Step Into the Future - AI with Johanna Ballesteros, SWARM Engineering and Guests

Step Into the Future - AI with Johanna Ballesteros, SWARM Engineering and Guests

The episode opens with an introduction to the panel and a high-level overview of AI’s rapid acceleration across food and feed systems, setting the stage for a discussion on separating real-world applications from hype. (00:00 – 00:50)  The panelists then outline current AI trends, noting that while adoption in the pet food industry has lagged slightly, companies are increasingly leveraging AI for customer insights, marketing optimization, and early-stage operational improvements. (00:50 – 04:00)  The conversation shifts into one of the most critical challenges: trust in AI systems, including issues like hallucinations, accuracy, and the need for domain-specific models to improve reliability and decision-making confidence. (06:22 – 10:09)  From there, the discussion explores how AI is already delivering value in manufacturing and plant operations, particularly through tools that capture institutional knowledge, reduce downtime, and support faster root cause analysis. (10:09 – 13:58)  The panel also highlights the role of AI in decision intelligence and supply chain optimization, where advanced models help companies respond to volatility, improve forecasting, and make faster, data-driven operational decisions. The conversation then turns to the consumer experience, explaining how AI quietly powers personalization—from e-commerce recommendations to pet health insights—often without users even realizing it. (16:36 – 19:59)  The panel addresses concerns around job displacement and data security, emphasizing that AI is best viewed as a tool that augments human capability, while also acknowledging the growing importance of protecting intellectual property and proprietary data. (19:59 – 27:24)  Looking ahead, the discussion explores the emergence of agentic AI systems, where autonomous agents can not only generate insights but also take action—executing decisions, optimizing processes, and closing operational loops in real time. (30:44 – 36:41)  The episode concludes by reinforcing a key takeaway: companies don’t need to solve everything at once—the best way to begin is by identifying a meaningful problem and starting there, building capability, trust, and ROI over time. Please subscribe and share this episode with your industry colleagues and invite them to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table. Be sure to register for upcoming Real Science Lecture Series webinars to continue the conversation.  Finally, if you’d like a Real Science Exchange t‑shirt, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription and email it to anh.marketing@balchem.com with your size and mailing address, and we’ll send one your way.

The Changing U.S. Regulatory Landscape for Pet Food with Dana Brooks of Pet Food Institute

The episode opens with introductions to the Pet Food Institute team and an overview of the regulatory challenges facing the industry today, including shifting expectations for manufacturers and innovators. (00:00 – 01:02) The conversation then introduces the role of the Pet Food Institute (PFI) and highlights leadership transitions, as well as the organization’s long-standing focus on food safety, regulatory advocacy, and industry support. (01:02 – 02:57)  The panel also discusses the growing complexity of international trade and policy, including tariffs, import/export logistics, and the increasing importance of global market access for U.S. pet food companies. (02:57 – 05:35)  Attention then turns to the evolving U.S. regulatory environment, including the impact of the MAHA initiative and leadership changes within HHS and FDA, which are driving renewed scrutiny on ingredient approval processes such as GRAS. (05:35 – 10:27)  The discussion highlights the growing influence of bipartisan political pressure on regulatory change, raising concerns about long-term consistency and the cost implications for businesses navigating shifting regulatory priorities. (10:27 – 13:27)  From there, the panel explores the Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform (PURR) Act, including its origins and the need to replace the current “patchwork” of state-by-state labeling requirements with a more unified federal system. (13:27 – 20:00)  The conversation emphasizes how the current fragmented system creates inefficiencies, delays, and unnecessary complexity for manufacturers—often driven by minor labeling discrepancies rather than safety concerns. (20:00 – 22:31)  The panel also examines how possible reforms to the GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) framework could introduce greater federal oversight while improving consistency and predictability for ingredient approvals. (22:31 – 27:16)  The episode then shifts to global opportunities, highlighting how PFI supports the industry through international marketing programs, regulatory engagement, and USDA-backed trade initiatives that help expand access to global markets. (27:16 – 32:56)  The panel further discusses regulatory challenges in key countries such as Brazil, Australia, and South Korea, where import restrictions, taxes, and safety requirements create additional hurdles for U.S. pet food exports. (32:56 – 34:42)  Finally, the discussion explores pet food label modernization, including upcoming changes to labeling formats, improved transparency for consumers, and the need for industry-wide education to support the transition. (34:42 – 39:53)  The episode concludes with key takeaways emphasizing the importance of regulatory clarity, global market expansion, and continued innovation—reinforcing the role of strong, predictable policy frameworks in driving industry growth. Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people. Join us at the Real Science Exchange - Companion Animal virtual pub table. Pet Nutrition and forward-looking Innovation remain essential to future conversations. Please be sure to register for our upcoming Real Science Lecture Series webinars.  Lastly, if you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription. Email the picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.

