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Animal Agriculture Leaders Gather for Industry Preservation

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Kansas City, Mo. (April 14, 2025) – Last week, the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) hosted the 2025 Annual Conference – Securing Our Future: Don’t Just Talk…Act! in Kansas City, Missouri. More than 110 attendees focused on the future of animal agriculture and how to maintain trust throughout the value chain. Additionally, industry leaders were honored and new directors were elected to the NIAA board.

Animal agriculture benefits from those who consistently go above and beyond for the industry. NIAA recognizes those outstanding professionals each year at Annual Conference. The Chairman’s and President’s Awards recognize animal agriculture leaders who have been especially supportive, inspiring, and trusted by leaders within NIAA and have contributed significantly to its success. Animal Agriculture Advocates use their voice and platforms to push animal agriculture forward. The Meritorious Service Award is presented to animal agriculture leaders who have invested their career to advancing our sector and is the longest standing award – first presented in 1965. The 2024 honorees were:

  • Chairman’s Award:
    – Dr. Eric Moore, Director of Technical Services – Norbrook, Inc.
  • President’s Award
    – Dr. Kaitlyn Briggs, Dairy Welfare Lead – fairlife, LLC
  • Advocate for Animal Agriculture Award
    – U.S. Agriculture Partnership Fund
  • Meritorious Service Award
    – Polly Ruhland, Senior Managing Director – FTI Consulting.

NIAA confirmed the following new board members during the annual membership meeting:

  • Pierce Bennett, Michigan Farm Bureau
  • Dr. Nathan Voris, Zoetis
  • Dr. Mark Roozen, Kentucky Department of Agriculture
  • Dr. Steve Strubberg, Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Jared Wareham – Horizon Venture Management, Kelly Loganbill – Bader Rutter, and Paul Koffman – Merck Animal Health were reconfirmed for their second term to the NIAA board of directors.

NIAA’s Annual Conference program began on Monday, April 7 with capstone presentations from Cohort 3 of the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders. The presentation topics included Data Collection for a Healthier World, Responsible Use of Technology, Globalization in Animal Agriculture, and The Future of Animal Agriculture. Following the capstone presentations, NIAA Councils and Working Groups met with members to discuss the coming year and hosted speakers. Council meeting speakers included:

  • Animal Disease Issues & Emergency Management
    − Dr. Kate Dion, Iowa State University
    Identifying biosecurity hazards through disease outbreak investigations
    − Dr. Julia Herman, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
    Enhanced biosecurity planning resources for foot-and-mouth disease preparedness for cattle veterinarians & producers
    − Dr. Megan Niederwerder, Swine Health Information Center
    SHIC Update on Japanese Encephalitis Virus Prevention and Preparedness for the US Swine Industry
    − Dr. Jason Lombard, Colorado State University
    WALK, RUN , CRAWL- H5N1, what we have learned in dairy cattle this past year
    − Dr. Jennifer Siembieda, USDA – APHIS
    Overview of HPAI in Dairy Cattle

  • Animal Identification & Information Systems

− Garrett Girk, Kansas Department of Agriculture
A State’s Perspective on EID
− Callahan Grund, U.S. CattleTrace
The Progression of ID and Technology: How we can accomplish an Animal Disease Traceability System for the US Beef Cattle Industry.

Andy Curliss, National Pork Producers Council opened the agenda on Tuesday, April 8 with a fascinating review of the ballot initiatives across the U.S. and the efforts from activist groups campaigning against animal agriculture.

Danette Amstein from Midan Marketing shared the latest consumer insights from the protein sector, including the different types of consumers and their unique buying habits.

Julie Broadway from the American Horse Council led a License to Operate panel that included experiences and expertise from

  • Rick Stott, Superior Farms
  • Dr. Jim Heird, Texas A&M University
  • Matt Durian, The American Royal
  • J.J. Jones, NIAA

NIAA Board Chair, Chelsea Good moderated the Ag Legislation panel featuring association executives. Topics included upcoming association policy priorities, trade, tariffs, and the farm bill. The speakers featured, were:

  • Michael Schumpp, The Meat Institute
  • Julie Broadway, American Horse Council
  • Andy Curlis, National Pork Producers Council
  • Zach Helder, Kansas City Agricultural Business Council
  • Justina Graff, U.S. House of Agriculture Committee.

