Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported an approximate 6% year-over-year decline in total revenue for Q1 2025, primarily due to a decrease in the Verification and Certification Services segment, which saw revenue drop by $252,000 compared to Q1 2024 [4] - Net income for the quarter was $31,000 or $0.01 per diluted share, down from $178,000 or $0.03 per diluted share in the same quarter last year, with more than half of the decline attributed to a $76,000 non-cash charge on digital assets [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Verification and Certification Services segment, which represents roughly 50% of total revenue, was significantly impacted by fewer cattle moving through the system due to cyclical herd size reduction and severe drought conditions [4] - Despite the challenges, gross margins remained stable at 41.6%, attributed to disciplined cost management [6] - The Upcycled Certified program, the fastest-growing service offering, saw total certifications grow 70% year-over-year in 2024 and 10% growth in Q1 2025 [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The global food market for upcycling is currently valued at $46 billion and is expected to grow to nearly $75 billion by 2029, indicating a significant market opportunity [10] - The company is experiencing increased demand for biosecurity services due to disease outbreaks affecting poultry operations [6] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on expanding its Upcycled Certified program and fee-based retail labeling program for protein products, targeting mass market and high-end regional retailers [10][11] - The CARES certified program aims to meet growing consumer expectations for responsibly sourced products, enhancing visibility and brand recognition among retail consumers [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management views the herd size reduction as a cyclical issue that is expected to reverse in the future, despite current challenges [5] - The company remains optimistic about customer retention rates, which are in the high 90% range, despite the disruptions in verification activities [5] Other Important Information - The company continues to buy back shares, having repurchased 376,000 shares at a cost of $383,000 during the first quarter [7] - The company has faced challenges in communicating its digital asset performance due to media policies, which have affected the visibility of its financial news [8][9] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the impacts of the current cattle market on the business? - Management noted that the decline in cattle movement is due to cyclical herd size reduction and drought conditions, but they expect this to be temporary [4][5] Question: How is the company addressing the challenges in poultry verification? - The company is seeing increased demand for biosecurity services as a response to avian influenza outbreaks affecting poultry operations [6] Question: What is the growth outlook for the Upcycled Certified program? - The Upcycled Certified program is experiencing significant growth, with a 70% increase in certifications year-over-year and continued expansion expected [10]