Beef is one of agriculture’s fastest-growing industries — is the world ready for a ruminant revolution? Experts discuss the environmental hoofprint of beef, new nutritional philosophies, the vital role of animal production systems, new opportunities in the industry and what’s next for the beef market.
As the industry continues to fight back against negative environmental effects, Alltech is creating a more sustainable food future through research and advanced technologies. Join us as research group director
Blueprint® is not a specific product, nor even a product line; it’s more of a nutritional philosophy applied to many of Alltech’s products and product lines. Through research and on-farm
Is the world ready for a ruminant revolution? Are animal and vegetarian proteins really created equal? Discover what led Dr. Peter Ballerstedt, forage agronomist at Barenbrug USA, to re-examine the
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted both the health and economies of countries around the world. As producers and consumers alike grapple with the ramifications of this global crisis, at home
Experts are predicting that 2020 will be a record-setting year for commercial beef production. How can cattle farmers gain momentum in a changing consumer environment, and which trends are steering
Forage Ambassador, Barenbrug USA
Dr. Peter Ballerstedt (aka "The Sodfather") is the forage ambassador for Barenbrug USA. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia, receiving his bachelor's degree in science in agriculture in 1981 and his master's degree in science in 1983. He received his Ph.D., specializing in forage management and utilization and minoring in ruminant nutrition, from the University of Kentucky in 1986.
Ballerstedt has extensive experience in forage agriculture. He served as the forage extension specialist at Oregon State University from 1986 to 1992. He was the forage product manager at Barenbrug USA from 2011 until 2018.
Ballerstedt's study of human nutrition is fueled by his personal experience. His wealth of knowledge, combined with his forage background, has strengthened his interest in truly sustainable agriculture — including the production of ruminant animal products.
Ballerstedt has spoken at many different events in the U.S. and internationally. Many of his presentations are available on YouTube. Ballerstedt and his wife, Nancy, live in western Oregon with their two dogs, Conor and Noni.
Senior Nutritionist, Hubbard Feeds
Tyler Melroe is a senior nutritionist with Hubbard Feeds, focusing on customer business in the Dakotas and Montana. While his work includes both feedlot nutrition and consulting with cow-calf operations, he has specialized in programs for herds with high-genetic merit of multiple breeds of cattle. He also raises cattle with his family, in which their primary focus is the development and sales of commercial bulls.
Prior to Hubbard Feeds, Melroe worked for the South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service, where he conducted programming in the areas of natural feedlot production and drylot cow herds. He is actively involved with the beef industry, with particular interest in creating opportunities for the next generation of ranchers and feedlot operators. He currently serves as a board member of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation and is the organization’s education committee chair.
Melroe received a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a master’s degree in ruminant nutrition from South Dakota State University, where he studied the relationship between nutrition and reproduction. While there, he also coached the livestock and meat animal evaluation teams. He and his wife, Darah, have two children, Jacey (7) and Jaxen (3).
BEEF Daily Blogger, BEEF Magazine
Amanda Radke is a fifth-generation rancher from Mitchell, South Dakota, who has dedicated her career to serving as a voice for the nation’s beef producers. A 2009 graduate of South Dakota State University (SDSU) with a degree in agricultural communications, education and leadership, Radke served internships with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service in Washington, D.C. and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association in Denver, Colorado. Her 2008 summer internship with BEEF magazine led to an ongoing blogger position for the BEEF Daily blog, where she provides timely industry news each week, Monday through Thursday.
She’s the 2006 National FFA Extemporaneous Speaking champion and the 2006 National Beef Ambassador. In 2012, she was recognized as a Top 10 Beef Industry Leader by Cattle Business Weekly and was included in Media Industry News’ 2012 "Top 15 People To Watch Under 30" list. When she’s not writing or ranching, Radke is traveling the country speaking to agricultural groups about hot industry issues or reading her ranch-inspired children’s books, “Levi’s Lost Calf” and “Can-Do Cowkids,” at elementary schools. She married her SDSU collegiate meats judging teammate, Tyler, in 2010, and together, they have three children, Scarlett, Thorne and Croix. Learn more about Radke or purchase her books at www.amandaradke.com.
Research Group Director, Ruminants, Alltech
Dr. Vaughn Holder received a bachelor's degree in animal sciences and a master's degree in ruminant nutrition and microbiology from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. His master's degree thesis focused on the effects of various yeast culture strains on the in-vitro growth of ruminal microorganisms.
Holder received his doctoral degree in ruminant nutrition from the University of Kentucky in 2012. His dissertation examined the effects of slow-release urea on nitrogen metabolism in cattle. Holder subsequently joined Alltech in a postdoctoral traineeship position focused on advanced technical support in ruminant protein nutrition.
In 2013, Holder joined Alltech South Africa as the national research and technical director. In 2015, he returned to Alltech’s research headquarters in Nicholasville, Kentucky, as a research project manager for beef. Since 2017, he has served as the ruminant research group director, leading Alltech's global nutritional research in ruminant species.
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