Feed Compounder May/June 2021 issue

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May/June 2021

FEED

COMPOUNDER

Vol. 41 No. 3

Contents

Pentlands Publishing Ltd Plas Y Coed Velfrey Road Whitland SA34 0RA United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 1994 240002 Web site: www.feedcompounder.com E-mail: mail@feedcompounder.com

Editor: Andrew Mounsey

deputy Editor: Ryan Mounsey

Advertisement/Sales Manager: Fiona Mounsey

Consultant/Researcher: Roger W. Dean

Comment

Published by:

Opinion: Getting It Right

2

Ryan Mounsey: Feed Production Update

4

Roger Dean: Feed Materials Commentary

10

Robert Ashton: Ten Ways to Return to Normal

12

Roger Dean: Company Reports and Accounts

14

Christine Pedersen: Milk Matters

16

Matthew Wedzerai: Scientifically Speaking …

18

Colin Ley: View from Europe

20

Green Pages

22

Feed Trade Topics From the Island of Ireland

The Year that Zoomed by

25

By Andrew Birch

CFE Celebrate its 25th Anniversary

28

Increasing Production Efficiency by Managing Moisture and Microbial Risk in Feed Manufacture

30

By Lauren Judd

Zinpro Corporation Celebrates 50th Anniversary

31

Protecting Workers From Hazardous Minerals

32

By Valérie Kromm and Agathe Roméo

Subscription rates:

Agriculture in the UK and the Future of the Supply Trade

Print and On-Line One year: £80 Two years: £150 Three years: £200

By Richard Cooksley

On-Line Only (No Print Copy) One year: £60 Two years: £114 Three years: £153

Advertising Feature: RMC – Providing a Professional Analysis Claims Service to the Animal Feed Industry

34

39

By Anthony Bamber

In Brief

40

Feed Additives: Enzymes

42

Understanding the Sensitivity and Stability of Vitamins

45

By Amir Attar, Alireza Abbasipour, Samira Hassanpour ISSN 0950-771X Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Publisher. © Feed Compounder 2021

NWF Agriculture: Committing to British Agriculture for Another 150 Years

47

Quality Control, Sampling & Analysis, Moisture Management

48

New Products in the Feed Industry

50

People

52

Buyers’ Guide

54 Feed Compounder May/June 2021 Page 1

opinion Getting it Right In comparison to other industries in the UK, there has been little

conditions that surrounded the transition were not ideal for promoting

complaint by companies serving or servicing the livestock feed industry,

trade between the UK and its former trading partners. Those conditions

following the country’s final withdrawal from the European Union in 1

need to be addressed. It is fully accepted that, for a variety of reasons,

January 2021.

commercial and trade between the UK and Brussels will need to be

There was one intervention from a company closely involved in the manufacture and distribution of feeds for pets in the United Kingdom

documented; the question is to what extent. That is the purpose of the proposed exercise.

and the Republic of Ireland. The company concerned reported, in its

The question of Northern Ireland’s situation as part of the UK

annual Report and Accounts, that the departure of the UK from the EU

(the only part of the UK with a physical border with a member of the

‘has led to some difficulties in distributing to customers in the European

EU) will also have to be addressed in the same terms as the enquiry

Union’. However, the company went on to observe that these difficulties

into the documentation of trade between the UK as a whole and the

are ‘currently being managed’ which, after all, is what commercial

European Union. Both parts of the island of Ireland are in much the

companies do all the time.

same post-Brexit boat. The Republic of Ireland has been independent

Nevertheless, for both companies and individuals in the UK

of the UK for a century but the UK is still the biggest source of Irish

dealing with the EU, the impact of Brexit has undoubtedly been what

imports of goods and its fourth largest customer for goods exports. It

one company called ‘substantial’. And one of the most immediate

does not need to be pointed out that, self-evidently, consumers in both

impacts had been what some observers have termed the ‘excessive

countries share many tastes.

bureaucratizing’ of trade between the United Kingdom and the remaining

It is not clear as to the extent to which the Trade and Cooperation

countries of the EU; in other words, the volume of paperwork that must

agreement that came into force on New Year’s Day 2021 will

accompany goods moving between the two parties. This is reported by

encompass the provisions of any agreement on limiting the extent

companies large and small as being substantial. Individuals, too. report

of documentation between the UK and the European Union. The

that significant amounts of paperwork have been demanded.

EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement concluded between the

In one case that has come to the notice of this publication, this

EU and the UK sets out preferential arrangements in areas such as

was required in respect of a single bottle of wine sent from the UK as

trade in goods and in services, digital trade, intellectual property,

a gift by a customer to a friend – not in a different country, but actually

public procurement, aviation and road transport, energy, fisheries,

to Northern Ireland.

social security coordination, law enforcement and judicial cooperation

The new trade frontier between the Province and the British

in criminal matters, thematic cooperation and participation in Union

mainland was intended, as the Economist put it, as ‘a conflict-prevention

programs. It is underpinned by provisions that ensure a level playing

measure, allowing Britain to leave the European Union’s single market

field and respect for fundamental rights.

without reimposing a hard border between Northern Ireland and the

What UK companies need to agree on with their suppliers and

Republic to the south’. However, Unionist politicians, angered by the

customers is the necessary extent of the documentation that those

disruption that ensued, have called for the arrangement to be scrapped

companies require for the conduct of their business.

– calls accompanied by rioting youths, reportedly egged on by loyalist

All the forgoing is not to deny that there have already been

paramilitaries. The turmoil culminated with the enforced resignation

efforts to reduce the amount of bureaucratic confusion generated by

of Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Arlene Foster who had reluctantly

EU rules and regulations. As has been widely observed, reducing the

accepted the protocol.

cost of regulation for business is crucial for growth. Across Europe,

Going back to first principles, it must be recognized that the

governments and EU institutions are recognizing that removing

European Union is the UK’s largest single trading partner, an

unnecessary EU burdens is vital to maintaining the competitiveness of

agglomeration of (according to the estimate published by Eurostat on

businesses. ‘We need a regulatory framework in Europe which fosters

1 January 2020) 448 million citizens and with an economy estimated

innovation, skilled jobs, and access to world markets,’ according to

at €13.5 trillion. It also sits, as it were, on the UK’s doorstep, unlike

the Europe Fit for the Digital Age report from the EU Commission.

the much-trumpeted trade deal with Mr. Trump’s United States,

Nor should the effort to reduce the impact and cost of regulation be

the immediate prospects for which his successor, Joe Biden, has

confined to rules originating in Brussels, but rather it should apply to

downplayed.

rules generally. Subject to commercial and other legal provisions,

Given the circumstances which accompanied the UK’s decision to depart from the European Union, it is understandable that many of the

Page 2 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

agreement between suppliers and customers should be always be aimed at ‘getting it right’.

Comment section is sponsored by Compound Feed Engineering Ltd www.cfegroup.com

Feed Production Update

earlier to bring output up to 187,000 tonnes, the highest total for the

By Ryan Mounsey

per cent to 700 tonnes of output whilst link and early grower feed

month since 1999. The 10 year average for March was also significantly bettered by 21,700 tonnes or 12.3 per cent.

Despite this sector wide increase, there was a considerable reduction in the production of pig starters and creep feed from a year previously: it fell 1,600 tonnes or 25.0 per cent to 4,800 tonnes. Pig protein concentrates also fell sharply, dropping 500 tonnes or 41.7 remained at year previous levels of 10,200 tonnes. On the other hand,

Great Britain March Production Update Total production of compounds, blends and concentrates, including integrated poultry units, during the month of March 2021 amounted to 1,399,900 tonnes, a decline of 8,100 tonnes or 0.6 per cent from the corresponding month a year previously. However, the total under review was a considerable 52,500 tonnes or 3.8 per cent higher than the decade long average for the month.

Total feed production during the month of March 2021 was made up of: 42.3 per cent poultry feed, 30.3 per cent cattle and calf feed, 13.4 per cent pig feed, 11.1 per cent sheep feed, 1.1 per cent horse feed and 1.9 per cent other feed.

At 424,400 tonnes, total cattle and calf feed output had increased by a substantial 19,500 tonnes or 4.8 per cent from 2020’s production.

This was the third highest total for March since records began. The current total was a less sizeable 11,700 tonnes or 2.8 per cent greater than the 10 year average for the month under review.

All other cattle compounds was the only element of cattle and calf feed that did not better its year earlier tonnage. The 61,100 tonnes of output was the lowest total for the month since 2012 and 300 tonnes or 0.5 per cent down on 2020. In contrast, output of blends for dairy cows had risen by a considerable 12,100 tonnes or 14.5 per cent to its highest ever level of 95,300 tonnes. Compounds for dairy cows production also grew to historically high levels as did cattle protein concentrates with the former rising by 5,300 tonnes or 2.7 per cent to 204,600 tonnes, its highest level since the March of 2006 and the latter by just 100 tonnes or 1.0 per cent to 9,900 tonnes, its highest level since 2001. The sector was rounded off by all other cattle blends output, at 32,600 tonnes, surpassing year previous levels by 1,900 tonnes or 6.2 per cent and total calf feed, at 20,900 tonnes, bettering year earlier returns by 400 tonnes or 2.0 per cent.

Total pig feed was at its highest level this millennium. Production in March had increased by 7,200 tonnes or 4.0 per cent from a year

pig finishing feed production rose sharply from year earlier levels to an unparalleled 93,800 tonnes, surpassing 2020’s total by 6,700 tonnes or 7.7 per cent and pig growing feed production reached its highest level since 2001 of 36,000 tonnes, an increase of 2,400 tonnes or 7.1 per cent. There was also a 200 tonnes or 0.5 per cent rise in pig breeding feed production, up to 41,600 tonnes.

Although total poultry feed, including integrated poultry units, fell 11,900 tonnes or 2.0 per cent from 2020’s output, the 591,600 tonnes produced was nevertheless the third highest total on record. 2021’s total also exceeded the decade long average for March by 29,300 tonnes or 5.1 per cent.

Integrated poultry units was the only poultry feed subsector that bettered year previous production; the 210,200 tonnes of output was up 3,700 tonnes or 1.8 per cent. The most dramatic fall from year earlier levels within the sector occurred in turkey feed, where production dropped 4,500 tonnes or 38.5 per cent to 7,200 tonnes. All other poultry feed production also fell sharply to its lowest output for the month since 1993 of 14,500 tonnes, 3,000 tonnes or 17.1 per cent below a year earlier. Layer feed failed to match the record outputs from 2020 with production dropping 1,400 tonnes or 1.3 per cent to 109,800 tonnes, the second highest ever total for March, whilst for the second year in succession, broiler feed dropped below year earlier output; 2021 production, of 203,700 tonnes was 5,400 tonnes or 2.6 per cent down on a year previous. Finally, both chick rearing feed and poultry breeding and rearing feed production declined 500 tonnes below their outputs from the corresponding month a year earlier with the former dropping 3.8 per cent to 12,800 tonnes and the latter by 1.5 per cent to 33,200 tonnes.

For the first time in nine months, total sheep feed failed to surpass its year earlier production. The 154,800 tonnes of output was 7,200 tonnes or 4.4 per cent lower than that of 2020. Additionally, the total under review was 2,400 tonnes or 1.5 per cent below the March average for the last 10 years.

In contrast with the sector as a whole, production of blends for breeding sheep increased 900 tonnes or 13.2 per cent from a year previous to 7,700 tonnes, the second highest total for the month on record. Moreover, sheep protein concentrates matched 2020 returns of 900 tonnes. These were not enough to compensate for the considerable downturn in production from the sector’s largest category, compounds for breeding sheep, which had dropped 6,600 tonnes or 6.9 per cent from a year previous to 88,600 tonnes. Blends for growing and finishing sheep also fell sharply with production dropping by 1,000 tonnes or 14.5 per cent to 5,900 tonnes whereas compounds for growing and finishing sheep fell a less dramatic 600 tonnes or 1.1 per cent below year previous levels to 51,700 tonnes.

Total horse feed production fell sharply to its lowest level since

Page 4 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

Comment section is sponsored by Compound Feed Engineering Ltd www.cfegroup.com

1993 of 14,900 tonnes, a drop of 5,100 tonnes or 25.5 per cent.

Unsurprisingly, the total under review was also a sizeable 3,900 tonnes or 23.2 per cent below the 10 year average for the month.

average for the quarter.

Aside from pig protein concentrates, which matched the 3,100 tonnes of first quarter output from a year previous, all categories of

Falling to its lowest level for six years, total other feed decreased

pig feed bettered their respective returns from 2020. Pig finishing feed

by a substantial 10,700 tonnes or 28.3 per cent from a year earlier to

rose to its highest level for the period since 1998 of 247,500 tonnes,

27,100 tonnes. Additionally, the current output was 4,000 tonnes or

an increase of 13,700 tonnes or 5.9 per cent whilst pig breeding feed,

13.8 per cent below the decade long average for March.

at 115,700 tonnes, rose by 8,800 tonnes or 8.2 per cent to its highest output since 2002. There were also significant production increases from a year earlier from the remainder of the sector: pig starters and

First Quarter Overview

creep feed grew 2,100 tonnes or 15.0 per cent to 16,100 tonnes; link

Total production of compounds, blends and concentrates, including

and early grower feed rose 5,900 tonnes or 27.7 per cent to 27,200

integrated poultry units, during the first quarter of 2021 in Great Britain

tonnes; and pig growing feed grew 4,400 tonnes or 5.0 per cent to

rose by 57,200 tonnes or 1.5 per cent from the same period of a year

93,300 tonnes.

previous to 3,768,100 tonnes, the highest first quarter total since records

A record 1,629,300 tonnes of poultry feed was produced in the

were first kept in their current form. The total under review was also

first quarter of 2021; Q1 production was up 18,800 tonnes or 1.2 per

a significant 263,400 tonnes or 7.2 per cent greater than the 10 year

cent from a year earlier. Moreover, the total under review outstripped

average for the timeframe.

the decade long first quarter average by 175,600 tonnes or 11.4 per

Total feed production during the first quarter of 2021 was made up

cent.

of: 43.2 per cent poultry feed, 29.8 per cent cattle and calf feed, 13.3

Only poultry protein concentrates and integrated poultry units

per cent pig feed, 9.8 per cent sheep feed, 1.5 per cent horse feed and

failed to keep pace with their respective year earlier returns: the

2.5 per cent other feed.

former’s output dropped sharply by 1,400 tonnes or 51.9 per cent to

At 1,120,900 tonnes, total first quarter cattle and calf feed

1,300 tonnes and the latter’s did so by 42,400 tonnes or 7.3 per cent

production had fallen below year earlier levels for the second year in

to 538,400 tonnes. Contrastingly, broiler feed, layer feed and poultry

succession, in this instance, by 9,700 tonnes or 0.9 per cent. In spite of

breeding and rearing feed were all at unparalleled outputs. Broiler feed

these consecutive drops in output, the current total was 9,100 tonnes

bettered its year earlier return by 12,800 tonnes or 2.2 per cent and

or 0.8 per cent above the 10 year average for the period.

grew to 583,300 tonnes; layer feed did so by 25,600 tonnes or 9.2 per

Despite the overall drop in production, as many sectors of cattle

cent and rose to 304,700 tonnes; and poultry breeding and rearing feed

and calf feed surpassed year previous totals as decreased below them.

did so by 6,000 tonnes or 6.8 per cent. Turkey feed production reversed

Protein concentrates for cattle and calves did so by a considerable

the sharp decline witnessed in the first quarter of 2020, increasing from

2,400 tonnes or 9.7 per cent to increase to 27,200 tonnes whilst all

year earlier levels by 12,100 tonnes or 64.7 per cent to 30,800 tonnes.

other calf feed, at 53,800 tonnes, did so by an even greater margin of

The sector was rounded off by a 3,700 tonnes or 11.0 per cent increase

6,900 tonnes or 14.7 per cent. The largest element of cattle and calf

in chick rearing feed to 37,400 tonnes and a 2,300 tonnes or 2.3 per

feed, compounds for dairy cows, rose by a more conservative 1,400

cent in all other poultry feed to 38,900 tonnes.

tonnes or 0.3 per cent to 547,700 tonnes of production. In contrast,

First quarter sheep feed amounted to 368,000 tonnes and

all other cattle feed fell by 12,200 tonnes or 6.6 per cent to 171,700

surpassed its respective year earlier output by 24,900 tonnes or 7.3

tonnes, its lowest first quarter total since 2012. Additionally, production

per cent. 2021’s total outpaced the 10 year Q1 average by a smaller

of blends for dairy cows decreased by 4,500 tonnes or 1.9 per cent to

6,300 tonnes or 1.7 per cent.

234,900 tonnes and all other cattle blends dropped by 3,900 tonnes or 4.4 per cent to 85,500 tonnes.

All sheep feed sectors comfortably bettered their corresponding tonnages from a year previously and yet none were close to surpassing

Total pig feed was at its highest level for the first quarter of a

the highs of other recent years. Compounds for breeding sheep,

year since 1999. The 502,800 tonnes of output was a notable 34,900

at 200,000 tonnes was 17,200 tonnes or 9.4 per cent up on a year

tonnes or 7.5 per cent greater than in 2020. The current Q1 output was

previously whilst compounds for growing and finishing sheep were up

an even larger 62,400 tonnes or 13.2 per cent higher than the 10 year

5,100 tonnes or 4.0 per cent to 131,400 tonnes. Blends for breeding sheep production rose sharply from a year earlier to 15,500 tonnes, a growth of 2,000 tonnes or 14.8 per cent whereas there were less substantial rises in both blends for growing and finishing sheep and sheep protein concentrates, with the former rising 600 tonnes or 3.2 per cent to 18,900 tonnes and the latter by 200 tonnes or 9.1 per cent to 2,400 tonnes.

Bettering its year earlier first quarter output by 7,000 tonnes or 14.6 per cent, total horse feed production rose to 54,900 tonnes. The total under review was also 3,200 tonnes or 6.0 per cent higher than the decade longer average for the timeframe.

Total other feed was only the second sector that fell below its respective year previous return for the first quarter. Production, at

Page 6 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

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92,200 tonnes, was a considerable 18,600 tonnes or 16.8 per cent

25,700 tonnes; dairy coarse mixes or blends increasing by 1,400 tonnes

down from the record high of 2020. However, the current total was still

or 6.7 per cent; and beef cattle compounds rising by 600 tonnes or 4.4

great enough to surpass the 10 year average for Q1, which it outpaced

per cent to 14,400 tonnes.

by 6,800 tonnes or 7.7 per cent.

At 20,400 tonnes of output, total pig feed for February had failed

Taken together the first quarter and March figures present a

to match the record output produced a year earlier. Current production

contrasting picture of the health of feed production at the beginning of

was 700 tonnes or 3.3 per cent down on a year previously and yet

2021. The quarterly total, which is at a record high, coupled with the

was still at the second highest level for the month; this was only the

fact that all sectors were comfortably above the historic average for the

second time production had surpassed 20,000 tonnes in the month

period, suggest that production this year may progress to all time highs,

under review. The historically high production levels saw that the

especially when it is borne in mind that the corresponding statistical

decade long average for the month was outpaced by a substantial

timeframe of 2020 had an additional week. However, the March figures

3,600 tonnes or 19.4 per cent.

cast doubt on whether this will be the case with production falling below

Despite the overall downturn in production, pig breeding feed

year earlier levels, with only one sector surpassing its year earlier total

output rose by a considerable 600 tonnes or 24.0 per cent to 3,100

and production and three sectors declining below the long term average

tonnes, its highest level since 1999. There was also a 100 tonnes or

for the month. It will be interesting to see which pattern continues as

3.0 per cent growth in pig growing feed, up to 3,400 tonnes. There was

production figures for the second quarter begin to be released.

a corresponding 100 tonnes fall in pig link and early grower feed, down 3.2 per cent to 3,000 tonnes of output, whilst more significant declines were present across the remainder of the sector. Pig finishing feed

Northern Ireland February Production Overview Total production of compounds, blends and concentrates during

and pig starter and creep feed both fell sharply from their respective record high outputs from a year previously, with the former dropping 800 tonnes or 8.7 per cent down to 8,400 tonnes and the latter falling 400 tonnes or 13.8 per cent to 2,500 tonnes.

