For Immediate Release
International Production & Processing Expo
Tucker, Ga. - December 18, 2025

Animal Agriculture Sustainability Summit to Focus on Production Systems and the Sustainability Journey at IPPE 2026

The 2026 Animal Agriculture Sustainability Summit will be held at the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta. Organized by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY), the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) and the Meat Institute, the summit will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 27, and is complimentary for all registered IPPE attendees.

The Summit will be divided into two segments, featuring leading researchers, industry experts and sustainability advocates who will explore advancements in genetics, air quality and feed innovation that enhance both environmental performance and production efficiency. It will be broken into two sections: Genetics and Production Innovation for Sustainability, moderated by the Protein PACT, and Air Quality and Ingredient Innovation for Sustainability, moderated by the Institute for Feed Education and Research. To kick off the day, the Summit will start with the announcement of the USPOULTRY 2026 Family Farm Environmental Excellence Awards, followed by a welcome from USPOULTRY Executive Vice President of Regulatory Programs Paul Bredwell.

Topic and speakers include the following:

Genetics and Production Innovation for Sustainability 

• A Downstream View of Production System Opportunities
  Mark Pitman, sustainability engineer, Pitman Farms 
• Driving Progress in Swine Production: Genetic Innovation and Biosecurity
  Dr. Lindsay Case, director of Product Commercialization & Sustainability, Genus PLC
• Question and Answer Panel Session

Air Quality and Ingredient Innovation for Sustainability 

• Air Quality Benefits for Production Efficiency Improvements 
  Dr. Hongwei Xin, dean of AgResearch and director of the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
• Ingredient Innovations to Reduce Production Footprint
  Dr. Steve Lerner, senior scientific and business advisor, Novonesis
• Feed Ingredient Selection: Accounting for Sustainability Improvements
  Dr. Charles Starkey, vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs, North American Renderers Association
• Question and Answer Panel Session

The program will wrap up with questions and feedback, moderated by Ryan Bennett, executive director, U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs / International Poultry Welfare Alliance.

The 2026 IPPE will be held Jan. 27-29 and is a collaboration of three trade shows – the International Feed Expo, International Poultry Expo and International Meat Expo – representing the entire protein production and processing chain. USPOULTRY, AFIA and the Meat Institute sponsor the IPPE.

For more information about IPPE, including registration details, lodging and other education offerings, visit ippexpo.org.

ABOUT IPPE
The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) is a collaboration of three shows - International Feed Expo, International Meat Expo and the International Poultry Expo - representing the entire chain of protein production and processing. The event is sponsored by the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), the Meat Institute and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY).  

ABOUT AFIA 
Founded in 1909, the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), based in Arlington, Va., is the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to representing the business, legislative and regulatory interests of the U.S. animal food industry and its suppliers. The organization’s membership is comprised of more than 650 domestic and international companies that represent the total feed industry—manufacturers of commercial and integrated feed and pet food, ingredient suppliers, pharmaceutical companies, industry support and equipment manufacturers. AFIA members manufacture more than 75% of the feed and 70% of the non-whole grain ingredients used in the country. AFIA is also recognized as the leader on international industry developments and holds membership in the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF).

ABOUT MEAT INSTITUTE 
The Meat Institute is the nation’s oldest and largest trade association representing packers and processors of beef, pork, lamb, veal, turkey, and processed meat and poultry products and their suppliers. Meat Institute member companies include more than 350 meat packing and processing companies, large and small, and account for more than 95 percent of the United States’ output of these products. The Meat Institute provides essential member services including regulatory, scientific, legislative, public relations and educational programming.

ABOUT USPOULTRY
U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) is the all-feather organization representing the complete spectrum of today’s poultry industry, whose mission is to progressively serve member companies through research, education, communication and technical assistance. Founded in 1947, USPOULTRY is based in Tucker, Ga.

ABOUT IFEEDER
Founded in 2009 by the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), the Institute for Feed Education and Research is a 501 (c)(3) public charity and is a critical link in the ever-evolving food supply chain. Serving as a champion for the animal food industry, IFEEDER supports 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 which highlights the industry’s positive contributions to the availability of safe, wholesome and affordable food, and the preservation of our natural resources.

ABOUT Protein PACT
The Protein PACT enables the supply chain to collaboratively and pre-competitively advance the People, Animals and Climate of Tomorrow. While not always called sustainability, farmers and ranchers have advanced science-based practices and outcomes across their systems for many years. Packers and processors accelerate the impact and scale of animal agriculture sustainability through a commitment to advance continuous improvements, convene supply chain stakeholders, and activate communication efforts.

ABOUT US-RSPE
The U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs (US-RSPE) is the independent, multi-stakeholder organization that advances, supports, and communicates continuous improvement in sustainability for the entire poultry and egg value chains.  US-RSPE is committed to executing projects through leadership, collaboration and innovation that develop solutions that are environmentally sound, socially responsible and economically viable. The US-RSPE Sustainability Framework is the first-ever multi-stakeholder sustainability reporting framework for the entire U.S. supply chains for chicken, turkey, and eggs from producer to the final customer. Learn more at www.us-rspe.org. 

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