Dr. Kaitlyn Briggs, fairlife, moderated a conversation with board members from the U.S. Ag Partnership Fund:

  • Collin Peterson, Former Chairman of the US House Agriculture Committee
  • Randy Russell, President of the Russell Group and former USDA Chief of Staff
  • Lisa Van Doren, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives Vice President and Chief of Staff.

Joel Leftwich from Kansas Farm Bureau and the U.S. Agriculture Partnership Fund closed the day’s program with a closing challenge to the audience on how to move forward and get ahead of activist initiatives.

Two additional sessions were held on April 9. The American Sheep Industry Association hosted What’s Next After Scrapie Eradication? to discuss the next steps once Scrapie is declared eradicated in the U.S. NIAA hosted a meeting for awardees and stakeholders of the USDA National Animal Disease Preparedness & Response Program (NADPRP). After discussing the survey results from their project, NIAA hosted a panel featuring Dr. Tiffany Lee, Clemens Food Group, Dr. Julia Herman, NCBA, and Dr. Cheryl Eia, Iowa State University reviewing their experiences with program successes and opportunities.

Learn more about the award honorees, board members, the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders, and upcoming NIAA events at  www.animalagriculture.org/.

NIAA Selects Fourth Leadership Class

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Sixteen leaders have been selected for the 4th Cohort of the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders Program


The fourth class participating in the National Institute for Animal Agriculture’s (NIAA) Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders has been selected and will convene for their first session in Washington, D.C. in March 2025.

The Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders furthers NIAA’s mission to foster collaboration throughout the industry. NIAA established the leadership program in 2021 to provide an opportunity for animal agriculture leaders to gain next-level leadership and professional development training. What makes the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders unique is that its curriculum and experience is co-designed by the leadership cohort and is specifically designed for the animal agriculture segment of the industry.

The Fourth Cohort is comprised of 16 leaders spanning the agricultural sectors and contributing to animal agriculture’s role in today’s food system. NIAA welcomes:

  • Melissa Davis, Where Food Comes From
  • Amber DeWitt, Fulcrum Global Capital
  • Alexandra Eckhoff, New Mexico Livestock Board
  • Miguel Gonzalez, USAID, USDA-Foreign Agricultural Service
  • Haley Grimes, American Humane
  • Meggan Hain, CROPP Cooperative/Organic Valley
  • Ben Hopkins, DSM-Firmenich
  • Nicki Humphrey, California Department of Food and Agriculture
  • Darrin Karcher, Purdue University
  • Hollie Kremer, Cooper Farms
  • Sarah Metzler, Cattleman’s Beef Board, Beef Checkoff
  • Claire Mulligan, ABS Global
  • Elena Myhre, International Poultry Welfare Alliance/US-Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry and Eggs
  • Brittany Shonka-Martin, ABS Global
  • Ryan Sorensen, United Producers, Inc.
  • Charlotte Talbott, Rabobank

The 16-month program receives support from Farm Credit and was created by NIAA to empower professionals in the early to midpart of their careers to build on previous leadership development experiences and collaborate with peers across the industry. The cohort attends five in-person meetings with additional monthly virtual working sessions to focus on four areas of development: critical thinking, leadership development, connecting and relating skills, and operational excellence. Leaders are also tasked with a group capstone project presented to NIAA’s board to complete their leadership training.

“It is refreshing to see professionals from very diverse backgrounds, with different roles, from varying geographical areas come together to problem solve, discuss, and work together for the betterment of animal agriculture as a whole,” said Jessie Wadle, NIAA manager of education and the supervisor of the leadership program. “This program is a true testament to the idea that we are so much better and can affect positive change when we come together. The participants in the program are making connections and friends that they can call on for advice and collaboration for the rest of their lives.”

NIAA is excited to welcome these new leaders to the leadership program and to the organization. To learn more about the program, it’s sponsors and how to participate in the next cohort, visit https://www.animalagriculture.org/leadership-program/. Email Jessie Wadle at Jessie.Wadle@animalagriculture.org if you are interested in participating or nominating for a future cohort.

