Interzoo Stories: Hill’s Pet Nutrition invests in regenerative agriculture

Hill’s Pet Nutrition used the Interzoo exhibition as a platform to announce a new partnership with agricultural supply chain manager and processor ADM to expand regenerative farming within its pet food supply chain.

The initiative is designed to incentivise farmers to implement regenerative agriculture practices across approximately 16,000 acres of corn and soybean fields in Minnesota and Illinois, as well as about 2,500 acres of soybean fields in Hungary. Between both regions, the collaboration aims to enhance soil health, reduce carbon intensity, reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and increase biodiversity through practices such as crop rotation and the addition of more green cover.

While ADM provides tools and support to implement the new practices, Hill’s will provide financial incentives for farmers to sign up. Around 70% of eligible farmers in Hungary have applied for the scheme.

Dave Baloga, EVP of Hill’s Science and Technology, said: “Because grains like corn and soy are foundational to our recipes, partnering with ADM to support regenerative farming is a natural extension of our purpose of reimagining a resilient future for all people, their pets and our planet.”

Speaking to PBW News at the Interzoo exhibition, Dr. Jessica Mills, professional veterinary affairs manager for Hill’s Pet Nutrition in the Nordic region, added: “We see it is our mission to reimagine a future for people, pets and the planet. We have a stewardship role, and our approach to sustainability is to focus on things that are actionable, measurable and science-led, to produce concrete outcomes.”