Emilie Fontaine is a dynamic leader who turns challenges into opportunities and pushes the boundaries of animal nutrition with ingenuity. A graduate in animal science from McGill University, she began her career in technical support at Jefo, where she quickly recognised the need for a structured marketing approach. She founded Jefo’s marketing department in 2011 and expanded her expertise to regulatory affairs in 2014.
In 2017, she led the strategic reflection behind Jefo’s employer brand, launched in 2018. She was promoted in 2019 to Vice President of Brand and Products, overseeing applied innovation, technical services, and Jefo’s global solutions.
Beyond her corporate role, Emilie is involved in agronomy, education, and the equestrian sector. Always eager to learn, she even trims her horses’ hooves herself. When not leading strategic projects, she enjoys reining and trail riding—disciplines that, like her career, require both precision and boldness.
You have a rich career working in the provision of minerals and supplements to the global livestock industry, what initially led you into this field?
Growing up watching the Discovery Channel, I developed a deep fascination with animal ethology and biology, which led me to pursue a degree in animal science at McGill University. I was always surrounded by animals, and after experiencing numerous vet visits with them, I quickly realized that being around sick or injured animals wasn’t for me—so I knew vet school wasn’t the right path.
Early in my career, I worked in technical support for ruminant nutrition, gaining firsthand insight into the challenges producers face and the realities of working as a nutritionist. This experience ignited my passion for innovation, particularly in marketing—how we could improve the transfer of scientific knowledge to our customers. Over time, my role expanded into marketing, regulatory affairs, and ultimately leading Jefo’s brand and product strategy. My journey has been driven by curiosity, a problem-solving mindset, and a commitment to making livestock production more efficient and sustainable.
From a nutritional point-of-view, can you tell us a about growing concerns within the feed industry regarding the rise of diseases and antibiotic resistance for instance, and how serious is the threat to animal health and welfare?
Antibiotic resistance is one of the most pressing challenges in animal agriculture today. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics have led to the emergence of resistant bacterial strains, posing a serious threat not only to animal health but also to human health. This issue is personal to me—I have undergone two shoulder replacement surgeries, and the second resulted in a Staphylococcus aureus infection. I was relieved to learn it was not resistant to antibiotics, because if it had been, I would have undoubtedly lost my arm.
The industry must take a proactive approach, prioritising preventative nutrition and eliminating the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) to modulate gut microflora. Effective alternatives exist—commercially available solutions that are just as effective, if not more so, than AGPs, without contributing to antibiotic resistance. I want to emphasise that antibiotics should be reserved exclusively for treatment, not routine use. However, in some parts of the world, veterinarians still face pressure from clients to prescribe antibiotics preventatively rather than as treatment. This practice must stop—we all have a responsibility to ensure antibiotics remain effective when they are truly needed.
This means optimising gut health through precision nutrition, leveraging functional feed additives to strengthen immune function and digestive efficiency. The Jefo Matrix Technology ensures that nutrients reach their target site effectively, enhancing animal resilience and reducing reliance on antibiotics.
Sustainability is a big topic these days, what do you think the industry should be doing to meet the sustainable goals in feed production?
Sustainability in animal nutrition goes beyond reducing emissions—it encompasses environmental quality, animal welfare, food safety, worker safety and well-being, and financial viability, as highlighted by Dr Frank Mitloehner. To achieve this, the feed industry should focus on reducing nutrient waste. Through Precision Intestinal Nutrition, nutrients are absorbed more efficiently, minimising excretion and reducing environmental pollution. The industry should also be enhancing feed efficiency and embracing alternative ingredients – Maximising nutrient utilisation allows animals to extract more from their diets, reducing the amount of feed required per unit of production. Exploring novel protein sources and industry by-products supports a circular economy, decreasing reliance on traditional feedstuffs. Enzymes play a crucial role in improving digestibility and unlocking the full potential of these ingredients. Another point is replacing antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) with nutritional solutions ensures animal health and performance without contributing to antimicrobial resistance.
It’s also important to prioritise the health and longevity of breeding animals (sows, layers, breeders, and cows) reduces the need for replacements, lowering the environmental impact of production. Additionally, reducing the number of sick animals directly improves the well-being of farm workers.