February 2021 in Northern Ireland rose to 218,600 tonnes, an increase

For the second year in succession, total poultry feed production

of 4,700 tonnes or 2.2 per cent from a year previously and the second

for February fell below year earlier levels. At 62,400 tonnes of

highest total for the month on record, behind only 2018’s return. 2021’s

production output was 2,200 tonnes or 3.4 per cent down on 2020.

substantial output was 13,700 tonnes or 6.5 per cent greater than the

Despite this, the total under review was 3,400 tonnes or 5.6 per cent

10 year average for the month.

higher than the 10 year average for the month.

Total feed production during the month of February 2021 was made

Although production as a whole was down on a year previously,

up of: 54.0 per cent cattle and calf feed, 28.6 per cent poultry feed, 9.3

as many categories of poultry feed surpassed year earlier levels as

per cent pig feed, 4.6 per cent sheep feed 3.5 per cent other feed.

fell below them. Chick rearing feed production rose to 2,000 tonnes,

Total cattle and calf feed production in February amounted to

outstripping 2020’s output by 200 tonnes or 11.1 per cent. Additionally,

118,100 tonnes, the second highest total for the month on record (again

turkey and other poultry feed, at 2,900 tonnes, bettered year earlier

behind 2018) and a growth of 7,300 tonnes or 6.6 per cent. The total

returns by 300 tonnes or 11.5 per cent. In contrast, layer and breeder

under review was slightly only less ahead of the 10 year average for

feed production declined by 1,900 tonnes or 7.9 per cent to 22,200

February, which it bettered by 6,800 tonnes or 5.9 per cent.

tonnes whilst broiler feed output had reduced by 800 tonnes or 2.2

Only all other cattle compounds failed to surpass year previous outputs in the month under review, yet it still matched 2020 production

per cent to 35,300 tonnes. Both these sectors were at their lowest levels since 2017.

of 600 tonnes. The largest sector, dairy cow compounds, rose by 2,600

Total sheep feed production for February was only the second

tonnes or 5.8 per cent to 47,700 tonnes, its highest ever level. Output

sector to surpass year previous levels. The 10,100 tonnes of outputs

of other calf compounds, at 7,500 tonnes, also grew to record levels,

outstripped year earlier production by a substantial 700 tonnes or 7.5

an increase of 400 tonnes or 5.6 per cent. The remaining sectors all

per cent. However, this increase was not enough to see it better the

comfortably exceeded year previous production with output of beef

10 year average for the period, which it dropped 100 tonnes or 0.9

coarse mixes and blends growing by 2,200 tonnes or 9.4 per cent to

per cent below.

In spite of the overall increase, breeding sheep compounds were the only subsector to better the output of a year previously, doing so by a considerable 2,200 tonnes or 56.4 per cent, up to 6,100 tonnes, the highest total for the month since 2013. Coarse mixes and blends for sheep fell to their lowest level since 2005 of 1,800 tonnes, a drop of 300 tonnes or 14.3 per cent from a year earlier. Finally, growing and finishing compounds for sheep decreased by a considerable 1,200 tonnes or 36.4 per cent to 2,100 tonnes.

Total other feed output fell 500 tonnes or 6.2 per cent from a year previously to 7,600 tonnes of production. This total, despite being lower than that of the past three years, was exactly level with the 10 year average for the month under review.

Page 8 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

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Feed Materials Commentary

By Roger Dean

projection made in March.

In terms of the outcome where consumption is concerned, total usage identified by FAS currently amounts to 747.18 million tonnes, 5.13 million tonnes more than in the previous, March estimate. Significantly, 5 million tonnes of the total increase is estimated to have arisen in China.

Equally, of a 5.7 million tonne fall in world wheat inventories between March and April is identified as taking place in China. Conversely, there is no change in Chinese wheat production identified between the two

The latest edition of the Grain Market Report was published by the International Grains Council on 29 April 2021.

An increase in global total grains supply - wheat and coarse grains - in 2020-21 of 36 million tonnes is expected to be exceeded by a 44

latest estimates.

As regards maize, the USDA has increased its projection of maize production in 2020-21 by 740,000 tonnes or 0.1 per cent to 1,137.0 million tonnes.

million tonne rise in consumption leaving stocks 8 million tonnes down

A substantial contribution to the increase – 1.14 million tonnes – is

and at a five-year low of 609 million tonnes. The International Grains

made up of non-specified and presumable minor producers. However,

Council attributes the drop in inventories mainly to another drawdown for

maize production in the EU is also projected to increase from 63.7

maize, to the smallest level in eight years; this contrasts with a build-up

million tonnes to 64 million tonnes as the data is further refined. France

for wheat to a record.

is the largest maize grower in the EU and, together with Romania (15.3

Turning to grain supply in 2021-22 and increases in wheat production

per cent), Italy (12 per cent) and Hungary (11.3 per cent), these four

(up by 16 million tonnes) and maize (up by 52 million tonnes) were only

Member States covered 61.8 per cent of the total EU-28 grain maize

partly offset by decreases for barley, oats and rye. World total grains

production in 2015.

production in 2021-22 is projected to climb by 61 million tonnes to a world

USDA’s projection of world soybean production in 2020-21, at

record 2,287million tonnes. With the 52 million tonnes increase in supply

363.19 million tonnes, is 1.36 million tonnes ahead of the projection

matched by the rise in use, world grain inventories are expected to stay

made in March.

at 609 million tonnes at the end of 2021-22, although maize inventories

The major contributor to the increase is Brazilian soybean production

are expected to decline again to a nine-year low, while further stock

which, at 136 million tonnes, is 2 million tonnes or 1.5 per cent ahead of

building is seen for wheat.

USDA’s March projection. The estimates for the other major producers,

Driven by bigger soybean crops in both the US and Brazil, global soyabean output in 2020-21 is forecast at 7 per cent higher year-on-

including the US and Argentina are unchanged; in the case of the US, this contradicts much of recent trade comment.

year. Nevertheless, with consumption expected to record a solid increase,

Brazil soybean production for the 2020-21 marketing year is forecast

world soybean inventories are seen as falling for a second consecutive

at a record 136 million tonnes, and up 7.5 million tonnes or 6 per cent) from

season, including a contraction in US inventories by 80 per cent. With

last season’s revised record crop of 128.5 million tonnes. The harvested

high soybean prices expected to generate a supply response, 2021-22

area is forecast at a record 38.6 million hectares, up 1.7 million hectares or

world soybean production is ‘tentatively placed’ at a record of 383 million

5 per cent from last season’s record. Brazilian soybean yield is projected

tonnes, up by 5.8 per cent. While world soybean consumption is expected

at a record 3.52 tonnes per hectare, 1 per cent above last season and

to increase further, a ‘modest’ inventory increase seems likely.

close to the 10-year trend. Although Brazil had weather-related delays

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural

in both sowing and harvesting, record soybean output is expected for a

Service (FAS) provides monthly updates on the production, consumption

second consecutive year. Currently, about 80 per cent of the Brazilian

and ending stocks of a wide variety of agricultural products and the latest

soybean crop has been harvested, with dry weather allowing rapid harvest

update was published on 9 April 2021.

gains during recent weeks.

World wheat production during the 2020-2021 marketing year was

Paraguayan soybean production in 2020-2021 is lowered to 9.9

projected at 776.5 million tonnes, 286,000 tonnes or marginally lower

million tonnes as a delayed harvest prevented farmers from planting

than the previous estimate published in March 2021. It should be borne

second-crop soybeans. However, a return to normal climatic conditions in

in mind that the end of the 2020-21 cereal marketing year is approaching

2021-22 would mean that soybean production is projected at 10.5 million

and thus estimates for individual countries are becoming cumulatively

tonnes as this would allow for increased second-crop soybean planting,

more accurate as more statistical information is gathered.

a critical element in the South American soybean sector.

The overall figure includes a 516,000 tonne or 0.9 per cent reduction

The overall picture as regards prices concerning the major feed

in production for a wide variety of countries not individually identified.

ingredients is for a significant decline in world wheat stocks, down 5.7

Otherwise, projected production of wheat in the EU, at 135.6 million

million tonnes and by a 3.8 million downturn in maize inventories, the latter

tonnes, is reduced by 200,000 tonnes or 0.15 per cent. The only other

countered by a 3.1 million increase in soybean inventories. In conclusion,

significant change is in Argentine wheat production which, at 17.63 million

there are few grounds for suggesting any fundamental weakness in feed

tonnes, has been increased by 430,000 tonnes or 2.5 per cent from the

material prices in the immediate future.

Page 10 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

Comment section is sponsored by Compound Feed Engineering Ltd www.cfegroup.com

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5. Challenge assumptions – Many will needlessly return to doing

Ten Ways …

things just as they did before the pandemic struck. Without gaining a reputation for being difficult, why not gently challenge

to return to normal

the assumption that things need to be done in 2021 as they were in 2019? Challenging assumptions provokes debate and only when alternatives are considered, can lasting change be achieved.

By Robert Ashton

6. Embrace new technology – Right now I drive a diesel car. It’s The other day I rode on a park and ride bus into Norwich, my nearest

something I’ve done for more than 30 years, but my next car

city, to meet someone face to face to talk about how we could work

will be electric. I know that to start with, I will suffer from range

together over the coming months. Until March 2020 this was almost

anxiety, but equally I know that with a little planning, I will never

an everyday activity, as my life was filled with meetings, usually locally

find myself at the roadside with flat batteries. Who wants to be the

but sometimes in London or elsewhere in the UK.

last person left in the company car park with a diesel engine?

But as I sat on the bus that day, I realised that this was the first

7. Become a power generator – We’re told that the future will

time for more than a year I’d travelled to meet anyone. Like you I

see micro-grids, with electricity from thousands of roof-mounted

guess, I’ve become all too familiar with meeting people on Zoom and

PV panels and turbines meeting our future need for energy. PV

only leaving the house to ride my bike or visit the supermarket. It’s

panels have also plummeted in price over recent years, so it

no surprise then that according to the BBC, the International Energy

might cost a lot less than you realise to generate more of the

Agency is predicting a surge in CO2 emissions this year as ‘the world

power you use.

8. Buy locally – The pandemic saw local retailers, in particular

rebounds from the pandemic1.’

The challenge we all face, is how to enjoy a healthy economic

village shops, enjoy something of a boom as people travelled less

recovery, without further fuelling climate change, which I predict will

and shopped locally. I’m writing a book about how rural life has

dominate the headlines as the threat of Covid fades. Here are ten ways

changed over the past 150 years and been struck by how even

I’m going to try to balance a return to normal with consideration for my

small communities were virtually once self-sufficient. We’ve had

environmental impact:

the opportunity to rediscover trading locally. Let’s try buying from local people we know and can trust, not just on price alone.

1. Take small steps – Just as I felt oddly apprehensive about going to my first meeting for a year, so too am I apprehensive about

9. Upcycle – I’ve written before about the way one company’s

reducing my environmental impact. Common sense tells me that

waste can become another venture’s raw material. I’ve seen

to make dramatic change is not realistic, but if we all take small

social enterprises employing vulnerable people, who upcycle

steps, then the cumulative impact will be significant.

pallets into garden furniture and much more. People can be

2. Blend the old with the new – We all know that meeting someone

incredibly creative and inventive and often, grant income can

online is not quite the same as sitting in the same room, but

help them generate profit from what appear to be unprofitable

I will think before I set up a face to face meeting. I’ve been

activities. Be receptive and look around to see how others might

surprised at how much can be done, even with a large group,

usefully benefit from what to you is rubbish.

10. Make time for yourself – Like children with new toys, we all

via Zoom. Yes, I’ll be going out more, but only when I think it’s

face the very real danger of filling our diaries and trying to make

really necessary.

3. Think about my diet – The media find it all too easy to demonise

up for lost time now that we have been largely liberated from

cattle and nitrogen fertiliser for contributing to climate change. I

lockdown. We’ve all had time to form new habits and become

think there is also an argument that if we eat less meat, we will

accustomed to living life in a new way. It might be many years

prompt further deforestation in other parts of the world where

before we face another pandemic, so there’s no need to do

alternative proteins are grown. So yes, I will think about what

everything right now. As I said in my first point, let’s journey into

I eat and will have ready reasoned arguments to defend the

our futures one short step at a time.

Another consequence of the last year’s disruption has, I’m told,

choices I make. We must not blindly accept all that we read in the papers!

been that many people of my generation have chosen to call it a day

4. Set realistic goals – I spent the first ten years of my career

and retire. I can see the appeal of calling it a day and drawing your

selling fertiliser and can well remember challenging the sales

pension if you are able, but even contemplating this idea challenges

director when sales targets grew year on year. The market for

my long help perception that only old people retire. Trotsky once said;

most products is finite and to always strive for more is simply

‘Old age is the most unexpected of all things that happen to a man.’

not realistic. In the work I now do, I aim to win enough work to

I’m beginning to understand what he meant!

maintain a comfortable lifestyle, not accumulate wealth I do not need. We do not live for ever, and quality of life is important.

Page 12 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

1

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-56807520 Comment section is sponsored by Compound Feed Engineering Ltd www.cfegroup.com

Company Reports & Accounts

difficult to recover.

By Roger Dean

Its principal business is the manufacture of prepared feeds for farm

The company is controlled by its two Directors: Mr. John Moore and Mrs. Margaret Moore

Mason’s Animal Feeds Ltd This company, which is registered in Northern Ireland, reported its financial results for the year ending 31 October 2020 on 26 April 2021. animals (SIC 10910) The company’s Director, Mr. C.W. Purdy, ‘considers the results

Youngs Animal Feeds

during the year to be satisfactory given the conditions within the

This company reported its financial results for the year ending 31 October

conditions within the agricultural sector at present.’ The report noted that

2020 on 20 April 2021.

the company is exposed to commodity price risk ‘due to movements and

The company’s principal activity is described as the manufacture of prepared feeds for farm animals (SIC 10910).

The company’s principal activity continues to be the manufacturing and distribution of equine and pet food.

the volatility of commodity prices’.

In the year under review, the company recorded sales of £28.79 million, an increase of £962,000 or 3.5 per cent over the previous accounting period. Profits before tax amounted to £413,176 compared

In the year ending 31 October 2020, the company generated

to £800,162 in the previous accounting period. This reflected a number

revenues of £8,883,312, an increase over the previous accounting period

of factors including a sharp rise in the cost of raw materials relative to

of £14,882 or 1.7 per cent. The increase in revenues was assisted by

sales value and also increases in the cost of interest and similar charges.

growth in pet food sales; this countered lower demand for equine feeds

The Gross Profit ratio, at 12.9 per cent, was at its lowest in a decade,

due to a lack of demand for equine feeds, reflecting the lack of shows

reflecting the increase in raw material costs relative to sales value.

and competitions which reduced the demand for high end feeds and supplements.

The ultimate controlling party is the sole Director, Mr. C W Purdy, by virtue of his shareholding in the parent company.

The company’s cost of sales declined slightly, reflecting a fall in raw material costs. As a result, the company’s Gross Profits increased

Burns Pet Nutrition Ltd

by 1.9 per cent.

This company submitted its report and accounts for the year ending 31

In the current accounting year, the company incurred a non-recurring

July 2020 on 29 April 29 April 2021.

item regarding its closure of its Huyton branch. As a result, the company’s

The company’s principal activities are described as the manufacture

pretax profits, which in the preceding accounting year had amounted to

of prepared pet foods (SIC 10920) and the wholesale of grain,

£18,432, was converted into a loss of £243,096.

unmanufactured tobacco, seeds and animal feeds (SIC 46210). The

The company identifies the principal risks to the company as ‘The continued increases in direct sales by larger competitors, leading to a

company also manufactures and distributes feeds for working dogs, including assistance dogs.

risk of customer losses in a hardening market’. The company further

The company reported sales in the financial period under review

observed that ‘the impact of increasing raw material prices must be

amounting to £21.93 million, down by £840,000 or 3.7 per cent compared

carefully managed to mitigate the risks that the situation presents’.

with the previous accounting period. The company notes that the

The company is part of a ‘corporate gross guarantee arrangement’ between companies of the Wynnstay Group PLC.

business ‘has maintained its strong sales performance with sales over £21 million’. While turnover and gross profit reduced from the prior year, the continued strong performance and cash generation allowed the

Moore’s Animal Feeds

company to invest in improved facilities and internal systems as well as

This company was incorporated in 1978 and its principal business is the

the ongoing research and development program.

manufacture of prepared feeds for farm animals.

Operating profits in the year under review fell to £2.38 million, a

The company, based in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, submitted

decline of 36.6 per cent on the previous year and pretax profits, at £1.3

its annual report and accounts for the year ending 30 April 2020 on 30

million, were down by £2.49 million or 65.7 per cent on the previous

March 2021.

year.

Total sales in the year under review amounted to £24.87 million,

The company notes that, in common with other businesses, the

£676,026 or 2.8 per cent more than in the previous accounting period.

external commercial environment is expected to remain competitive in the

The company has grown its sales over the previous five years. In 2016,

succeeding year. The departure of the UK from the EU from 1 January

the company grossed sales amounting to £16.3 million.

2021 has led to ‘some difficulties’ in distributing to customers in the EU.

In the current accounting period, the company generated pre-tax

The company notes, however, that ‘these difficulties are currently being

profits amounting to £1.09 million, an increase of 25.9 per cent on the

managed’ and are not material to group operating performance. The

previous accounting year.

company insists that it will continue to investigate solutions to ensure that

The company has been consistent as regards its Gross Profitability

customers in the EU continue to receive high levels of service.

in recent years. Its average Gross Profit over the past five years was

Looking at the company’s performance over the last decade, the

10.2 per cent, with a range from 10.8 per cent to 9.1 per cent. The latter

Company’s Gross Profit ratio has remained at around an average of 41

figure occurred in its annual report for the year ending 30 April 2019 which

per cent while ranging between 36.7 per cent and 45.5 per cent. This

was characterized by high raw material prices and a highly competitive

suggests that the company has its raw material costs well under control,

market place which made recovery of rising raw material costs more

despite fluctuations in volatile world markets.

Page 14 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

Comment section is sponsored by Compound Feed Engineering Ltd www.cfegroup.com

Feed Compounder May/June 2021 Page 15

Milk Matters

total GHG emissions.”

GHG emissions from agriculture fall into three main gasses:

By Christine Pedersen

GHG Emission Gas

Resulting From

Senior Dairy Business Consultant

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

mainly a result of energy consumption (fuel and electricity)

christine.pedersen@thedairygroup.co.uk

Methane (CH4)

from enteric fermentation and manures

www.thedairygroup.co.uk

Nitrous oxide (N20)

from manures and soil

The Dairy Group

Looking back at my previous Feed Compounder columns, in May 2019 I wrote “for many, this spring has been the most challenging for a generation” – a sentiment that is probably equally applicable this spring. The continued cool dry weather has limited grass growth and held milk supply growth back compared to an average spring.

The weather is dictating conversations on farm as discussions centre around the balance between grazing and first cut area.

Producers that are now grazing land that was destined for silage and those expecting reduced first cut yields are planning to extend forages by purchasing forage replacers. Others are sourcing additional maize area as the high cost of cereals and straw at harvest is likely to make the option of taking combinable wheat or barley crops for wholecrop forage instead, less attractive.

The volatile feed market coupled with the grazing and potential forage challenges mean that costs of production are likely to rise, even for those who secured compounds or straights forward. The rolling average UK Farm Gate milk price to March 21 was 28.9ppl compared to a range of 28.4 to 29.5ppl for the past 3 years. Our forecast based on current market prices and recently announced increases raises our latest November 2021 forecast to 30.7ppl. Globally milk supply is affected by the same conditions that are impacting UK supply growth, raising the prospects of tighter market conditions and upwards pressure on milk prices.

