5th annual Kemin Poultry Summit features feed safety panel

A panel discussion featuring three industry experts was moderated by Kristi Krafka, vice president of regulatory affairs, quality assurance and quality control for Kemin AgriFoods North America. Panelists included: Richard Sellers, American Feed Industry Association; Chuck Hofacre, D.V.M., M.A.M., Ph.D., University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and Merrill Bishop, Cobb-Vantress, Inc.

 

“Feed safety has received much attention in the past year with several high profile incidents and many new regulations,” said Krafka.  “Today’s panel discussion was a unique opportunity to learn from experts in regulatory, research and feed production how new regulations will impact the industry and what additional measures should be taken to ensure the continuing safety of animal feed.”

 

Richard Sellers is the vice president of feed regulation and nutrition for the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) in Arlington, Virginia.  He joined AFIA in 1991 and was promoted to his current position in 2000.  He holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Memphis and a Master of Science from the University of Arkansas in animal sciences.  He is a professional animal scientist registered with the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists.

 

Charles (Chuck) Hofacre, D.V.M., M.A.M., Ph.D., is the director of clinical services in the Department of Population Health at the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine.  Prior to the University of Georgia, Chuck worked for Bayer Animal Health as a manager of Professional Services in the Poultry Business Unit.  He was also the Head of Veterinary Services for Ross Breeders and the director of Veterinary Medicine for Cuddy Farms, Inc.  Chuck holds a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University.  He holds a Master of Avian Medicine and a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia. 

 

Merrill Bishop is the director of feed operations for Cobb-Vantress, Inc., where he is responsible for the milling operations at Cobb Siloam Springs, Arkansas feedmill as well as the purchasing and auditing of feed suppliers for four additional Cobb complexes in the United States and Brazil.  Prior to joining Cobb in 1989, Merrill worked for Tyson Food in mill management for 10 years.  He has served on the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association Mill Management Seminar planning committee since 2000.

 

Kristi Krafka is the vice president of Regulatory Affairs, Quality Assurance and Quality Control for Kemin Agrifoods North America.  In this role, she provides strategic and operational regulatory expertise, leadership for regulatory approvals as well as monitors the quality of Kemin products to meet customer needs throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Latin America.  Kristi joined Kemin in 1996 as manager of Intellectual Property and Regulatory Affairs.  Prior to joining Kemin, she served as a technical writer and then as director of U.S. and Canada Biological Regulatory Affairs for Fort Dodge Animal Health.  Kristi holds a Bachelor of Science in agriculture from Iowa State University and serves as the Vice Chair of the American Feed Industry Association’s Feed Regulatory Committee.