PRESIDENTS REPORT 2001
Gary G. Pearl, D.V.M.

October, 2001

This 2000/2001 FPRF fiscal years activities have been directed to those relating to the utilization of research to support our rendering industry. These requirements have perhaps overshadowed the initiation of new proposals. As a result considerable publishing, presenting, attending committee/workshops, allied industry interaction and alternative use activities has consumed a disproportionate amount of time commitment compared to previous years. The major activities have been highlighted within this report. It has been dictated that the need to address the biosecurity, image, lack of industry understanding and respect as well as the current interest in alternative use applications especially bioenergy receive priority responses. The evidence is documented via the onslaught of contacts and information requests directed at all of these issues.

Overall the 2000/2001 year of FPRF has been one of change and reaction. A necessity in both today’s business and social environment. Hopefully the 40th year of FPRF’s existence can be one in which the rendering industry can truly gain the respect and reality of its primary importance to sustainable animal agriculture. The research base of the past 4 decades as well as the structure to project and direct outlook as FPRF enters its 40th Anniversary.

RESEARCH

Research initiatives have been directed at completion of all outstanding projects. Thus 13 major projects were concluded with final reports. There were only 14 projects approved last year. Nine of these were conceptual, incomplete proposals, cooperative funding or contingent upon acquiring the research via other alternatives. Five of the projects are awaiting the confirmation of these developments:

• Viral Inactivation via Rendering Process
• Recycled Grease/Biodiesel Lifecycle Inventory
• Phase Change Materials from Beef Tallow
• Agtane and Burner Fuel – Emissions & Energy

In addition four conceptual protocols were developed into protocol, an investigator selected and a project initiated.

• Baseline Antimicrobial and Pentobarbital Residues
• Historical and Scientific Perspective of Same Species Feeding
• Biosecurity of Foodborne Pathogen
• Baseline Sulfur Levels in Fats and Oils

The final summary of the Biosecurity of Rendered Animal Proteins and a suggested sequel for additional confirmations will be presented, discussed and planned during the 2001 meetings.

MEMBERSHIP

Total membership and support of FPRF has been relatively stable. There are currently 84 Sustaining, Full and Associate members. FPRF commands the membership of the “Cream of the Crop” independent renderers. Additionally of the Meat and Poultry’s listing of the Billionaires Club for 14th largest packer/poultry processor renderers FPRF has the membership of 9.

There are two membership goals for next year. Those of personally calling on all fourteen companies of the Billionaire Club and to increase full membership by in part upgrading the associate members. Membership maintenance at its current number level will continue to be a challenge considering the continued if not accelerated trends in consolidation, attrition and interest of the packer/poultry processing renderer segment. Current FPRF members are a primary vehicle for recruitment and their assistance is valued.

INDUSTRY RELATIONS:
MAJOR PRESENTATIONS AND ARTICLES PUBLISHED

• US Poultry & Egg – Protein and Fats Seminar
• American Association Bovine Practitioners Nutrition Symposium
• AFIA Nutrition Council – Dairy Committee
• Lipid Technology Newsletter
• Four – Render Tech Facts Articles
• Two – APPI – ICE Nutrition Presentations
• NBB & American Soybean Association
• Minnesota School of Mines – “Biodiesel Feedstocks”
• World Renderers Assoc. Biosecurity Research
• AFIA Aquaculture Committee – “Animal Protein Ingredients”
• Four – Aquaculture 2001 – Presentations
• Illinois Pork Producers
• NBB Research Forum – “Yellow Grease/Burner Fuels”
• Park County Indiana Extension Service “BSE/FMD”
• AOCS Inform – “Tallow”
• Land O Lakes Technical Services Dept. “BSE/FMD”
• USDA/ARS – BSE Workshop
• ISU – Biomass Fuel Research Center – “Biodiesel Feedstocks”
• Wisconsin Aquaculture Conference – “Animal Protein Ingredients”
• Wisconsin Aquaculture Conference – Veterinary Symposium
• NBB – Accreditation Commission
• FCI – Facility Certification Institute – Board of Directors
• Minnesota Beef Council – FPRF Research
• Univ. Of Illinois – Animal Science Dept.
• Six – FPRF Member Requested Presentations
• Tyson Foods, Inc. – “Biodiesel – Biofuels”
• Tri States Dairy Conference
• Consolidated Nutrition Inc. – Staff
• El Paso Kiwanis
• NBB/Minnesota Soybean Assoc.
• AFIA – Nutrition Council – Swine Committee (Panel Development & Discussion)
• Quality Liquid Feeds “Proteins/Fats”
• Indiana Board of Health/Indiana Renderers Assoc.
• NRA-Central Region
• Congressional Fly-In Meetings
• Indiana Agriculture Commission – Staff Meeting
• USDA – Central Region – Biofuels
• Midwest Swine Symposium
• Australian Renderers Association – “Biodiesel”
• World Renderers – “Contamination”
• Meat and Livestock Australia – “FPRF Research”
• Australia Meat Processor Corporation Ltd. – “Alternative Uses”
• Western Canadian Livestock Seminar – “ByProducts”
• Monthly – Renditions
• Nine Directors Digests
• 11 Technical Services Bulletins
• Kansas Bureaus of Air and Radiation Meeting

RESEARCH COMMITTEE

This past year functioned under the reorganization of the Research Committee. The committee was expanded to 21 members who represent interest and expertise from multiple disciplines. It likewise is structured to address proposals and solicit projects from all aspects of the wants and needs for research by the rendering industry. It currently is structured to “get at” the necessary priorities.

