Pet owners' spending on cat, dog food up 62 percent since 2001, report says

Since 2001, pet owners' spending on dog and cat food has grown 62 percent to a record US$19 billion in 2012, according to a report. 
Euromonitor International estimated petfood spending at US$12.41 billion in 2000, measured in current prices, and says spending grew even in the recession to US$17.7 billion in 2008 and US$18.5 billion in 2009. 
The market's growth is attributed to more than just a rising number of households owning dogs and cats, as these numbers have stabilized to an estimated 75 million cats and 85 million dogs in the US.
One reason for the growth in petfood spending is the economy. “A Broadway show is really expensive for many people,” said Dr. Stephen Zawistowski, science adviser to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “But, for a couple of bucks you can buy a bag of treats for your dog or give them an extra scoop of food and feel good about yourself.”
Continued growth in petfood spending is also attributed to the humanization of pets. According to Paula Flores, head of global pet-care research at Euromonitor, as cats and dogs have become more important members in American families, this has driven premium petfood sales. 

Sustainability of pet ownership, feeding practices topics of new research

University of Illinois animal sciences researcher, Kelly Swanson, in cooperation with scientists at natural petfood maker, the Nutro Co., raised a number of important questions on the sustainability of pet ownership in new research.
Sustainability is defined as meeting the needs of the present while not compromising the future. Swanson said that although the carbon footprint aspect of sustainability receives the most attention, nutritional aspects are also important. “If you just change the diet a little, the financial and environmental costs associated with it are quite different,” he explained.
Since dietary ingredient selection and nutrient composition affect the sustainability of the petfood system, and because protein is costly financially and to the environment, protein source and amount of protein in the diet are especially important.
Swanson's research shows that dogs and cats require specific nutrients, not specific ingredients, making it possible to meet nutrient requirements with a variety of nutrient sources. For example, animal protein can be replaced by plant protein, which requires less water and energy to produce. Soy-based proteins are a common petfood ingredient, and their production is estimated to be 6 to 20 times more efficient in terms of fossil fuel requirements, Swanson said.
Petfood manufacturers also make heavy use of the secondary products from the human food chain. “That’s great from a sustainability standpoint because we’re using the products that would otherwise not be used,” he said. 
Swanson's research shows there are strategies to make petfood manufacturing more sustainable while still meeting the animals' nutritional needs and keeping products affordable. 
“Advancement in areas of nutritional sustainability will help us develop innovative products to improve pet health and nutrition and produce quality and safe petfood,” said Rebecca Carter, research scientist at The Nutro Company. “Nutritional sustainability is part of a wider sustainability platform to improve the sustainability of our products and promote the sustainability of pet ownership and the petfood industry.”
Swanson stresses the importance of educating consumers and veterinarians, as well as the petfood industry, about sustainable feeding practices. 
“[Pets are] being fed as much as 20 percent more than they need, so their health is poor, and you’re wasting all that food,” said Swanson. “Especially with cats, it’s very difficult.” 
Swanson said it would be helpful to develop a model that would estimate the environmental impact of petfoods and serve as a basis for strategies to increase the sustainability of petfoods in the future. Researchers concluded that there are no “good” or “bad” feeding practices, but just some that are more or less sustainable. They hope the findings highlight areas where changes could be made to current practices and stimulate discussion within the industry so that the overall sustainability of petfoods may be improved in the future. 
"Nutritional Sustainability of Pet Foods" by Kelly S. Swanson, Rebecca A. Carter, Tracy P. Yount, Jan Aretz and Preston R. Buff was recently published in Advances in Nutrition and can be viewed online.

Petfood Forum donors raise US$2,000 for CHAMP Assistance Dogs

Petfood Forum's donors raised US$2,000 for CHAMP, an organization that trains service dogs for people with disabilities.

Petfood Forum's successful donor campaign raised a total of US$2,000 on behalf of Canine Helpers Allow More Possibilities (CHAMP).
CHAMP Assistance Dogs Inc. is a nonprofit organization that helps increase the independence of people with disabilities by partnering them – free of charge – with specially trained service dogs. Many have benefited from this service, including the 2013 Petfood Forum opening keynote speaker and paralympian, Kerri Morgan.
As part of this new partnership, Petfood Forum asked its 2013 attendees and exhibitors to donate to CHAMP. The money raised will be used for training and certification of therapy dog teams, funding of the Ability Awareness Program for schools and civic groups and funding of another program that works with dogs from the rescue community.
Petfood Forum thanks the CHAMP program sponsor, Trouw Nutrition, and all donors. For more information about CHAMP, visit the website at www.champdogs.org.

Kendall Packaging Corp. to expand packaging facility

Kendall Packaging Corp. will break ground on a 56,000-square-foot expansion to its Jefferson, Wisconsin, USA, packaging facility on April 26.
The expansion will double the packaging plant’s production and storage capacity, and it is expected to be completed in late summer 2013. The plant upgrade comes after the successful launch of Kendall’s natural cheese and petfood product lines, and installations of a 10-color W&H Miraflex press in Jefferson and a 10-color W&H Primaflex at its Pittsburg, Kansas, USA, facility.

The Honest Kitchen launches petfood testimonial sharing platform online

The Honest Kitchen, an all-natural petfood company, launched a new website, which includes the new social media sharing platform, True Stories.
The True Stories platform allows consumers to make their own cats and dogs into "Official Poster Pets" for the company. True Stories product testimonials allow real customers to be spokespeople for The Honest Kitchen by providing feedback on the beneficial effects of the food on their pets’ ailments, such as skin and coat disorders, digestive upset, ear infections and urinary tract problems. 
Customers can upload their product success stories and pet photos on the site, and the True Stories platform customizes customers’ pet photos into Polaroid-style portraits on the site with the pet’s name and campaign logo. Customers can then share their Trues Story across their own social media networks.
In the coming months, the Official Poster Pets’ images and stories will be made into full-size physical posters, signage, magazine advertisements and promotional postcards for retailers. 

