Most protein processors already have the data, including environmental monitoring results, production metrics, supplier information, but struggle to turn it into real-time decisions on the plant floor.

This session focuses on how to identify the data you already have, assess what's missing, and build a practical path toward AI that works on the plant floor. We’ll walk through what data actually matters, how to connect it across food safety, production, and supply chain systems, and how to structure it for practical use and not just reporting.

Electricity demand across the United States is rising rapidly, driven by industrial growth, data centers, electrification and population expansion. At the same time, aging generation assets, power plant retirements and transmission constraints are creating new pressures on regional electricity grids.

For energy-intensive industries such as meat and poultry processing, these changes can translate into rising electricity costs, increased price volatility and growing operational risk during periods of peak demand.

Join us for an exclusive look ahead as Brian Earnest, Lead Animal Protein Economist at CoBank, breaks down the key forces shaping the 2026 meat and poultry landscape. From shifting consumer demand and export dynamics to input costs, labor trends, and the evolving competitive environment, Brian will deliver expert insights to help industry leaders navigate volatility and capitalize on emerging opportunities. You won’t want to miss Brian’s data-driven analysis and his take on the economic trends poised to influence profitability and market strategy in the year ahead.