Net Zero

Whilst most industries focus on reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel combustion, a greater challenge for agriculture is to reduce methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) which are the two biggest sources of GHG from agriculture and are also more powerful and damaging than CO2. Carbon dioxide provides the ‘benchmark’ for measuring all GHGs’ damage which is referred to as CO2-e or carbon dioxide equivalent which is reported in a carbon footprint calculation.

So where do we start? Our vision is that dairy producers will establish the carbon footprint of their businesses and then monitor ongoing progress. We will align our extensive database of farm financial performance to calculated carbon values and create carbon KPIs to link carbon output to existing metrics. Carbon KPIs will be used to analyse strengths and weaknesses and identify areas for businesses to focus on to achieve greatest benefit both financially and environmentally.

Currently there are few milk contracts offering financial incentives to producers addressing GHG emissions but that is likely to change.

As industry driven and government targets come into play, retailers and milk processors will scrutinise dairy farming’s place in the supply chain as they look to reduce GHG emissions. Our roadmap will help producers ‘buy-in’ to the concept as they recognise that reducing GHG emissions makes their own businesses more profitable and sustainable.

From a dairy farm and feed compounder perspective, the two

A team of consultants from The Dairy Group has recently been

main areas of GHG emissions from UK dairy farms are feed sourcing

awarded a fellowship from The Trehane Trust to deliver a clear

(26%) and enteric methane (40%):

Net Zero roadmap for UK dairy farms. My colleague, Richard Lane, who led The Dairy Group’s bid comments: “The aim is to produce a clear ‘roadmap’ for UK dairy farmers to follow. The project will enable farmers to understand their farm’s current impact, identify and implement mitigation strategies and track progress by navigating roadmap recommendations, practically and profitably. We will investigate current research, innovation and best practice to identify a strategy to reduce emissions.”

Richard goes on to say: “Net Zero is currently a hot topic in all industries and rightly so. Climate change driven by greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) is causing our climate to warm. Agriculture, including ruminant livestock, is a significant contributor to UK GHG

Source: AHDB Dairy

emissions; in 2017 GHG emissions from agriculture were 45.6 million

Feed sourcing emissions are associated with the growing,

tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent, approximately 10% of UK

storing, manufacturing, processing and transporting purchased

Page 16 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

Comment section is sponsored by Compound Feed Engineering Ltd www.cfegroup.com

feeds. As the reader will be aware, soy and palm products have

artificial fertiliser leading to significant reductions in N 2O emissions.

come under increased scrutiny due to deforestation concerns.

Timings and methods of slurry and manure applications are also

Efficient feeding will reduce methane output. Reducing

key; targeting applications to growing crops will increase utilization,

production losses from unproductive animals via improved health,

thereby requiring less artificial nitrogen. When combined with

fertility, reduced lameness, mastitis and other metabolic or

precision application methods, N2O emissions are again reduced.

infectious diseases leading to lower replacement rates and less

Other areas away from feeding such as improving energy

youngstock all make an impact. Heifers calving by 24 months

efficiency will result in reduced CO2. Renewable energy generation

can result in improved lifetime yields and a 6% reduction in GHG

is a great opportunity to address the carbon balance. While it is still

emissions compared to calving at 30 months. Improving herd

an evolving science, carbon sequestration is likely to gain impact. A

genetics, using sexed semen and genomics can all play a part in

renewed focus on soil health with the aim of increasing soil carbon

increasing herd efficiency. As I am sure readers are aware, there

levels along with trees and hedges are other areas to explore in

are several feed ingredients under evaluation for their efficacy in

the quest for Net Zero.

decreasing CH4 output with some claiming significant reductions

There is no silver bullet. Reducing GHG emissions is difficult

(up to 30%). Similarly, research indicates that increasing fatty acids

as they result from complex and imperfectly understood biological

in the diet can reduce methane production. The source of the fatty

processes. Marginal gains over many areas are required. The

acid will have an impact on the overall effect and cost implications

fellowship aims to quantify the impact of these changes on farm

need to be considered.

both financially and environmentally to increase efficiency and

Higher digestibility forages result in higher intakes which can

profitability. No doubt many new developments and technologies

reduce feed purchases and result in a 2 to 4% methane reduction.

in the pipeline will come to market. However, if we start to address

Increasing the use of clovers and other nitrogen fixing plants will

areas we can manage now, we can make significant progress

increase home grown protein provision and reduce the need for

toward Net Zero.

Feed Compounder May/June 2021 Page 17

Scientifically Speaking …

Growth and nutrient digestibility

By Matthew Wedzerai

the muramidase diet. Higher fat-soluble vitamin A in plasma were

The result of the study showed that muramidase inclusion improves the growth performance as was observed with a higher weight gain and lower FCR compared to the unsupplemented diet. Higher ileal apparent digestibility of fat, protein and energy were observed with recorded in the muramidase diet at day 9, compared to the control.

It was suggested that muramidase catalyses the depolymerisation of peptidoglycans from bacterial cell debris and reduce its accumulation in

Microbial muramidase: A novel enzyme in broiler chicken diets

the gut, thus improving nutrient utilisation. During the depolymerisation

A recent study has demonstrated the efficacy of microbial muramidase

reducing the number of interactions with fat micelles, thus benefiting

on feed efficiency and gut health, enhancing nutrient digestibility and

fat absorption.

absorption.

process, negatively charged peptidoglycans lose their charge,

In a similar study, the effect of muramidase on growth performance

The enzymes widely used by the feed industry are non-starch

was attributed to the enhanced gut antioxidant and immune status,

polysaccharidases that cleave the non-starch polysaccharides in

and the significant increase in intestinal villi – increasing the intestinal

viscous cereals, and microbial phytases that target the phytate-

surface area for nutrient absorption. In their study, the researchers also

complexes in plant ingredients. Recently, a new category of feed

observed benefits of the enzyme on gut microbiota; they found higher

enzymes, microbial muramidase, have become available, in which

proliferation of beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus and lower coliform

the substrate is not present in the feed but already present in the

counts, all attributing to better nutrient digestion and absorption.

gastrointestinal tract. Muramidase, also known as lysozyme or N-acetylmuramidase, are naturally found in a great variety of animal

Table 1. Performance of broiler chickens fed a control diet, or

secretions, plants, or micro-organisms. Muramidases are glycosyl

the same diet supplemented with Muramidase (35,000 LSU (F)/kg

hydrolytic enzymes that cleave the β1, 4 glycosidic linkages between

during the starter and grower periods

N-acetylmuramic acid and N-acetyl glucosamine in the carbohydrate

Variables

Treatments

backbone of bacterial cell wall components, called peptidoglycans

Control

Muramidase

(PGNs). The most studied muramidase is the one abundantly found

Weight gain (g/d)

in hen egg white.

0 to 21 d

45.7

47.1

Studies suggest that catalysing the depolymerisation of PGNs from

21 to 36 d

118.8

119.4

the bacterial cell debris present in the gut, because of the continuous

0 to 36 d

76.2

77.1

bacterial turnover, best describe the mode of action of this enzyme.

FCR

During this process, 50% of the pre-existing PGNs in a bacterial cell

0 to 21 d

1.40

1.32

are released from the wall and recycled, but the fate of the remaining

21 to 36 d

1.45

1.39

50% is unclear. It is speculated that accumulation of bacterial cell

0 to 36 d

1.43

1.36

wall fragments at the gut surface could impair nutrient digestion and absorption and, in that case, the inclusion of microbial muramidase in broiler diets could result in better nutrient availability and higher

Enhancing gut microbiota

growth performance.

In the current study, no significant differences were observed between the control and the muramidase diet on gut/intestinal morphology.

The study

However, in the study of Mervat et al. (2017) there were significant

The study aimed at evaluating the effect of dietary supplementation

decreases in the harmful faecal coliform and clostridia and an increase

of muramidase to broiler chickens on gastrointestinal functionality,

in the beneficial Lactobacillus in the muramidase-supplemented

evaluating growth performance, apparent ileal digestibility, intestinal

diets. In addition, in comparison to the control, these researchers

histomorphology, vitamin A in plasma, and caecal microbiota. A total

found significant increases in gene expression of the glutathione

of 480 one-day old chicks were distributed in 16 pens allocated to two

peroxidase and superoxide dismutase enzymes, showing an

experimental diets. Digesta and tissue samples were obtained on days

enhanced antioxidant status of the gut. Histologically, the intestinal villi

9 and 36 of the study. The two dietary treatments were as follows:

length and crypts depth were also enhanced by dietary muramidase

• Control diet: without feed enzymes, coccidiostat or growth promoters • Muramidase diet: Control + 35,000 units (LSU(F)) Muramidase /kg feed

Page 18 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

supplementation. They concluded that exogenous muramidase induces enhanced expression of intestinal antioxidant enzymes, leading to a marked increment in the intestinal detoxification status against various xenobiotics.

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Immunity and foot health

Conclusion

The current study detected an increase in goblet cell numbers after 36

It was concluded that the benefits of supplementing muramidase to

days of microbial muramidase supplementation. They suggested the

broiler diets is observed through improvement in growth performance,

observation a result of probable direct or indirect changes promoted by

nutrient utilisation, and immunity. With improvements in production and

muramidase in the intestinal ecosystem or in the release of bioactive

welfare, use of the enzyme is expected to increase the profitability of

factors. In a similar study, there was an improvement in the serum globulin

broiler production.

values in a dose-dependent manner in muramidase–fed birds, which

On the other hand, it is interesting to know if safety levels can

supports the enzyme’s immune stimulatory role. These researchers

be established for muramidase. For this, a tolerance study showed

stated that intestinal microbiota and antioxidant enzymes modulate the

complete tolerance of broiler chickens to the consumption of 10-times

gut immunity as reflected in serum globulin levels and better disease

the maximum intended dose (45 000 LSU(F)/kg feed) for 6 weeks. In that

resistance. In another recent study (2021), three diets based on the

study, no abnormality in feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion

control diet supplemented with 25,000, 35,000 and 45,000 LSU (F)/kg of

ratio, clinical health, blood clinical chemistry and haematology, or gross

muramidase, showed a linear decrease in footpad dermatitis scores with

pathology was recorded in any of the treatments with muramidase.

increasing dosage, which corresponded to improvements in weight gain

It is worth remembering that the variation in growth responses

and FCR for the same period. They suggested that dietary muramidase

between published reports may be attributed to differences in dietary

provides better nutrient availability and has a direct positive impact on

formulations, enzyme dose, application or the origin of the enzyme or

the development of skin of the foot pad in broilers.

the combined use of other enzymes.

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adding: “We cannot accept that a reduction of the number of animals

View From Europe

(being farmed) is the way forward.”

By Colin Ley

Dutch feed additive trials

The best that can be drawn from such a comment, nevertheless, is that farmers and their suppliers have a little time left to convert the current number of potential solutions into one or two genuine answers.

In that context, it is encouraging to see the progress being made by researchers at the Wageningen University & Research (WUR) innovation

GHG emissions take centre stage The restoration of climate change sanity to the presidential office of the

centre in Leeuwarden, The Netherlands, concerning methane emissions and the feeding of a novel feed additive to dairy cows.

USA and the approach of COP26 at the end of this year have combined

Headline emission reductions vary from 27% to 40% of methane

to raise the stakes for those battling to control agriculture’s greenhouse

per cow, depending on the diets being used and the amount of Bovaer

gas (GHG) emissions.

methane inhibitor included in the feed.

It is an issue which directly impacts compound feed producers, with

The WUR trial was designed to deliver methane reduction results

methane emissions from dairy and beef cows, in particular, attracting

from three different ratios of grass silage and maize silage, alongside

regular ‘ban them’ headlines around the world. While many consumers

two different dosages of Bovaer. Sixty-four Holstein-Friesian cows in

appear desperate to once again be allowed to book their annual holiday

mid-lactation were enrolled in the study.

flights to the sun, the same people seem more than ready to voice their

“The results are certainly promising,” said researcher Dr André

condemnation of belching cows. This is a frustrating but sadly irrelevant

Bannink, adding that Bovaer effectively inhibits the formation of

part of the emissions story.

methane.

Thankfully, animal feed producers are getting on with the task of

Precisely how effectively depends on the diet the cows are given.

finding solutions to agriculture’s emissions challenge, leaving aside the

The 27% methane reduction result was achieved when Bovaer was fed

inequalities of the overall debate.

at 60 mg/kg Dry Matter (DM) as a supplement to a diet without maize

Although well short of being the worst GHG offenders, farming is

silage in the roughage. The reduction rose to 35% when a low dose of

responsible for about 10% of total emissions, with livestock production

the inhibitor was added to a diet containing 80% maize silage. When the

playing a major part in the process. That 10% figure is an average for

cows were given a medium dose of Bovaer (80 mg/kg DM), the methane

Europe as a whole, of course. Some individual countries, with a large

reduction percentage ranged from 29% to 40%.

and vibrant livestock industry, account for much more on a localised

“Just a quarter of a teaspoon of Bovaer per cow per day reduces

basis. Irish farming, for example, renowned for its wonderful grass-led

enteric methane emission by approximately 30%,” commented WUR.

beef and dairy herds, is estimated to account for 30% of the country’s

“The feed additive therefore contributes to a significant and immediate

total GHG emissions. Scotland, which is another rich source of quality

reduction of the environmental footprint of meat, milk and dairy

beef is maybe a little lower in the emissions league but still sits at around

products.”

24% in terms of its farming impact on GHG totals.

The trial was backed by a broadly-based research/industry

While there are counter arguments to be made about the need for

consortium, including the product’s developers, Royal DSM, WUR,

fairer calculations to be applied to the GHG impact of livestock farming,

FrieslandCampina, Royal Agrifirm Group, De Heus Animal Nutrition

taking a broader account of grassland’s ability to capture and store

and ForFarmers.

carbon, the more farmers and feed suppliers can do to reduce methane emissions the better.

Research partners needed Royal DSM have been working on Bovaer for the past 10 years, by the

Livestock reduction battle

way, a fact which highlights the challenge being faced by farmers and

What definitely needs to be avoided is a cave-in to calls for any reduction

feed companies, especially with net-zero targets to meet in less than 25

of livestock numbers in order to meet future emission reduction targets.

years’ time in some cases.

Returning to our Irish farming example, it has been suggested that

The Bovaer trial is just part of WUR’s contribution to this issue,

400,000 cattle would have to be taken out of production to achieve a

with the Dutch centre being constantly on the look-out for new research

10% reduction in methane.

partners to help them meet their current GHG reduction targets:

Similarly in Scotland, where the devolved government is committed to achieving net-zero GHG emissions by 2045, a livestock cut of 300,000 cows is said to already have been discussed by the country’s leaders.

Multiply those livestock reduction numbers across Europe and the implications for food, farming and the feed industry are enormous.

For the moment, however, a major reduction programme does not appear to be on the cards, certainly not according to Asger Christensen,

• Less greenhouse gases from livestock • Less greenhouse gases from manure • Smarter use of land and peat soils • Emission-reducing animal feed • Energy transition in the agrifood chain An impressive list and vital areas of research for all our futures.

EP rapporteur for the European Commission’s methane reduction

Sustainability and innovation

strategy. He told a recent FEFAC webinar that a “number of solutions

Staying with a Dutch farm business theme, I thought it was worth quoting

exist to reduce the environmental impact of the livestock sector,” before

a few recent sustainability and innovation comments from Rabobank,

Page 20 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

Comment section is sponsored by Compound Feed Engineering Ltd www.cfegroup.com

headquartered in The Netherlands but very much a global power in farming and farm business terms.

and have now released the first set of equations for trial.

“AFBI and SRUC have reviewed hundreds of datasets across

“The availability of enough, healthy and affordable food to feed the

the UK and Europe and updated prediction models to better predict

world population is, after the climate challenge, one of the most pressing

animal performance and feed requirements. Newly updated equations

and complex challenges the world faces,” said the bank in its recent ‘Our

for feed intake, growth and energy requirements are being shared with

impact in 2020’ report.

the project’s industry member group for trial. These will continue to be

Focused on how the year of Covid-19 played out for food and farming interests, the report goes on to ask if it is possible to produce food sustainably with respect for people, animals, and nature, and still

revised and honed before final completion.”

No doubt trial group members are continuing to drive this work forward. As for me, I’ll make sure it stays on my radar in future.

remain economically viable.

“We think it is,” said Rabobank, perhaps reminding us all that we

Brexit trade report

should think much more of our industry as a source of vital solutions for

Finally, time for a brief Brexit trade update, although official statistics on

the world rather than as the focus of waste and destruction, which is

what is actually happening tend to flow almost as slowly as the goods

how some portray us.

themselves.

“Rabobank was created 125 years ago when a group of inventive

AHDB senior policy analyst, Tom Forshaw, asked the Brexit import/

farmers came together. They faced major problems which they were

export question which I’m sure we’re all trying to work out, namely:

unable to solve as individuals. The farmers discovered that working

“Teething problems or permanent toothache?”

together brought results. Now we are doing exactly the same, standing

His following analysis of the latest UK agri-food trade data from the

with customers and partners to make food production and consumption

Office of National Statistics (ONS) is somewhat restricted, however, due

more sustainable.”

to the fact that such data only exists to the end of February 2021. Within

Sustainable food, the report continues, is food that is produced

that limited timeframe, the clearest evidence from the first two months of

within the planet’s own limits. What this means in practice is that we use

post-Brexit traffic is that additional paperwork and higher transportation

our knowledge, networks, and financial products to give our customers

costs remain the biggest challenges facing UK importers and exports.

fresh perspectives and help them move forward.

As for innovation, Rabobank added: “We believe in the innovative power of our customers to produce more with less.”

Patience

On top of this, the ONS has stated that “other issues still persist” making it hard to “precisely quantify the impacts of EU Exit so far”. The Office also commented that trade patterns are likely to reflect the impacts of the unwinding of stocks, COVID-19 restrictions, and lower demand due to the UK and global economic recession.

Just as Royal DSM has taken 10 years to get its new feed additive

“It is too soon to be able to assess to what extent recent trading

through to being ready for dairy cow trials in The Netherlands, so other

patterns are short-term or reflect more lasting structural changes,’’

developers and innovators have committed time, money, and effort to

concluded ONS.

secure the end results we all crave.

Further analysis by Mr Forshaw, focusing on trade for the agriculture

I was struck, for example, by a recent announcement from

sector, shows some improvement from the historic lows recorded in

ForFarmers that the company’s Nutrition Innovation Centre (NIC) works

January 2021. Even so, trade has remained relatively depressed for

on approximately 50 projects a year. The figure highlights the scale of

the first two months of the year, and significantly lower in February 2021

potential which exists within our industry and the level of investment and

than in the same month last year.

commitment needed to progress the best of those 50-a-year projects through to commercial use.

As such, for the first two months of 2021, UK exports of food and live animals were down on the year by around 31%, equivalent to £713m

Talking of the need for patience, I recently came across an April

of reduced business. Exports of meat and meat preparations to the EU

2021 update to a five-year UK-based review which is tackling the question

were particularly affected, falling by 52% on the year, equivalent to a

of how to improve beef cattle feeding guidelines.

loss of £126m in sales. Admittedly, exports of meat preparations to the

The review was launched two years ago with the comment that

rest of world rose in February, climbing by 55% on the year, worth an

existing beef feeding guidance underestimates nutritional requirements in

extra £23m in value terms. That still leaves a net £100m downturn in

a number of areas. CIEL (Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock),

trading value for the category, however, so the books certainly aren’t

AHDB Beef & Lamb, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and the Agri-Food

balancing at the moment.

and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) duly started work on the issue.

“It is 25 years since the last major update was published and both

39% fall in UK exports of feeding stuffs

animal genetics and feeding systems have changed a lot since the

Exports of animal feeding stuffs from the UK into the EU fell by 39% over

underpinning data was recorded in the 1980s,” it was stated in 2019.

the first two months of the year, partially offset by a 20% rise in exports

“Changes in market specifications, with major meat processors seeking

to the rest of the world.

younger animals with lighter carcases but with similar fat cover, is another key reason to update nutritional guidelines.”

