Animal Agriculture Sustainability Summit to Focus on Production Systems and the Sustainability Journey at IPPE 2026

The 2026 Animal Agriculture Sustainability Summit will be held at the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta. Organized by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY), the Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER) and the Meat Institute, the summit will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 27, and is complimentary for all registered IPPE attendees.

The Summit will be divided into two segments, featuring leading researchers, industry experts and sustainability advocates who will explore advancements in genetics, air quality and feed innovation that enhance both environmental performance and production efficiency. It will be broken into two sections: Genetics and Production Innovation for Sustainability, moderated by Protein PACT, and Air Quality and Ingredient Innovation for Sustainability, moderated by IFEEDER. To kick off the day, the Summit will start with the announcement of the USPOULTRY 2026 Family Farm Environmental Excellence Awards, followed by a welcome from USPOULTRY Executive Vice President of Regulatory Programs Paul Bredwell.

Topic and speakers include the following:

Genetics and Production Innovation for Sustainability

A Downstream View of Production System Opportunities
Mark Pitman, sustainability engineer, Pitman Farms
Driving Progress in Swine Production: Genetic Innovation and Biosecurity
Dr. Lindsay Case, director of Product Commercialization & Sustainability, Genus PLC
Question and Answer Panel Session

Air Quality and Ingredient Innovation for Sustainability

Air Quality Benefits for Production Efficiency Improvements
Dr. Hongwei Xin, dean of AgResearch and director of the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
Ingredient Innovations to Reduce Production Footprint
Dr. Steve Lerner, senior scientific and business advisor, Novonesis
Feed Ingredient Selection: Accounting for Sustainability Improvements
Dr. Charles Starkey, vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs, North American Renderers Association
Question and Answer Panel Session

The program will wrap up with questions and feedback, moderated by Ryan Bennett, executive director, U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs / International Poultry Welfare Alliance.

The 2026 IPPE will be held Jan. 27-29 and is a collaboration of three trade shows – the International Feed Expo, International Poultry Expo and International Meat Expo – representing the entire protein production and processing chain. USPOULTRY, the American Feed Industry Association and the Meat Institute sponsor the IPPE.

For more information about IPPE, including registration details, lodging and other education offerings, visit ippexpo.org.