Pet Food Collab: Student Showcase with guests Amelia Huebsch, Katelyn Bailey-Wisnieski, Larissa Koulicoff, and Dr. Julia Pezzali, Kansas State University

The guests introduce themselves and talk a little about their research. Amelia is a MS student, and Katelyn and Larissa are working on their PhDs in the pet food program at K-State. Katelyn is researching raw versus thermally processed diets, looking at nutrient losses, oxidative stress, inflammation and immunomarkers. Larissa had two main projects: one to evaluate dry bakery products as an ingredient in extruded dog diets, and the other used a pine oil rich in resin acids at two different levels. Both projects evaluated gut health. Amelia’s research is looking at betaine supplementation in cats. She has a preliminary trial complete and is working on developing an indirect calorimetry system for her next project. (2:25) Dr. Altom asks the students what they want to do after they graduate and what kind of work they’re interested in pursuing. He follows up with a question about how industry could be more involved or if there is something missing from the students’ programs that industry could provide. (11:59) Lastly, Dr. Altom asks what advice each student would give to a high school student or college freshman who has an interest in pets, knowing what they know now. (19:16) Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange - Companion Animal virtual pub table.

Pet Nutrition & Innovation with guest: Dr. Julia Pezzali, Kansas State University; William Henry, Extru-Tech, Inc. and Julianne Maze, Instinct Pet Food

Guests introduce themselves and their backgrounds. Dr. Pezzali’s nutritional priorities for cats are urinary health and obesity. William notes some of the important logistical considerations for APHIS export approval.  (4:09) Dr. Pezzali estimates that about 60% of cats in the US are obese. She notes her group is researching nutraceuticals that may increase energy expenditure in cats to help combat cat obesity. Dr. Altom chimes in to remind listeners that cats are not just small dogs and that their behavior is very different. The panel talks about whether or not pet owners are aware of their cat being obese, how to communicate with pet parents about this sensitive topic, secondary diseases that might occur due to obesity, and how food processing might impact obesity. (09:15) The panel discusses food additives for hairball prevention. Julianne hopes to conduct research in the future to assess if raw diets could help with hairball issues. (25:10) Julianne and William share some of their experiences with export approval from APHIS. USDA is short-staffed, so planning ahead and having complete and accurate paperwork is even more essential than ever. The panel notes  the importance of keeping up on changes in international regulations, working with co-manufacturers and ingredient suppliers, and understanding the impacts that delays could cause in the nutritional value of pet foods. (27:58) The panel talks more about urinary health, then touches on “indoor cat diets” and what that means, and upcoming trends in kibble production, particularly minimally processed products. (34:47) Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (43:53) Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange - Companion Animal virtual pub table.   If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.

The Value of Academia & Industry Collaboration: How to Build Lasting, Impactful Connections for Mutual Support with Guests: Dr. Melissa Weber, Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition; Leah Lambrakis, Simmons Pet Food; Dr. Jane Schuh and Rachelle Banwart, KSU

Guests introduce themselves and their backgrounds (1:08) Rachelle gives an overview of what industry partnerships can look like at K-State. Dr. Schuh notes that one of the best ways to understand partner needs is for content experts from both entities to be talking to one another. She highlights some of the one-stop-shop resources that a land-grant university can provide. (8:30) Leah and Melissa give their perspectives as industry partners with K-State. Purposeful internships that meet a specific need, research collaboration with graduate students and faculty, hands-on learning, guest lectures, understanding university versus industry research, and university technical resources were highlighted. (13:47) Leah expands on the robust internship program at Simmons. The panel talks more about student engagement and how industry-academia partnerships have fostered networking and employee pipelines. (21:14) Dr. Weber commends the group at K-State for making partnerships easy to do. She notes that complicated agreements may sometimes discourage industry participants from partnering with universities, but that has not been the case for her company and K-State. Dr. Schuh and Rachelle talk about what partnership agreements can look like and what steps to take to inquire about partnership opportunities. The guests anticipate questions they might receive during their panel discussion at Pet Food Collab. (30:52) Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (45:20) Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange - Companion Animal virtual pub table.   If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.