Sensient develops new emulsion technology for natural colors

Sensient Colors LLC, a business unit of Sensient Technologies Corp., expanded its research and development efforts globally by developing an Advanced Emulsion Technology for natural colors. 
This new emulsion technology combines multiple oil- and water-based natural colors to provide a complex color matrix in a single delivery system, achieving new natural color shades. The water-based emulsions allow for multiple oil- and water-based natural colors to co-exist in a single color system. Sensient says this new technology can lessen package staining, reduce color bleed and allow for lower usage levels, as well as minimize off-taste flavors sometimes associated with natural colors. 
“This novel emulsion technology enables complex color matrices to be combined, allowing for additional natural color shades that once were unattainable, with enhanced stability and performance compared to traditional emulsion technology,” says Mike Geraghty, president, Color Group, Sensient Technologies Corp.

BlogPaws selects Westminster Kennel Club spokesman as emcee for 2013 event

BlogPaws announced that Angel On A Leash and Westminster Kennel Club spokesman, David Frei, will be the celebrity emcee for the 2013 Nose-to-Nose Social Media and Pet Blogger Awards. The event will take place on Saturday, May 18 during the 5th annual BlogPaws Pet Blogging and Social Media Conference in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia, USA.
Frei is the public spokesman for the Westminster Kennel Club and has been the television voice of Westminster since 1990. With Westminster, David helped create Angel On A Leash, a charitable activity dedicated to creating and administering a therapy dog program at the NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. Angel On A Leash was later founded by Frei as an independent charity, and the program has expanded into a number of additional facilities across the country.  
“We are incredibly excited to have David Frei emcee our awards as the BlogPaws conference continues to grow each year,” BlogPaws co-founder, Yvonne DiVita said. “BlogPaws is a pet-welcoming three-day conference that brings pet parents and enthusiasts together with each other, with the brands they buy and with experts that give actionable advice.”

RECALL: Vitae brand bird food recalled for potential Salmonella contamination

Merit Bird Co. LLC of Chatsworth, California, USA, is recalling select Vitae brand bird foods because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. 
The following products with lot codes are being recalled:

• Vitae Cockatiel with Sunflower 2 lbs. (#2840081)
• Vitae Cockatiel with Sunflower 4 lbs. (#2840090)
• Vitae Small Hookbill 4 lbs. (#2840225)
• Vitae Small Hookbill 20 lbs. (#2840234)
• Vitae Hookbill with Sunflower 4 lbs. (#2840252)
• Vitae Large Hookbill 4 lbs. (#2840279) 
The bird food was shipped between May 2012 and February 2013, distributed through Southern California, USA, retail pet stores. 
The company says no illnesses have been reported to date. This recall was the result of a routine testing performed by Specialty Commodities, which revealed that the finished products, including parsley that is on recall from Specialty Commodities, contain Salmonella. The company has stopped production and distribution of the product as FDA and the company continue to investigate.
Consumers should return the recalled products to the place of purchase for a refund. Consumers can contact the company at +1.818.727.1655, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. PST. 

RECALL: Breeder's Choice Active Care Biscuits dog treats recalled for mold

Central Garden & Pet's Breeder’s Choice company has issued a recall for a single batch of Active Care Biscuits-Healthy Dog Treats after mold was discovered in one of the lots of dog treats.
The recalled Active Care Biscuits-Healthy Dog Treats are sold in 24-ounce packages with product code/SKU BCP-080, UPC code 0130104895 and best-before code 19/Dec/2013. According to the manufacturer, the mold occurred because of varying dryer temperature settings for drying dog dog biscuits, which exposed the recalled product to excess moisture. 
The company says the problem has been fixed, and it has not received any reports of human or pet illness associated with the recalled treats. Pet owners who fed the treats to their pets should watch for common symptoms of mold exposure, such as gastrointestinal issues like loose stool. 
For more information, call the Central Customer Care line at +1.866.500.6286 or visit goactivedog.com.

RECALL: Natura expands expiration dates in dry petfood recall

Natura Pet Products is again expanding its March 29 dry petfood recall because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. 
The expanded recall now includes all dry cat food, dog food and pet treat products with expiration dates prior to and including March 24, 2014. The recall affects all sizes, UPCs and lot codes of the following Natura brands: 

• California Natural
• EVO
• Healthwise
• Innova
• Karma
A sampling conducted by the Michigan, USA, and Georgia, USA, Departments of Agriculture confirmed the presence of Salmonella in an additional sampling of dry petfood and a cat treat. As a precaution, the company expanded the recall to include all products made within the same timeframe. The affected products were sold through veterinary clinics and select pet specialty retailers in the US, Canada, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and Costa Rica, as well as online.
Consumers who purchased the recalled products should discard them and contact Natura for a refund at +1.800.224.6123, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CST. 

Organic petfood, novel protein sources among 'Top Pet Trends of 2013'

Following the launch of new petfood and pet products at Global Pet Expo, Petsweekly.com compiled a list of the "Top 10 Pet Trends of 2013."
One trend listed was pet owners' increasing demands for all-natural, organic, "Made in USA" products. 
According to the article: "We predict a number of other companies will be following suit as pet parents realize the value of raw, freeze-dried, and dehydrated foods for their pet. This is something that companies like the Honest Kitchen, Merrick and Stella & Chewy's have been doing for years. But, as we all know, it takes time for the big boys to implement change. The 'Made in the USA' logo will increase in importance as more pet owners refuse to support companies who manufacture in China and other locales, and instead prefer to support the local economy with their hard-earned money -- even if it does cost a bit more."
In addition, supplements and nutraceuticals for pets are expected to become more popular. "[T]here will be an even greater rise in the way we treat our pets for medical conditions, a large increase in the number of animal nutrition specialists and a lot of holistic veterinarians entering the scene," the article says.
New protein sources will also be increasingly used in petfoods, treats and toys. These alternative protein sources, ranging from alligator and crawfish to kangaroo and llama, are expected to become even more important as pet owners seek the best ways to keep their pets healthy. 
Other trends included keeping chickens as pets, which could lead to more opportunities for the petfood industry, as well as re-purposed, environmentally responsible pet products and companies.  

New pet retailer program for liquid dog supplement announced

After being introduced at Global Pet Expo 2013, the makers of LICKS for Dogs have announced a limited-time pet retailer program. Independent retailers who place initial orders by May 31 will receive 90 free sample packets of the liquid vitamin product for dogs to hand out to customers. 
Packs of US$2- and US$5-off manufacturer’s coupons will also be provided to stimulate trial. Additionally, a free one-month supply of LICKS for Dogs will be made available for every pet-owning staff member. Staff training, in-store demos and support for special promotional events will also be provided upon request.  
LICKS for Dogs are a line of single-serving packaged canine liquid vitamins. The liquid pet supplements are offered in three formulas: Joint+Heart Signature Formula, Zen Calming Formula and Athlete Active Formula.

