The ASA’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health program put a spotlight on U.S. soybean farmer perspectives and the value of soy for quality feeds as a foundation for healthy animals during the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Global Conference for Action on One Health in Agrifood Systems on Sept. 22-23 in Rome. WISHH partnered with the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), Mississippi State University (MSU) and the U.S. Mission to the United Nations to lead an Official Side event on the topic. The partners also hosted a round table dialogue featuring soy in food or feed as well as the next generation of leaders in agriculture with the Ambassadors of Nigeria and Honduras and the country representatives from Kenya, Guatemala and Uzbekistan.
WISHH Chairman Morey Hill, ASA Secretary Jordan Scott and USB Director Suzanne Shirbroun spoke about their on-farm practices that lead to a quality feed. They also shared examples of how WISHH partnerships grow new markets for soy-containing feeds that play a key role in animal health. The U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Scott Turner and Minister-Counselor for Agriculture in Rome Doug Hoelscher provided the opening remarks as well as emceed these events that allowed WISHH to elevate U.S. soy with top officials from countries where WISHH works. The discussions with FAO staff were also timely as they put increased focus on how to assist countries in growing their aquaculture, poultry and dairy industries.
Key presenters and partners in the programming included American Feed Industry Association President and CEO Constance Cullman, MSU Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw and MSU aquaculture experts Stephen Reichley, PhD. and Peter J. Allen, Ph.D.
The discussions resulted in feedback that it was valuable to have farmers in these discussions and there are numerous opportunities for greater collaboration with WISHH on quality feed and foods made with soy protein. While in Rome, WISHH also met with the World Food Programme. Discussions covered the potential for more partnerships like WISHH has had with WFP in Cambodia that grow new markets for WISHH-trained fish farmers. South Dakotan Luke Lindberg is the newly appointed Executive Director of WFP.