The Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER) recently launched an initiative designed to expand and strengthen the pipeline of high-impact projects supporting the U.S. animal food industry. The IFEEDER “project warehouse” offers a submission and review pathway intended to streamline how research, education and sustainability projects are identified, evaluated and advanced, ensuring alignment with the industry’s most pressing needs.
Last year, the IFEEDER Board of Trustees initiated an effort to grow the scope and volume of projects that serve the feed and pet food sectors. As part of that effort, IFEEDER aims to partner with leaders across the feed and agricultural sectors, academia and public institutions to develop timely, relevant projects that deliver tangible outcomes and support informed decision-making. The project warehouse represents an evolution of IFEEDER’s work.
"We are excited about this opportunity, it provides a clear pathway for American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) members to help us advance ideas that matter most to our industry," said Lara Moody, executive director, IFEEDER. "Now, our metaphorical warehouse needs supplies, and by filling it, we will better align projects with the AFIA’s priorities and move strong concepts forward more efficiently."
IFEEDER’s mission is to advance understanding and trust in a sustainable animal feed and pet food supply chain through research and education. One recently completed project is a comprehensive assessment of the vitamin and amino acid supply chain and its potential impact on livestock and poultry in the event of disruptions. This research identified vulnerabilities in the supply of essential nutrients and provided data-driven animal performance assessments, allowing the AFIA to strategically discuss the issue with policymakers.
Additional projects completed last year analyzed ingredient usage in animal feed and pet food, highlighting significant economic contributions of the feed industry and the role of animal food in reducing waste by repurposing it into nutritious feed.
IFEEDER’s work requires consistent input from industry stakeholders and a structured process to develop ideas into actionable projects. Historically, projects emerged through a variety of channels. While that flexibility has yielded meaningful work, the new project warehouse formalizes the submission and prioritization process. By doing so, IFEEDER aims to strengthen collaboration across committees, reduce duplication of efforts and build a ready inventory of high-impact initiatives that can move forward as funding and partnerships become available.
Project priorities: Meeting industry needs
Projects submitted to IFEEDER must satisfy at least one of IFEEDER’s core focus areas.
First and foremost, projects should address a clear and pressing need within the animal feed and pet food industry. Whether responding to regulatory developments, market shifts or operational challenges, projects should demonstrate relevance and significance to industry stakeholders.
IFEEDER also seeks projects that strengthen industry knowledge, transparency and public trust. Science-based data, credible research and authoritative resources remain essential to supporting sound policy decisions and reinforcing confidence in the feed and pet food supply chain.
Sustainability projects that generate data, tools or frameworks to support long-term environmental stewardship, economic viability and social responsibility are encouraged. These efforts position the industry for continued growth while meeting evolving stakeholder expectations.
Operational excellence is equally important. IFEEDER welcomes initiatives that improve safety, efficiency and innovation in feed manufacturing, supply chain management or animal production — advancing best practices and strengthening performance throughout the value chain.
Finally, consumer education remains a key component. Projects that develop and disseminate educational materials can build confidence in the animal protein and pet food sector, strengthening consumer trust in the broader food system.
Who can submit ideas and how it works
Under the new guidelines, proposed projects must be submitted by an AFIA committee to ensure they address feed industry priorities. Industry members with ideas are encouraged to collaborate with the appropriate committee to develop a project.
Projects should identify the problem or opportunity, provide background, define objectives, demonstrate alignment with AFIA priorities, describe expected outcomes and industry significance, estimate costs and suggest potential collaborators or funders. A project template is available online, and each submitted project is limited to two pages.
Once submitted, projects will be evaluated by the appropriate IFEEDER committee using a standardized evaluation form to assess project relevance, feasibility and strategic alignment.
IFEEDER accepts submissions on a rolling basis with reviews conducted during three scheduled submission cycles each year ahead of IFEEDER’s Board of Trustees meetings in March, May and October.
Selected projects will be prioritized for funding and partnership development to support execution. Not all submissions will move forward immediately, as advancement depends on available resources and strategic alignment. However, by housing vetted projects within the warehouse, IFEEDER creates a ready portfolio of initiatives that can be activated as opportunities arise.
A unique proposition for the industry
The project warehouse represents a unique proposition for the feed and pet food sector: a structured, industry-driven pathway for turning ideas into action.
“This is about strengthening IFEEDER’s connection between industry insight and industry impact,” Moody said. “By giving AFIA committees a clear framework for submission and review, we are building a stronger, more strategic pipeline of projects that advance knowledge, sustainability, operational excellence and consumer confidence. We believe this will not only streamline the process but also amplify the industry’s collective ability to address challenges and seize opportunities.”
As the warehouse begins to fill, IFEEDER is calling on AFIA committees and industry leaders to contribute ideas that will shape the future of feed and pet food. With a centralized system, defined priorities and a commitment to collaboration, the organization is positioning itself and the industry for greater impact in the years ahead.
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Data to drive the animal food industry forward: www.FeedandGrain.com/15750134