AFIA to host feed safety, quality assurance protocols course online

To help petfood and animal feed industries prepare for and respond to the upcoming Food Safety Modernization Act, the American Feed Industry Association and Kansas State University are offering a new online course.
The course, AFIA 520 - Advanced Feed Safety and Quality Assurance Protocols, aims to provide training and understanding of the industry’s increasingly complex requirements for quality and safety. The course was developed by Kansas State’s Department of Grain Science and Industry and North Carolina State University’s Department of Poultry Science, along with industry experts. 
The AFIA 520 course begins on May 20 and lasts for five weeks, with participants working at their own pace and engaging in online discussion. The cost is US$499 for AFIA members and US$685 for non-members. The class is limited to 50 participants. 
For more information, contact AFIA’s Keith Epperson at kepperson@afia.org or Kansas State’s Brandi Miller, distance education coordinator for the Department of Grain Science, at bmiller@ksu.edu. 

Kemin investigates raw material supplier

Kemin selects raw material suppliers after review and evaluation, and receives certificates of analysis on each lot of raw material purchased from the suppliers. Although the company performs additional testing at its own laboratory to verify suppliers' claims on the certificates of analysis, Kemin is investigating one of its tocopherol suppliers. 
On April 3, certified lab results in Europe showed 40.035 nanograms/kilogram of dioxin in a single batch of Naturox IP Plus Dry, an antioxidant used in petfood. Kemin is replacing any unused antioxidants containing tocopherols from this supplier as a precaution.
Kemin has been in contact with all affected European customers to notify them that when the antioxidant is applied at recommended application rates, the amount of dioxin in finished petfood is 0.04 - 0.09 nanograms/kilogram—well below the maximum allowable limit for dioxin in Europe. The EU allowable limit for dioxin in finished petfood is 1.75 nanograms/kilogram. As a comparison, the US limit for dioxin is 200,000 nanograms/kilogram.

Petfood manufacturers challenged to eat their own petfood

At Global Pet Expo in Orlando, Florida, USA, the team at Pet360, online community for pet owners, put representatives from major petfood manufacturers to the test. 
The team challenged 12 petfood companies to eat their company's petfood live on camera as part of its "Eat Your Food" series. The "Eat Your Food" series also allows petfood companies to promote the nutritional benefits of their food. 
“For the longest time, the biggest decision regarding petfood was whether to purchase wet or dry,” said Jon Roska Jr., vice president of merchandising at Pet360. “Now-a-days, pet owners are faced with a multitude of decisions, and there are a variety of gourmet options to choose from. We want to give brands the opportunity to prove that their food is the highest quality option for our customers’ pets, and what better way is there to do that than by consuming the food themselves?”

UK pet retailer leads campaign to stop muesli rabbit food sales

Petfood retailer Burgess Pet Care and UK animal charities are leading a campaign to stop sales of muesli-style products after reviewing new veterinary research.
Research by the University of Edinburgh, supported by Burgess, suggests that feeding muesli-style petfoods, with or without hay, to rabbits may be linked to abnormalities that can lead to dental and digestive problems needing veterinary treatment. 
Professor Anna Meredith, from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, said: “The findings of this research have significant implications for the feeding of the nation’s rabbits. Vets have suspected for a number of years that feeding muesli-style foods could lead to health issues in rabbits, and now we have the proof to substantiate that.”
As a result of the findings, beginning May 4, Rabbit Awareness Week will run an education program among rabbit owners to stop sales of these foods. The program includes free health checks and rabbit-related events in the UK, resources for veterinarians and consumers, as well as a national media campaign. Veterinarians can register online to become part of the campaign and receive their free support packs.

Investigation into counterfeit brand petfood sales in China underway

A business in China suspected of selling counterfeit brand-name petfood online is now being investigated by a quality-control group in Shanghai, China.
The Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision began its investigation in February after receiving a report that a store on taobao.com was selling counterfeit brand-name cat and dog food for two years, with monthly sales of nearly 10,000 yuan (US$1,612).
The bureau and police spent a month investigating where the online store was storing the petfood products, finding that it changed warehouse sites frequently. Investigators found repacking machines, a scale, about 380 packages of petfood and empty packaging at a nearly 50-square-meter warehouse in rural Qingpu district. 
According to the bureau, the owner said he hired employees to purchase ordinary petfood online and then repackage it in fake packaging that looks like the Royal Canin and Pedigree petfood brands. Police are still investigating the case.  

Alltech extends early registration for GLIMPSE 2020 symposium

Alltech has extended early registration for its 29th Annual International Symposium, taking place May 19-22 in Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Alltech's GLIMPSE 2020 symposium will be available at an early discounted price of US$599 through April 25 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Standard registration will be available after April 25 for US$850.
For more information or to request an invitation, contact an Alltech representative at symposium@alltech.com.

Glass is two-thirds full for petfood industry, says Petfood Forum 2013 speaker

For the petfood industry, the glass is two-thirds full -- things could be a lot better, but they could be a lot worse, according to David Sprinkle, publisher and research director of Packaged Facts speaking at Petfood Forum 2013, April 16.
Today 38 percent of households have dogs, up from 35 percent in 2007. About a quarter of households keep cats which has been a pretty steady number. "Nothing bad about long-term trends," said Sprinkle. "Other pets, such as birds and fish took a hit during the recession. But they are a small part of the market. The only problem there is small pets are often starter pets."
Petfood as a whole is showing 5 percent annual growth in sales in 2013. Sprinkle said that is more solid performance than consumer package goods overall. "Any consumer product manufacturer would kill for these numbers.”
Packaged Facts also surveyed the performance of different retail channels for petfood. The biggest surprise was that sales through mass market retailers, grocery stores except Wal-Mart, have been shrinking slightly or holding steady. The growth is in specialty channels such as gourmet and specialty food stores and independent natural food stores.
Growth for sales from pet stores is up from 52 percent in 2012 to 54.3 percent in 2013, while sales from veterinarians are going down.
"There is innovation and growth in the market, but it is at the specialty end, and you should be watching that," said Sprinkle.
To see a summary of Sprinkle's talk, view the Consumer petfood spending trends for 2013 video.

