"Snack and Fact" Briefings

About the program

One of the foundational reasons to create the animal agriculture magazine Animal Frontiers was to share issues in animal agriculture and animal science with a broader audience. Over the past two years, ASAS, in conjunction with our partners EAAP and CSAS, has been distributing Animal Frontiers electronically and in print format to various governmental groups.

Beginning with the April 2013 issue, we are going to enhance this service. With the release of each issue, we will choose U.S.-based authors to visit Washington, D.C. and present information from the current issue Capitol Hill. This new series is called ASAS Snack and Fact!

The first in this series corresponded with the April issue of Animal Frontiers titled: “Biofuel. Are we playing with our food?” This first Snack and Fact was held on April 22, 2013. Click here to download the handout on biofuel facts.

News from the latest Snack and Fact briefing

Theme: "Biofuel: Are we playing with our food?"

On Apr. 22, the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) brought experts to Washington D.C. for the first-ever “Snack and Fact.” These researchers provided new perspectives on the impact of biofuels on the feed and food supply.

Most of the attendees were staffers for members of the House Committee on Agriculture. These staffers work on issues like food safety, free trade agreements and the Farm Bill.

The first speaker was Dr. Sylvie Brouder, Professor of Agronomy at Purdue University. Brouder studies the relationship between crops and the environment. At the Snack and Fact, Brouder said biofuel crops could include switchgrass and ryegrass, not just corn. These alternative crops could thrive in areas where corn does not grow well. Continue reading...