As a global leader in animal nutrition, it may come as a surprise to some that a dietician nutritionist is a member of the Alltech staff. But Nikki Putnam, who fulfills that role, said it is a very natural fit, denoting healthier animals produce healthier food products.

For anyone who has attended an annual Alltech symposium, it comes as no surprise the events are filled with music, huge video productions and a lineup of speakers that leaves normal conventions in the dust. This year was no exception as the Alltech “REBELation,” as it was billed, took over the Lexington Convention Center and Rupp Arena.

Members of the farming community have long considered themselves to be good stewards of the land. But environmentalists haven’t always held the industry in the highest regard when it comes to issues such as greenhouse gas emissions and the overall carbon footprint left by production agriculture.

As is the case so often, a new farming generation, more than likely, is born into the business as opposed to finding their way there with no previous experience. That is the case for Tony Compton and his son, Benjamin.

There is likely no tougher agriculture sector in which to be involved than the dairy business, especially for those who have endured during the last few years of market instability and fluctuating milk prices. In the best of times, it’s hard work, but producers have had much more to deal with and overcome than just tired muscles. A couple of years ago, dairy farmers were faced with complying to specific regulations that set the maximum somatic cell count (SCC) at 400,000 per milliliter of milk, a reduction from 750,000 and a number many farmers thought they might not reach or at least maintain on a consistent basis.