NARA Blog
Celebrating National Farm Animals Day
April 10th marks National Farm Animals Day — a holiday created to recognize the importance of compassionate, ethical, and responsible farm and livestock animal care. From a cow’s milk to a chicken’s egg, farm animals play a significant role in providing us with many of the necessities that characterize daily life. In turn, it’s crucial that we ensure and advocate for the health, safety, and well-being of each of these animals. In celebration of
Rendering Education Activities for National Rendering Day
With National Rendering Day coming up on April 21st, it’s the perfect time to introduce kids to the fascinating and sustainable world of rendering! One of NARA’s priorities is to strengthen rendering education from 4-H age all the way through college and university programs, so we have developed some fun, interactive activities for schools and learning institutions – but you don’t have to be a professional teacher to help kids understand rendering’s importance! Try one
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
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.
International Networking Week
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.
Celebrating International Reducing CO2 Emissions Day with NARA
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
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
The Role of Rendering in Water Reclamation
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
The Risks of Chemically Compensating for Faulty Steam Boiler Systems
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
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