 

Cohort 3 Leaders Tour Denver Agriculture Institutions

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Public Health and Animal Agriculture Leaders Convene for One Health

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The National Pork Board (NPB) partnered with the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) to convene a group of public health, animal health and swine professionals in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to build relationships and explore opportunities for One Health collaborations. The event was sponsored by the Pork Checkoff with the support of several state pork associations and producers from Minnesota and South Dakota.

The One Health farm to fork experience spanned all phases of swine production, a feed mill, truck wash and processing plants in Minnesota, South Dakota and Iowa. The educational tour focused on biosecurity, animal wellbeing and sustainability to create a dialogue between human health, animal health and food safety professionals.

“This Checkoff investment is evidence of our holistic approach to connecting directly with our colleagues in the public health sector,” said Heather Fowler VMD PhD MPH DACVPM, director of producer and public health at NPB. “The We Care® Ethical Principles and Pork Quality Assurance® Plus training our producers abide by are proof that we are committed to people, pigs and the planet. It was inspiring to talk directly with the event attendees about how on-farm practices contribute to a healthy community and the health of the people we are proud to feed.”

The following organizations were represented:

  •        Association for State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO)
  •        The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  •        FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine
  •        Illinois Department of Public Health
  •        Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
  •        Iowa Pork Producers Association
  •        Minnesota Department of Health
  •        Minnesota Pork Board
  •        National Pork Board (host)
  •        NIAA
  •        PIPESTONE
  •        South Dakota Department of Health
  •        South Dakota Pork Producers Council
  •        U.S. Food and Drug Administration
  •       Wisconsin Department of Health Services

“Observing and learning about swine production from farrow to finish highlighted the need of these systems to have the highest rigor of biosecurity and production practices to protect herd health,” said Alexandra Medley DVM MPH, Associate Director for Antimicrobial Resistance for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases. “In turn, we learned how maintaining a healthy herd can directly and indirectly affect animal, crop, and public health, including enhancing food safety and preventing, within their part of the One Health spectrum, the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AR).”

Next month, animal agriculture leaders from multiple species sectors will host a reversal of the previous farm tour experience with a meeting in Atlanta at the CDC campus. This meeting will support CDC delegates as they provide informed One Health information including perspectives and practical applications from experts and professionals in the animal agriculture sector.

“By sharing our respective priorities and challenges as swine producers and public health scientists, we hope that the takeaway is that CDC is eager to collaborate on identifying and furthering efforts to advance human, environmental and animal health and address the threat of AR,” continued Medley. “We are grateful to the producers and companies that graciously brought us into their world to foster learning and discussion across a diversity of topics.”

NIAA to Open Application Period for Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders

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Participants can apply for the 4th Cohort of NIAA’s leadership program beginning September 1

 The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) will begin accepting nominations for the fourth Cohort of the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders. Nominations are due November 17.

The 16-month leadership program blends in-person and virtual working sessions to focus on four areas of development: critical thinking, leadership development, connecting and relating skills, and operational excellence. Members of the program work together on applied-learning, small-group capstone projects, which will incorporate topics of interest in animal agriculture.

“It’s been a true gift to learn from and collaborate with the other commodity groups, organizations and associations represented within this leadership cohort,” said Sarah Coleman, Kentucky Horse Council and member of Cohort 3. “To learn more about so many things within the ag space is incredible – and to know that each of us, in our own way, is facing the same struggles, whether that is engaging youth, locating workforce, adopting new technology or facing animal rights action groups, is reassuring that there are so many of us who are working to ensure that agriculture is sustainable, in every facet of the word.”

In 2021, NIAA launched the program to provide emerging leaders a new opportunity to gain next-level leadership and professional development training specifically focused on the animal agriculture segment of the industry. Since then, the program has represented a wide range of agricultural sectors. The program empowers professionals in the early to midpoint of their careers to build on previous leadership development experiences and collaborate with peers across the industry to advance animal agriculture’s role in today’s food system.

The United Soybean Board serves as the founding sponsor of the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders program, with additional financial support provided by Farm Credit, NIAA and its members and partners. Participant investment for the leadership program is $2,500. With sponsor and participant investments, the leadership program provides an estimated $10,000 in training, resources,  and NIAA membership during the length of the program.