Lastly, investing in research and innovation is essential. The industry must develop solutions that integrate environmental quality, animal welfare, food safety, worker safety and well-being, and financial viability to ensure long-term sustainability.
At Jefo, we are committed to sustainability, ensuring our products enhance efficiency while safeguarding animal health and performance, helping producers achieve their sustainability goals without compromising profitability.
Looking ahead, what do you foresee as the most significant opportunity and challenge for the animal feed industry, particularly concerning sustainability and profitability?
The biggest challenge in our sector—and the key to driving profitability—is consumer perception. Misinformation and misconceptions about animal agriculture shape public opinion, influencing regulations, market trends, and purchasing decisions. To bridge this gap, we must take an active role in educating consumers, leveraging social media and using our collective voice to share the realities of modern agriculture.
If everyone involved in the industry committed to posting just once a week, showcasing the beauty of what we do, the care we provide to our animals, and how we sustainably feed the world, we could fill the information void and reclaim the narrative. We must speak up with confidence and not be intimidated by activist-driven misinformation. Transparency, engagement, and education are our most powerful tools in ensuring a future where agriculture is valued for its contributions to food security, sustainability, and animal well-being.
Will potential trade tariffs and import taxation on products have an impact on the way we supply and use minerals and other feed additives?
Trade regulations and tariffs can significantly impact raw material costs, supply chain efficiency, and the availability of key ingredients. Companies relying on imported feed additives may face higher costs, making diversified ingredient sourcing and strong supplier networks more critical than ever.
For global companies like Jefo, this means continuously developing flexible supply chain strategies and strengthening sourcing capabilities to mitigate risks. It also underscores the importance of innovation in nutrient efficiency—by optimising bioavailability and precision nutrition, we can reduce dependence on certain raw materials while maintaining performance and sustainability.
The company has seven regional offices, from Latin America to Australia, how important is it for anyone working in our business to have an interest in international events and developments?
Understanding global trends is essential in the animal nutrition industry. Feed production is shaped by regional regulations, trade policies, climate conditions, disease outbreaks, and evolving consumer preferences. What works in North America may not be feasible in Latin America, Europe, or Asia due to variations in ingredient availability, production systems, and government regulations.
For professionals in this industry, having a global mindset enables better decision-making, stronger customer relationships, and a proactive approach to challenges such as supply chain disruptions and emerging diseases. Working with international teams has personally allowed me to gain insights into diverse market needs, collaborate on innovative solutions, and help Jefo tailor its strategies to different regions.
However, a global perspective is not just about geography—it also means understanding different production methods and cross-industry innovation. With Jefo Matrix Technology, solutions developed in other industries can now be effectively applied to livestock nutrition, overcoming challenges such as manufacturing constraints and ruminal degradation. Likewise, some of the discoveries we’ve made in animal nutrition could have future applications in human health and nutrition.
By embracing a broader perspective, we drive innovation and create solutions that enhance animal health, sustainability, and efficiency on a global scale.
What advice would you give a young person looking for a career in our sector?
The animal nutrition industry offers incredible opportunities for those who are curious, adaptable, and eager to solve real-world challenges. My advice is to stay curious and keep learning. Whether it’s nutrition, market trends, or emerging technologies, the field is constantly evolving. Keep questioning, exploring, and expanding your knowledge. It’s also worth gaining hands-on experience. Internships, farm work, and field visits provide invaluable insights. Work with farmers, veterinarians, and nutritionists—even offering your help for free in exchange for real-world experience. The best lessons come from direct exposure to industry challenges.
I’d also suggest developing a multidisciplinary mindset. Understanding not just nutrition, but also marketing, regulatory affairs, and business strategy will set you apart. Be hungry for knowledge in all aspects of the industry. It’s important to build international awareness, since animal nutrition is a global industry. Understanding different markets, production systems, and regulations will give you a competitive edge. And lastly, find your passion (or obsession). Whether it’s precision nutrition, sustainability, research, or commercial strategy, discover what excites you and become an expert in it.
This industry is a unique blend of science, relationships, and innovation—if you’re passionate about animal well-being, securing our food sources, and ensuring food accessibility, you’ll find it an incredibly rewarding career path.
Published in the March 2025 issue of Milling and Grain