There has and there is need to continue the fine-tuning to make us as productive and efficient as possible. Quality people are always busy people, thus other commitments interfere with meeting attendance. Of the three meetings scheduled, it has not been possible for more than 75% to attend any one meeting. The majority of committee members provide for their own travel expenses. Meeting dates and the schedule for proposal submission has limited the time allowed for proposal reviews.

Thus, I recommend that Research Committee meetings be scheduled to meet separate from our regularly scheduled meetings. It is projected that the meetings be in advance of the Board of Directors at central locations for a full days schedule. This arrangement would necessitate the change of our current proposal due dates of March 15 and September 15 which should be done anyway with Mid-October scheduled meetings. Proper attention to the direction and focus of the research initiatives are the most important function of FPRF. The Research Committee has been the forum to allow FPRF to remain the research leader for the rendering industry. It is important that we change and adapt to be the most efficient and productive as possible.

AMERICAN SOCIETY ANIMAL SCIENCE/
AMERICAN DAIRY SCIENCE ASSOCIATION SYMPOSIUM

The opportunity to coordinate an “Animal By-Product Ingredient” Symposium has been explored with the leadership of the Federation of Animal Science Societies (FASS). It has been proposed that a Symposium be sponsored at the July 22-25 combined ASAS and ADSA meetings to be held in Quebec City. The objective would be that of developing a program and speaker list to address the current issues associated or perceived to be associated with the use of animal proteins as ingredients for animal rations.

Initial discussions have been positive and receptive. Dr. Barbara Glen is proceeding to gain approval within the organization for its development. There will be an approximate $5,000.00 expenditure a half day Symposium. I have budgeted contingency funding to support a program if approved both by FPRF and FASS. Hopefully the NRA would be a co-sponsor. I ask approval to proceed with budget approval and symposium development. If approved I also ask that a program committee be established to coordinate its development.

WEBSITE

A new and impressive FPRF website will soon be on line. Thanks to Dennis Mullane and Debbie Capela of Taylor By Products for shepherding its development with the cooperation of Chris Newport. Upstate Internet Services company has strongly recommended the data base feature to the site. The initial approval did not include this feature which increased the cost approximately $2,800.00. The FPRF 2001/2002 budget recommends this expenditure. It will be a website that we can be extremely proud of as well as an asset for industry information transfer.

BIODIESEL/BIOFUELS

This past year has again been monumental for the attention and commercialization of biodiesel and biofuels. Though still requiring priority, great progress has been made in establishing the importance of animal fats and recycled restaurant greases to the feedstock resources for alternative biofuels. It appears that two major advances will result from state legislative mandates for low blend biodiesel that also recognize the definition of biodiesel to be derived from “vegetable oils, animal fats and waste grease”. The above is the result of positive influence on the Minnesota legislative as well as the Minnesota Soybean Council. Attention to legislative and regulatory actions of exclusion both at the state and federal level must be a primary function of our surveillance and corrective action plans. Likewise we need to work towards more favorable definitions to replace waste grease with recycled cooking oils and restaurant grease. The Minnesota renderers need our accolades for their monitoring and perseverance in guiding the exclusion issue in that state. The attached letter (Youngerberg – June 29, 2001) outlines the position and policy as approved by FPRF.

Additionally progress has been made at a number of levels. President Clinton established a “Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory” Committee. I was asked to participate in a series of workshops to formulate a strategic plan. Despite the promotion of the benefits provided via animal byproducts little reference in the draft illustrated that our point had not been heard. A follow up letter (Reese – May 23, 2001) again pointed out our exclusion. Finally the 7U.S.C. 7624 document has been altered to include animal byproducts within the definition of “Biomass”. Please reference the attachment. Additionally provisions have been made for a livestock trade association member to be on the Advisory Committee. The rendering industry associations need to select and promote their nominee. The success in achieving status within the Commodity Credit Corporation definitions of qualifying commodities have not yet been achieved. The National Renderers Association has committed considerable effort in this behalf and the coordination between NRA and FPRF staff has been excellent. Numerous letters as well as the excellent opportunities expressed during the “Legislative Fly-In” undoubtedly will result in success.

Biodiesel research currently needs to focus on anticipation of commercialization issues and primarily to support the final approval of ASTM standards that are fuel and feedstock neutral. There is need to acquire independent research on both the energy contribution and environmental safety of rendered animal byproducts when used as bioenergy sources. The industry-derived summaries have been extremely helpful and in a number of facilities the Directors Digest #306 provided the exclusive data to acquire permitting. As a supplement a peer reviewed research document would be of great benefit to future commercialization.

PRESIDENT’S THANKS

As Sandy and I complete 8 years as President, Technical Services Director and Administrative Assistant we thank all of you for your support, guidance and direction. As challenges persistently are brought forth that affect our industry and thus our FPRF organization as well as our personal lives, the FPRF membership is always so willing to respond with resolve and action. One cannot expect more from an organizations members and leadership. Chris Newport and Dara John receive our greatest gratitude for the dedication they give to the function of the organization.

This past year, I particularly want to thank Kevin Custer for initiating my nomination and to David Kaluzny, II for pursuing my award of Distinguished Alumnus, Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine. The award was presented on September 20, 2001 at Purdue as a direct result of the work done by Kevin and David and all of the people that wrote letters of support in my behalf. It is an honor that I will cherish for a lifetime and nearly equals that of “Honorary Renderer” given me by David Evans a few years ago. Thanks to all of you!

Thanks and appreciation for their committed service to the Board of Directors and FPRF is gratefully extended to Kevin Custer, Mike Langenhorst, Dennis Mullane and Barry Talley. They have been stalwarts to the foundation. We hope we can continue to receive their guidance, wisdom and support. All of you have been appreciated and valuable contributors. Thanks!