IFEEDER completes livestock nutrient risk assessment with new beef and dairy reports

USA – Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER) has released two new species-specific reports focused on beef and dairy cattle, completing its broader assessment examining how disruptions in vitamin and amino acid supply chains could affect U.S. livestock production and food security.

The new publications form part of IFEEDER’s wider analysis titled “The Strategic Assessment on the Impact of Vitamin and Amino Acid Supply Chain Disruptions on U.S. Food Security,” first released in November 2025.

With the addition of the beef and dairy reports, the organisation has now completed assessments covering six major livestock sectors, following earlier reports on broiler chickens, laying hens, turkeys and swine published in January.

According to IFEEDER, the reports examine how interruptions in access to essential feed nutrients could affect animal health, production efficiency, herd performance and the resilience of the broader food supply chain.

Lara Moody said the reports are intended to help feed manufacturers, livestock producers and policymakers better understand vulnerabilities linked to nutrient supply disruptions.

“From poultry to cattle, we’re providing critical insights into how nutrient disruptions could directly impact essential sectors in U.S. agriculture,” Moody said.

Feed nutrient security gains industry attention

The beef and dairy assessments focus specifically on how vitamin and amino acid supplementation influences milk production, reproduction, weight gain, and overall herd health.

According to the reports, shortages of key nutrients could reduce productivity, increase production costs and affect the availability and affordability of beef and dairy products.

IFEEDER said the species-specific approach allows producers and feed companies to evaluate risks associated with the nutrients most relevant to their operations.

For example, dairy sector stakeholders can assess how vitamin shortages may affect milk yield and reproductive performance, while beef producers can examine potential impacts on feed efficiency and animal growth.

The reports also include insights from nutritionists and technical experts discussing practical challenges associated with maintaining feed ingredient supply chains.

Global feed manufacturers have increasingly raised concerns about supply chain disruptions affecting vitamins, amino acids and other speciality feed ingredients in recent years, particularly due to logistics disruptions, geopolitical tensions and rising input costs.

Industry analysts say securing reliable supplies of critical feed nutrients is becoming increasingly important as livestock sectors seek to maintain productivity while managing feed costs and strengthening food system resilience.

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