Here’s a look at some recent news and new faces in new places across the pork industry.
Smithfield Foods Donates $50,000 to Support Local Education
Smithfield Foods, through its Crete, Neb. operation, has donated $50,000 to TeamMates, a mentoring program benefiting students in the Midwest from third to 12th grade. The donation supports one-on-one mentoring to help local students realize their full potential.
Steve Evans, vice president of community development for Smithfield Foods, emphasized the company’s core value of giving back to the communities in which they operate. They view it as their responsibility to support communities through targeted philanthropy and employee volunteerism, he notes in a release. TeamMates allows them to make a meaningful impact on advancing education for young individuals in Crete.
The partnership between Smithfield and TeamMates has been ongoing for 12 years, with company volunteer mentors working closely with students to assist with homework, explore interests and identify talents. Over the years, Smithfield has donated more than $600,000 to the program, benefiting over 200 students.
This contribution aligns with Smithfield’s commitment to supporting education as one of its key philanthropic focus areas. The Crete facility employs over 1,500 community members.
Alltech Mycotoxin Team Awarded Toxins 2022 Best Paper Award
Alltech’s mycotoxin research paper, titled “Co-Occurrence of 35 Mycotoxins: A Seven-Year Survey of Corn Grain and Corn Silage in the United States,” has been recognized as one of the winners of the 2022 Best Paper Awards by the prestigious international research journal Toxins, says a recent release. The paper, authored by members of Alltech’s Mycotoxin Management team and an independent researcher, highlights the significance of assessing multiple mycotoxins when developing risk management programs.
The study reveals that mycotoxins frequently contaminate corn grain and silage in the U.S., with multiple mycotoxins often co-occurring, posing a threat to animal health and performance. Fusaric acid and deoxynivalenol were among the most frequently detected mycotoxins. The research emphasizes the importance of testing for various mycotoxins, including emerging ones, to make informed decisions on mycotoxin management.
Mycotoxin challenges have increased due to extreme weather conditions, and the Alltech Harvest Analysis found that 100% of U.S. samples contained two or more mycotoxins. In Europe, 79% of samples had two or more mycotoxins.
Dr. Alexandra Weaver, part of the Alltech team, highlighted the significance of understanding the full mycotoxin profile for effective management. The winning paper was published in July 2021 by Toxins and can be accessed here. To learn more about Alltech’s Mycotoxin Management program, visit knowmycotoxins.com.
New Faces in New Places: People on the Move in the Pork Industry
Amanda Swaim Joins Missouri Pork Association
The Missouri Pork Association (MPA) names Amanda Swaim from Centralia as the new administrative assistant/office manager, says a recent release. Amanda’s responsibilities include receptionist duties, MPA correspondence, coordinating and reporting for MPA committees, financial records, and membership/database maintenance. Additionally, she will coordinate the Pork Place with Bob Wheeler and assist with other special events.
Prior to joining MPA, Amanda served as a program support specialist for Missouri Online at the University of Missouri System, providing program management support and administrative assistance. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Missouri and is a Certified Associate in Project Management from the Project Management Institute.
Brandon Reinbold, DVM, Ph.D. Leads NOVUS Global Swine Team Research and Technology
Novus International, Inc., a leading intelligent nutrition company, has welcomed Brandon Reinbold, DVM, Ph.D., to lead research and technology initiatives in the global swine team, says a recent release. As the senior manager - global swine technology lead, Reinbold focuses on gut health and intelligent nutrition to optimize performance. He supports NOVUS’ customers by providing study design details and sharing expertise in veterinary health and infectious disease to improve herd health management.
With a diverse background in animal health, microbiology, pharmacology and veterinary medicine, Reinbold’s expertise allows him to develop new products at the interface of nutrition and health, benefiting the animal protein industry. He collaborates with customers to identify challenges and create innovative intelligent nutrition solutions.
Reinbold, previously a research scientist at Elanco Animal Health and Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., has already begun meeting with customers to address their challenges and uncover new opportunities for profitability. His contributions are set to advance NOVUS’ research strategy and capabilities for new technologies.
A Missouri native, Reinbold earned his degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia and Kansas State University. Novus International offers a diverse portfolio of solutions for the global animal agriculture industry, including organic trace minerals, enzymes, essential oils, and more. For more information on NOVUS’ swine team and intelligent nutrition support, visit the company’s website.
Robbie Shaw Joins GARCO as East Coast Sales Representative
Gladwin A. Read Company (GARCO) has appointed Robbie Shaw as their east coast sales representative, responsible for customer relationships and product sales from Maine to Florida and states in the eastern corn belt. With a strong background in feed technology and a focus on driving efficiency and performance on farms, Robbie’s practical sales approach and extensive product knowledge make him an excellent resource for customers.
Having grown up on a dairy farm in Maryland and later owning and operating it with his family, Robbie’s hands-on experience allows him to understand the challenges that producers face, making him a passionate advocate for the feed technologies he represents. Throughout his career, he has led successful sales teams with various prominent companies.
Beau Baltzell, GARCO Owner & President, praises Robbie’s practicality and experience, making him a perfect fit for the company and a valuable resource for customers. Outside of work, Robbie breeds, shows, and markets Jersey show cattle on his Maryland farm, earning numerous titles in competitions with involvement from his entire family.