I’m sure I wrote about the launch at the time, but the truth is that it hasn’t on my radar since, until I stumbled on last month’s progress report.

“Over the last two years,” the April update revealed, “the ‘Feed into Beef’ team have been reviewing current beef feed guidelines in detail

At the same time, imports of animal feeding stuffs from the EU into the UK rose by 8% during January and February, with imports from the rest of the world climbing by 26%, compared to 2020 figures.

Nevertheless, with more border checks and regulations due to be phased in on October 1 2021, January 1 2022 and March 2022, the post-Brexit learning curve for exporters and importers seems set to continue for a while yet.

Feed Compounder May/June 2021 Page 21

Green Pages

Feed Trade Topics from the Island of Ireland NIGTA opposes private members’ Climate Change Bill for Northern Ireland

of the Green Party, will be much more damaging, leading to massive

The Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association (NIGTA) has joined other

devastate the Northern Ireland economy. The reality is that the measures

agri-food stakeholder groups in describing as ‘irresponsible’ the actions

will contribute nothing to the global environment or to the challenge of

of politicians in Northern Ireland who are supporting the Green Party’s

feeding a growing population.”

private members’ bill on climate change.

job losses, rural depopulation and the loss of export earnings, which will

According to Robin Irvine, the inevitable outcome of this policy is

Those against the progress of the bill at Stormont point out that the

that the UK requirement for meat and dairy will simply be imported from

proposed legislation flies in the face of expert scientific advice. Moreover,

regions where emissions are higher, and animal health and welfare

it has not been subject to any economic risk assessment.

standards are much lower than is the case in Northern Ireland.

According to Robin Irvine, CEO of the NIGTA, the implementation

“While it is inevitable that the mitigation of climate change will impact

of the bill would be devastating to the local livestock sector. One of its

significantly on the agri-food sector, it is irresponsible for politicians to

consequences would be a reduction in meat and milk production by

proceed with legislation which ignores the valuable work of our expert

over 50%. “The proposed bill ignores the guidance of the UK Climate

scientists and researchers and which has not undergone a proper

Change Committee, which has calculated that an 82% reduction in

assessment as to the effect on employment and the economy,” Irvine

emissions in Northern Ireland will be sufficient for the UK to deliver its

concluded.

target of net-zero by 2050,” Irvine said. “Instead, many of our politicians 2045 without any reference to science or consideration of the social

If we don’t produce the food, someone else will!

and economic impact.”

The theory that food production in Ireland must be throttled back

are determined to commit Northern Ireland to a 100% reduction by

“Businesses across Northern Ireland are not opposed to robust

significantly as agriculture strives for ‘carbon neutrality’ was well and truly

programs to mitigate climate change, and are actively engaged on a daily

debunked this week, courtesy of the presentations given to the Alltech

basis on promoting sustainable practices throughout the food chain,”

Ireland Environmental Forum.

Irvine continued. The agri-food industry has been leading the way as

Numerous speakers pointed to the fact that, when set against the

one of the first sectors to engage with government in joint initiatives,

inevitability of a rising global population, the need to produce more food

which have had significant successes in mitigation of emissions to air

must be factored into the climate change debate. Yes, food waste is

and water.

an issue. But even if we succeed in tackling this challenge, the need to

“We are committed to play our part in the management of climate change and while we agree that the issue should be addressed by the

increase food output levels in order to feed a 9 billion world population remains very real.

Assembly, it is vital that the approach is informed by the best available

Moreover, if Ireland takes its foot off the gas, farmers in other

science and with a full understanding of the social and economic impact

countries will take up the slack. Another perspective alluded to by several

of the proposed measures.”

speakers was that of compartmentalising agriculture as a separate entity

The NIGTA representative went on to point out that an alternative

within national economies – where climate change is concerned – and

bill, tabled by Northern Ireland’s Farm Minister Edwin Poots, and

at individual country level. Contrast this with energy production and

supported by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural

consumption, where a more international approach is being taken.

Affairs (DAERA), is based on the UK Climate Change Committee guidelines.

This approach, Irvine states, recognises the much greater importance of agriculture in Northern Ireland and that much of the food produced here is consumed in Great Britain.

There was total unanimity expressed regarding the potential that exists across the island of Ireland to produce food on a sustainable basis. This is especially the case where high-quality animal proteins are concerned.

Alltech president and CEO Dr. Mark Lyons confirmed that Ireland will

“This will involve an evidence-based approach and has gone

play a critically important role in helping to feed the world moving forward.

through a full consultation and impact assessment,” Irvine explained.

“Improving sustainability will be at the heart of everything associated with

“This programme is described as challenging and will drive contraction

agriculture and food as both industries move forward,” Dr. Lyons stated.

across the agri-food sector as the inefficient operators are forced out of

“ And it is in this context that farmers must be prepared to enter into a

business. However, it is believed that the industry can survive such a

meaningful debate with consumers.”

programme preserving the majority of the 100,000 jobs supported by the sector and maintaining substantial export sales to GB and beyond.

“By contrast, the private members’ bill, proposed by Clare Bailey

Page 22 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

Dr. Lyons pointed to the valuable role that agriculture is already playing, from a climate change perspective, pointing specifically to its ability to sequester large quantities of carbon.

“Agriculture has the greatest potential to shape the future of our

Mr. Pat McCormack said that while he did not wish to overstate the

planet, and by embracing innovation and improving farm management,

case, there was undoubtedly a momentum building behind the objective

our agriculture sector can lead the way in enhancing agri-food

of legally ensuring that farmers and primary producers received a fair

sustainability,” Dr. Lyons added. “Never before have we needed to

price from the corporate retailers who completely dominate the EU’s

come together as an industry to solve the environmental challenges

food sector.

we face. It is not up to one organisation to solve this issue. We need to

McCormack said that this movement was especially strong in

collaborate with the industry by working together with farmers, industry

France, where policymaking seemed notably less beholden to the

bodies, processors and governments. Action is what will make it happen:

wishes of these corporations, and there was a general acceptance that

we need to make a start.”

the survival of a state’s farming and food sector was more important than any corporation’s desire to increase their own margins and build

Drop in crop yields in 2020 hits incomes of Irish tillage farmers

market share.

Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) Grain Chairman Mark Browne has said

behind the idea of margin reform by regulation, and without that reform,

that the incomes of tillage farmers could be down 15% for 2020 because

then the contradiction between a continuing cheap food strategy and the

of a sharp drop in yields.

lower volumes involved in the transition to low-emissions farming will

“There’s an emphasis at Government level on increasing the tillage

“There does seem to be a slow-but-steady momentum building up

render those environmental moves futile,” McCormack explained.

area in this country and promoting the use of native grain and protein crops

“We have repeatedly pointed out that any meaningful action to lower

in livestock rations,” Browne said. However, in order to achieve these

emissions will have to involve the end of the ‘cheap food’ policy introduced

goals, Government actions and policy must support the sector – “Some

and operated by the corporate retailers for the last 30-odd years. It is that

of the current proposals for the next CAP, in relation to convergence and

policy that prioritises volumes over margin and leaves farmers having to

the administration of eco schemes, will impact negatively on the tillage

produce more as the corporate retailers relentlessly drive down prices

sector. In addition, the coupled protein payment needs to be increased

paid by the consumers while keeping their own retail margin.”

to encourage increased plantings of these crops.”

Mark Browne said the impact of a difficult winter in 2019, followed by drought conditions in late spring of 2020, had a devastating effect on last year’s crop. According to the Teagasc National Farm Survey, tillage farm incomes also fell by 15% in 2019 compared to 2018.

“Everyone behind them in the supply chain simply passes the reductions back to the farmers, who have borne the cost of this very deliberate strategy for decades now,” McCormack added.

Noting that the proposed French law, as explained by Gregory Besson-Moreau to the EU’s Parliaments’ Agriculture Committee, would

“The price of Quality Assured Irish grain must not be undermined by

be a system of ‘reviewed and updated cost indicators’, McCormack

the price of third-country feedstuffs, which are not produced to the same

said that we simply had to make the connection between “the costs of

environmental standards as Irish grain,” Browne added.

producing something and the price people are asked to pay for it.”

He said that feed manufacturers and the malting sector should

According to the ICMSA president, there is a real cost of producing

maximise their intake of Irish grain, adding: “The area of Irish grain

food, and that real cost – comprised of economic and environmental

production is down 17% from 2012, and without targeted measures and

elements – is going to go up and will have to be paid for by everyone,

a strategic plan, this decline will continue. The sector contributes over

including the retailer and consumer.

€650m of farm gate value to the rural economy. It is of critical strategic

“We have had a situation for the last 30 years where the consumers

importance to Ireland’s €13bn livestock, dairy, food, drinks and mushroom

paid an artificially low price with the balance of the real cost paid by the

export sectors.”

farmer/primary producer,” McCormack continued. “That system was brutally unfair, and hundreds of thousands of EU farmers have seen

Irish policymakers urged to study proposed French Law on farm production costs

their livelihoods sacrificed on the altar of this cheap food policy. Make no

The President of Ireland’s Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA)

the integration of farming with climate change measures has meant that

has urged Irish politicians and policymakers to pay attention to the debate

time has run out for this wasteful and destructive system. We will have to

underway in France, where a new law is proposed that will force buyers

reform the way we calculate the costs of getting food to the consumers,

of food and agri-produce to take account of the costs of production in

and that will mean that the costs incurred producing that food are

negotiations with the farmers.

incorporated in the price paid to the farmers by the retailers.”

Choose the proven leader for all of your feed additive needs

mistake, it should have been changed anyway, but the urgency around

Alltech.com/ireland

AlltechNaturally

@Alltech

Sarney | Summerhill Road | Dunboyne | Co. Meath

Feed Compounder May/June 2021 Page 23

In my Opinion … Richard Halleron ‘Rancho Relaxo’ beckons for Ireland’s feed compounders

turnover achieved by the feed milling sector will amount to significant

Methinks that all the planets have now aligned to deliver an ‘abundance

improved animal performance, then everyone involved is a winner.

of opportunities’ for Ireland’s animal feed milling businesses. Consider the facts.

multiples of millions of Euros. And good luck to everyone involved.

If the payback at farm level comes in the form of significantly It goes without saying that grazed grass is Ireland’s greatest asset.

And this must remain the case.

The recent rollover of the BEEP-S programme will encourage

But grass alone is not a totally balanced feed for ruminant livestock.

suckler herd owners to feed more meal to calves over the coming months,

As a case in point, I have interviewed several dairy farmers over the last

while the Sheep Welfare Scheme contains similar provisions where the

number of months, all of whom have told me that they will keep up meal

feeding of ewes is concerned.

feeding levels well into the summer.

Meanwhile, the focus now being placed on 24-month calf-to-beef

The driving force behind this approach is their fear of cows being

systems will encourage more intense feeding of meal to dairy-bred calves,

impacted by early embryo loss. They know this is happening and are

particularly in the months post-weaning.

attributing the problem to the excessive consumption of lush grass

Teagasc research has identified the absolute necessity of ensuring that concentrates are made available to weanlings during their first season at grass.

All of this is great news if you are in the feed compounding business.

But the biggest prize of all – a switch to greater levels of winter milk output – has yet to be realised. Nevertheless, change is coming.

The Glanbia debacle, and the debate that followed, has pointed

containing high levels of nitrogen.

Equally, the confirmation from Teagasc that rumen development in weanling calves can be negatively impacted if they are put on a grassonly diet too soon is extremely revealing.

Everything in life is about balance. Again, consider the facts. Huge strides have been made in improving the genetic potential of Ireland’s dairy cow, beef cattle and breeding sheep populations.

to the absolute necessity for significant numbers of Irish dairy farmers

But grass alone was never going to ensure that all this potential

to entertain a greater commitment to autumn calving as they develop

could be translated into improved performance on the ground. Given this

their businesses.

backdrop, the strategic need for enhanced levels of meal and concentrate

If and when all of these developments take place, the increased

Page 24 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

feeding becomes obvious.

The Year that Zoomed by

By Andrew Birch, Solution Architect at Binary Consultants

Let’s get this out of the way up-front, right now. If you told me that I

Starting with the pros – holding meetings virtually rather than

never had to do another Teams (or Zoom) call ever again, I would be

in-person can make scheduling a lot easier as all you need to do is

overjoyed. The sense of relief and elation would last for quite some

find a time when everyone is free, rather than a time where everyone

months, especially if they were all to be replaced with travel and

is free and is able to get to the right place.

meeting people face-to-face, in-person.

Having done none of that for over a year now, doing business “the old-fashioned way” would be genuinely refreshing.

We saw this as a big benefit very early on when we found we could suddenly work with two or more clients in the same day, rather than scheduling a day at a time on-site. I say initially, because our diaries are just as constrained now, perhaps even more so, than we

Teams/Zoom Fatigue is real

were when we were travelling to site, but I’ll get to that later.

Whatever you call it, six to ten hours of video calls in a day (which is

The downside for everyone, I think, is that easier scheduling

the “new normal” for our little team) leaves you drained in a way that

combined with far less face-to-face contact has led to more meetings

face-to-face meetings of equivalent length simply don’t.

overall. I’m going to shamelessly quote a line from Jurassic Park at

We’ve all noticed it, and we’ve all resolved to make space in our

this point which I use quite often:

diaries away from our webcams. Yet we open our agenda for the week

“Everyone was so busy wondering whether we could, no one stopped

ahead, only to see something like this (image blurred for privacy):

to ask whether we should …”

Headsets and webcams are here to stay (for a little while at least) People seem to be holding many more meetings, whether formal or informal, via Teams and Zoom. And I suspect many wouldn’t happen if it wasn’t quite so easy for everyone to attend (on the assumption that they definitely won’t be anywhere else but the kitchen table).

This, I think, will be a largely self-solving problem.

When the world does finally start to open up again and restrictions are eased, scheduling will once again become more difficult, and those less crucial Teams/Zoom meetings will quickly die away, probably to As a professional services company you’d expect our diaries to

be replaced by the kind of interaction we had before all this started.

be pretty full. Our time is, after all, what we sell, so to us an empty

What I think we will be left with is a new way to meet “when it

diary is as bad as seeing a planned shift with only 30 tonnes on it.

makes sense”. This might mean, for example, that the monthly sales

However, look closer and you’ll see how much overlap, double (or

meeting no longer requires reps to take a day out to drive to the

triple) booking, and back-to-back meetings there are.

office (saving time and travel costs). I’m sure there will still be plenty

Do not be fooled by the hour for lunch! This is just a buffer for

of in-person meetings, however, we’ve now realised that things can

morning meetings to overrun into. If I’ve learned anything in the last

be done differently. I don’t think for a minute that the headsets and

year or so, it’s the importance of having a “hard-stop” on Teams

webcams are going to be permanently consigned to the cupboards

meetings otherwise you can simply kiss your day goodbye.

any time soon.

A blessing and a curse

Good news for the environment

Another thing I’ve noticed is that our clients, i.e. feed mills, have even

In March last year we saw an urgent desire amongst our customers to

busier schedules. And these aren’t just the regular meetings they had

remove dependence on paper in processes; this was, quite obviously,

in-person before, but entirely new meetings made possible by the

because the paper was no longer in the same place as the people

power of remote working and the fact that people can now, literally,

trying to process it!

jump from one meeting to the next without even leaving the kitchen table. I’m going to say this is both a blessing and a curse.

I’m very pleased to say that the trend has continued and, if anything, is gathering pace. Across the industry people are looking

Feed Compounder May/June 2021 Page 25

for ways to transact without paper. From text message notifications

capacity created by process changes made out of necessity during

to email invoicing, customer portals to complex EDI integrations, the

the pandemic. These efficiencies might allow increased volumes

aim is the same: eliminate the paper.

with the same teams or make more flexible working possible where

Whilst this is pretty good news for the environment (less good

it wasn’t before.

news for printer manufacturers and the postal service) it’s also driving

While we’re talking about the return to normal, I’m hearing from

a process change that I have been trying (with varying levels of

some mills that remote working is here to stay. Not at the same levels

success) my whole career to effect – moving from handling everything

as today of course, but jobs people thought impossible from home are

to handling exceptions.

now being done there, quite effectively too. It’s a viable alternative

In simple terms, when there was a pile of paper delivery notes to

for employers and employees alike.

process, you worked through the pile and checked each one. If 80% of them had updated correctly through a link with process control,

Fully remote go-lives

there was nothing more to be done and you swiftly picked up the next

Will any of these technology and process changes replace those

piece of paper and moved on. Whilst implementing new systems like

personal relationships so crucial to the feed milling world? I sincerely

these, we often try to suggest finding a way for the system to identify

hope not, and to explain why, let me share our experience of putting

“just the ones that might need attention” and “just check those” rather

two feed mills live at the same time, remotely, as well as one project

than all of them.

we began in April 2020 that will be live (all being well) by the time you read this.

Management by exception

Last summer, as restrictions eased, it was clear that whilst

I will say that over the years this idea has been met with reactions

we were no longer under a full lockdown, things were definitely

ranging from genuine interest through to polite humouring, and

not back to normal. Roche’s Feeds in Ireland and Moore’s Animal

occasional outrage at my ridiculousness! Not check every one!?! He

Feeds in Northern Ireland were both delayed pending government

must be mad.

announcements about when we could travel over and manage the

In defence of the sceptics, computers have been known to make

training and go-lives. When it became clear that wasn’t happening

mistakes, and as an industry, the feed sector in particular takes great

any time soon, we began planning to complete the projects entirely

pride in ensuring that their customers are well-served and given

remotely. For our business, this was the first real disruption to

accurate and timely information. However, the benefits of moving to

business as usual.

managing by exception are clear and, moreover, lend themselves well to remote working.

Before 2020 we already worked from home and held remote meetings, but we’d never taken a project live without being on-site.

In the last year there has been considerable focus on building list

Once again there were pros and cons. Training, we quickly realised,

pages, dashboards, workspaces – call them what you will – basically

could not be done in groups, because we needed to see users’

a list of things that need human attention, identified and compiled by

screens to guide them through the process. This meant that training

a system. And of all the things the last 18 months has brought, this

was done one-on-one, which was better for the user (good) but took

is one that needs to stay.

considerably longer (not so good).

A shift to exception management isn’t only positive when working

Another advantage of remote meetings is the ability to record

remotely, it is hugely beneficial from a process perspective. Put simply,

them, which really came in handy during training. I’m pleased to report

managing the exceptions takes less time which, once saved, can be

that both projects went live with minimal disruption to their businesses

used for other things (like Teams/Zoom calls).

thanks to a herculean effort by their teams. Rather than a team of

This isn’t a new idea of course, every system implementation

experienced software people on-site to supplement and support their

ever sold has always claimed to increase efficiency, save time, etc.

internal team during the frenetic change-over period, they actually had

but in this case, I think it will, a) be genuinely true; and b) apply to

to take on more work in areas like IT and integrations to effectively

almost all companies whether they have implemented new software

be our eyes, ears and hands on-site.

or not. The point is that the pandemic has forced us all to find new

Together we found a way through and, emboldened by success,

ways of working. Some are woefully less efficient, unpleasant and

we are planning to go-live with Lakeland Agri in May 2021 having not

will go away the moment rules allow; but others (those that actually

stepped foot on site since the project began. And it’s at this point we

proved to be an improvement) are here to stay.

can explore those all-important personal relationships.

As an example, we’ve seen a marked shift from requests to change printed documents, to requests for on-screen forms and lists

Building a project team exclusively online is tough

to change instead. People are thinking differently, working differently

Whilst it is possible to configure software, analyse requirements

and now, planning differently.

and train processes via Teams, it is not possible to form the same

What I think we’ll see, when we return to normal, is some genuine

Page 26 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

relationships that you’d build in person. We were exceptionally lucky

with Lakeland in that one of our team had worked with them for years and already had those relationships, and that our whole team had worked with their project manager before.