US Paralympian thanks petfood industry during Petfood Forum 2013 keynote

Assistance dogs trained by C.H.A.M.P., including Twix, help their disabled owners perform many daily tasks.

U.S. Paralympic medalist Kerri Morgan gave the keynote address at Petfood Forum 2013 on Tuesday, April 16, thanking the petfood industry for making safe, quality foods for service dog, Twix.
Morgan, a winner of two bronze medals at the 2012 London Paralympics, acquired her service dog Twix, a black Labrador Retriever, from C.H.A.M.P. Assistance Dogs Inc. C.H.A.M.P., Canine Helpers Allow More Possibilities, is a St. Louis, Missouri, USA-based nonprofit organization that trains and places service dogs for people with disabilities, at no cost. 
Morgan, who was born with a disease that left her disabled since age 1, explained that although she was independent before getting Twix, her support dog helps her perform tasks much quicker than she could, saves Morgan’s energy and helps decrease her pain. Morgan received Twix after the dog underwent two years of specialized training to become a support dog. Twix is trained to perform a variety of tasks to aid Morgan in everyday life, from holding her lunchbox and picking up shoes, to retrieving her dropped keys and holding open doors. Morgan and Twix even demonstrated a “Go 911” command, where Twix is trained to fetch a special 911 phone and bring it to Morgan in the case of an accident. 




Morgan and Twix demonstrated their "Go 911" command during her keynote speech at Petfood Forum 2013.

She noted the importance of creating safe, nutritious petfood not only for companion animals, but also for service animals, whose owners rely on the dogs daily. 

Researchers share latest on mycotoxins in animal feed

With nearly 500 known mycotoxins, interactions between toxins can make diagnosis difficult, and it can be further complicated by the presence of masked mycotoxins in animal feed. These complications can lead to an underestimation of certain mycotoxins by up to 88 percent, explaining why analyzed animal feed can show low levels of mycotoxins but still be problematic, according to research presented at Alltech's first North American Mycotoxin Management Summit in Lexington, Kentucky, USA. 
More than 65 members of the animal feed industry attended “Making Sense of the Maze... New Strategies for Old Problems,” where attendees learned about advances in mycotoxin research and analysis, as well as learned about Alltech's Mycotoxin Management Program.
“In the last two decades, advances in technology have altered our view of mycotoxin issues in the food chain. We now know it is a mycotoxin complex, and we have a better understanding of the physiological and pathological effects of mycotoxins” said Dr. Karl Dawson, chief scientific officer at Alltech.
In his presentation, “Mycotoxin Research, 20 Years and What Have We Learned,” Dawson discussed how researchers are now able to detect a greater number of mycotoxins with the use of LC-MS/MS methodology; can provide a risk assessment based on the mycotoxins that are found as they relate to the particular species being fed; and determine the correct mitigation strategy through balanced nutrition and the development of functional carbohydrates.
In addition to increased detection and assessment in the laboratory, researchers have also identified more risk factors at the farm level. According to Randy Asher, Animal Science Consulting, conditions such as stress (environmental, overcrowding and comfort), disease, diet and stray voltage can magnify a mycotoxin problem. 
Johanna Fink-Gremmels, Utrecht University, noted that mycotoxins continue to be a concern for both animals and humans. “On the global scale we have to learn we need to deal with mycotoxins. We will never get rid of them. We have to be prepared that the sudden incidence of mycotoxins in grains will not be infrequent,” she said.
Speakers also touched on preparation and the necessity for producers and feed mills to implement a mycotoxin management program utilizing Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points-based principles. Speakers also said the industry needs to understand pre- and post- harvest mycotoxin contamination and identify hazards as well as potential control points for mitigation.
An entire track on mycotoxins will also be hosted at GLIMPSE 2020: the 29th Annual Alltech International Symposium in Lexington, May 19-22. 

Hill’s Pet Nutrition integrates new petfood packaging closure technology

Petfood manufacturer Hill’s Pet Nutrition has partnered with Velcro Industries to integrate its Press-Lok closure technology into its Science Diet petfood packaging.
The Press-Lok closure, designed to be more consumer friendly, has an alignment that allows the hooks to engage without precise lineup. It also has an audible “click” sound so pet owners know when the package is closed.
"There are many tangible consumer benefits that the Press-Lok closure system provides to our Hill's Science Diet packaging," says Christopher Rector, director of marketing of Hill's US. "The Press-Lok application provides a fast, effective and stress-free bag closure solution. [It] opens and closes easily and quickly, keeping the kibble in and the paws out."

Steel packaging sustainability campaign to be launched

Packaging sustainability is viewed as a high priority for 65 percent of decision makers at Fortune 500 consumer product companies, according to an independent research study commissioned by the Steel Market Development Institute. As a result, the Institute is launching a national education campaign about steel packaging. 
The survey, conducted by MindClick in January and February, found that a challenge for consumer products firms is the lack of meaningful information available to evaluate and compare sustainability performance of competitive packaging materials. Packaging executives’ key considerations for determining sustainability include recycling and the energy required to transport, store, use and dispose of the packaging. Secondary considerations include the greater societal, environmental and community impacts related to the materials themselves. 
"Through the outreach effort, SMDI's Steel Packaging Council will highlight steel's role in meeting the sustainability needs of the packaging industry, while communicating the broader benefits of steel packaging," said Lawrence Kavanagh, president, SMDI. "With its recycling, reusability and package integrity, steel is clearly the preferred material for the packaging industry, and this campaign will further increase the industry's awareness of these great benefits."
The steel packaging recycling campaign will continue through 2013 with online education sessions for professionals, industry-wide surveys about steel packaging, and viral videos that share the positive economic, environmental and social benefits from the use of steel in consumer packaging.

