Melanie Epp

Melanie Epp stands among North America’s foremost agricultural journalists, currently writing for The Poultry Site and The Pig Site. Her work consistently addresses three core areas:

Primary Focus Areas

  • Livestock Innovation: Tracking welfare technologies from in-ovo sexing to precision feeding systems
  • Supply Chain Analysis: Investigating transportation, storage, and distribution challenges
  • Disease Management: Documenting prevention strategies for ASF, HPAI, and other zoonotic threats

Pitching Recommendations

  • Lead with data: Epp prioritizes sources with verifiable production metrics or peer-reviewed research
  • Highlight scalability: Successful pitches often demonstrate practical applications for small and large operations
  • Emphasize sustainability: Solutions must balance economic viability with environmental responsibility

Recent recognitions include the 2023 Global Ag Media Contributor Award, cementing her status as a trusted voice in agricultural journalism.

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More About Melanie Epp

Bio

Melanie Epp: Chronicling Global Agriculture with Precision and Passion

We’ve followed Melanie Epp’s work as she navigates the complexities of modern agriculture, delivering incisive reporting that bridges farmers, policymakers, and consumers. Her career trajectory reveals a journalist deeply committed to unpacking the challenges and innovations shaping livestock production, food security, and sustainable practices.

Career Evolution: From Ontario Farmlands to Global Agribusiness

Epp’s journey began in Ontario’s agricultural heartland, where her early reporting focused on Canadian dairy and grain sectors. By 2022, her bylines expanded to major international platforms like The Pig Site and The Poultry Site, reflecting her growing expertise in:

  • Livestock welfare innovations
  • Feed supply chain dynamics
  • Disease mitigation strategies
“The agreement means enhanced epidemiological surveillance for ASF,” Epp noted in her coverage of Mexico’s swine fever prevention measures, demonstrating her ability to translate technical policies into actionable insights.

Defining Works: Three Pillars of Agricultural Journalism

IEC 2024: In Ovo’s Ella serves Belgian, Dutch markets

This 2024 analysis dissects the economic and ethical implications of in-ovo sexing technology adoption. Epp interviews Martin Enderink, Global Sales Director at In Ovo, to explore how automated embryo gender detection could prevent the culling of 6.5 billion male chicks annually. Her methodology combines:

  • Patent analysis of Ella technology
  • EU regulatory forecasts
  • Poultry producer adoption rates

IEC 2024: Respeggt’s Sex Determination Advancements

Building on her technology coverage, Epp examines Respeggt’s improved accuracy rates in early-stage embryo gender detection. Through interviews with Business Development Manager Silvin Faustich, she reveals:

  • 15% reduction in false positives since 2022
  • New partnership models with hatcheries
  • Cost-benefit analysis for small-scale producers

Canadian Pork Feed Supply Crisis

This 2022 investigation into rail labor disputes demonstrates Epp’s knack for crisis reporting. By mapping grain transportation routes and interviewing pork producers, she quantified:

  • 38% of Canadian feed grain moved by rail
  • Potential $2.4M/day losses during strikes
  • Emergency feed rationing strategies

Pitching Priorities: Aligning with Epp’s Editorial Focus

1. Livestock Technology Innovations

Epp consistently prioritizes welfare-focused agritech. Her 2024 series on in-ovo sexing demonstrates particular interest in solutions that balance ethical concerns with commercial viability. Pitches should emphasize peer-reviewed efficacy data and real-world implementation case studies.

2. Feed Supply Chain Resilience

The Canadian rail strike coverage reveals Epp’s focus on systemic vulnerabilities. Successful pitches might explore novel grain storage methods, alternative transportation models, or climate-resistant feed crops.

3. Zoonotic Disease Prevention

From African swine fever to avian influenza, Epp tracks both prevention strategies and economic impacts. Recent work on Mexico’s surveillance programs suggests interest in cross-border collaboration models.

Awards and Recognition

Global Ag Media Contributor of the Year 2023

This recognition from one of agriculture’s largest publisher networks highlights Epp’s ability to make technical subjects accessible to diverse audiences. The award criteria emphasized factual accuracy, source diversity, and reader engagement metrics.

Top Articles

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