As the summer season comes to a close, we at AgNext are thrilled to recap an incredibly eventful season. At the heart of our mission to advance animal and ecosystem health while bolstering supply chain profitability, AgNext has been hard at work connecting producers, industry partners, and researchers to find sustainable solutions for animal agriculture. This summer was a testament to our commitment to innovation, research, and collaboration. Join us as we highlight some of the remarkable milestones that made this summer special at AgNext:
Graduation of Five AgNext-Associated Students
Summer began with a sense of pride and accomplishment as four AgNext students graduated, ready to embark on their careers and/or continue working with AgNext in a new role. Three students (Brooklynn Moore, Lauren Frink, and Maya Swenson) graduated with their undergraduate degrees. Two graduate students, Lauren Newman and Ashley Schilling-Hazlett, finished their master’s degrees. These bright minds are well-equipped to make meaningful impacts in the agricultural industry, thanks to their experience at AgNext.
Launching the AgNext Podcast
To expand our reach and share valuable insights with a wider audience, we launched the AgNext Podcast. This platform allows us to delve into important topics in animal agriculture, sustainability, and supply chain profitability while featuring experts, researchers, and thought leaders in the field. JR, the Head of Strategy and Communication, and Dr. Pedro Carvalho, AgNext’s Feedlot Systems Specialist, are the hosts of the podcast and each episode dive into topics surrounding the animal agriculture industry. Interested in tuning into the AgNext Podcast? Check it out here.
2023 AgNext Research Summit
One of the highlights of our summer was hosting the 2023 AgNext Research Summit. This event brought together individuals from across the industry to discuss cutting-edge research and innovative solutions for the challenges facing animal agriculture. The summit provided a platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing, driving us closer to a sustainable future. Check out our recap video of this exciting event here.
Climate-Smart Research Facility Ribbon Cutting
AgNext’s commitment to finding sustainable solutions for animal agriculture reached new heights as we proudly cut the ribbon for our Climate-Smart Research Facility. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a hub for pioneering research aimed at mitigating the impact of animal agriculture. Here is a video of our ribbon-cutting event.
Hosting the EPA’s FRRCC
AgNext had the privilege of hosting the Environmental Protection Agency’s Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee (FRRCC). This event showcased our dedication to working with regulatory bodies to ensure that our research aligns with environmental standards and best practices.
Welcoming Governor Polis and Legislators
We were honored to welcome Colorado Governor Jared Polis and other legislators to our research facility at ARDEC earlier this summer. Their visit demonstrated the significance of AgNext’s work in the eyes of policymakers and reinforced our commitment to creating real-world solutions that benefit producers and the community.
Research Report Development
Our team continued to push the boundaries of knowledge by developing a comprehensive Research Report outlining some of the work our team has been involved with during our three years as a research collaborative. This report will serve as a valuable resource for the agricultural community, offering insights into ongoing research and additional research opportunities. Check out our Research Report here.
Dairy Seminars Hosted by Dr. Diego Manriquez and Dr. Alejandra Latorre
The summer also saw the hosting of an insightful dairy seminar led by Dr. Diego Manriquez, a distinguished member of our team as the Dairy Systems Specialist. This seminar, also featuring visiting researcher Dr. Alejandra Latorre, allowed participants to gain a deeper understanding of troubleshooting high bacterial counts in bulk talk milk and emphasized the importance of keeping milking equipment clean with suggestions for sanitization and maintenance. Dr. Manriquez and Dr. Latorre also hosted a similar dairy seminar at Quail Ridge Dairy in Spanish to some of the employees.
Looking Forward
As we continue into the fall, our team is proud of our accomplishments and excited for the future. Our commitment to advancing animal and ecosystem health, fostering sustainability, and enhancing supply chain profitability remains unwavering. We look forward to the challenges and opportunities that the coming seasons will bring as we continue to serve as the crossroads for producers, industry partners, and researchers in our shared journey towards a more sustainable future in animal agriculture. Stay tuned for more developments from AgNext.
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Erica Giesenhagen
Communication Coordinator