South African petfood industry shows potential for manufacturers

South African pet owners spend nearly ZAR5 billion (US$550.7 million) per year on petfood for dogs, cats and other pets, according to Pet Food Industry Association of South Africa.
Just 20 percent of the country’s dogs and 35 percent of cats are fed with commercial petfood from about 200 brands available, says the association’s executive director, Barry Hundley, which means many opportunities exist here for petfood manufacturers.
Changing lifestyles and the Internet have sparked a boom in the petfood industry as people become more solitary. These factors, according to Hundley, will help the South African petfood market increase ZAR4.5 billion (US$495.6 million) to ZAR5 billion (US$550.7 million) at the current growth rate of 1-3 percent per year through 2017.
For petfood manufacturers, three main marketing channels are available here: expensive, specialized brands sold by veterinarians, grocery-store brands and other, non-grocery brands available through retail outlets. Specialized brands account for retail sales of about ZAR1 billion (US$110.1 million) per year and non-grocery brands account for about ZAR0.5 billion per year (US$550,685), while grocery brands such as Husky and Bobtail account for the rest. 
A challenge in the South African petfood industry is that it is “overregulated and underpoliced,” he says: "There are lots of regulations but not as much enforcement of them. Every variety of petfood - each flavor and each type for large, small, young or old dogs or cats - must be registered separately." But, Hundley says South African government inspectors do not visit petfood facilities often enough, so manufacturers can get away with questionable practices.

RECALL: BARF World recalls two raw petfood products for Salmonella

Raw petfood manufacturer BARF World is recalling its Lamb and Combo Patties products due to a Salmonella outbreak in its manufacturing plant. 
BARF World's Lamb Patties and Combo Patties products affected by the petfood recall both have a best-use-by date of July 27.
BARF World says its manufacturing facility had a positive test for Salmonella in a non-food item. The petfood was not tested, but the recall was initiated as a precaution. BARF has not received any reports of illness to date.
Consumers who purchased the recalled products should contact Christopher Hampson at +1.866.282.2273.

Royal Canin survey looks at factors influencing petfood, pet choice

In a recent survey, petfood manufacturer Royal Canin set out to determine America's favorite breeds, uncover how "dog people" differ from "cat people," factors that come into play when choosing a pet and what influences pet owners' petfood choices. 
The survey found that more than 55 percent of cat owners rank appearance as the most important factor when choosing a feline friend, while nearly 62 percent of dog owners look at size when choosing a dog. The survey found that cat and dog owners are similar in that nearly half (40 percent) of cat owners and a third (28 percent) of dog owners say a "mixed-breed" pet is their favorite type of cat or dog. 
“It’s interesting to learn how different cat and dog owners can be when choosing, and making decisions for, their pets,” said Dr. Brent Mayabb, veterinarian and manager of education and development at Royal Canin. “Whatever factors come into play, understanding an animal’s physical and physiological traits is critical to providing the best care.” 
When asked how they select a petfood, more than half of dog owners (56 percent) and cat owners (53 percent) said nutritional factors were most important. 
“This is encouraging, as it shows that owners understand the importance of feeding pets according to their unique nutritional needs,” said Mayabb. “Whether they own a pure breed or a mixed-breed, owners should always aim to provide the most precise care and nutrition for their four-legged friends.”

Kemin introduces new low-fat petfood palatability enhancers

To overcome palatability and stability challenges associated with low-fat petfood diets, Kemin launched PALFRESH, a portfolio of palatability enhancers with additional antioxidant protection.
Low-fat petfood diets have a unique stability challenge because they include less topical fat, which is where antioxidants are typically added to stabilize the kibble. 
“Low-fat petfood diets have historically been the most difficult diets to stabilize,” says Lynn Deffenbaugh, global product manager for palatants at Kemin. “The one-size-fits-all antioxidant dosage in topical fats works for standard diets, but low-fat diets are under-dosed because the stability program depends on the antioxidant to be carried by the topical fat.”
With less topical fat, kibbles from low-fat diets are unevenly coated—leaving kibbles susceptible to rapid oxidation. In addition, low-fat diets may have reduced pet acceptance, which can be further compromised by stability challenges.
PALFRESH palatability enhancers deliver targeted antioxidant dosage through liquid application, ensuring that petfood kibble is evenly coated and protected from oxidation. PALFRESH also improves shelf-life by utilizing palatants that do not have a pro-oxidant effect.
Deffenbaugh will share additional research on PALFRESH at Petfood Forum in Schaumburg, Illinois, USA, during her presentation entitled, “Stabilization Technology to Deliver and Maintain Palatability throughout Pet Food Shelf Life." The presentation will take place on Wednesday, April 17 at 10:30 a.m., and Kemin representatives will also be available at booth 223.

New Pet Industry Sustainability Coalition seeks industry members

A natural pet product company and consulting company have joined forces to form the Pet Industry Sustainability Coalition. The sustainability coalition seeks to promote sustainable progress in the pet industry. 
The coalition's three-part approach includes:
• Identifying businesses' sustainability needs and developing collaborative innovation to meet those needs.
• Providing tools and resources designed to guide members toward sustainability milestones.
• Developing a voluntary accreditation program that aims to create industry standards and sustainability language.
Formed by Chris Bentley, co-founder of natural pet product companies I and Love and You and Only Natural Pet, as well as the consulting firm Natural Capitalism Solutions, the coalition accepts a founding-member pledge of US$10,000 and also offers a free membership option. Other founding members include Kong Co., Petco, West Paw Design, Planet Dog and Cardinal Pet Care. Pet industry manufacturers, distributors and retailers in the eco-friendly pet products market are encouraged to join. 

Companion animal session to be offered at Alltech Symposium

Members of the pet industry can gain practical knowledge from the companion animal session being offered at Glimpse2020, the 29th annual Alltech International Symposium, taking place in Lexington, Kentucky, USA, May 19-22. 
The session features a lineup of presenters, including Debbie Phillips Donaldson, editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry, as well as veterinarians, corporate leaders and researchers representing companies such as Proctor & Gamble, Champion Petfoods and Ainsworth Pet Nutrition.
Presentations will address topics including how to lower disease through nutrition, the role of DHA in the future of pet health, the holistic pet movement, building brands for the petfood industry, global trends for the future of petfood development and advancing pet health through nutrigenomics. Break-out session tracks will also offer attendees the chance to participate in focused discussions ranging from algae and agriculture’s carbon footprint to nutrition and marketing.
Registration for Alltech’s 29th Annual International Symposium is open now and available for an early discount price of US$599 until April 15 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Standard registration after April 15 will be $850.

