AFIA Pet Food Conference Attracts Record-setting Attendance

'It is exciting to see the continued growth of the AFIA Pet Food Conference, reflecting the industry's commitment to growth and innovation,' said Louise Calderwood, AFIA's director of regulatory affairs. 'This year's conference delivered valuable insights on everything from novel ingredients used in pet food and the latest consumer trends in pet food, to addressing critical regulatory updates. Staying up to date with these changes is essential for the industry, and we appreciate the engagement from our record-breaking audience and look forward to continuing these conversations in the years ahead.'

The 2025 conference featured sessions on pet food marketing trends, novel ingredients used in pet food, working dog nutrition and academia's role in industry advancements. Several speakers focused on the changing regulatory environment for pet food, with Austin Therrell, executive director of the Association of American Feed Control Officials, and Leah Wilkinson, AFIA's vice president of public policy and education, discussing recent changes to the animal food ingredient approval processes. Attendees also heard an exclusive preview of new industry research from Lara Moody, executive director of the Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER), who shared insights from IFEEDER's upcoming Pet Food Consumption Report, set for release later this spring.

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The AFIA Pet Food Committee, which is tasked with creating the conference agenda every year, invited three graduate students to present on their current research within the pet food industry. The research topics included, 'Cardiometabolic Effects of a High Protein, Low Carbohydrate Diet in Dogs,' 'Sensory Characteristics of Jerky-style Pet Treats Made from Swine Pluck,' (pluck is pig's heart, trachea, esophagus and lungs) and 'Amino Acid Digestibility and Energy Content of Raw, Mildly Cooked, and Retorted Dog Foods.' The conference also featured four poster presentations from additional graduate and undergraduate students conducting research in pet nutrition.

The AFIA also recognized Eric Altom, Ph.D., director of innovation for companion animals and technical nutritionist at Balchem Animal Nutrition and Health, as the recipient of its 2025 Friend of Pet Food Award.

The AFIA thanks its 2025 Pet Food Conference gold sponsors ADM and Novonesis; silver sponsors Alltech, Cargill, Kemin, Midwest Laboratories, The Poultry Protein and Fat Council, Trouw Nutrition and Zinpro; and media sponsors All Pet Food, Petfood Industry and Pet Food Processing.

The 2026 AFIA Pet Food Conference will take place Tuesday, Jan. 27, in Atlanta, Ga. For more information, visit afia.org/events.

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.

Source: IPPE

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