But in October 2020 we started a new project in a new industry with a new client, and that’s where we really found the limitations of Teams, and it has nothing to do with the product itself. Building a project team exclusively online is tough, and if we had any choice, we wouldn’t do it. You can organise as many socials or quizzes or getting-to-know-you sessions as you like on Teams or Zoom but, it isn’t a substitute for five minutes making coffee together.

Similarly, no Teams meeting can replicate the experience of just sitting side-by-side with someone you’re getting to know and just asking the odd question or quickly showing each other something on your screen. When on-site we might not have had a specific session with a user but simply sat at the same bank of desks for the day.

There would have been interaction, knowledge sharing, we would have got to know each other without really trying.

Now, imagine the equivalent idea on Teams – start a call that lasts the whole day and just sit there, working away quietly on the task at hand, while the other person does the same, with video and audio on. Now stop imagining it because it’s never going to happen!

It would, in short, be awful and we quite rightly haven’t even tried it. But it’s something we know we’re missing. Don’t get me wrong, it’s going well and we’re working effectively together, and the project is on-track; but it’s not the same, no matter how convenient or costsaving the remote model is, we wouldn’t choose it as the sole method of delivering a project.

The solution for consistent feed quality and optimized milling efficiency

Join our journey to online The way we work has changed forever

kemin.com/ feedprocessing digitalisation

At Binary, we already know the experiences of the last 12 months will change the way we work forever.

We think that rather than travelling for a few days every week, on-site visits will be longer, followed by periods of remote working.

This will (hopefully) give our customers better access to our team (the flexibility of remote working) whilst giving our staff a better work-lifetravel balance than they had before the pandemic hit.

But the important point is that the future will contain both ways of working; a blend of old and new. There are things we know are best done on-site and things that we know are better done remotely, whereas previously the assumption was that almost everything was better done on-site.

The result will be lower costs for our clients, less disruption to the home lives of our staff, less time spent travelling and a lower carbon footprint.

There will be no resistance or hesitation from our team to travel but also no automatic assumption that every meeting must be inperson.

Kemin Industries, Inc. and its group of companies 2021. All rights reserved. ® ™ Trademarks of Kemin Industries, Inc., U.S.A. Certain statements, product labeling and claims may differ by geography or as required by government requirements.

©

And it’s this new-found balance that I think will be a lasting and positive legacy of the year that Zoomed by.

Feed Feed Compounder_Digitalisation_254x86mm.indd 2

Compounder May/June 2021 Page 27

10/05/2021 12:17:04

CFE is proud to celebrate its 25th anniversary Con Lynch (pictured below), Pat Dennehy and the CFE team would like to thank everyone for the business and support over the last 25 years.

Since establishing the business on 8th April 1996, CFE has gained good market share and built a strong, long-lasting customer base. “We are proud of the strong relationships we have built with customers and suppliers”, says Con Lynch. “The support from everyone including our staff has been amazing and we are an integral part of the communities in Haydock and in Castleisland. We are looking forward to the next 25 years. Sadly Covid-19 has meant our anniversary date celebrations have been low key and socially distanced. However, we look forward to celebrating in style later in the year or when restrictions are lifted to allow us.”

The Journey Started 8th April 1996 Con Lynch (pictured top right) and Pat Dennehy (pictured bottom right - both pictures dating from the 1990s) set up Compound Feed Engineering (CFE) in Castleisland, Co. Kerry. An engineering business with three employees, CFE concentrated on die and roll refurbishing for the island of Ireland market.

1997 CFE started selling new dies in Ireland and began refurbishing rolls and dies for the UK market. They invested in their first water pressurised cleaning and countersinking system, a unique and progressive automated solution in this area of engineering.

1998 Employing two staff, CFE set up its first UK die and roll refurbishing operation in Wigan, Greater Manchester and within a year, having

Page 28 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

secured the patent for the Water Pressurised Cleaning and Counter Sinking System, CFE added a second automated solution to its works. By this time, CFE was selling new dies to both the Irish and UK markets.

2000 CFE introduced its first Cost per Tonne model to a feed pellet customer; providing all-inclusive maintenance, engineering and consumables solution to ABN (N. Ireland).

2002 CFE purchased a plant from Vacculug Tyres in Haydock and fully refurbished the industrial unit before moving their Wigan operation

Above: The CFE Haydock team in July 2018, and the Haydock

there.

factory

2003 CFE added Roll Manipulators to their UK plant.

2007 This year saw CFE moving to mainland Europe. They purchased an industrial unit in Helmond, Holland. Using the same cleaning and counter-sinking process, they introduced further innovative technology in grinding, to augment their engineering work. They concentrated on die and roll refurbishing at Helmond and sold the service through a domestic distributor rather than directly to the market.

2015 In 2015, CFE also developed a strategic plan to become the preferred supplier of pelleting consumables and new equipment to the feed and bio-mass sectors across the UK and Irish markets. Since then, CFE has sold up to 50 CPM Pellet Presses, 40 Conditioners, Hot Start Hygienic Units, Grinders and other supporting process equipment. CFE has sold over 30 refurbished Pellet Mills for export across the world. At the end of 2018, CFE installed three presses at a major RDF plant in Ireland and, simultaneously, another three presses were installed at an RDF plant in the UK. CFE’s plan is to double its footprint in the market

2007/8

within the next five years. Its Cost per Tonne (CPT) model has gone

CFE bought a UK die manufacturing facility from OSL in Sheffield.

from strength to strength and CFE now has 26 customers on contract

They moved the OSL plant to the Haydock plant which included the

across the UK and Ireland.

installation of gun drilling machines for the manufacturing of dies.

2021

2009

CFE now has 26 employees, with engineering and sales function teams

By 2009, investment in the Haydock facility had grown and the

operating from the UK and Ireland. In addition, an Export Sales function

company’s expertise had become highly regarded across the markets.

has been built from its successful trading in used equipment.

With a view to making its Haydock plant a centre of excellence in die

The company ethos and values have remained unchanged since

and roll refurbishing and in engineering, CFE decided to re-structure

the 8th of April 1996. CFE has developed, won and expanded the

and rationalise. They sold their building in Holland and moved their

business by forging trusting relationships and providing tailor-made

Irish production to the UK site.

valued and sustainable solutions for its customers.

2010 CFE bought a building in Castleisland, Co. Kerry, to become the permanent address of its Head Office (which had continued to operate from Castleisland since 1996).

CFE believes in honesty of performance and views itself as a partner with its stakeholders, including its highly regarded and experienced team of employees, its customers, key suppliers, institutional providers and neighbours.

Con Lynch and Pat Dennehy are proud of the CFE Team and

2013

would like to recognise them. They are loyal, honest and dedicated.

CFE became Irish and UK Agents for California Pellet Mill Company

They have a strong work ethic and co-operate very well with each other

(CPM), global leaders in the manufacture of pelleting process

across both countries. CFE would also like to pay tribute to its past

equipment in both feed and biomass markets.

employees who all made a contribution of their own.

Feed Compounder May/June 2021 Page 29

Increasing Production Efficiency by Managing Moisture and Microbial Risk in Feed Manufacture

By Lauren Judd, Product Manager Feed Additives, Trouw Nutrition GB

The use of surfactant additives in compound feed manufacture has

and compound feed. The surfactants in Fylax have the ability to lower

the potential to improve efficiency of production and storage while

the surface tension of water, improving the products anti-mould effect

contributing to the drive for reduced carbon footprints. They can be

as well as feed mill efficiency.

a valuable component of plans to unlock productive efficiencies.

Feed manufacturing businesses should be constantly striving

It is generally added in the mixer prior to the conditioner but this can depend on the precise set up of the mill.

to drive production efficiencies to reduce costs per tonne produced.

At the same time, climate change legislation requires reductions in

Figure 1: Moisture losses in different processes

power usage by a further 6%.

Surfactants can have a significant role in three key areas of feed manufacture. By improving moisture retention they can improve the utilisation of raw materials and in addition prolong shelf life.

Moisture retention Loss of moisture is a cause of reduced yield of finished products, with commonly 2.5% moisture losses seen throughout the production cycle that have to be replaced. This means that for every 100 tonnes of raw materials, the yield of finished products is 97.5t.

Moisture in feed comes from the base raw materials, is added

Power savings

at mixing and then molasses and stream can be added at the

Feed manufacturers are faced with a continuing demand to reduce

conditioning stage. Between 0.5-1.5% moisture is typically lost in

energy consumption. On most sites, the quick electricity savings have

grinding and cooling. With raw materials accounting for around 80%

been made with future changes often requiring capital expenditure

of total feed production costs, taking action to reduce moisture loss

to achieve the reductions.

will have an impact on potential profitability.

Adding extra moisture in the milling process comes with

Adding moisture to compensate for losses can lead to quality

implications for power usage. Steam is generally cheaper than other

issues, particularly if too much is added. If water is reintroduced

methods, vaporising water droplets and gelatinising starch to hold

before pressing, there is a risk of roller slippage resulting in poorer

pellets together. If you are unable to use steam then you are reliant

quality pellets.

on friction and pressure to ensure pellet quality.

The addition of Fylax helps to reduce extreme losses post-

By reducing the surface tension of moisture, Fylax ensures water

conditioning. As a surfactant, it reduces the surface tension of

is better dispersed and absorbed resulting in reduced power usage

moisture and helps achieve better dispersion throughout the

and a better quality product.

compounding process. Moisture adheres better leading to reduced

Figure 2, based on data from eight commercial trials, shows the

losses. While not eliminating moisture loss, Fylax helps flatten the

effect of the addition of Fylax on energy use and mill throughput with

moisture loss curve (see figure 1).

a 22.1% reduction in kW/t.

Fylax is a synergetic blend of organic acids and surfactants. It is produced using a technology that creates activated propionates. The

Mould inhibition for increased shelf life

activated propionates and organic acids effectively reduce moulds to

If moisture is added to feed to enhance conditioning, the presence of

guarantee the nutrient value and prolong the shelf life of raw materials

moulds is inevitable. Mould growth will negatively affect the nutritional

Page 30 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

continuous improvement programme can help the interlinked challenges

Figure 2: The effect of Fylax addition on energy usage

of reducing moisture losses, increasing energy efficiency and extending

RELATIVE EFFECT OF FYLAX® FORTE HC IN A 10% HYDRATING SOLUTION ON PELLETISER SPECS Control

shelf life, all of which can make a contribution to profitability.

Fylax Forte HC, 0.75 kg/t

At Trouw Nutrition we work with customers to understand the

150

specific challenges and provide solutions tailored to the mill and the

141.6

products manufactured. This can include specific dosing systems, regular maintenance and calibration and on-going support to ensure 100 100

100

the benefits are realised.

100

92.6 77.9

Figure 3: The effect of Fylaz addition on shelf life of finished feeds

50 (based on 8 commercial trials)

THROUGHPUT, T/H

KWT/T

Source: Trouw Nutrition R&D

value and quality of feeds and shorten shelf life of products, increasing the risk of rejected loads and of waste, both of which increase costs.

Fylax contains a synergistic blend of organic acids which are a strong mould inhibitor. The acids are buffered to ensure a longlasting protective effect while the surfactant properties optimise the distribution of the acids throughout the finished feed.

Figure 3 shows the effect of the addition of Fylax on relative shelf life of finished feeds with a substantial increase over the control.

The addition of Fylax in production processes as part of a

FYLAX® FORTE IMPROVES THE SHELF LIFE OF RAW MATERIALS AND COMPOUND FEEDS

Relative shelf life improvement in stress test

AMPS

200 187

175 150

158

125 125 100 100 75 50 CONTROL

Based on Fylax comparison trial 32

FYLAX FORTE HC

FYLAX FORTE

CALCIUM PROPIONATE

Source: Trouw Nutrition R&D

Zinpro Corporation Celebrates 50th Anniversary with a Bolder, Performance-Driven Focus for the Future Zinpro Corporation, a leading provider of performance trace mineral animal nutrition, is commemorating its 50th year of business with a bold rebrand that represents its passion and commitment for the future: Advancing Performance Together.

“For the past 50 years, customers have relied on Zinpro to continually develop trace mineral products to help improve animal health and performance,” said Rob Sheffer, president and CEO of Zinpro. “With a new brand identity that reflects our comprehensive, solutions-based approach, Zinpro is determined to remain the industry leader for the next 50 years. We are a performance company working side-by-side with our customers and partners to achieve better outcomes for animals and people.”

Founded in 1971 by Dean Anderson as a small organic trace mineral company, Zinpro has grown into a leading global animal nutrition solution provider for ruminants, poultry, swine, equine, aquaculture, companion animals and even humans. In celebration of this anniversary milestone, Zinpro is inviting producers and consumers alike to learn more about how trace mineral nutrition improves the lives of both animals and people. Zinpro has revealed its new brand identity and website to introduce this bolder approach to animal nutrition solutions.

“Fifty years is a remarkable achievement,” added Sheffer. “From humble beginnings, Zinpro has grown into the company we are today through scientific discovery to develop our products and continually advance our industry. This commitment to proven, tested solutions has helped us build trust with customers across the globe.”

Today, the family-owned company employs a team of world class animal scientists, has 11 regional offices worldwide and sells its products in more than 70 countries across the globe.

Zinpro’s team of experts helps producers with everyday animal health challenges including lameness prevention and inflammation management, while improving lifetime performance and productivity.

A key differentiator, Zinpro’s performance minerals utilize a unique pathway for absorption – the amino acid transporter – allowing for exceptional uptake. This discovery – and subsequent peer-reviewed research across species – was foundational to the company’s hard-fought success and continues to create new, innovative solutions.

To learn more about Zinpro’s animal nutrition solutions and how Zinpro is more than minerals, visit zinpro.com

Feed Compounder May/June 2021 Page 31

Protecting workers from hazardous minerals

By Valérie Kromm, Product Manager & Agathe Roméo, R&D Manager, Animine France

In the EU, EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) evaluates the

the lowest dusting potential will be part of the prevention measures

efficacy and the safety of additives before they can be authorised

to secure the work place.

for use in animal feeds by the European Commission. Safety for the environment, for the animal and for the consumers is assessed as

Figure 1: Technological properties of manganese sources are

well as workers safety, which is considered more and more.

highly variable

Hazard for workers is directly linked to the chemical nature of the additive. Therefore, CLP regulation (Regulation UE 1272/2008 on Classification, Labelling and Packaging) requires companies to appropriately label their substances before placing them on the market.

The level of risk for workers mainly depends on the dusting potential of the hazardous substances. In recent years the European Commission has paid more attention to this parameter and the latest authorisations even mentioned provisions related to product particle size.

In order to prevent workers from inhaling dust from chemical substances, occupational exposure limits (OELs) are defined. They indicate the levels of exposure that are considered to be safe in the air of a workplace, in a given time. In the feed industry, trace minerals are the compounds which these specific OELs and related risks are

Growing regulatory pressure on cobalt

most concerned with.

As all cobalt salts are classified CMR (Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, toxic to Reproduction) and as skin and respiratory sensitizers, the workers’

Manganese: new exposure limits in force

exposure to cobalt dust also requires specific attention.

While manganese did not have specific exposure limits defined at

Workers chronically exposed to cobalt dust are susceptible

the European level, the EU recently published in the Directive (EU)

to develop respiratory problems: diminished pulmonary function,

2017/164 some OELs for this element, which is recognised as a

pneumonia, wheezing etc. In recent years, different measures have

neurotoxin. Two values have been defined: 0.2 mg/m3 for the inhalable

been adopted in order to regulate the use of cobalt in the feed sector.

fraction - which is breathed in through the nose or mouth - and 0.05

Since 2013, for example, cobalt can not be used in species for which it

mg/m3 for the respirable fraction - which reaches deep into the lungs.

is not essential (swine, poultry, dogs and cats).

Today most of the European countries have integrated these values in national regulation.

Today, there is still no OEL defined in a European directive but most countries have established some national limits. The value from the

The information relating to manganese exposure in plants

ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists) of

manufacturing premixes and mineral feeds is very limited. In France,

0.02 mg/m3 is the one that is most commonly adopted and serves as a

where the new OELs for manganese have been implemented since

reference in the absence of an OEL value. However, stricter operational

July 2020, a study showed that manganese exposure levels in 6 feed

exposure limits are currently under review in the EU. Following a request

factories exceeded the thresholds defined in this Directive in more than

from the European Commission, experts from ECHA issued an opinion

20% of the measurements (206 measurements, INRS 2004).

last March 2020 proposing a limit value of 0.00001 mg/m3, which would

Technological properties of manganese sources available on the market are very variable (Figure 1) and selection of the sources with

Page 32 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

be very challenging for the feed industry. Other values are currently being evaluated. A decision is expected in the coming months.

Special case with nano particles

European level. Indeed, this heavy metal, not yet regulated in feed

Among substances likely to have an impact on workers’ safety due to

like arsenic, cadmium or lead, can have adverse effects on workers

their strong dusting potential, nanomaterials are a growing concern.

manipulating contaminated ingredients. In a range of 10–100 mg/

Today, despite a particle size a thousand times smaller than commonly

m3, an increased cancer risk, in particular of the respiratory system,

used micro-substances, there are no specific regulations concerning the

has been measured and other health problems have been recorded,

handling of nanomaterials.

including allergic skin reactions.

At first look, the animal nutrition sector is mainly concerned with

Until now, no European directive defined an OEL for nickel, but

certain sources of silica, but the current regulatory framework does not

in 2011 the Scientific Committee on Occupational Exposure Limits

identify all products derived from nanotechnologies. Indeed, substances

(SCOEL) recommended a limit of 0.005 mg/m3 for respirable dust

may have been authorised as additives in a conventional form and since

and 0.03 mg/m3 for inhalable dust. Concentration in trace minerals

been marketed in nano form without the need for notifying it. Moreover,

can be very high: more than 200 ppm in average. Consequently, with

the lack of a clear definition and well-defined analytical method capable

very dusty minerals, Ni exposure of workers in feed factories could

of evaluating small particles does not facilitate the classification of

be a concern. This explains why maximum limits for nickel in feed

nanomaterials.

materials are under discussion. Last February 2020, the ScoPAFF

Nanoparticles are deposited deep into the lung in a much higher proportion than micrometric particles (Figure 2) and several studies are

(Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed) proposed a limit of 200 ppm for trace elements compounds.

in favour of greater toxicity of nanosized particles compared to particles of the same chemical nature in micro form. Nanoparticles of copper,

Conclusion

for example, induce gravely toxicological effects and heavy injuries

Today, more and more regulatory measures are implemented

on kidney, liver and spleen of experimental mice, but micro-copper

in favour of workers safety. This applies in particular to the feed

particles do not (study conducted in 2006). Other studies also suggest

industry where potentially hazardous substances, mainly minerals,

the possibility of inflammatory, respiratory, cardiovascular or neurological

are handled on a daily basis in factories. Because dusty products

effects. Even if nano applications sound promising, data on toxicity

increase the exposure of workers to chemical agents, the European

and methods of measurement of exposure are missing to establish

Commission is more and more attentive to particle size and dusting

occupational exposure limit values. It is therefore appropriate to look

potential when authorising new feed additives. The employer is also

for the lowest possible level of exposure, regardless of the operation

required to regularly monitor the level of exposure of workers to the

carried out.

various chemical substances and to minimise this exposure through preventive measures (individual protective equipment, dust extraction

Nickel in trace minerals soon regulated?

system etc.). The selection of feed additives is essential with the

Contaminants in the feed materials can also be a source of risk for

importance of using products with superior technological properties

workers. For this reason, nickel is actually under discussion at the

well defined by the supplier.

Figure 2: Nanoparticles are deposited deep into the lung

Feed Compounder May/June 2021 Page 33

Thoughts while leaning on the gate looking at

Agriculture in the UK and the Future of the Supply Trade

By Richard Cooksley The supply trade has historically adapted according to the needs of

agricultural area and made up of.

those who farm and produce food, but over the next 3 to 10 years it will

 50% Cereals

need to be more proactive than ever if what is expected to take place

 20% Temporary grass

comes to fruition.