Children with autism benefit from pets, research shows

The Human Animal Bond Research Initiative released new research showing how pets can help children with autism, after new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show one in 50 US children has autism spectrum disorder. HABRI's research found that social behaviors increase in children with autism in the presence of animals compared to toys. 
Researchers examined the interactions of children with autism along with an adult and peers in the presence of two guinea pigs compared to toys. The study involved 99 children from 15 classrooms and four schools. Each group of three students was filmed and observed during three 10-minute free-play sessions with toys and three 10-minute sessions with the guinea pigs. 
Participants demonstrated more social behaviors, including talking, looking at faces and making tactile contact in the presence of animals compared to toys. Participants also displayed more positive prosocial behaviors, such as smiling and laughing and less self-focused behaviors and negative affects including frowning, crying and whining while in the presence of animals compared to toys. 

Biomin launches Mycotoxin Risk Management app

Biomin has launched the Mycotoxin Risk Management app, a new application that allow instant access to worldwide data on mycotoxin occurrence and information on the possible risks resulting from mycotoxins.
The new Mycotoxin Risk Management app is optimized for all iOS (Apple) and Android smartphones and tablets, available in the iOS App Store and on Google Play.
Features include:
• Mycotoxin occurrence data by region and/or subregion
• Mycotoxin Risk Level indicator for poultry, pigs and ruminants
• Easy-to-use mycotoxicoses guide
• Mycotoxin-related news from Biomin
• Mycotoxin occurrence data available offline
• Regular updates and more

Stella & Chewy's petfood safety process granted patent

Stella & Chewy's, a freeze-dried petfood manufacturer, received an official patent for its food safety process (Patent No. 838317 B2), invented by the petfood company's founder and chairman, Marie Moody, and food safety scientist, Dr. James Marsden. 
This patent was granted for the food safety process that combines high-pressure processing with an environmental pathogen-reducing treatment system, which continually sanitizes food-contact surfaces with cleansing plasma, safely and effectively destroying environmental pathogenic bacteria. 
According to Marsden, professor of food safety at Kansas State University: “Under the Food Safety Modernization Act, the Food and Drug Administration will likely require all petfood manufacturers to develop and implement a written food safety plan for review and approval by FDA. These food safety plans will include HACCP-based, validated interventions to eliminate and control harmful bacteria and other food safety hazards. For the raw petfood industry, this means that their processes must be designed to eliminate harmful bacteria during the manufacturing process. 
"Stella and Chewy’s has already met this challenge through the implementation of its patented food safety process in which the raw materials for petfood diets and treats are subjected to high-pressure processing," Marsden continues. "HPP is an intervention that has been scientifically validated as a means to control Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes and pathogenic strains of E. coli. This technology allows for the destruction of harmful bacteria in raw foods without using heat, irradiation or chemicals.”

Report on market for other petfood in Saudi Arabia released

The market for other petfood in Saudi Arabia remains weak due to lack of interest from the local population and a subsequent lack of activity from petfood manufacturers, according to a new report. 
Euromonitor International's Other Pet Food in Saudi Arabia report said 2011's volume and current value growth rates of 6 percent and 12 percent, respectively, were below the review period compound annual growth rates of 7 percent and 14 percent. This is attributed to the lack of awareness in Saudi Arabia for proper pet care, resulting in manufacturers investing less in other petfood. 
In addition to analysis, the report also provides retail sales data from 2008-12 and market forecasts through 2017. The report can be purchased online. 

IBIS World offers report on prepared animal, bird feed manufacturing

IBIS World offers a new report on Prepared Animal and Bird Feed Manufacturing Industry in Australia, which found the industry's performance is closely related to both agricultural and social trends. 


“Variations in weather patterns, herd stocks and outbreaks of disease often dictate the well-being of stockfeed operations within the industry, as do pet ownership levels for petfood manufacturers,” said IBISWorld industry analyst, Ryan Lin. 


Despite these uncertainties, the industry has remained resilient over the five years through 2012-13, while also facing highly volatile commodity prices and waning profit margins.  


According to the report, while the prepared animal and bird feed manufacturing industry has a number of small to medium-sized companies, the majority of revenue is generated by major companies. IBISWorld estimates that the top four manufacturers will account for approximately 54 percent of industry revenue, representing a growing rate of concentration over the past five years. The petfood segment remains more concentrated as it demands higher brand and customer loyalty.   


Over the next five years to 2017-18, growth in the prepared animal and bird feed manufacturing industry is expected to be limited by the global economic recovery. An increase in pet ownership levels, advancements in technology and food safety are expected to help alleviate some of the risks associated with weather and potential disease outbreaks. The increase in pet ownership along with rises in disposable incomes are expected to drive demand for petfoods.  

Recent petfood recalls may hurt P&G's pet care division revenue

Procter & Gamble's pet care division recalled petfood products in both its Natura Pet Products line and its new Iams Shakeables in March, which is raising concerns about the company's quality-control issues, according to reports.
On March 18, P&G recalled four of its Natura petfood brands for potential Salmonella contamination in dry petfood, and shortly after, the company recalled Shakeables turkey and lamb pet treats. Some experts predict the recalls will likely hurt the already struggling company's revenues. Since a 2007 recall due to melamine was linked to hundreds of pet deaths, P&G's market share has fallen from 12 percent to 10 percent. 

Primal Pet Foods offers freeze-dried petfood formula coupon

Primal Pet Foods is offering a downloadable coupon for its Canine or Feline Freeze-Dried Formula that allows consumers to also support organizations that care for pets.  
CommonKindness.com is an online coupon website that donates 20 percent of its coupon redemption revenues to nonprofit organizations chosen by shoppers. Primal Pet Foods customers can designate a national organization, such as ASPCA or PAWS, or a local animal shelter as the recipient of the funds their coupon purchases generate.

Royal Canin builds wastewater pre-treatment facility

Petfood manufacturer Royal Canin USA has built a US$5 million wastewater pre-treatment facility in North Siox City, South Dakota, USA. 
The plant will be the sole production site for Royal Canin's domestically sold wet dog and cat foods. Domestic dry petfoods are manufactured in Rolla, Missouri, USA. 