If you or someone you know is interested in the applying for NIAA’s leadership program, please reach out to Jessie Wadle at Jessie.Wadle@animalagriculture.org to express your interest. More information about how to nominate or apply for the program is available at www.animalagriculture.org/leadership-program/.

Animal Agriculture Leaders Empower One Health Discussions Ahead of UN General Assembly

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White papers, farm tours, and One Health leader collaborations to inform U.S. leaders for UN General Assembly meetings on AMR and stewardship in animal agriculture

Kansas City, Mo. (June 12, 2024) — The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) has released the white paper from the 13th Annual Antibiotics Symposium – Thriving in a Changing Landscape. The White Paper provides a summary of the science-based information presented regarding the use of antibiotics in food-animals, public and environmental health implications, and the next steps of stewardship. Though antibiotic stewardship in human and livestock medicine will continue to play an important role, other focus areas emerged throughout the symposium. The intimate relationship between people and their pets presents an ideal opportunity to transfer antimicrobial resistance between animals and humans. These intimate relationships also build strong bonds, often resulting in the pursuit of medical interventions that mirror human medicine, including the use of high-powered antibiotics.

Symposium topics included an industry report on the current state of antibiotic stewardship from producer to processor to grocer, information on the latest antimicrobial stewardship and resistance research, the multi-dimensional aspects of antibiotic stewardship and AMR, regulatory updates, and One Health collaborations. True to the NIAA mission, the Symposium convened animal agriculture experts and allies in a collaborative setting to explore, discuss, learn, and develop knowledge that fosters interdisciplinary cooperation for the improvement and continuous progress of animal agriculture. The closing keynote, Dr. Karen Smith, speaker and independent consultant with decades of public health experience, left the attendees with this point to ponder, “The best and most effective policies are built through collaboration with those who will be most affected by the policy.”

NIAA serves as a contractor to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and the Antibiotics Symposium is made possible in part by the Beef Checkoff. The 2023 Symposium program set the stage for two other collaborative efforts from NIAA happening in 2024. The Pork Checkoff is supporting a One Health pork tour in Minnesota that will convene veterinary, public health, and  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) leaders on a tour to multiple swine facilities to learn about biosecurity, stewardship practices, and more. The second convening will connect farmers and ranchers with CDC officials in Atlanta, GA prior to the UN General Assembly meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This meeting will support CDC delegates as they provide informed One Health information that includes perspectives and practical applications from experts and professionals in the animal agriculture sector.

To learn more about the upcoming 14th Annual Antibiotics Symposium to be held in Denver, CO at the Colorado State University SPUR Campus, November 19-21, 2024 or any of the One Health convenings, please contact Morgan Young, Director of Communications and Outreach for the National Institute for Animal Agriculture at morgan.young@animalagriculture.org.

 

 

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About NIAA
NIAA is the leading resource for the animal agriculture industry and provides value to all stakeholders involved in providing safe and healthy food for the world. NIAA is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing programs to work towards providing solutions for disease, while promoting a safe and wholesome food supply and the best practices of environmental stewardship, animal health and well-being.

 

About the Beef Checkoff
The Beef Checkoff was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The Checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States may retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national Checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.

 

Dates and Location of 14th Annual Antibiotics Symposium Announced

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Animal agriculture leaders from Cohort 3 begin their training in Chicago

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Cohort 3 of NIAA’s Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders launch their experiential leadership program

The third cohort of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture’s (NIAA) Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders completed their first in-person leadership training session in Chicago, Illinois.

In January, NIAA announced the selected participants in the third cohort of the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders. During their time in Chicago, Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) hosted cohort participants as they explored the group’s strengths from CliftonStrengths, outlined their desired leadership experience and curriculum on the first day of the leadership training session. Kaitlin Briggs MBA, PhD, Vice President Animal Health & Sustainability Research at DMI spoke to the group about the organization and her role and the sustainability goals and progress in the dairy industry.

On the second day of the leadership session, Cohort members met Jamie Calvetti, president of Calvetti Meats and founder of Calvetti Culinary Creations. Calvetti Meats was established in Chicago in 1939 and Jamie is the second generation of owner management. The company specializes in custom food products, including ready-to-eat, sous vide and vacuum packaged ready-to-cook food products.