 12% Other arable crops

The difference these days is that farming has less influence on

 7% Oilseeds

government than the past. Those who legislate are further away from

 6% Uncropped arable land

farming or food production than ever and they are subject to lobbying by

 3% Horticulture

other organisations whose aims may not align with those of our industry.

In addition to this the support system for farming that previously provided cash and went straight to the bottom line of the accounts is changing and in the future funds that will be available will be linked to environmental activities such as planting trees or taking areas out of food production.

So as to consider how our market will change, we need to

 2% Potatoes o Permanent grassland is approximately 10 million hectares.  60% Grass over 5 years

 40% Rough grazing (mountains/Hills/moorland o Other land on farms approximately 1.3 million hectares  77% Woodland

understand the changes that are expected to take place in support

 22% Non-agricultural land

funding for agriculture and the associated farming structure.

 1% Land used for pigs

Today UK agriculture with the current subsidies produces less than 60% of the food required to feed the domestic population; if the support

Livestock:

payment was removed totally a large proportion of farms would have to

• 9.6 million cattle/calves o Of which is 1.87 dairy cows

change the way they farm to stay profitable.

Approximately 69% of the UK land area is farmed and some 429,000 are employed on farms generating £9.9 billion to the economy.

As a generalization, most dairy farms are in the West of the country as this predominantly has more rain so grows grass for silage and grazing, whilst the majority of cereal farms are in the East of the country

• 32.5 million sheep/lambs • 182 million poultry • 4 million other o 56% Horses o 27% Goats

where it tends to be drier.

The diversification of activities on farms has been growing in the last 20 years and it is estimated that 69% of farm businesses have some

o 9% Farmed deer

o 3% Alpacas/Llamas

o 5% Others not classified!

other activity such as farm shops, offices, storage, B&B etc.

Sector

• 5 million pigs

Number of Farm holdings

GVA £billions (2014)

GVA%

Workforce (‘000s of jobs)

Workforce %

Agriculture

9.9

9.2%

429

11.04%

Farming Businesses

Food Manufacturing

26.9

24.9%

381

10.1%

I deliberately use the words ‘Farming Business’ as this is a term we in

Food Retailing

30.2

28.0%

228

6.1%

agriculture is a business. Whilst farming is described by many as a way

Food Wholesale

11.9

11.0%

1174

31.2%

of life it can only be so in the long run if it is viable and produces a quality

Catering

29.1

26.9%

1552

41.2%

Total

109.0

100%

3,764

100%

•

212,000 which vary dramatically in size and efficiency

the supply trade and those who farm must understand that farming and

The above is a fair estimate based on DEFRA reports covering 2020 and for information purposes only.

The following basic background covering farms and cropping which has been sourced from DEFRA reports covering up until June 2020.

product, be this livestock, grain, vegetables or public good etc, that is wanted and at a price the market is prepared to pay.

Farms vary in size and type and the challenge over the years has been to get many of them to understand they run a business; it is not just a lifestyle!

The agricultural supply trade is a key part of agriculture as the supplier of goods and increasingly services to those who manage the land and make a living out of it.

Land Area: • 17.3 million hectares of total utilised agricultural land o Croppable land is approximately a third of the UK utilised

Page 34 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

Farming businesses take many forms, different styles, structures and in many ways are driven by the market’s needs and the whims of the ultimate customer. The following give a flavor of these different styles and structures (some of the following overlap).

Conventional: This is a term that traditionally was used to describe

farming with virtually all the family involved within the enterprise. The

virtually all UK farms that followed a well proven pattern of farming linked

farm was passed down over the generations with the children expected

to seasons and traditional methods. As demand for cheap food and

to eventually take over the farm (this in many cases takes many years

also the rise of consumer interest so have the types and descriptions

as farmers never really retire).

of farming systems multiplied.

The vast majority of family farms are very efficiently run, can be

Intensive Farm: A farm that uses a lot of machinery, labour, chemicals, etc. in order to grow as many crops or keep as many animals as possible on the amount of land available. The public and lobbying groups have associated the word ‘intensive’ over the years with farming methods that maximise output without looking after the environment. This in most cases is not the case as to be intensive you need to look after the asset

extensive or intensive operations, but there are some that fall into an area that is linked to ‘a right to farm’ description and the long term future is in question.

There is still a place for the family farm but they are going to be bigger enterprises, far more specialized, run by people with a greater breadth of knowledge with more automation and less manpower.

Mixed Farm:Traditionally many farms would have been built around

so that it continues to prosper and reward.

Cheap food policies, high input costs and shortage of skilled labour

a dairy herd with cereals/fodder being grown to provide feed and the

are probably the main drivers that have driven intensive agriculture over

manure produced by the cows being used as a fertilizer for the crops.

the recent years

In many ways this is probably the most environmentally and socially

Extensive Farm: This is the opposite of intensive as it is an agricultural

friendly way of farming but is potentially very inefficient.

production system that uses minimum inputs of labour, fertilizers, and

Regenerative Farming: This is a method of farming that has soil

capital relative to the land area being farmed and can be associated

health at its heart. The aim is to improve or restore soils that have

with both good and poor farm management.

been degraded by rebuilding soil organic matter and increasing soil

Organic: This is a method of farming that does not use chemicals/

biology.

This involves farming by:

treatment and combines a high level of biodiversity with environmental

1. Limiting soil disturbance.

practices that preserve natural resources and has rigorous standards

2. Keeping soil covered by continually growing crops.

for animal welfare.

3. Maximizing plant diversity

This also requires accreditation to a scheme that is recognised as meeting independently assessed standards and meets EU Organic Regulations.

carbon by encouraging microorganisms which will come from soils rich

Family Farm: Historically this was the backbone of British and Irish

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Feed Compounder May/June 2021 Page 35

Arable Farm: This is a farm where 100% of the activities are focussed on the growing of crops that include cereals and root crops for both traditional agricultural markets as well as industrial ones. Traditionally this also meant that the land was ploughed but increasingly other forms of cultivation are used such as: Traditional: A system where land is ploughed and cultivated in the traditional way utilising modern equipment and tends to be very high powered tractors and machinery.

Min Till: Minimum tillage is a soil and energy conservation system and a tillage method that does not turn the soil over; it can be called strip till.

No Till: No-till farming (also called zero tillage or direct drilling) is a way of growing crops without disturbing the soil through tillage.

No use is made of traditional cultivation methods such as ploughing and ‘No Till’ is the term for minimizing soil disturbance as the seed is sown directly into the ground when planting a crop. This minimises soil disturbance, making it the method used for regenerative agriculture.

to be confused with a ‘Lifestyle/Hobby Farm.

Lifestyle/Hobby: This is an interesting one and, in many ways, a growing area as can include anything from a very small farm right up to a large enterprise which has been bought by a person whose main income comes from working outside of farming. They are not necessarily run to make a profit.

Land/Farm Ownership The ownership of farms and the associated land can be a range of structures but tends to split in to three areas: • Rented The farm and land will be owned by an estate, investment portfolio or a family who previously farmed the land and rented out on a tenancy. The fixed equipment and buildings investment will be subject to the tenancy agreement and the farmer will own all the mobile equipment.

• Owned

Dairy Farm: Dairy farms tend to be specialised production units but

The farm is owned by the business (or the bank/financier) and all

can be part of mixed farms. Cows like all livestock only thrive if looked

equipment will be part of the business

after well. They spend around 60% of their time lying down, (they can’t

• A Mix of Rented and Owned

eat lying down) consume around 50kg of food a day and 60 litres of

This is when a farming business buys or rents adjacent land to builds

water. So it’s not surprising that milk is around 90% water and is one

its business and can be a mix of owned and rented land.

of the main ways we can rehydrate.

A dairy cow can live for between 15 and 20 years with a productive

Environment

life of around 6 years and like all animals they require a balanced diet

The term ‘environment’ means many different things to people and is

linked to the intended use of the milk.The diet of the cow will depend

one of those misused terms.

on her age and stage of lactation with the majority of dairy cows eating

Historically good farming practice is to improve the land and

grass during the summer and silage in the winter. As a totally grass

buildings so as to improve the profitability of the farm and infrastructure

based diet it will be missing or low in important nutritional components

such as buildings etc. In a small number of cases, but by no means the

and it is normal to also supplement with dry feeds such as cereals and

majority, the natural environment has not benefited from this.

protein feeds with added vitamins and minerals.

The environment is intrinsically linked to agriculture as farming

While the majority of milk is from cows, milk is also produced

comes under greater public examination with soil structure and

by goats and sheep with this milk being used in specialist cheese or

pollution being the hot topics, but is no different from any other activity

dairy products.

or business.

Livestock Farm: By definition this is a farm which is involved in the production of animals for the meat trade or milk which includes cattle,

All individuals and businesses have the same responsibility to manage the environment that they have influence on. Within the supply

sheep and pigs.

trade it’s important we understand this. We have an increasing duty

Integrated Farms: This is a term used to describe a farm which grows

legislation but that their potential use does not damage the environment

a product that is supplied direct to another part of the business with no external sales. Whilst many examples exist of integration it tends to refer to a farm that grows cereals that are supplied to its own mill mix plant providing feed to be used for feeding its own livestock such as pigs or poultry.

of care when supplying items to make sure that not only do they meet and ultimately our businesses.

Agricultural Support Agriculture in the UK has for many years received financial support from the government originally starting as encouragement to produce more

Estate Farm: This is a farming business which is part of an estate,

food following the war so as to reduce the reliance on imported food.

normally run by a farm manager which will have a number of business

When we joined the EU the support payment continued but then was

ventures covering a wide range of areas that could include hospitality

linked to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The CAP payments

such as shoots, weddings, corporate events, forestry, environmental

were originally linked to production of commodities such as milk and

schemes, filming and has to fight its corner for profitability amongst

grain and resulted is over production. This changed from being linked

the other ventures!

to produce to being linked to the land area that a farmer owned in 2003.

Corporate or Contract Management Farm: This applies when the farm/estate is managed and run by a third party and these can be companies that run several farms or a neighbouring farm.

The farmer needed to demonstrate they were farming the land. It is a cash payment based on land area being farmed and now we have left the EU will change to one based on ‘Money for Public Good’.

As part of leaving the EU the support payment system is being

Small Holding: This is a small farm usually less than 20 ha that would

overhauled and payments in the future are expected to be linked to

normally be run on a part time basis. Usually, the owner will have

environmental management activities. The term ‘Grant money for Public

another form of job and in many cases is the way into farming and not

Good’ is a good description of how government agricultural support

Page 36 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

will be targeted in the future.

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

2024/25

Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS)

Payment Band <=£30,000

5%

20%

35%

50%

The corner stone of the new Agriculture Act which received its royal

£30,000 to £50,000

10%

25%

40%

55%

assent November 2020 is the new Environmental Land Management

£50,000 to £150,000

20%

35%

50%

65%

Schemes (ELMS). This is expected to lead to the setting up of a new framework for DEFRA’s future Environmental Land Management scheme. This will be the replacement for the current Basic Payment Scheme and it is expected it will focus on the environmental benefit rather than area of land farmed.

The current BPS scheme will be phased out over the next few years. The major difference going forward is that in place of a cash payment to landowners, if they stick to the rules future subsidy will be linked to involvement and participation in environmental management schemes.

This will mean that currently production of food is subsidised by the payment but in future any income will go to pay for environmental developments.

>£150,000 Cumulative total amount to be redirected into delivering other schemes for farmers

• Sustainable Farming Incentive o Simple actions that achieve environmental outcomes

55%

70%

c£703 733m

c£970 -1,010m

This means for the 2021 scheme year a claim worth £40,000 a 5% and a 10% reduction would be applied to the next £10,000 (a reduction of £1,000). So, the revised payment would be reduced by £2,500 to £37,500.

Example of how this will reduce payments made to farms

£5,000

• Local Nature Recovery

40% c£427 447m

reduction would be applied to the first £30,000 (a reduction of £1,500)

Payment value before progressive reductions

The three components of ELMS in the act are:

25% £169 – 179m

2021 payment

2022 payment

2023 payment

2024 payment

£4,750

£4,000

£3,250

£2,500

£10,000

£9,500

£8,000

£6,500

£5,000

collaboration

£20,000

£19,000

£16,000

£13,000

£10,000

• Landscape Recovery

£40,000

£37,500

£31,500

£25,500

£19,500

£80,000

£70,500

£58,500

£46,500

£34,500

£160,000

£134,000

£110,000

£86,000

£62,000

o Locally t arget e d e n v i r o n m e n t a l g o a l s . E n c o u r a g e s

o Landscape and ecosystem recovery through long term land use change projects

The core schemes that will link with ELMS and future support payments will be

In addition to the changes in payment the government has indicated that the administration and documentation will be simplified. An exit

 New and Countryside Stewardship Agreements

scheme will be introduced in 2022 allowing farmers to retire/pass on the

 Animal Health and Welfare Pathway

business. This in theory should allow those involved in farming business

 Farming in Protected Landscapes

to exit but may well fuel the increase of small farms disappearing into

 Tree Health Pilot

lifestyle homes.

 Existing Environmental Agreements The key change for the farmer is that historically agricultural support came in the form of a payment where effectively 100% of the payment went direct to the bottom line of the accounts. In future payments will be linked to tangible items such as environmental schemes with the payment being used to pay for these.

So, what will this mean to how the country is farmed?

In simple terms, farmers will farm the asset the best way they can to be profitable but not necessarily in the way they have in the past.

Whilst those who farm will lose financial payments that went directly to the bottom line in many ways the new support system will benefit land

A transition period of 7 years from 2021 to 2027 has been put

owners as they will be able to adapt farm use to meet the best earning

in place when the direct payments (cash) based on the EU based

potential. Almost certainly it will affect all farms and the traditional supply

scheme will be phased out.

trade business. Those who manage business will look at the assets

% split of support payment spending changes (set for 5 years which

they have and farm according to the income they can generate from the

is the term of the current parliament)

land, be it from food production, environmental schemes or other ways

Type

of generating income.

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

2024/25

Direct Payments

68%

55%

48%

34%

the environment, but also it is the only industry that can act as a carbon

Environmental

23%

36%

42%

57%

capture as part of its day to day activities.

Improving Farm prosperity

9%

9%

10%

9%

Total

Farming is unique as not only can the way land is farmed affect

I expect farms will split into three main groups: 1. Do nothing and carry on farming in the same way until finally they

100%

100%

100%

100%

How will this affect a farm’s income The payment to farming businesses will be reduced in what is termed a ‘Progressive Way’ which means the first £30,000 of payments is subject to a smaller reduction and the higher figures are subject to a greater reduction.

The reductions from Direct Payments will be

can’t afford to any longer (this is the worrying group as it gives our industry a bad name) 2. Change farming practices to meet environmental schemes and effectively become low input and low output and use buildings for alternative purposes 3. Look at the farm’s earning potential and put areas into environmental schemes that will earn more than cropping while intensively farming the other areas.

Feed Compounder May/June 2021 Page 37

How will it affect the Supply Trade?

and learn from the areas of farming that are not covered by subsidy,

In many ways the key to how farming will prosper is going to be

such as poultry.

intrinsically linked to processing capacity more than ever, as there is no point in a farmer producing a product if the market is not available.

Levy Body

As with all changes you have winners and losers and whilst farming

Whilst farming has received governmental support, it has also paid a

will continue to need the services the supply trade provides, the supply

levy/tax, linked to a number of areas of product, which funds the AHDB

trade will have to adapt to potentially different needs as farmers change

(Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board).

and develop to meet support payment requirements and livestock/

The aim of the AHDB is to use the funds raised from farmers to help make agriculture and horticulture industries more competitive and

cropping systems.

The next 10 years are going to be an exciting time for the supply trade as it adapts to a more varied set of supply needs by agriculture.

sustainable through factual, evidence-based advice, information, and training.

Great professionalism is going to be key along with an in depth

While the AHDB has changed over the years, the pressure on

knowledge of what is needed by the farmer and the growth of partnerships

them to demonstrate value will get greater as the income streams they

between farmers, suppliers and buyers. Partnerships with customers and

currently receive could potentially reduce as farming systems change

suppliers will develop to increase efficiency with real time management

to meet the new support payment systems.

tools being used and a move away from a means of producing just a commodity to one of adding value.

The levy is collected across a range of agricultural products the following is an example of payments:

Gone are the days of just supplying feed to a farmer and expecting them to keep ordering; we are going to need to be far closer to the farmer

The funds raised from each sector are ring-fenced to ensure they are used only to the benefit of the sector from which they were raised.

AHDB levy rates for 2020/21 Sector

Levy rates 2019/20

Levy rates 2019/20

Higher rate for late payment

£ per head

£ per head

£ per head

Producer

4.05

4.05

4.05

Slaughter/Exporter

1.35

1.35

1.35

£ per head

£ per head

£ per head

0.08

0.08

0.08

Beef and Lamb (England) Cattle (excluding calves)

Calves Producer Slaughter/Exporter

0.08

0.08

0.08

£ per head

£ per head

£ per head

Producer

0.60

0.60

0.60

Slaughter/Exporter

0.20

0.20

0.20

£ per head

£ per head

£ per head

0.85

0.85

0.935

Sheep

Pigs (England) Producer Slaughter/Exporter Milk (GB) Buyers and direct sellers of milk Cereals and oilseeds (UK)

0.20

0.20

0.20

Pence per litre

Pence per litre

Pence per litre

0.060

0.060

0.066

Pence per tonne

Pence per tonne

Pence per tonne

Cereal Grower

46.00

46.00

50.60

Cereal Buyer

3.80

3.80

4.18

Cereal Processor (human and industrial)

9.50

9.50

10.45

Cereal Processor (feed)

4.60

4.60

5.06

Oilseeds

75.00

75.00

82.50

% sales turnover

% sales turnover

% sales turnover

0.50

0.45

0.485

Horticulture (GB) Horticulture products Mushroom spawn

Pence per litre

Pence per litre

Pence per litre

Agaricus

8.0

7.2

7.92

Non-agaricus

2.0

1.8

1.98

Potatoes (GB) Potato Growers hectare

£42.62 per £42.62 per hectare

£46.882 per

£0.1858 per tonne

£0.1858 per tonne

hectare Purchasers of potatoes

Page 38 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

£0.2044 per tonne

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Table 1: Claims per tonne/month 2019-2020

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Feed Compounder May/June 2021 Page 39

Wynveen International Integrates into Ottevanger Milling Engineers The Triott Group has announced that the intensive cooperation between Ottevanger Milling Engineers B.V. and Wynveen International will be logically completed by the full integration of Wynveen into Ottevanger on 1 April 2021. The group states that merging the activities of both companies will enable them to offer a comprehensive and versatile range of services and products through the Ottevanger organisation. Additionally, that integrating Wynveen and Ottevanger will increase the levels of knowledge sharing, innovation and service the companies offer their customers.

The Wynveen and Ottevanger brands, both of which are members of the Triott Group, have grown closer in recent years.

They have been cooperating intensively for many years, often for the same customers.

To strengthen their presence in the market, reinforcing their cooperation with a further integration is a logical step. Stronger together under one strong name: Ottevanger As from 1 April 2021, Wynveen will fully integrate with Ottevanger Milling Engineers (OME).

The location in Heteren will become an OME site and retain its function as an engineering and production site. All the employees at the Heteren site will be employed by Ottevanger Milling Engineers B.V.

listened and corrected this tariff.

The new UK molasses tariff will not have a trigger price mechanism, such as the EU’s, and it will instead be a straight 0% tariff on all imports.

The change in legislation was laid as a Statutory Instrument (SI) last week, The Government’s explanatory memorandum can be found online. Further briefings will be made available to AIC members shortly.

Background information In the past, UK imported Cane and Beet molasses from third countries were monitored by the European Commission to determine the Representative price on an at least monthly basis of all shipments more than 500mt. If this determined average price fell below the Trigger price set by the Commission, then a tariff would become payable. The last Trigger price was €7.9 per 100Kg (€79per mt.) for Cane molasses and €8.2 per 100Kg (€82 per mt.) for Beet molasses. This has meant that no tariff has been triggered for some time in the EU. The UK however did not translate this trigger mechanism across into its own tariff schedule, and since the 1st January a Tariff of £0.20 per 100Kg (£2 per mt) was payable on imported molasses from outside the EU (such as USA), a cost that is not incurred by EU importers and their farming customers.

