Kristen Bonham, Vice President for North America for DSM Animal Nutrition, discusses her new role in DSM with The Pig Site's Sarah Mikesell.

“About 25 years ago, I started in the animal ag business and then I'd spent some time away,” said Bonham. “After 25 years, I came back to DSM and am really excited. I started last August. My role is really to oversee North America for our company. And what really attracted me to DSM was the people and the innovation. Everybody knows agriculture is a people business, and I enjoy that but I think the innovation - if you look at all the challenges and opportunities coming in agriculture, with the new products and solutions that DSM has to offer, I'm really excited about what we’re bringing to North America.”

Producers are facing many pressures and challenges today. They’re trying to figure out how to use less resources while being faced with higher feed costs. They’re also looking at what tools they currently have to solve these issues. As a company, the team of veterinarians, nutritionists, and sales reps at DSM are honing in on the big challenges producers are currently handling. Once determined, DSM has a broad portfolio of products and services to offer and help producers become more efficient.

“Efficiency has become a big issue,” said Bonham. “Our enzyme business and feed efficiency tools can help producers be more efficient at the end of the day. Another big calling we have as an industry is sustainability. How do we produce sustainably? We’re really looking for things that can help support that, but at the same time, be more efficient for producers. We know at the end of the day, they have to make sure that they can be profitable and do those different types of things while also taking care of the environment.”

Bonham also commented on the integration of DSM and Biomin, who are actively combining together as one company in 2021. She said this is exciting for DSM because of expertise that Biomin brings in mycotoxins as well as the expertise that Roamer Labs brings.