The growth of human prosperity is promising. According to the United Nations, the world’s population will grow to almost 10 billion by 2050. We are blessed to live in a world where half of its population has enough discretionary income to be considered “middle class or wealthier.”
But, we must work to ensure the almost 4 billion people living in extreme poverty, including in the United States, can be lifted into sustainable health and wealth.
Sustainability requires more than resource availability. As the global population increases, a greater share of society will be born or transitioned into the middle class as economies in their countries develop. Add to this paradigm the growing impacts of climate change and increased global demand for resources — projected to double in the next 30 years — and we face a supreme challenge.
Food insecurity and hunger emergencies already strain global food systems, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and its impact on grain shipments, fertilizer production and heightened energy prices. In Nebraska, 188,080 people face hunger, including 64,190 children.
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Erkut Sönmez, associate professor of supply chain management and analytics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said, “The disruptions to the agricultural supply chains are more apparent and important compared to other supply chains. On one side, we have a shortage of food supply while people are looking for food, and on the other, we have food actually rotting or going bad in containers in some parts of the world.”... “Producers are also experiencing shortages of raw materials, such as amino acids for livestock feed.”
Innovation focused on animal health is a global challenge. Straits Research valued the global animal protein market at USD 44.08 billion in 2021. It is projected to reach USD 72.60 in 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 5.7%.
Animal proteins (beef, fowl, sheep and aqua) are central to most humans’ diets. Infectious diseases represent the greatest threat to livestock health. Right now, a nationwide egg shortage has impacted Americans because a deadly strain of avian influenza has limited the country’s supply of eggs.
Now and in the future, we must ensure only healthy animals feed the world. Like humans, animals are vulnerable to bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi and nutritional deficiencies. Additionally, the last decade has produced multiple disruptions in animal feed markets, creating global ripple effects on the supply and cost of food.
One way the agricultural pharmaceutical industry innovates to meet future demand and prevent global food supply disturbances is by aligning with our food-producing partners to develop long-term solutions to significant threats. Veterinary pharmaceuticals and feed additives for livestock help farmers keep our most central protein sources healthy.
Feed innovation is essential. Companies, mine included, have developed enzymes with multiple advantages. Our innovative non-starch-polysaccharides (dietary fiber) make previously undigestible roughage digestible as animal feed. Utilizing other enzymes also helps lessen phosphate (salt) use, thereby reducing environmental pollution and farmer costs. Overusing inorganic phosphates is a source of significant environmental impact — and reducing them represents an opportunity to move toward more sustainable resources.
While meeting increased demand for animal protein, innovators worldwide are also investing in developing alternative sources of key nutritional ingredients. Millions of tons of fish are needed to meet the demand for Omega-3 — used in human and animal nutrition. We’re now producing algal-based Omega-3, creating rich oils through microalgae fermentation. This process does not interfere with the ocean’s natural ecology and is free from heavy metals, nano-plastics, and other contaminants.
As we exit the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative that the companies and individuals involved in feeding a growing population continue to innovate — using science, sustainability, safety and nutrition as our guideposts to meet global food demand.
OWH Midland Voices December 2022
Former Nebraska senators write in support of continuing the nonpartisan legislature.
Jan tenBensel writes, "Already the No. 2 producer of ethanol in the country, Nebraska has been preparing for the carbon revolution that is to come."
To extremists, targeting the U.S. power grid offers a lot of return. In most cases, acts that cause widespread harm and disruption can act as a megaphone to extremists’ cause and demands.
James P. Eckman, Ph.D., writes, "What if the angels, the virgin birth, the Incarnation were true? What difference would it make?"
Frank Adkisson writes that while Medicare Advantage has challenges, it is more cost-effective than original Medicare with supplement add-ons.
Rachel Bonar writes, "The good life in Nebraska — as well as in other parts of the U.S. — is not permanent for Afghan evacuees who came to this country under humanitarian parole."
Joanne Li writes, "Attending a university is not and should not be equivalent to joining an exclusive club."
Jay Jackson writes, "Can we use the 1914 Christmas truce as inspiration to take a break from the hyperpartisanship and political rancor that consumes us?"
Dave Lutton lost his daughter due to the actions of a drunk driver. Now, he's asking for help to protect others.
Dave Stuart writes, 50 years ago this month, a very significant event in the history of aerial bombing by bombers from the Strategic Air Command took place.
Donald R. Frey, M.D., writes, "Through clever (and expensive) marketing, nearly half of all Medicare recipients have signed up for Advantage plans. That doesn’t change the fact that these plans are bleeding the trust fund dry."
Susan M. Stein, Ph.D. writes about her friendship and communication with two Ukrainian women who are experiencing war firsthand.
Tom Rubin writes, "Days before the Omaha City Council streetcar construction bond public hearing, we’re still waiting for the long-promised financial plan."
David E. Corbin writes, "Omaha can greatly reduce the amount of organic waste that goes into our county-owned landfill."
Rebecca S. Fahrlander writes, "Virtue signaling is a way to get “likes” and attention on social media and feel virtuous without having to actually do anything."
David D. Begley writes, "OPPD is not a private company. The right thing to do is to end OPPD’s pursuit of solar and wind energy."
Marty Irby writes, "Animal fighting is animal abuse — plain and simple. The illegal gambling adds to lawlessness ... It’s not only inhumane and unconscionable but, it’s a health and human safety threat."