For the EU, the tariff only applies when the value of molasses from third countries falls to very low level; levels that have not been seen for a considerable time. The tariff was expected to add £1-1.2m of extra cost to importers based on import levels.

on

Valsoft Corporation Inc. Completes the Acquisiton of Datastor Systems Ltd

After four months of lobbying Defra and the Department of International Trade (DIT), the AIC can confirm that tariffs will be dropped on imported molasses from 20th May 2021.

When the UK Government set up its own tariff policy on 1st January 2021, it applied a different tariff to the EU on imports of molasses from 3rd countries. As a result, molasses imported to the UK since 1st January faced a higher tariff than the EU. This meant higher molasses costs for suppliers and farmers, who use molasses in their livestock feed.

After working with Defra and DIT to have this corrected, including submissions of evidence by AIC and members, the Government has stated that this tariff will revert to 0% from 20th May 2021. This means that importers and customers of molasses based products will not be placed at a competitive disadvantage. Over the past months, AIC has met with MPs, Ministers and civil servants to have this corrected, and has worked with devolved administrations and farming groups to lobby for this change.

It is welcome that the Government has

Valsoft Corporation Inc., a Montreal-based company specializing in the acquisition and development of vertical market software businesses, is pleased to announce the successful acquisition of Datastor Systems Ltd on February 1, 2021.

“We are extremely proud to welcome Datastor to our growing portfolio of process control software companies. Datastor has built a stellar reputation in the industry and we look forward to supporting their long-term growth. We believe the acquisition will bring long-term benefits to both its customers and team. We look forward to innovating together to create world class process control solutions,” said Joseph Khoubbieh, Head of M&A at Valsoft.

Datastor will continue to operate independently with its existing management from its Congleton office. This acquisition will have minimal impact on its day-to-day operations, if any.

“Having been a successful independent company for over 40 years, providing ‘mission critical’ software solutions to the manufacturing sector, it was time to consider a succession plan. We were delighted

AIC Lobbying Molasses

Win

Page 40 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

when Valsoft Corporation approached us to become part of their family of companies.

Collectively we can make the Process Control division a real success,” said Bill Wright, CEO – Datastor Systems Ltd. “Datastor Systems has many years of experience in supplying Process Control Solutions (PCS). Utilising leading edge technology, we provide systems that control the process more efficiently and effectively. Providing real-time data allows for management and operators to make informed decisions on process changes. We cover a wide area of the manufacturing process sector including Food & Drink, Animal Feed, Feed & Food Pre-Mixes, Surface Coatings, Building Products, Pharmaceutical to name but a few.

24/7 Worldwide support is provided giving our customers peace of mind that we are always available when needed to assist in keeping their manufacturing facility functioning.”

Concern Over Acid Supplies

Propionic

Industry concern about a potential shortage of propionic acid this year has been amplified by the fact that many UK mixed farms are planning to feed more home-grown cereals to their livestock to offset rising boughtin feedstock prices, reports Azelis Animal Nutrition.

“Consequently, some farms may have to investigate an alternative grain preservation approach this season to safeguard valuable stored cereals from spoilage with yeasts and moulds,” says Kirstie Jones from the company.

Ms Jones says that drying your grain before storage is one option to consider.

“This reduces its moisture content to make the stored crop less susceptible to mould, but this can be costly and difficult – certainly if you don’t already have a grain drier.”

Fortunately, she points out that a range of buffered propionic acid-based products are still available. “However, following poor usage experience in the past perhaps, some farmers may not trust buffered propionic acid preservative products to do the job.”

But she stresses that not all buffered propionic acid products are the same.

“Some of the newer alternatives, such as ProSid™ MI 700 – which is based on highly concentrated propionic acid and propionic glycerol esters – are actually very effective at preventing spoilage due to microbial activity.

“Compared with straight propionic acid or the more traditional ammonium propionate buffered propionic acids, these esterified products are formulated in a way that offers consistent distribution throughout the grain.

Importantly, they also offer longer lasting, more persistent protection from mould activity because they are less volatile. In addition, they are much safer to handle and don’t come with a pungent smell,” she adds.

“This innovative esterified product option, produced by Perstorp, is now available in the UK from Azelis Animal Nutrition.”

African swine fever: Risks from Feed, Bedding and Transport EFSA’s latest advice on African swine fever looks at the risk of the virus being introduced to non-affected regions of Europe via pathways such as feed, bedding materials and empty pig transport vehicles returning from affected areas.

A model was developed to rank the risk from the different pathways using results from an expert knowledge elicitation (EKE).

The EKE was based on evidence from a literature search and a public consultation.

Seventeen products and matrices were assessed and ranked for their relative likelihood of becoming contaminated with the virus in ASF-affected areas and infecting pigs in non-affected areas. Compound feed (mash, pellets), feed additives and contaminated vehicles were the highest ranked.

To reduce the risk of the virus being introduced to pig farms through feed, bedding materials and transport vehicles, the scientific opinion recommends strict adherence to relevant decontamination and storage processes for all products moved from ASFaffected areas to unaffected areas.

The full report can be viewed online.

Prevent Eroding Stocks

Buffer Winter

Feeding Forage

New research shows that replacing a proportion of grass silage in buffer feed with straw and a molasses blend can costeffectively help preserve forage stocks for the coming winter according to ED&F Man. “Dairy and beef farmers need to strike a balance between adequate buffer feeding to maintain summer production and the need to preserve sufficient forage to help reduce winter purchased feed demands,” comments Georgina Chapman, Technical Support Manager at molasses blends specialists ED&F Man. “The key to this is accepting that at some stage supplementary buffer feeding will be required, to consider the impact it might have on silage stocks for the winter and to plan ahead. Our trials with dairy cows confirm it can be efficient to preserve silage stocks and feed an alternative.”

New ED&F Man research carried out at The Agri-EPI South West Dairy Development Centre with Agri-EPI’s operational partners, Kingshay Dairy Consultants, shows that including a proportion of straw and Regumix, a palatable high energy and protein molasses based liquid feed in the buffer feed for dairy cows, allows production to be maintained while preserving silage stocks.

The trial compared a traditional grass silage buffer with a diet containing a proportion of straw and molasses blend. In both diets the grazing intakes were the same and the

total dry matter intake was unchanged.

Performance was then compared between cows on the two diets.

“Over a six-week period there was no difference in yield between cows fed the initial buffer and those where straw and Regumix was included,” Ms Chapman continues. “The cows on the molasses buffer milked as well as cows on the traditional bufffer but with slightly better compositional quality. There was no difference in body condition changes between the two groups.

“There was a saving of 7.5kg of silage per cow per day. Assuming 200 cows were fed the new buffer for a typical 18 week period, the total silage saved over this time would be a potential 200 tonnes. This would then be available to increase the silage fed per cow per day over the winter feeding period, or ensure stocks are sufficient for a longer housed period.”

Ms Chapman says another advantage of molasses and straw is that they are ingredients which are easily stored on farm, are not subject to waste unlike some moist ingredients and if not used as a buffer can be used as part of the winter diet.

“Planning now to include a proportion of molasses and straw in the buffer feed could be one way to maximise silage production and availability, maintain production from grazing and help reduce the impact of higher feed costs,” Ms Chapman advises.

Improving Through Nutrition

Piglet

Survival Maternal

New research, commissioned by ABN, raises the potential to offer improved piglet welfare and significantly increased productivity from dietary changes for hyperprolific sows.

Pig breeding companies have been successfully selecting for increased sow prolificacy for many years, with litter size increasing by approximately 0.3 piglets per sow, per year over the last ten years alone.

While this remarkable improvement contributes significantly to the profitability of the pig industry, an increase in litter size has inevitably brought with it an increase in vulnerable piglets, with a subsequent reduced chance of survival.

ABN has devoted a major part of its research effort into increasing survival chances, particularly of the smaller piglet, by investigating the effect of maternal nutrition and identifying specific risk factors associated with reduced piglet survival.

“Increasing litter size can mean an increase in litter weaned weight, but is often associated with a reduction in average piglet weaned weight,” explains Dr Steve Jagger, senior pig nutritionist at ABN. “Similarly, a larger litter is also associated with a greater variation in piglet birth weight and hence an increased number of small piglets,” he adds.

It has long been established that in general smaller piglets at birth have a lower

survival chance, especially if they are less than 1kg live weight. This is mainly due to the lower energy reserves of the smaller piglet and the difficulty in controlling body temperature.

“The intake of sufficient colostrum is vital for optimum piglet health and growth.

It has been established that a piglet should consume at least 200g of colostrum to significantly reduce mortality. However, the quantity of colostrum produced by hyperprolific sows is thought not to increase as litter size increases, therefore the quantity available for each piglet is reduced.” says Dr Jagger.

To further understand how maternal nutrition may affect piglet survival, ABN commissioned a PhD at the University of Leeds, conducted by Dr Hannah Davis and overseen by Professor Helen Miller, over a period of four years.

Published in the journal of Animal Feed Science and Technology, the work evaluated concepts that may improve survival chances, including determining antibody and colostrum yield, and assessing piglet performance.

A total of 279 multiparous sows were used across four experiments, receiving either a control or an experimental diet.

The work found a significant increase in colostrum and immunoglobulin yield. An increase in colostrum intake has been shown to increase weaned weight, and the effect is proportionally greater with piglets of smaller birth weight.

Each trial at the University of Leeds showed the treatment group associated with an increase in colostrum production consistently increased piglet weight, both at 24 hours after birth, and at weaning.

Dietary changes increased colostrum by as much as 28%, and increased the concentration of immunoglobulins by almost 10% leading to increased colostrum and immunoglobulin intake by the piglets.

Paul Toplis, a technical expert with 45 years of experience of putting science into practice in the pig industry, views this as having the potential to be one of the more significant contributions to success in pig production, around the world.

“These results confirm the literature where an improvement in colostrum intake has increased piglet weight through to weaning. The research breaks new ground and confirms ABN’s determination to follow through on this considerable promise, by focusing research and development in this area,” he says.

“If we can improve survival by as little as 1%, that means an extra 125 pigs weaned per year from a 500-sow unit, or an extra 100,000 pigs weaned per year in GB alone,” adds Mr Toplis, who has worked in association with ABN for the last 25 years.

Feed Compounder May/June 2021 Page 41

Feed Additives …

ENZYMES Adisseo

When Rovabio® Advance Phy was used on top, the cost of feed

Extracting the maximum

/ kg of broiler was decreased by 1.7%. However, the lowest cost of

value out of feed becomes

feed /kg of broiler was achieved by reducing diet specification and

a real priority to deal with

adding Rovabio® Advance Phy. In this case, the savings were reduced

when ingredient costs are

by 3.3% compared to a diet at optimal level without enzyme.

high. In this regard, enzymes play an important role. You can save

Contact:

a few cents per ton of feed by not using enzymes, but in doing this

Sarah Davies – Adisseo

lose many dollars per ton of meat production.

sarah.davies@adisseo.com Websites: https://feedase.com / www.adisseo.com

BASF plc Utilize the full potential of your feed with enzymes from BASF The best feed can only do half the job if pigs and poultry aren`t able to digest the nutrients properly. The pioneering research of BASF animal nutrition can help: our thoroughly tested enzyme products support your animals to get more vitality and productivity out of less feed – and help farmers save To achieve the best cost savings without sacrificing performance, Adisseo recommends using Rovabio® Advance Phy. This enzyme

resources and money. BASF as a leading manufacturer of phytase and NSP enzymes offers the solutions to optimally utilize feed.

solution consists of the combination of a cocktail of 19 different

Natuphos E: Efficiency and stability

carbohydrases and phytase, which together deliver an average energy

The new generation phytase Natuphos® E ensures a very fast and

and amino acid uplift of 5%, as well as an improvement in phosphorus

efficient release of phytate-bound phosphorous and other valuable

and calcium digestibility. The most cost-efficient strategy is to use

nutrients. By using innovative hybrid technology BASF has been able

Rovabio® Advance Phy with its full matrix. Economic results of Rovabio®

to provide a multi-faceted enzyme molecule. Our new Natuphos E

Advance Phy were evaluated in a broiler trial run at Schohorst Research

enzyme technology results in unprecedented enzyme stability. This

Center (more information is available upon request), using current raw

feature combined with the optimum enzyme activity of Natuphos E

material prices. The enzyme was either used on top of a positive control

in its targeted pH range, allows the highly efficient decomposition

or added to a negative control (where nutritional specifications were

of anti-nutritive phytate in the very beginning of the digestive tract

decreased according to our recommended matrix).

and thus maximises the time available for the animal to absorb the nutrients that would otherwise remain bound to and complexed with

Treatment

Enzyme (Rovabio®

Cost of feed in $/

phytate. Natuphos E ensures a very fast and efficient release of

Advance Phy)

kg liveweight

phytate-bound phosphorous, thus making it readily digestible for pigs

Positive control

No

0.631

& poultry. As a consequence of the breakdown of vegetable phytate,

Positive control

Yes

0.621

important minerals and trace elements, as well as amino acids and

Negative control

No

0.636

energy are made available to the animal, in addition to phosphorus.

Negative control

Yes

0.611

In a nutshell, the new phytase Natuphos® E unlocks vital nutrients

Page 42 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

with an unprecedented overall stability resulting in convincing economic

Value-add enzyme services

and environmental benefits.

Our online Optimize Feed™ Service is an easy-to-use tool that enables

Natugrain TS: Improved nutritional value Natugrain® TS, the feed enzyme product from BASF, contains the highly purified NSP-splitting enzymes endo-1,4-beta-xylanase and endo-1,4beta-glucanase. Due to well-balanced enzyme activities, Natugrain® TS is well suited to counteract the anti-nutritional effects from pentosans and beta-glucans that constitute the major part of NSPs in commonly used feed-stuffs. Natugrain® TS improves the nutritive value of diets containing NSP-rich components such as wheat, barley, rye, triticale, oat, sunflower, and a number of milling by-products. Trials have shown that Natugrain® TS can also be effective in corn / soy diets by releasing additional energy. All in all, Natugrain® TS supports a more sustainable livestock production by improving the digestibility of cereals. And from a technical point of view Natugrain convinces with its broad application range as well as with its outstanding stability during feed processing.

PO Box 4, Earl Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle Cheshire SK8 6QG

customers to calculate the optimum dose of phytase needed to achieve the strongest performance benefits and cost savings. It uses accurate and well-researched matrix values based on substrate levels, animal species, diet variation and the age of the animal to maximize: • uptake of phosphorus and reduce the need for costly inorganic phosphorus supplementation • release of energy and amino acids by rapidly reducing the antinutritional effects of phytate, using extensive global data on raw material substrates.

• It also helps you to establish the right dose of phytase to balance calcium and phosphorus levels, avoiding costly bone and metabolic disorders.

For more information on our feed enzymes solutions, visit www.animalnutrition.dupont.com or https://www.dupontnutritionandbiosciences.com/product-range/animalfeed-enzymes.html Danisco Animal Nutrition, part of IFF

Tel : 01772 603119 E-mail : liz.cookson@basf.com Web : www.animal-nutrition.basf.com

Danisco Animal Nutrition For almost 30 years, we have helped animal producers resolve challenges and maximize the return on their feed investment. We achieve this by collaborating with them to deliver healthy nutrition solutions that optimize the utilization of nutrients and modulates microbial populations for the animals on the farm. Today the evolution continues as we discover ever more about how to deliver greater value to industry producers, helping

DSM Animal Nutrition & Health

them meet the world’s growing demand for quality animal protein.

The RONOZYME ® feed

Phytase solution

enzyme range from DSM

Our advanced, highly bio-efficaceous phytase solution - Axtra® PHY -

offers a comprehensive

enables you to minimize feed costs and maximize performance through

spectrum of enzyme

flexible, evidence-based dosing that varies according to diet, species

activities to increase feed ingredient nutrient digestibility resulting in

and animal age. Axtra® PHY is also supported by our proprietary

improved utilisation of feed. This assists in reducing feed costs and the

ThermoProtection Technology (TPT) to ensure maximum performance

environmental impact of rearing animals for food.

and ease of use at up to 95° C (203°F). The TPT coating also allows

The RONOZYME products are produced as unique free flowing,

rapid release of phytase in the upper part of the gut to achieve optimum

virtually dust free, thermostable granular forms, ensuring superior

bio-efficacy.

handling characteristics and stability during feed manufacture.

Carbohydrase and protease solutions

In addition, RONOZYME® LIQUID BLENDS are available direct

Our position as the industry leader in feed enzymes originated from a

from DSM Heanor to meet the market need for post-pellet addition of

differentiated carbohydrase and protease portfolio based on xylanase,

enzymes.

amylase and protease just over 25 years ago.

Today, our Axtra® XAP, Axtra® XB, Danisco Xylanase, and Avizyme® solutions deliver superior cost savings and performance benefits by

RONOZYME® WX is an outstanding xylanase with high affinity for both soluble and insoluble arabinoxylans and is the ideal product for wheat-based diets.

optimizing feed formulations and reducing the impact of feed variability

RONOZYME ® MultiGrain is an innovative thermostable

across different monogastric diets. These solutions also support gut

multicomponent carbohydrase with principal activities of xylanase,

health, minimizing the negative impact of indigestible substrates.

β-glucanase and cellulase. It is the enzyme of choice for diets

Feed Compounder May/June 2021 Page 43

consisting of barley to reduce gut viscosity and improve feed utilisation.

The dry WSP enzymes are commercially available under the brand names OptiPhos® WSP and Hostazym® X WSP and are packed

RONOZYME ® VP is a multi-enzyme complex containing

in 5 or 10 kg aluminium sealed bags (shipped as a box of 20kg).

β-glucanase, hemicellulase and a high level of pectinase activity. It

The production of the water soluble enzyme powders (Hostazym®

breaks down pectic substances and other Non-Starch Polysaccharides

X WSP and OptiPhos® WSP) is part of Huvepharma’s know-how

(NSPs) in vegetable proteins, increasing the availability of amino acids

and part of its core business: fermentation and product formulation.

and energy.

The Huvematic® equipment is built by an external company, on the

RONOZYME® ProAct is a mono-component protease enzyme

directions and guidelines of Huvepharma.

which increases digestibility of a broad range of feed protein sources

The success of the Huvematic® and WSP enzymes has created

and complements the performance of other endogenous and

the new standard on accurate application of liquid enzymes to

exogenous enzyme to offer feed cost savings, whilst maintaining broiler

feed.

performance.

For further information on the Huvematic and our enzymes, please

RONOZYME® HiPhos is a superior, high-performance phytase

contact

effective at releasing bound phosphorus from phytic acid. This product

Claudia Broadhead on +44 (0) 7413294945

offers a cost saving solution as well as a reduced environmental

or at Claudia.Broadhead@huvepharma.com

impact.

Huvepharma NV

RONOZYME

Uitbreidingstraat 80

®

RumiStar™ is a pure

Antwerp, Belgium

amylase which provides

Website: www.huvepharma.com

more starch energy to the animal and increases forage digestion. This helps farmers to achieve increased feed efficiency as a result of cows making better use of their total diet.

Kemin

DSM Animal Nutrition & Health

A multi-fermentation enzyme system for modern diets

Dsm.com/anh Stay connected:

Please visit our online magazine – Dsm-feedback.dk/en/

KEMZYME® Plus is a synergistic multi-enzyme product, the only one registered in the EU containing five declared and quantified enzyme activities, which offers a wide range of benefits to poultry nutritionists. It

Huvepharma Huvepharma ’s Huvematic concept consists of the combination of

shows high affinity for various feed substrates as it supplies 3 different

instant water soluble enzyme powders (WSP) and the provision of

NSP-ases, a protease and an alpha-amylase, to maximize valuable

equipment to dose this powder into water to produce batches of 5 –

nutrient release.

®

®

15 litres of fresh liquid enzyme.

