The Institute for Feed Education & Research (IFEEDER) is seeking proposals for a project that will analyze the potential impacts of fluctuations in vitamin and amino acid availability on U.S. livestock production and pet health.

Research organizations and institutions are invited to submit proposals by Dec. 13, 2024, to evaluate critical supply thresholds and inclusion rates of vitamins and amino acids essential for livestock health and productivity. The primary objective of this research is to quantify key vitamin- and amino acid-driven performance indicators critical to each animal production sector (i.e., broilers, layers, turkeys, swine, dairy and beef cattle) that measure the impact of supply fluctuation on animal health, reproduction, feed efficiency and aggregate output of meat, dairy foods and eggs.

In addition, IFEEDER is seeking proposals for a parallel assessment focusing on the impact vitamin and amino acid supply fluctuations would have on pet health. Applicants are invited to submit proposals for the assessment of all livestock production sectors, pet food production or both.

“Amid recent global supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tension, there has been growing concern among feed and pet food manufacturers about having access to a steady, reliable supply of vitamins and amino acids to reliably produce complete animal food,” IFEEDER Board of Trustees chair Dr. Carlos A. Gonzalez said. “At IFEEDER, we are working to proactively address some of the most challenging issues facing the industry, and I can think of no issue that can have such deep repercussions for animal food production, animal health and welfare, food security and the economy.”

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“At the direction of the IFEEDER Board of Trustees and in partnership with American Feed Industry Association leadership, IFEEDER is committed to leading this strategic assessment to better equip industry stakeholders with the information they need to proactively seek solutions now and ensure their ability to serve customers in the future,” said Lara Moody, IFEEDER executive director.

The timeline for project completion is six months, with the final selection of the contractor expected in mid-January 2025. The final selection of the contractor will be determined by the IFEEDER Research Committee and approved by the IFEEDER Board of Trustees, based on a competitive bidding and scoring process.

Interested parties should submit proposals to [email protected] by Dec. 13. More information and specific proposal requirements can be found at ifeeder.org/research/request-for-proposals.

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IFEEDER is a public charity founded in 2009 by the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) to serve as a champion for the animal food industry by supporting critical education and research initiatives that ensure consumers have access to a safe, healthy and sustainable food supply.

IFEEDER focuses its work in two primary areas: funding critical animal feed and pet food research to support AFIA’s legislative and regulatory positions, and developing appropriate messaging for policymakers, consumer influencers and stakeholders that highlights the industry’s positive contributions to the availability of safe, wholesome and affordable food and the preservation of natural resources.