The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) hosted its annual Liquid Feed Symposium (LFS) last week, Sept. 10-12, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Drawing over 150 attendees and speakers, the symposium engaged industry professionals and provided a platform to discuss the latest advancements and current challenges in the liquid feed sector.

“This year’s Liquid Feed Symposium was a tremendous opportunity for industry professionals to connect, learn and celebrate the strong camaraderie of the liquid feed industry,” said Paul Davis, Ph.D., AFIA’s director of quality, animal food safety and education. “With an outstanding lineup of speakers, it’s clear that we are moving forward with a commitment to education and innovation that will help our sector thrive.”

The symposium, planned by AFIA's Liquid Feed Committee featured a diverse agenda of speakers and panels aimed at addressing the most pressing issues facing the liquid feed industry, including carbon and methane mitigation efforts, artificial intelligence in agriculture, cattle grazing techniques and key legislative and geopolitical factors affecting the industry. Dan Meihak, dairy XL proposition specialist at Lely North America, presented on “The A.I. Factor: How Will Technology Impact Animal Agriculture,” emphasizing the importance of the agriculture industry’s active involvement in technological advancements.

“Our productive capacity is expanding, and we are moving from quantity to quality and sustainability, and we all have a vested interest in that,” said Meihak.

During the symposium, the Liquid Feed Committee presented the Liquid Feed Hall of Fame award to Leanna Nail, former AFIA administrative director, for her contributions to the industry, which includes over 15 years of managing the committee and organizing the symposium, among other accomplishments.

"Leanna Nail's selection as the award winner is a testament to her unwavering dedication and significant impact on the liquid feed industry. Over her 17-year tenure as the AFIA staff liaison for the Liquid Feed Committee, Leanna played a pivotal role in shaping the sector by organizing key annual symposiums. Her leadership not only advanced the committee's objectives but also laid the foundation for long-term success, including the establishment of the Liquid Feed Hall of Fame itself. Her deep commitment and contributions have left a lasting impact on the industry,” said Sarah Novak, AFIA’s chief operating officer.

The committee also held a fundraiser auction for the Kenny Berg Liquid Feed Research and Education Fund, raising $22,000 to advance research and education efforts within the industry.

The AFIA thanks the LFS gold sponsors: Anipro/Xtraformance Nutrition, Double S Liquid Feed Services, dsm-firmenich, Elanco Animal Health, Huvepharma, Quality Liquid Feeds and Westway Feed Products; silver sponsors: Buffalo Molasses, Feed Strategy, Global Animal Products and Performix Nutrition Systems; and bronze sponsors: Active Minerals International, Central Life Sciences, Cerne Calcium Company, Diamond V, ED&F Man Liquid Products, MGM Marketing, Midwest Agri-Commodities, Nutrien, Prinova USA, Provitas, Selko USA, Skinner Tank Company and Tracer Minerals and name sponsor Nutra-Lix.

The 2025 LFS will be held Sept. 9-11 in Fort Worth, Texas.