closer partner for farmers? Bill Northey, the under secretary of agriculture, says his mission is clear. In this podcast, he discusses how his agency aims to become a more customer-focused resource, and shares how farmers can utilize USDA programs amid today's ag challenges.

#061: Improved Pet Health Starts in the Bowl - Dr. Richard Murphy

Consumers are more willing than ever to pay a premium for quality pet food, and the latest research reveals the benefits of proper nutrition. Providing pets with the right nutrition at the right stage of life can have a profound influence their health and immunity. In this podcast, Dr. Richard Murphy discusses the powerful influence of the microbiome on overall pet health.

#060: Fish 'n' chips: Nutrigenomics in aquaculture - Dr. Karl Dawson

The science of nutrigenomics is relatively new to aquaculture, but it is quickly becoming a valuable tool. Can it be used to support disease resistance and improve nutrient absorption in fish? What could it mean for combating sea lice? Dr. Karl Dawson is at the forefront of this exciting research at the Alltech Center for Animal Nutrigenomics and Applied Animal Nutrition. In this podcast, he shares the possibilities for aquaculture.

#059: Beefing up business: U.S. success in the Chinese beef market - Ian Lahiffe

After 15 years of lobbying, the U.S. beef industry has been granted access to the Chinese market, and the timing is perfect. As the demand for beef in China continues to grow with consumer affluence, are U.S. producers poised to benefit? Not so fast, say the experts. In this podcast, Ian Lahiffe, lead of operations at Allflex Livestock Intelligence in Beijing, China, discusses the challenges U.S. producers must overcome to win long-awaited favor with consumers in China.

#058: A voice for ag - Laura Daniels

Dairy farming has changed considerably in the last 20 years, but the consumer view of the industry has not adjusted as quickly. Can dairy farmers take matters into their own hands by sharing their story? In this podcast, Laura Daniels, a dairy farmer and passionate "agvocate," talks meeting consumer demands, finding new markets and being a voice for ag.

#057: Stopping the clock on dementia - Dr. Gregory Jicha

A new case of dementia is diagnosed every three seconds. Do the latest clinical trials offer hope for stopping the clock? Can lifestyle changes reduce the risk for Alzheimer's disease? Dr. Gregory Jicha, chief clinician and professor at the University of Kentucky Alzheimer's Disease Center, works on the frontlines of the race against time. In this podcast, he explains the research that makes him optimistic.

#056: Winner, winner chicken dinner - Dr. Rebecca Delles

The U.S. poultry industry is losing millions of dollars in revenue to quality issues, including woody breast syndrome. While woody breast syndrome does not pose a threat to consumer health, it does impact poultry producers' bottom line. As scientific research into the exact cause and proper mitigation of the problem continues, Dr. Rebecca Delles, a research scientist in meat chemistry, explains what producers and consumers should know about the issue.