People, Places, and...
Meeker Receives Service Award
The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) hands out four prestigious
awards each year recognizing individuals for their service, leadership, and dedication
to animal agriculture. During its 2021 annual conference held virtually earlier this
year, NIAA recognized Dr. David Meeker, North American Renderers Association,
as its 2020 Meritorious Service Award recipient for his extensive contributions and
exemplary service to the animal agriculture industry.
“I am pleased and surprised to have been selected
for this prestigious award,” said Meeker, who has been
involved with the organization through several strategic
planning and organizational changes, including different
executive officers and a rebranding name change in
2000. Over the years, he served on several committees
dealing with animal diseases, identification, welfare, and
antibiotics resistance. Meeker also served on the board of
directors three different times totaling at least 12 years.
David Meeker
Successor to the Livestock Conservation Institute (LCI), NIAA began operations
in January 2000 and addresses issues of interest to the animal agriculture industry,
providing vital information, continuing education, and communication outlets
for animal agriculture professionals. Meeker first interacted with LCI in 1986
representing the National Pork Producers Council, helping to establish and serve
on the National Pseudorabies Control Board under the auspices of LCI. The effort
contributed to the eradication of that disease in the United States.
Feed Industry Honors Kopperud
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has
recognized several individuals who have supported the
animal food industry over the past year and throughout
their careers. Among those honored was Steve Kopperud
of SLK Strategies, who was named posthumously an AFIA
honorary board director for his service to the animal food
industry over his 35-year career. Kopperud died in October
2020. This is the first time this honor has been given.
Kopperud served as the senior vice president of legislative affairs at AFIA for
more than 20 years and as a government affairs consultant for almost 15 years, before
semi-retiring in 2019. He was also Render’s Washington columnist and a lobbyist for
the North American Renderers Association, serving in both roles for more than two
decades. He founded the Animal Industry Foundation, now the Animal Agriculture
Alliance, in the 1980s as a forum for producer and industry organizations.
In honor of the award, AFIA donated to a scholarship created in Kopperud’s
honor at his alma mater, the University of Minnesota Hubbard School of Journalism
and Mass Communication.
Insect Meal Research Facility to Open
EnviroFlight, a wholly owned division of Darling Ingredients Inc., is building a
new research and development and corporate center in Apex, North Carolina, an
area that has a strong focus on agriculture technology and research. Groundbreaking
took place in April, and EnviroFlight expects to be in the facility early next year.
The new center will allow for further emphasis on target research areas,
including expanding the knowledge base for alternative uses of black soldier fly
larvae (BSFL) in animal health, animal nutrition, cosmetics, and other product
development. EnviroFlight is currently the only company to produce BSFL on a
commercial scale in the United States and has its first manufacturing plant located
in Maysville, Kentucky. R
Ohio Home to New
Pet Food Plant
Royal Canin North America, a
subsidiary of Mars Inc., will invest $390
million in a new factory in Lewisburg,
Ohio, to meet increasing demand for
the company’s premium pet nutrition.
The facility will join Royal Canin’s five
other manufacturing sites across the
United States and Canada and is part
of a broader growth plan for the
company. This announcement follows
Royal Canin’s recent notice of a $200
million expansion at its Lebanon,
Tennessee, facility.
Construction of the 450,000-
square-foot facility began in May and
was expected to start operations in
the second half of 2023, bringing more
than 224 new jobs to the area. The
factory will manufacture both dog and
cat food product lines. The company
currently operates its Pet Health
Nutrition Center, a global research and
development hub for the company,
in Lewisburg, Ohio. The new factory
will be located on the same property.
Webinar Focuses
on Rendering Plant
Optimization
Small adjustments to the process
and equipment used in the rendering
line can improve both efficiency and
quality of finished products. During
a webinar on June 17, GEA North
America will review the modifications
and procedures that the company
recommends for reaping these
benefits. These include the importance
of proper grinding, heating, pumping,
and flow control. The role centrifuges
play in the production of a consistently
separated product will also be
addressed.
The webinar will cover rendering
fundamentals, proper process
preparation, centrifuge function,
and importance of preventative
maintenance. More information and
registration is available online at
https://bit.ly/3c8OY7J.
Steve Kopperud
www.rendermagazine.com Render June 2021 27
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