The world population is growing at an incredible rate, which means that people and industries alike must explore innovative ideas in order to plan for the future. Agriculture will play a tremendous role in shaping that future as producers grapple with the challenges of feeding the booming global population — projected to reach 9 billion people by 2050 — while dealing with diminishing resources and environmental concerns. To feed that population, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reports that global food production must double by 2050 to avoid mass hunger. According to Alltech, this can only be achieved through improved technology.
During Alltech’s 28th Annual International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium May 20-23, 2012, in Lexington, KY, presenters will cover many topics related to feeding the world now and in the future. The event is expected to draw more than 2,000 participants from around the world. Participants will explore innovative solutions to growing industry and global challengesas they attend sessions and network with other professionals from across borders and industry segments.
Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech, described some of the issues that must be addressed by the agriculture industry.
“As we look to our future, we have some major questions that we need to come together and answer through innovative solutions,” Lyons says. “For example, what does the future hold for our children’s world?What role will you play in it? Where will you be? As we look to our children’s future, we must revolutionize how we think about the business of food production.”
Through more than 100 presentations by industry experts, including speakers from major industry leaders such asDomino’s Pizza, Jack in the Box, Wendy’s, Nestle, Murphy-Brown, Future Farmers of America, PetSmart and the Harvard School of Business, Alltech’s Symposium will examine innovative strategies and focus on ideas for better use of resources, improved business practices and natural nutritional solutions.
In addition to general sessions, the Symposium will provide opportunities for professionals to attend breakout sessions in areas such as aquaculture, beef, dairy, equine, poultry, pig production, pet food and regulatory along with new focus areas offered for this year on food quality, traceability, crop science, legal, marketing, information technology and designer food.
The Symposium will explore possible answers to questions facing the agricultural industry today such as:
“When we come together through education and discussion, we create synergy that allows us to develop revolutionary new ideas for sustainability in food production and to share market-oriented business strategies, agribusiness training and scientific research. This will lead us to technological solutions to the issues our industry faces,” Lyons says. “As an industry and as good citizens, we must address these issues now for the future generations who will inherit our world.”
Alltech’s prestigious Medal of Excellence and Young Scientist Awards will also be presented during the Symposium.
To learn more about the Alltech 28th Annual International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium and to register to attend, visit www.alltech.com/symposiumor contact symposium@alltech.com. Additional details about speakers and sessions will be announced in the coming months.