The 2019 Feed and Pet Food Joint Conference, an annual collaboration between the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) and the Pet Food Institute (PFI), will feature industry leaders and education sessions designed to help feed and pet food companies navigate a complex regulatory environment as state and federal regulators begin inspecting facilities for compliance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rules.

The diverse program for the 10th annual Feed and Pet Food Joint Conference will also feature expert insights on shifting market demands and the impact of a tumultuous trade environment on the feed, pet food and livestock sectors, as well as their supply chains. An early bird registration discount is available for general attendees through August 26, 2019.

“Over the last decade, the Joint Conference partnership between the feed and pet food sectors has fostered a collaborative approach, ranging from ingredient sourcing, to manufacturing and distribution, and to encouraging practical and achievable ways to comply with FSMA regulations across the supply chain,” said NGFA President and CEO Randy Gordon and PFI President and CEO Dana Brooks. “We are excited to include topics this year relevant to manufacturers and ingredient suppliers working to stay ahead of emerging issues and policies, from the evolving trade negotiations to consumer expectations and crisis preparedness.”

Designed specifically for the feed and pet food sectors, the September 30 - October 2 conference, to be conducted at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri, addresses pressing policy, regulatory and operational issues that companies face in today’s business environment.

In addition to updates on FDA’s enforcement of FSMA and other regulatory priorities, the conference will feature keynote sessions on emerging trends specific to feed and pet food regarding sustainability, information technology and trends in the ingredient marketplace.

Confirmed speakers include:

  • Dr. Steven Solomon, director of FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine.
  • Jenny Murphy, consumer safety officer at FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine Office of Surveillance and Compliance.
  • Ambassador Gregg Doud, chief agricultural negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative.
  • Sue Hays, executive director of the Association of American Feed Control Officials.
  • Mike Beam, secretary of the Kansas Department of Agriculture.
  • Randy Blach, CEO of CattleFax, who will provide a market outlook and trends in the livestock and ingredient industry.
  • Randy Stuewe, CEO of Darling Ingredients, who will discuss sustainability initiatives in the rendering industry.
  • Hinda Mitchell, president of Inspire PR Group, who will provide timely advice on information transparency and crisis management.
  • Dr. Cassie Jones, associate professor in the Department of Animal Sciences & Industry at Kansas State University, who will lead a feed breakout session on biosecurity measures to protect against foreign animal diseases.
  • Dr. Ansen Pond, director of quality assurance and food safety for Pilgrim’s, who will provide a renderer’s perspective on poultry protein meal nomenclature.

View more information and register here.

Members of the press should contact sgonzalez@ngfa.org or maryemma@petfoodinstitute.org to register.