Midan Marketing’s Principal, Michael Uetz finished the day with Cohort members with a discussion about the latest protein research, current market trends, and consumer attitudes. Midan is an independent agency with an extensive knowledge of the meat industry and consumer insights.

“My expectations have expanded following our first gathering as Cohort 3,” said Hanna Robbins, Butterball, LLC and cohort member. “The opportunity to mesh with such a diverse, interdisciplinary group that is collectively passionate about all facets of agriculture is unique to many of us. I’m looking forward to further developing our relationships, conversations, and opportunities over the next 14 months and beyond.”

The third cohort of the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders represents a range of agricultural sectors to advance animal agriculture’s role in today’s food system. Participants include Johnna Baller-Granville – Genus ABS, Ryan Bennett – U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs and International Poultry Welfare Alliance, Kristi Block – North American Meat Institute, Sarah Coleman – The Kentucky Horse Council, Rose Digianantonio – State of Wyoming Livestock Board, Will Fiske – Neogen Genomics, Chelsea Good, JD – Livestock Marketing Association, Rita Harkless – Perdue Foods, Blaine Johnson – Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine, Tanner King – Neogen Genomics, Ashley Kohls – Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, Jennifer Koziol – Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine, Rahul Kumar – Zoetis, Inc., Megan McCullough – North American Meat Institute, Emmanuel Okello – University of California, Davis, Kelli Payne – Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation, Hanna Robbins – Butterball, Dakota Thomas – Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO), Jackson Tolle – United Producers, Inc., Hattie Webb – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 

To learn more about the leadership program and its sponsors, visit the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders page of our website.

 

 

 

NIAA Selects Third Cohort for the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders Program

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The third class participating in the National Institute for Animal Agriculture’s (NIAA) Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders has been selected and will convene for their first session in Chicago in February 2024.

NIAA established the leadership program in 2021 to provide an opportunity for animal agriculture leaders to gain next-level leadership and professional development training. What makes the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders unique is that its curriculum and experience is co-designed by the leadership cohort and is specifically designed for the animal agriculture segment of the industry.

The 16-month program is sponsored by the United Soybean Board and Farm Credit and was created by NIAA to empower professionals in the early to midpart of their careers to build on previous leadership development experiences and collaborate with peers across the industry. The cohort attends five in-person meetings with additional virtual working sessions to focus on four areas of development: critical thinking, leadership development, connecting and relating skills, and operational excellence. A presentation of a group capstone project will complete Cohort 3’s leadership training at NIAA’s Annual Conference in April 2025.

“Part of NIAA’s mission is to foster collaboration and cooperation throughout the industry. This program was intentionally developed to build upon existing leadership experiences, so professionals advance their skills – specifically, collaboration,” said Eric Moore, NIAA Board Chairman. “It was important to me to participate in the inaugural cohort and it has been an enriching experience for me and my fellow leaders.”

There were more than 50 very capable applicants for the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders. The third cohort represents 20 leaders in a diverse range of agricultural sectors to advance animal agriculture’s role in today’s food system. NIAA welcomes:

  • Johnna Baller-Granville – Genus ABS
  • Ryan Bennett – U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs and International Poultry Welfare Alliance
  • Kristi Block – North American Meat Institute
  • Sarah Coleman – The Kentucky Horse Council
  • Rose Digianantonio – State of Wyoming Livestock Board
  • Will Fiske – Neogen Genomics
  • Chelsea Good, JD – Livestock Marketing Association
  • Rita Harkless – Perdue Foods
  • Blaine Johnson – Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine
  • Tanner King – Neogen Genomics
  • Ashley Kohls – Minnesota Turkey Growers Association
  • Jennifer Koziol – Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine
  • Rahul Kumar – Zoetis, Inc.
  • Megan McCullough – North American Meat Institute
  • Emmanuel Okello – University of California, Davis
  • Kelli Payne – Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation
  • Hanna Robbins – Butterball
  • Dakota Thomas – Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO)
  • Jackson Tolle – United Producers, Inc.
  • Hattie Webb – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 

To learn more about the program, it’s sponsors and how to participate in the next cohort, visit https://www.animalagriculture.org/leadership-program/.