This episode explores the long-standing challenge of balancing throughput and pellet quality in modern feed milling. The discussion highlights why the two often compete: higher throughput can strain equipment, reduce retention time, and limit the conditions needed for strong pellet integrity. The experts unpack how formulation choices, moisture management, grind size, and ingredient variability directly influence both production efficiency and pellet durability. They walk through each stage of the process—from conditioning to pelleting to cooling—identifying where the biggest quality and throughput gains are typically made and where small adjustments can create outsized results. A key theme is the importance of collaboration between nutritionists and mill operators to align formulation, equipment capabilities, and operational targets. Finally, the episode outlines practical troubleshooting steps when higher throughput begins to erode pellet quality, emphasizing moisture, die condition, retention time, and mechanical setup as the first areas to evaluate.

In this episode, Jose Ramirez explores how rendering transforms byproducts into valuable resources, making it one of the most effective examples of circular economy in agriculture. By converting animal byproducts into safe, usable proteins, fats, and oils, rendering prevents waste, lowers emissions, and reduces pressure on landfills and raw material demand, effectively closing the loop between food, feed, and fuel.

Nutritionally, rendered proteins deliver high digestibility, amino acid balance, and energy density compared to many alternative proteins, supporting both performance and sustainability in feed formulations.

The conversation also dives into biosecurity, emphasizing that effective rendering operations maintain strict pathogen control from collection through processing and transport, using validated thermal treatment, antimicrobial interventions, and hygienic handling to ensure safety and consistency.

Finally, the episode highlights emerging innovations in rendering technology, from automation and real-time monitoring to improved energy recovery systems and cleaner chemistry, all aimed at increasing efficiency, value, and product safety while strengthening rendering’s role in a sustainable global food chain.

In this episode, Dr. Francisco Domingues unpacks the wide-reaching impact of African Swine Fever (ASF) on the global pork industry. He discusses not only the direct economic losses but also the ripple effects, from market disruptions to trade restrictions, that often go overlooked. Dr. Domingues highlights the role of feed in ASF biosecurity, sharing what science tells us about virus survival in ingredients and finished feed. Listeners will gain practical insights into steps feed mills and producers can take to reduce risk, and how vets, nutritionists, and feed suppliers can collaborate to build stronger, more comprehensive feed biosecurity plans.

In this episode, Amy Patterson and Candye Dailey explore how feeding strategies can make or break poultry performance. Through real-world case studies, they highlight challenges producers faced and how tailored nutrition strategies addressed them, from formulation changes to ingredient sourcing adjustments. Listeners will hear how quickly results were achieved and how success was measured through metrics like feed conversion, weight gain, and overall flock health. Beyond performance, Amy and Candye connect the dots to economics, showing measurable cost savings and efficiency gains. The episode closes with practical takeaways producers can apply directly to their own operations.

Join Jose Ramirez as he explores how advances in feed technology are reshaping aquaculture economics by tackling one of the industry’s biggest costs — feed. It highlights how innovations in feed processing improve nutrient retention and feed quality, boosting fish and shrimp performance. The discussion also covers sustainability gains, from reducing nutrient runoff and water pollution to lowering the carbon footprint of feed production. Finally, producers are encouraged to track key indicators such as feed conversion, growth rates, and environmental impact to ensure their feed strategy is truly optimizing production.

In this podcast, Dr. Francisco Domingues unpacks the complex challenge of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV), a highly contagious disease that continues to impact swine production due to its rapid spread and severe impact on piglet mortality. While farm-level biosecurity is well-known, feed has emerged as a critical but often overlooked vector for PEDV transmission. Research shows that PEDV can survive in certain feed ingredients—especially those of animal origin or with high moisture content—making the entire supply chain a point of vulnerability. Dr. Domingues emphasizes the importance of practical interventions, such as thermal processing, use of feed mitigants, and strict transport protocols to reduce contamination risk.

In this Frankly Speaking episode, host Andra Powell is joined by Dr. Amy Lin and Simon Hall to explore what sustainability truly means in poultry production — with a focus on economics, not just the environment. They discuss how feed accounts for up to 80% of production costs and how improving feed conversion, reducing microbial loads, and implementing feed sanitizers can drive profitability. The conversation highlights actionable strategies producers can implement today, like enhancing biosecurity and tracking feed performance metrics, to create economically sustainable operations that also support bird health and efficiency. It’s a must-listen for forward-thinking poultry producers.

Join Dr. Al Thomas as he discusses what the microbiome really means for broiler health and efficiency.