Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef News

I had them, and I absolutely loved them and that became my next passion, so much that I begged my grandfather to buy them back for me at the fair so I could breed them for next year’s project. He agreed. So next year, I had a bredand-owned project, and I did that until my senior year. When I started showing sheep, agriculture became my passion,” she said.

Agriculture gave Knicely a new lease on life. She became involved in FFA in middle school and credits both her middle school FFA advisor Mike Long and a high school ag teacher Codi Jo Wheelbarger, who had served as a state FFA officer, for encouraging her in her passion for agriculture and FFA.

“Once I became old enough, in middle school, to join FFA, I did that immediately. As soon as I put on the blue jacket, I just felt like I found my home. Like this was my calling and purpose,” Knicely said.

Slipping on the blue jacket wasn’t enough. Knicely found herself completely immersed in FFA, and she continued to raise and show sheep. She enjoyed being around like minded, hardworking people her age who shared a passion for agriculture. In fact, she enjoyed FFA so much, she decided to run for a state office at the encouragement of Wheelbarger.

As she prepared to run for state FFA, she had one more challenge that most young people preparing for a high-caliber leadership post don’t worry about. In 2018, she had closed heart surgery at John Hopkins to correct her birth defect. She said that having the procedure was nerve wracking for both her and her mom, as she was preparing to run for a position that would require so much time on her body, traveling the state of Virginia.

However, her surgery and her preparation paid off, and she was named to the 2018-2019 Virginia FFA State Officer Team, along with eight other people who she became close with. She traveled the state with them, talking to other young FFA members about agriculture, leadership, and personal development. They even traveled to South Africa on a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

“I liked being around other liked minded people with a passion for agriculture, and it wasn’t judgmental. It was so welcoming and inclusive. This is where I was supposed to be and where I belonged. FFA has had such a profound impact on my life. This is where I want to be, and what I want to commit the rest of my life to doing. It has truly changed my life,” Knicely said.

The Future - “As I look back on my life. I thank God for getting me through it. I’m really blessed to be where I am today,” Knicely said. “I know everything happens for a reason. And I’m so thankful and glad I’ve had the experiences I had,

News

Global animal nutrition leaders and financial experts join roundtable to support sustainability in the beef supply chain. Zinpro, the global leader in trace mineral nutrition and performance, has joined forces with organizations such as WWF, Zoetis, and Cargill as part of a worldwide network of people and organizations powering progress in sustainable beef – the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB).

With over 50 years of experience in advancing animal health, productivity, and well being, Zinpro joins GRSB to encourage the continuous learning and adoption of best practices in disease prevention and treatment measures, as well as quality nutrition, across the supply chain, and support them on their overall mission to ensure the beef value chain is a net positive contributor to nature by 2030.

The Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef brings together all value chain partners, from farm to plate, to support and invest in the continuous improvement of cattle health and well being.

Zinpro joins a growing number of organizations committed to bettering the global beef supply chain as part of GRSB. They follow Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), a world leading derivatives marketplace operating in agriculture and ESG, and Archers-Daniels-Midland (ADM), who develop natural ingredients to support livestock nutrition.

Ruaraidh Petre, Executive Director of the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Zinpro, alongside members CME and ADM, as we continue to grow our influence across the beef value supply chain worldwide. Their joining is a sign of the growing momentum within the beef industry to protect and nurture the earth’s natural resources.

“With the commitment of these companies and their wealth of experience, our organization can continue to exchange knowledge and expertise, champion best practice, and ultimately improve the global food system for all.”

Terry Ward, Zinpro Global Director of Sustainability, said, “At Zinpro, we are extremely pleased to have joined GRSB, whose values and goals closely align with our own. We look forward to utilizing our over 50 years of experience and innovation within the animal nutrition and health industries, to support education and power progress in the improvement of cattle health and well being.”

The new members follow the announcement of GRSB’s global sustainability goals in June, which include reducing the net global warming impact of beef 30 percent by 2030, ensuring the beef value chain is a net positive contributor to nature by 2030 and increasing the adoption of animal health and welfare best practices so that cattle are provided with an environment in which they can thrive.

About the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef. The Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) is a worldwide network of the people and organizations powering progress in sustainable beef. Across its global roundtable and 12 regional roundtables, GRSB has over 500 members working in 24 different countries. Collectively, its members are responsible for more than 2/3 of cross border beef trade.

GRSB powers progress in sustainable beef by setting ambitious goals around reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving land use and animal welfare. To help achieve these goals, GRSB champions best practices, facilitates the exchange of knowledge, and fosters a collaborative approach.