NARA Blog

Ensuring the Production of Safe and Nutritious Animal Feed: The Rendering Code of Practice

  Ensuring the Production of Safe and Nutritious Animal Feed: The Rendering Code of Practice   For pet owners and livestock farmers, ensuring the nutrition, safety, and sustainability of animal food is likely at the top of their list — and it’s certainly at the top of our list here at NARA, too. Through our sister program, the Animal Protein Producers Industry (APPI), we’ve launched several initiatives aimed at identifying and implementing essential quality measures

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New Report Highlights U.S. Livestock, Poultry, and Aquaculture Feed Consumption Trends

NARA’s research arm, The Fats and Proteins Research Foundation (FPRF), in collaboration with The Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER) and the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), has released a groundbreaking new report detailing U.S. livestock, poultry, and aquaculture feed consumption. View the results here. This study, conducted by Decision Innovation Solutions (DIS), provides key insights into feed ingredient use across major animal species and the role of sustainable, circular ingredients in the industry.

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International Networking Week

Close up of two people shaking hands in the office.

  Celebrating International Networking Week   It’s International Networking Week! Celebrated each year during the first week of February, this international event was created to encourage the exchange of ideas, technology, and experience among professionals around the globe. Wondering how to celebrate? Whether attending professional events, sparking conversation with colleagues, or taking to social media, there are numerous ways to take advantage of valuable networking opportunities not only this week, but all year long.  

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Celebrating International Reducing CO2 Emissions Day with NARA

The sun setting behind line of trees, over a crop field.

  Celebrating International Reducing CO2 Emissions Day   Each year on January 28th, we celebrate International Reducing CO2 Emissions Day — a day dedicated to raising awareness and inspiring innovation to minimize our role in climate change. What exactly are CO2 emissions, and what impact do they have on the environment? Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are a heat-trapping gas released primarily from the burning of fossil fuels. From the vehicles we drive to various large-scale

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New Rendering Video: An Educational Tool for All Ages

Imagine an innovative, animated video that captures the complexities of rendering—a vital yet often misunderstood process in agriculture—and makes it accessible and exciting for learners of all ages. The National Animal Rendering Association (NARA) has done just that with their new explainer video, Rendering: Every Part Has a Purpose. This engaging cartoon is more than just entertainment; it’s an educational powerhouse designed to introduce rendering to audiences as young as 4-H participants and as advanced

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The Role of Rendering in Water Reclamation

Countryside pond, water reclamation by the rendering process

Turning Waste into Water: The Role of Rendering in Water Reclamation   When it comes to the idea of food waste, many of us likely picture mountains of physical discard at our landfills. However, 60% of the parts of the animal that we choose not to eat are comprised of water, so food waste within the meat industry often leads to significant water waste as well. Fortunately, with the help of rendering, recycled organics contribute

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The Risks of Chemically Compensating for Faulty Steam Boiler Systems

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This article contains sponsored content. Guest Post By NARA Member, Eric Schnakenberg, Area Manager at Chem Aqua Midwest             In animal rendering facilities, steam boilers play a crucial role in processing and sterilizing animal byproducts. However, when these systems malfunction, some might consider chemically compensating for the issue as a quick fix. While this approach might offer temporary relief, it introduces several significant disadvantages. Short-Term Solution with Long-Term Risks: Chemically

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Thanksgiving and Food Waste

From Farm to Feast: Practicing Thanksgiving Food Waste Sustainability Thanksgiving is always a special time of year; it marks the beginning of the holiday season and offers a time filled with gratitude, quality time with friends and family, and the oh-so-exciting Thanksgiving dinner. However, along with our Thanksgiving turkeys and cornbread stuffing, unfortunately come millions of pounds of food waste. From the leftovers we don’t finish to the roughly 50% of the Thanksgiving turkey considered

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Tallow: A Traditional Fat Making a Sustainable Comeback

The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement is reviving interest in tallow, a time-honored and nutrient-rich fat derived from beef or sheep. Known for its sustainability and health benefits, tallow offers a natural alternative to industrial seed oils, making it a favorite among health-conscious consumers and environmentally focused advocates. Tallow’s appeal lies in its minimal processing and high nutrient content, including essential fatty acids and vitamins A, D, E, and K. By utilizing by-products from

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The Invisible Industry Episode 5

This is a transcript of the fifth episode of The Invisible Industry, a podcast brought to you by the North American Renderer’s Association (NARA) Anna: Hi, everyone, and welcome to the Invisible Industry, a podcast where we discuss and educate on everything you didn’t know, you didn’t know about agricultural rendering, brought to you by the North American Renderers Association, or NARA. I’m your moderator, Anna Wilkinson. I am the Vice president of communications for

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The North American Renderers Association (NARA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It does not discriminate in the terms and conditions of employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other factor prohibited by law.

As a participant in USDA programs, we share the commitment to comply with all federal, state and local civil rights laws and those of the USDA. More about this commitment is available on the USDA website page here.