Higher-fat, lower-protein diet may aid dogs' smelling skills

Dogs' smelling skills may be improved by cutting protein and adding fats into the diet, according to new research.
A higher-fat, lower-protein petfood diet helps dogs return to lower body temperatures after exercise, which reduces panting and improves sniffing, researchers from Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine and Auburn University found. 
The US Department of Justice-funded study found that detection dogs are actually more reliable than was previously thought. The study was conducted in an Alabama, USA, detection dog research facility designed in conjunction with a military dog trainer. The facility provides expert detection dogs to police and military forces.
During the study, fumes in the facility were flushed out each time between tests to ensure a fresh detection field each time. "Previous studies from other facilities, which lack this feature, had suggested detection dogs signaling for suspect substances are about 70 percent accurate," said Joseph Wakshlag, associate professor of clinical studies and chief of nutrition at Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine. "The lower numbers may have been due to study design flaws which our new study overcame. Dogs tested in the new facility signaled with 90 percent and above accuracy. We also found we can push detection performance even further with the right kind of food."
The study rotated 17 trained dogs over an 18-month period through three petfood diets: high-end performance diet, regular adult dog food and regular adult dog food diluted with corn oil. The high-performance and corn-oil diets were designed to have the same amount of energy from fat (57 percent), but the corn oil diet had less protein, with 18 percent compared to the 27 percent in regular and high-performance diets. Researchers then gauged how the different diets affected the different dogs. They found that dogs that ate the normal diet diluted with corn oil returned to normal body temperatures quickest after exercise and were better at detecting smokeless powder, ammonia nitrate and TNT.
According to Wakshlag: "Corn oil has lots of polyunsaturated fats, similar to what you'd find in a lot of nuts and common grocery store seed oils. Past data from elsewhere suggest that these polyunsaturated fats might enhance the sense of smell, and it looks like that may be true for detection dogs. It could be that fat somehow improves nose-signaling structures or reduces body temperature or both. But lowering protein also played a part in improving olfaction.
"If you're a dog, digesting protein raises body temperature, so the longer your body temperature is up, the longer you keep panting, and the harder it is to smell well. Our study shifts the paradigm of what 'high-performance' diet can mean for dogs. It depends on what you want your dog to do. A sled dog or greyhound may need more protein to keep going. But detection dogs tend to exercise in shorter bursts and need to recover quickly and smell well. For that, less protein and more fat could help," said Wakshlag.

Petfood Forum 2013 app available

The Petfood Forum/Petfood Workshop app allows you to search for speakers and exhibitors, schedule sessions and more.

Petfood professionals attending Petfood Forum April 15-17 and Petfood Workshop: World of Ingredients April 17-18 can download an app to help them plan and navigate their time during the conferences.
The app, available at m.magtogo.com/petfoodforum, is free and allows conference participants to:


• Search for speakers and exhibitors 
• Add conference sessions and networking events to their personal calendars
• View the Exhibit Hall map
• Find restaurants and other attractions nearby—and call them or connect directly to their websites
• Share their Petfood Forum and Petfood Workshop experiences on Twitter and Facebook
• Learn about transportation options and information
• Fill out a survey on their conference experiences

Free registration is required to access the app, which is available for iPhones, iPads, Android smartphones and Blackberries.
Petfood Forum, the premier, exclusive global conference for petfood professionals, is entering its 21st year and will take place at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center and Hotel near Chicago, Illinois, USA. Petfood Workshop is a focused, hands-on symposium following Petfood Forum, also at the Renaissance Schaumburg; this year, the Workshop will focus on petfood ingredients.

Philippine imports of petfood to reach US$40 million in 2018

Petfood imports from the US grew by 12.56 percent in 2012 and are on track to be maintained for 2013, according to a report on petfood exports to the Philippines.
The report on petfood exports to the Philippines says the country's imports of petfood from the US also rose in 2011, from US$19.9 million to US$22.4 million. 
"The booming economy, higher disposable income and familiarity with US brands contributed to the healthy export performance,” according to a United States Department of Agriculture-Foreign Agricultural Service’s Global Agricultural Information Network report.
The report attributes the rise in pet ownership and petfood consumption to animal welfare initiatives, urbanization and rise in smaller households, popularity of pedigree pets and a growing awareness of proper pet care.
In 2013, petfood exports are projected to grow further to US$25 million and are expected to be maintained through 2018. The report projects the market to grow as follows: US$27.5 million in 2014, US$30 million in 2015, US$33.2 million in 2016, US$36.6 million in 2017 and US$40 million in 2018. The US was the dominant exporter of petfoods in the Philippines in 2012, holding a 61 percent market share.
“While demand for high-value petfoods is expected to grow, most pet owners are price conscious and will opt for standard, low-priced petfoods,” the report says.

APPA to form Pet Leadership Council

The American Pet Products Association's board of directors voted unanimously to form the Pet Leadership Council. The Pet Leadership Council will include about 20 company leaders from all segments of the pet industry to focus on strengthening and consolidating key objectives and initiatives in the pet industry.
The council will consist of mass retailers, pet retailers, non-food manufacturers, petfood and treat manufacturers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, trade associations, industry organizations and live animal suppliers, in an effort to consolidate the involvement and funding for key initiatives needed in order to promote, develop and maintain the advancement of the pet industry. The Pet Leadership Council will also foster research, development and training, promote a better understanding of the various segments of the industry, cooperatively address concerns of mutual interest, maintain a liaison between government and the industry, and provide joint publicity and public relations for the pet industry.
“This is a tremendous advancement for the industry and has taken a lot of work to get here,” said APPA President and CEO Bob Vetere. “This truly can take everything to the next level but to meet its full potential, it is going to require strong participation, input, time and energy from those leaders with the experience, knowledge and ability to continue to move this industry forward. I am confident they will step up to the challenge.”
Vetere will oversee the new Council as well as serve as a non-voting member of APPA’s board of directors. APPA's board of directors will now consist of nine voting members including: new chairman, Jim Heim of Central Garden & Pet; secretary/treasurer, Robert Merar of General Pet Supply; Michael Farmer of GlobalOne Pet Products; Steve Ware of Ware Manufacturing; Brent Weinmann of Vitakraft Sunseed; Roger Morgan of PawTree LLC; Rodolfo Spielmann of Nutro; and the addition of two new members.

