For Immediate Release
International Poultry Expo
Tucker, Ga. - January 28, 2026

AFIA Nutrition Program Highlights New Insights into Traditional Feed Ingredients

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) hosted a two-hour nutrition education program focused on new research and evolving perspectives on long-established feed ingredients. Held Wednesday, Jan. 28, in conjunction with the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), AFIA’s “New Understanding About ‘Old’ Ingredients” session brought together academic and industry experts to examine performance data, formulation practices and emerging insights related to micro and macro ingredients used in animal nutrition.

“The feed industry continues to refine its understanding of traditional ingredients as new research becomes available,” said Yuan-Tai Hung, Ph.D., IFEEDER’s senior manager of research. “This program demonstrated how updated data and modern tools can help nutritionists make more informed formulation decisions.”

Su A. Lee, Ph.D., research scientist in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, discussed the impact of excess and variable calcium levels in feed ingredients, emphasizing how variability can affect nutrient utilization and animal performance.

Katelyn Gaffield, assistant research professor in the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry at Kansas State University, addressed commercial formulation practices with protein ingredients, outlining key considerations nutritionists face when balancing performance, cost and ingredient consistency.

Jarred Oxford, Ph.D., a poultry nutritionist at Cargill North America, presented on optimizing energy and amino acids to support animal performance, sharing strategies to better align nutrient supply with production goals.

Michael Kidd, Ph.D., professor of poultry nutrition at the University of Arkansas, concluded the technical program with a discussion of the industry’s past and current understanding of protein ingredients for poultry, and how historical knowledge continues to inform modern feeding strategies.

Attendees were able to ask questions on the evolving role of traditional ingredients in feed formulation following the final presentation. The agenda has been approved for two American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists continuing education units.

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-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 the Meat Institute
The Meat Institute represents the full community of people and companies who make the majority of meat American families rely on every day. The Meat Institute's hands-on regulatory and technical expertise, proactive advocacy, unique convening power, collaboration within and beyond animal agriculture, and sector-leading continuous improvement initiatives drive relationships and resources that ensure meat continues to be a vital, trusted pillar of healthy diets and thriving communities for generations to come. To learn more, visit MeatInstitute.org.

About USPOULTRY
U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) is the All Feather Association progressively serving its poultry and egg members through research, education, communications and technical services. Founded in 1947, USPOULTRY is based in Tucker, Georgia.

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(Top) Jarred Oxford, Ph.D., shares insights on optimizing energy and amino acids to better align nutrition with performance goals at AFIA’s Nutrition Program.

(Bottom) Participants taking notes during AFIA’s Nutrition Program.