From biosecurity to supply chain challenges: How the animal protein sector is evolving to deliver safe, nutritious food

Consumers’ increasing demand for protein-rich foods — whether it’s steaks, jerkies, or numerous packaged goods products — has created an animal protein supply chain that is struggling to keep up, amid the threat of diseases and market uncertainty.

This comes as the U.S. beef market is grappling with the lowest herd size in years, thanks to historic culling and high consumer prices. All U.S. cattle and calves totaled 86.2 million head as of Jan. 1, 2026, a slight decline from 86.5 million head on Jan. 1, 2025, according to USDA data.

Also, disease threats remain a persistent concern, whether it’s the re-emergence of the New World Screwworm (NWS) or avian flu.

Mexican ranchers and U.S. ranchers on the border are on high alert over the threat of the spread of NWS, a potentially fatal pest for livestock. The U.S. and Mexican governments are working together on solutions, including through the launch of sterile fly facilities in Texas and Mexico, as AgTechNavigator reported.

The entire agricultural sector has spent the last year responding to the Trump administration’s trade policy, which included various tariffs placed on countries to support domestic production and consumption.

Last October, Donald Trump suggested importing more beef from Argentina — a country that received $20 billion from the U.S. in a currency swap deal — to offset rising prices, angering U.S. ranchers in the process. Around the same time, the USDA revealed a three-pronged plan to shore up the U.S. beef sector, focused on improving businesses, expanding processing, boosting consumer transparency, and more.

These topics will serve as the backdrop to the 2026 edition of the Animal Agtech Innovation Summit in Fort Worth, Texas, April 8-9. To learn more about the event, visit the homepage here and register here with promo code ATN10 for a special 10% admission.

Inside the Animal Agtech Innovation Summit programme

The opening panel on the first day of the event, titled “Redefining Protein Value: Capitalizing on Consumer Demand for Protein-Dense and Ethical Brands,” will discuss how the agricultural industry is meeting strong demand and low U.S. cattle inventories.

The session will be moderated by Lance Zimmerman, senior VP and senior animal protein analyst at Rabobank, and include Robert Hodgen, CEO of King Ranch; Bruce Cobb, EVP of production at Certified Angus Beef; Martha Scott Poindexter, president and CEO of Animal Health Institute; and Leann Saunders, co-founder and president at Where Food Comes From.

Later in the day, ranchers and farmers will share firsthand how they are grappling with challenges in the ag sector to ensure they are delivering on the demand for protein during a panel discussion.

The panel will be moderated by Kevin Burkum, CEO of U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action, and include Ron Gill, rancher for Gill Cattle Company; Michael Crinion, farmer for Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative; and Dave Mensink, farmer at Mensink Farms.

How technology is securing the animal protein supply chain

Supply chain stress and disease pressures are pushing food producers to invest in technology, whether it’s digital logistics or commodity software or devices to monitor the health of livestock.

Commodity software providers like Helios AI are helping commodity buyers get ahead of supply chain shocks, while New Zealand livestock tech unicorn Halter raised $377 million NZD in Series E funding to expand its virtual fencing product.

The cutting-edge of animal technology will be the focus of various panels and be reflected in the exhibitor hall, featuring nearly 40 companies and aspiring start-ups.

After the opening panel on day one, the conversation will turn to the next-generation of animal health and biosecurity in a panel, featuring representatives from Elysia Bio, Oklahoma State University, Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, National Pork Board, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Smaxtec.

Later in the day, a case study panel will discuss how AI can predict disease outbreaks and improve the research and development of feed additives, among other topics. The case study panel will be moderated by Aidan Connolly, president of Agritech Capital, and include Scott Cavey, director of precision nutrition and health at DSM-Firmenich; Pia Brantgarde Linder, GVP and president of foodTech at Munters; and João Dorea, associate professor of precision agriculture and data analytics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.