RECALL: Bravo! recalls three raw petfood diet products for dogs, cats

Raw petfood maker Bravo! is recalling three of its raw diet frozen foods for dogs and cats because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. 
The recall includes the following petfood products, with product size and name; product item code; and "best used by" dates:

• 5-lb. tubes of Bravo! Chicken Balance; 21-405; March 6, 2015, and March 12, 2015
• 2-lb. tubes of Bravo! Chicken Blend; 21-102; March 21, 2015
• 5-lb. bags of Bravo! Beef Blend Burgers; 51-508; March 21, 2015, and March 22, 2015 
The recall is being issued because products run on the same or adjacent day as another product the company produces, which tested positive for Salmonella. Bravo! says the recalled products tested negative for Salmonella, and it has not received reports of illnesses associated with the products. 
Consumers should returned unopened frozen tubes of the petfood and patties to the place of purchase or dispose of the product if it is open, and contact the retailer for a refund. 

Euromonitor offers new report on UK petfood, animal feed market

Euromonitor International released an "Industrial" market report that provides a guide to the size and shape of the petfood and animal feed market in the UK.
The report provides retail sales data, identifies leading petfood and animal feed companies and brands, and offers a strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market and forecasts. The complete report can be purchased online.  

US pet ownership among singles rises, AVMA reports

Although the majority of US pet owners are families, the gap in pet ownership between families and single adults has significantly narrowed over the last five years, the American Veterinary Medical Association says.
The number of single adults who own pets grew by 16.6 percent from 46.9 percent in 2006 to 54.7 percent in 2011, according to data from the AVMA 2012 US Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook. Over the same period, families with pets grew by 1.37 percent, from 65.5 percent of families owning pets in 2006 to 66.4 percent in 2011.
Likewise, pet ownership among single men living alone rose by 27.7 percent over the same 2006-11 period to 42.8 percent in 2011, while the number of single women living alone with pets rose by 22 percent to 57.1 percent in 2011. Pet ownership among divorced, widowed or separated adults also increased 17.7 percent over the period to 60.4 percent in 2011.

Veterinary Medicine Caucus formed in US House

Veterinarians and congressmen, Kurt Schrader and Ted Yoho, have formed the Veterinary Medicine Caucus in the US House of Representatives in an effort to raise awareness about the importance of veterinary medicine to animal health and welfare, food safety, public health, research and the overall economy. 
The Veterinary Medicine Caucus, which other House members are encouraged to join, will also draft legislation and conduct briefings and hearings.
“Together, I hope we can use our unique experience and perspective in the field of veterinary medicine to educate and engage our fellow members of Congress,” Schrader said.
Schrader also recently introduced HR1225, the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act. If approved, the legislation would provide a federal income tax exemption for financial awards granted under the program. The program would allow eligible veterinarians to receive up to US$25,000 per year toward qualified educational loans, if they agree to serve three years in a designated veterinarian-shortage area.

Pet retailer Petco named among World's Most Ethical Companies 2013

The Ethisphere Institute, an organization that creates and shares best practices in business ethics and sustainability, selected pet retailer Petco as one of its 2013 World’s Most Ethical Companies.
Ethisphere reviewed nominations from companies in more than 100 countries and 36 industries. Ethisphere reviewed codes of ethics, litigation and regulatory infraction histories, investment in innovation and sustainable business practices, activities to improve corporate citizenship and more.
“It’s an honor to be recognized once again as one of the world’s most ethical companies,” said CEO Jim Myers. “We’ve always been committed to doing the right thing for our customers, associates, partners, companion animals and the communities we serve. Ethics, integrity and social responsibility are critical factors in our ability to fulfill our vision for Healthier Pets. Happier People. Better World.”

RECALL: Natura Pet Products expands dry petfood recall

Natura Pet Products is expanding its dry petfood recall because the petfood has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. 
Sampling conducted by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Georgia Department of Agriculture confirmed the presence of Salmonella in additional lots of dry cat food and a cat pet treat. Therefore, Natura is expanding the dry petfood recall to include other products manufactured around the same time, although it says no related illnesses have been confirmed. 
The recalled petfood products are sold through veterinary clinics and select pet specialty retailers online and in the US, Canada, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Malaysia and Costa Rica. The dry cat food expiration dates for this expanded recall range from 1/1/2014 to 3/24/2014. The dry cat treats have expiration dates from 7/1/2013 to 9/27/2013.
Consumers who purchased the recalled cat and dog food products should discard them. For more information or a product replacement, please contact Natura at +1.800.224.6123, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CST.

New consumer guide compares online pet product retailers

Knoji, a provider of consumer reviews and information, released a new consumer guide comparing online pet product retailers.
The report compares retailers such as PetSmart, Petco and PetCareRx to help consumers choose the store that's right for them.
According to the report, PetSmart has an easy return policy, while consumers can earn PetCareRX points for discounts on different products; consumers can earn money back on purchases with Petco's Pals rewards and Petco helps companion animals by donating nearly US$15 million per year to the Petco Foundation.   
The report's complete findings can be read online.

InVivo NSA Mexico opens new petfood manufacturing facility

InVivo NSA Mexico has invested US$16 million in a new petfood manufacturing facility in Morelos, Mexico. 
The new petfood manufacturing facility will increase petfood production capacity from 75,000 to 90,000 metric tons per year. 
"With over 26 million dogs and cats, the Mexican petfood market is clearly stated as one of the growth drivers of InVivo NSA...," said Hubert de Roquefeuil, director of InVivo Animal Nutrition and Health.

AFIA hosts 2013 Purchasing and Ingredient Suppliers Conference

The American Feed Industry Association's 2013 Purchasing and Ingredient Suppliers Conference drew 535 attendees from the petfood, animal feed and livestock industries to the two-day event, which concluded March 14 Fort Worth, Texas, USA.
The conference offered opportunities to learn about the current state of the animal feed industry, providing market analyses, perspectives, hot topics and other information. Topics for the 2013 conference included social media’s influence on the feed industry, communicating with customers and outlooks on grain, the food supply and ethanol.
The conference opened March 13 with a speech from logger and motivational speaker, Bruce Vincent, who suggested those from the agriculture industry should spend an hour a week toward activism, including testifying, writing editorials and making school visits to build a bridge with the younger generation.
Following Vincent, Dr. Nevil Speer, Western Kentucky University, and Sarah Muirhead, Feedstuffs, both addressed how consumers are influencing the industry. Richard Brock, Brock Associates, provided his annual grain outlook. Dr. Michael Johll, The Johll Consulting Group, followed with a presentation on communicating and maximizing impact with customers. The keynote address was given by economist and futurist, Dr. Jay Lehr.
The next Purchasing and Ingredient Suppliers Conference will be hosted March 12-14, 2014, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.