2026 Livestock Summit a success: Focus on innovation, trade, livestock regulations

INDIANAPOLIS — Around 160 people attended the 2026 Livestock Summit in Indianapolis, bringing together leaders and farmers from across the state.

The theme was working together and implementing innovation, diversification and entrepreneurship.

Gov. Mike Braun sat down with Courtney Kingery, CEO of Indiana Soybean Alliance and Indiana Corn Growers Association, about collaboration between industries.

“Over and over during the summit we heard about collaboration across the entire animal ag value chain,” Kingery said. “Governor Braun summed it up by touting innovation, diversification and entrepreneurship.

“Through those principles during the past 30 years, we have realized a 50% increase in meat and milk production, a 30% increase in egg production, pork production is up 50% all while feed usage has only increased by 20%. That’s a great story of efficiency, sustainability and innovation.”

Indiana’s ag industry is valuable to the economy, the governor said.

“I’m committed to ensuring the future of this foundational industry is bright,” he said. “That’s why I launched our state’s $1 billion life sciences initiative, which, in part, will ensure Indiana’s agriculture continues to feed, clothe and fuel America.”

Braun also discussed Make Indiana Healthy Again efforts.

“Indiana-raised pork, eggs, dairy, poultry and beef are some of the most nutritious foods in the world, and I think Make Indiana Healthy Again is an opportunity for agriculture to help write that story,” he said.

“Healthy should be defined by nutrition, not by farm size or production model. Make Indiana Healthy Again includes pathways to get more, healthy Indiana produce into Hoosier homes and schools. My administration wants to be a partner with producers.”

Trent Torrance, chief operations officer at United Animal Health, was one of many speakers at the summit.

“There’s tremendous opportunity for livestock producers over the next 10 years when you talk about protein demand, innovation and feeding the world,” Torrance said.

“I think when we look at challenges, we see the negative in that challenge. But there’s also a lot of opportunity in that. When we look at the global supply chain, it’s more difficult due to shipping problems around the world.

“But when we look at the demand for some of the ingredients, it’s also an opportunity to look inward and solve some of those other problems. So, I think there’s always going to be an opportunity to produce protein more efficiently, to feed the world more efficiently and make the world healthier.”

Quotes From The Summit

“More than half of Indiana’s corn and soybean production goes toward feeding livestock. That statistic alone tells an important story, namely, what is good for one is also good for the other. When row crop production is successful, we have a safe, reliable, cost-effective food source for our livestock partners. When livestock producers do well, we have additional demand for the corn and soybeans we produce.”

Alan Dunn, president

ICGA

“Agriculture faces a lot of challenges; I think that if we face them with a unified front, we will be able to withstand anything that’s thrown at us. This summit is an opportunity to have honest conversations about those challenges and opportunities that we’re going to see ahead. I want to thank you for being here and being part of that conversation. I hope that these discussions help prepare us as an organization to advocate better for all of you.”

David Hardin, chair

ISA Membership and Policy Committee

“In 2025, the U.S. exported $171 billion worth of U.S. agricultural products. That’s slightly down from the peak that we hit in 2022. That was a record at nearly $196 billion. This decline is mostly due to returning to normal levels after that post-COVID boom, strengthening U.S. dollar inflation and increased competition for key products.”

Megan Bixler, international trade director

Indiana State Department of Agriculture