The Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER) continues to advance sustainability and data transparency across the feed and livestock industries. In its 2025 Annual Update, IFEEDER outlined projects and partnerships that are shaping the future of animal nutrition — including key initiatives directly supporting pork producers.
Advancing Feed Efficiency and Sustainability
IFEEDER’s Feed Ingredient Consumption Report analyzed more than 70 feed ingredients, totaling 283.6 million tons of feed consumed by U.S. livestock and poultry in 2024. Notably, 37% of this feed was produced from circular ingredients, reinforcing the industry’s commitment to resource efficiency and environmental stewardship.
For swine producers, this data underscores how ingredient use and formulation strategies continue to evolve alongside sustainability goals.
Updating Nutrient Requirements for Swine
In collaboration with the National Pork Board (NPB), National Corn Growers Association, and United Soybean Board, IFEEDER is contributing to the 12th edition of the Nutrient Requirements of Swine Report. This critical update, led by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, will guide feed formulation, performance optimization, and nutrient balance in modern pork production.
Research Driving Emissions Reductions
Through a USDA Conservation Innovation Grant, IFEEDER, The Nature Conservancy, and Dairy Management Inc. completed a study evaluating feed additives designed to reduce methane emissions in dairy and livestock systems. The research provides economic and social insights that can be applied to conservation programs — a growing area of relevance as the swine industry continues to track sustainability metrics.
Building Better Data for Global LCAs
IFEEDER also partnered with Iowa State University, the National Pork Board, and Merieux NutriSciences Blonk to expand the Global Feed LCA Institute (GFLI) database. By incorporating new U.S. feed ingredients, this project enhances global life-cycle data accuracy, helping pork producers measure and communicate their environmental impact more effectively.
Supporting the Next Generation
Beyond research, IFEEDER and AFIA’s Equipment Manufacturers Committee raised over $23,000 in scholarships for students pursuing feed and grain sciences careers. Additional funding through the Kenny Berg Research and Education Fund is supporting research at South Dakota State University on sugar inclusion in finishing cattle diets — with potential applications in swine nutrition efficiency.
Looking Ahead
From ingredient transparency to feed efficiency and emissions reduction, IFEEDER’s work continues to position the feed and swine sectors for a more resilient, data-driven future.
For more information and access to full reports, visit ifeeder.org