The combination of both fungal and bacterial enzymes enables an optimal activity throughout the entire GIT, resulting in increased starch, amino acid and protein digestibility and extra release of energy.

KEMZYME® Plus offers reliable and well researched matrix values on crude protein (CP), amino acids (AAs) and apparent metabolizable energy (AME), obtained from various trials in broilers, turkeys and laying hens, ensuring consistent feed efficiency while saving up to €12/tonne in diet costs. It allows the flexibility of introducing alternative

Huvepharma’s R&D department, together with the technical enzyme

raw materials with a lower nutritional value and higher fiber content

team, has developed an innovative concept for the use of liquid

into your diets, reducing the dependency on corn, soybean meal and

enzymes: highly concentrated dry enzyme powders which dissolve

vegetable oil.

instantly in cold water. With these instantly soluble enzyme powders,

KEMZYME® Plus adds value to your diet with a profitable return

liquid enzymes can be formulated at the feed mill in any desired

on investment. As every enzyme activity is derived from non-GMO

amount and concentration. This eliminates the use of IBC containers

fermentation, KEMZYME® Plus can also be used in organic farming.

filled with liquid enzymes, as production of the liquid enzyme can take

For more information on KEMZYME® Plus please visit:

place at the site of use.

https://www.kemin.com/eu/en/products/kemzyme

Page 44 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

Understanding the sensitivity and stability of

vitamins

By Amir Attar, Alireza Abbasipour, Samira Hassanpour New Millennium Feed Processing Co. (www.nmfeed.com), Mashhad, Iran

Introduction

The stability characteristics differ across a variety of conditions for

Feed technology has progressed in the past two decades. However,

the full collective of important vitamins. It is the unique chemical

NRC (1994) vitamin requirements for monogastric animals have not

structure and other characteristics of each vitamin that directs

altered to any great extent due to limited research in this field. Vitamins

the type of stabilization or formulation. For example, heat can be

are important for livestock nutrition and performance. They are

especially destructive to vitamin A, folic acid, or vitamin B but has

intentionally added to animal feed in order to achieve the improvement

little consequence on niacin or riboflavin. Therefore, the focus on

of health and growth of animals and the characteristics of products

some vitamins is their weaknesses to heat, knowing that most feed

of animal origin. Additionally, if lacking from the diet, vitamins can

processing methods utilize heat.

cause a specific deficiency disease because they are essential for normal metabolism. Vitamins, as biologically active biochemicals, are

Factors affecting vitamin stability

generally quite delicate to their physical and chemical environment.

Vitamin stability in premixes is affected by exposure to light, heat,

Feed processes tend to improve the distribution of nutrients

moisture, oxygen, and pH, and contact with other compounds. These

(premixing) and the digestibility of carbohydrates (pelleting, extrusion).

factors subject vitamins to degradation primarily through oxidation.

However, these processes are harmful to labile nutrients, such as

The long-term or multiple exposures to these factors generally magnify

vitamins, that can be easily oxidized.

the negative impact on vitamin stability. The individual vitamins vary

Vitamin formulations vary significantly in complexity and cost.

in their susceptibility to degradation (Table 1).

Cost is a very important factor because the vitamin manufacturing costs are passed on to the consumer. Manufacturing processes should

Pelleting

not only be evaluated based on physio-chemical properties of the

Conditioning/pelleting temperature is the most obvious contributor to

vitamin, but also the need to further process the vitamin to improve

vitamin losses for poultry feed. According to Van’t Hoff’s Rule, an increase

handling properties and stability through feed processing.

in temperature by 10°C will increase the rate of chemical reactions by 2- to 3-fold. Thus, the integrity of the vitamin is threatened with exposure

Vitamin stability

to oxygen and trace minerals, during conditioning of feeds.

The stability of vitamins in a premix is critical in maintaining vitamin

Conditioning time affects vitamin degradation, with a longer

potency. Susceptibility to degradation varies depending on individual

conditioning time posing the greater threat. The goal of conditioning

vitamins and on a number of factors that affect vitamin stability. Safety

feed is to uniformly penetrate each feed particle with moisture and

margins for vitamin premix formulation are usually based upon vitamin

heat. Under pressure and with rigorous mixing in the feed conditioner,

cost, presence or absence of trace minerals and choline in the premix,

this creates an environment especially harsh to vitamins and other

feed processing characteristics, environmental conditions, anticipated

feed additives. Often, moisture is increased to 17-18%, and provides

storage time, and expected rates of vitamin potency losses.

a solvent for destructive agents since moisture is often essential for

Not all vitamins are equal in stability. Commercial vitamins for

harmful chemical reactions.

feeds and foods are formulated to counter anticipated stresses,

The type of feed, mineral and fat content must be considered.

and these formulations act as a buffer between the vitamin and the

Each brings characteristics that can influence the degree of friction

aggressor. Differences exist in the stability of vitamins in their natural

as the feed passes through the die. At least theoretically, we expect

form. The ability of vitamins to withstand the rigors of storage in

lower vitamin degradation in finisher type diets (i.e. higher fat, lower

mineral premixes or in the presence of choline chloride is not good.

mineral content).

Feed Compounder May/June 2021 Page 45

Table 1. Susceptibility of vitamins to factors affecting stability Vitamin

Abbreviation

Temperature

Humidity

Light

Oxygen

Acid pH

Alkaline pH

Vitamin A

A

Very sensitive

Sensitive

Very sensitive

Very sensitive

Sensitive

Stable

Vitamin D

D

Sensitive

Sensitive

Sensitive

Very sensitive

Sensitive

Stable

Vitamin E

E

Stable

Stable

Sensitive

Sensitive

Sensitive

Very sensitive

Vitamin K

K

Sensitive

Very sensitive

Stable

Sensitive

Very sensitive

Stable

Riboflavin

B2

Stable

Sensitive

Sensitive

Stable

Stable

Stable

Niacin

B3

Stable

Stable

Stable

Stable

Stable

Stable

Pantothenic acid

B5

Sensitive

Sensitive

Stable

Stable

Stable

Stable

Vitamin B12

B12

Very sensitive

Sensitive

Sensitive

Sensitive

Stable

Stable

Pyridoxine

B6

Very sensitive

Sensitive

Sensitive

Stable

Sensitive

Stable

Biotin

H

Sensitive

Stable

Sensitive

Stable

Stable

Stable

Folic acid

Bc

Very sensitive

Sensitive

Very sensitive

Stable

Very sensitive

Stable

Extrusion

benefit from some form of protection. For example, spray-dried and

The extrusion process can be severe with high heat and steam

beadlets of vitamin A and D, fat-coated vitamin C, vitamin E and choline

pressure over a longer time period than for pelleting. Thus, vitamins

chloride adsorbed in silica carrier all possess far greater stability than

in extruded feeds generally have a lower retention or survivability,

their unprotected forms. Yet, some forms of vitamin protection may

compared to pelleted feeds. Moisture can be as high as 35- 40%,

not be practical for feed manufacturing. Such examples include

or twice as high as conditioning during pelleting. As with pelleting,

ethylcellulose coating and vitamin-starch spray-dried emulsions that

longer conditioning times, higher moisture and higher temperatures

decrease flowability due to increased adhesiveness.

offer the greatest threat. In a nice review on extrusion and vitamin stability, Riaz et al., (2009) note that barrel temperature, screw rpm,

Vitamin and trace mineral premixes

moisture, and die diameter contribute to vitamin survival in the final

In vitamin premixes and complete diets, vitamin stability is clearly

feed. Generally, across a number of trials and conditions, vitamins

affected by contact with certain trace minerals and choline chloride

A, E and C, along with folic acid and thiamin, were most sensitive

that cause friction and speed up oxidation. Copper, zinc and iron

to extrusion.

are very reactive, whereas selenium, iodine and manganese are almost inert. Free metal ions are most reactive, followed by sulfate,

Premix Stress

carbonate and oxide salts, with chelated minerals being virtually inert.

In vitamin/trace mineral premixes, the dominant effect exerted on

Thus, blends of vitamins and trace minerals are expected to exhibit

vitamins is redox (reduction and oxidation reactions) reactions by

reduced vitamin retention, especially during prolonged storage and

trace minerals. Trace minerals also vary in redox potential. The type

(or) elevated temperature/humidity conditions. For example, riboflavin

of trace mineral molecular structure, with copper, zinc and iron being

in a straight vitamin premix retained 93 percent of its potency after six

the most reactive and manganese and selenium the least reactive,

months of storage. But, when the premix also included trace minerals,

has a significant impact on vitamin stability. Free metal ion is the most

retention dropped to 71 percent. Choline chloride also reduced

reactive (metal filings) followed by sulfate, carbonate, oxide and the

riboflavin retention from 99 to 95 percent after six months.

least reactive form is chelated. Chelated forms become incapable

Not all vitamins, however, are affected by trace minerals

of initiating formation of free radicals. Friction is also an important

and choline chloride. For example, retention of folic acid after six

factor because it erodes the coating that protects several vitamins

months was 80 percent regardless of blending with trace minerals,

and reduces vitamin crystals to a smaller particle size. In fat-soluble

and retention of retinol acetate remained constant with or without

vitamins, esters are significantly more stable than alcohols. The

chlorine chloride. In diets and premixes for young pigs that contain

hydroxy group of alcohols is extremely sensitive to oxidation. The five

pharmacological concentrations of zinc oxide and copper sulfate,

double bonds in retinyl acetate still make the compound sensitive to

vitamin retention becomes problematic, and these salts should be

oxidations. Vitamin A is significantly more stable in vitamin premixes

kept separately from vitamins.

than in vitamin-trace mineral premixes because trace minerals catalyze oxidation of the five double bonds.

Technologies to improve vitamin stability

Physical form also affects stability. There are vitamins that are

Advances in research and technology have led to the development of

stable in crystalline form (thiamin, pyridoxine), but most vitamins

specialized vitamin forms to provide superior vitamin stability. Many

Page 46 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

Figure 1. Comparison of beadlet and spray-dried formation.

manufactured as a fine granular product with high stability and also high flowability, low dustiness, and low caking characteristics. Cross-linked beadlets are produced by coating vitamins with crosslinked gelatin proteins, which makes harder beadlets that are more resistant to the pressure and abrasion of pelleting. The inclusions of antioxidants in the beadlets provide additional protection against oxidative factors.

Conclusions The stability of vitamins for feed processing continues to improve.

Most vitamins exhibit good stability (90 to 100% at 180°F), although other factors influence survivability. Product formulations differ and commercial vitamin manufacturers have succeeded in enhancing

differences exist in survivability across commercial formulations.

stability of vitamins with spray-drying and beadlet technologies

Additional supplementation rates are often employed to compensate

(Figure1). Spray-dried vitamin products are manufactured as a fine

for pelleting losses. Vitamins can be destabilized in premixes with

powder with high stability and good uniformity of mix, but only fair quality

inorganic trace minerals, and the losses can be increased when choline

in terms of flow ability, dustiness, and caking. Beadlets are produced

chloride is present. Along with survival determinations for vitamins at

by coating vitamins in gelatin or starch to prevent contact with factors

the pellet, consideration is needed for a time lag of several weeks or

affecting vitamin stability until it is digested by the animal. Beadlets are

more between manufacture and consumption of that feed.

NWF Agriculture: Committing to British Agriculture for another 150 years NWF Agriculture, has made a major investment at its Wixland Mill

West. “We have some exciting developments taking place at the site in

in Atherington, Devon as part of its business strategy of growth

terms of the infrastructure and we hope to extend our product offering

and commitment to British agriculture for another 150 years.

for farmer collections. Substantial investment has also been made in

NWF Agriculture, which started in 1871 as a farmer-owned trading

our delivery fleet and currently operate eight NWF branded lorries from

company, now forms part of the NWF Group plc, listed on the AIM

our Wixland feed mill, the latest addition being a Volvo FM420 Triden

market. The business marks its 150 Anniversary this year and has

8X4 Rigid”, added Claire.

th

made a substantial investment at the South West mill ahead of the next 150 years.

In June NWF celebrate its 150th Anniversary, and the Wixland team and the local NWF sales team are delighted to be part of a business

The UFAS approved production site has received £120,000 of

that has been supporting British farmers for over 150 years. Over the

investment to further improve the storage and production facilities

past century and a half, the business has grown and is supplying over

ensuring that they continue to offer a comprehensive high-quality

4750 farmers and feeding over 100,000 dairy cows, beef cattle and

consistent range of compounds and blends for dairy, beef and sheep.

sheep every day.

To further improve the blends NWF have installed a Christy Turner roller

Andrew Mason, Southern Sales Director, added, “We have

mill that runs at a rate of ten tonnes per hour rolling locally sourced

an experienced sales team operating across the South West which

wheat, barley and maize. This installation is an improvement of 8 tonnes

has been further strengthened by the appointment of two new team

per hour whilst still delivering excellent quality.

members to work with farmers closer to the Wixland feed mill. The

New Operations Manager, Claire Ebdy, joined the business in

recent appointments came through the NWF Academy Scheme which

January and brings a wealth of experience to the site at Wixland from

trains future farm advisors and is currently recruiting a third intake for

her previous roles in manufacturing and distribution. Commenting

September. All our ruminant sales specialists are registered advisors

on the investment, Claire said, “We have also invested in a new 12

with the Feed Adviser Register (FAR) and work in partnership with

metre mixing screw at the blends out loading point which allows up to

livestock farmers to offer cost-effective rations that perform”.

3% molasses to be added to the blend in addition to the 2% already in the mixer. This new equipment also offers the option to add 4mm pellets and 6mm nuts to blends such as Calf Startrite or Vital Rearer.

The majority of raw materials used in our diets are sourced locally and those from further afield are from leading long-standing suppliers with full traceability.”

NWF Agriculture is proud to be a British business with a strong presence in the South West. The experienced team of 29 employees at Wixland between them have over 240 years’ service in manufacturing and delivering high-quality feeds that perform on farm across the South

The NWF Wixland Team

Feed Compounder May/June 2021 Page 47

Quality Control, Sampling & Analysis, Moisture Management Datastor Systems Limited

evidenced with our accreditation to the Quality Management System BS. EN. ISO 9001:2015, held for over 25 years. As testament to our continuing development program we maintain lasting mutually beneficial technical partnerships with an array of manufacturers such as Allen

Why Consider Moisture Monitoring?

Our Clients reasoning’s • We were surprised how inconsistent our raw materials moisture levels were on delivery.

• Ability to reinstate moisture after production losses, per

Bradley, Döscher & Döscher etc.

Please contact us at sales@datastorsystems.com or Tel +44 (0) 1260 277025 Datastor Systems Limited, Manchester Road, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 2HT

formulation, per line.

• To ensure we don’t supply finished product too moist, affecting product quality, customer dissatisfaction, product recalls.

DM Scientific Ltd

• Maximising energy efficient moisture extraction and fully compliant raw material quality when drying.

• Concerned with ensuring the declared moisture levels were obtained and accurate.

• Having changed raw materials, moisture levels were lower than our traditionally used products.

• We thought we knew our moisture levels, incoming raw material

DM Scientific Ltd are a family run UKAS accredited contract laboratory.

and finished product well. Apparently from these trials, capturing

We provide quality nutritional analysis for the Animal Feed Industry. Our

data several times a batch we were somewhat short of the

dedicated team deliver a competent analytical service, testing a variety of

mark.

feed and raw material samples from all around the UK and Europe.

Our company has built a strong reputation for software and hardware innovation, high quality system design and services; this is

We offer a wide range of analysis: • Proximate

        Page 48 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

• Oils and Fats

Kemin

• Protein

Kemin’s Application Solutions Team at your Service for millSMART

• Energy Calculations

online

• Minerals • Medicinal Additive testing -Monensin, Narasin, Salinomycin, CTC, Flubendazole and Nicarbazin.

• NIR Forage testing using the dry and grind CNCPS system To ensure the quality of our analysis we participate in the AAFCO proficiency testing scheme. We are UKAS accredited to ISO 17025:2017

Controlling and reducing process variability is essential when aiming

and our most up to date schedule of accreditation is available at: www.

to achieve improved productivity, feed quality and feed safety,

ukas.org/testing.

while ensuring a profitable and sustainable operation. Process

All our customers are important to us big or small, we pride ourselves in offering a service that is tailored to your needs.

DM Scientific Ltd, Main Site, Dalton, Thirsk, North Yorkshire YO7 3JA Tel: 01845 577757 Email: dmacmillan@dmscientific.co.uk Contact: David Macmillan Website: www.dmscientific.co.uk

standardisation remains a challenge in feed production today.

Kemin has developed an intelligent solution aimed at optimizing feed production. The millSMART online programme for feed processing and feed safety is an automatic application system programmed to measure the real-time moisture level in the feed mills batch mixer.

The online closed loop PID controllers assure the well-balanced preparation of either Sal CURB, Myco CURB or KEM WET in Opti CURB® solutions. Once real-time moisture levels are obtained, and inclusion rates are set, the online system will apply Opti CURB® to

DSL Systems Feed mill Quality Control using AutoPilot4Feed

achieve both optimal feed safety and process control.

The automatic sampling technology, integrated with the

DSL’s AutoPilot4Feed is a

millSMART online application system, provides a convenient method

control and information system

for in mixer feed sampling during normal production conditions,

specifically designed for

to enable the sensors learning process. The digital microwave

feed mills. The system has

moisture measuring principle enables the highest accuracy and

comprehensive facilities for

repeatability. Additionally, the mixing quality is validated using the

capturing, monitoring and

coefficient of variation methodology thereby allowing for optimal

analysing QC data. In the

mixing processes.

event of quality issues, the

Formula management ensures the highest feed quality is validated

lot traceability feature allows

and maintained. This is achieved through calibration management

problem supplies and deliveries

providing either individual or grouped calibration curves. Remote

to be identified in a few seconds.

configuration, calibration and diagnostics are easily undertaken using

Raw material quality tests can be configured per material with

the specially developed software. Digital services and dashboarding

acceptable ranges. Deliveries out of range are automatically rejected

using KEMINCONNECT ensure all KPI’s are visualised bringing

unless authorised by a high-level user.

customised insights and value. Kemin Application Solution (KAS)

Production quality results can be captured automatically through communication links with TekPro’s Holmen testers, moisture meters and NIR units. Alternatively, results can be manually entered with the production records. A variety of reports and graphs provide analysis

engineers and team, have all their expertise at your service.

View system now in AR and contact Kemin for more information web: kemin.com/feedprocessingdigitalisation

of results which can also be used for process optimisation. DSL’s web based OEE4Feed system uses the quality data to display KPIs and OEE figures.

With AutoPilot4Feed’s modern architecture and flexibility, DSL can offer very competitive upgrades from older control systems with minimal disruption. DSL would be pleased to provide a demonstration of AutoPilot4Feed with all its latest innovative facilities.

For further information or to arrange a demonstration, please contact: Matthew Swallow, DSL Systems Ltd, Adbolton Hall, Adbolton Lane, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 5AS, England. Tel: + 44 (0)115 981 3700, Email: mail@dsl-systems.com, Web: www.dsl-systems.com

Feed Compounder May/June 2021 Page 49

Evonik Launches AMINODat® 6.0 Feed Raw Material Database with New Features Evonik’s AMINODat ® 6.0 is a database for feed raw materials that is up to date at all times and that the company claims is more comprehensive than any other offer available to the feed industry. Based on this database, feeds for livestock can be formulated with even greater precision.

“If we want to feed farm animals healthily, in an efficient way and at the same time conserve natural resources, we have to know the feed raw materials being used very well,” says Dr. Emmanuel Auer, head of the Animal Nutrition business line at Evonik.

Evonik Animal Nutrition has been conducting raw material analyses for decades and supports its customers with the processed data. These data were previously consolidated and made available every five years in printed form and as an interactive software. With AMINODat® 6.0, they are now available in shorter intervals as a web application. “This means that we can support our customers with updates several times a year,” says Dr. Markus Wiltafsky-Martin, who is responsible for service development at Evonik Animal Nutrition.

Raw material qualities are highly variable due to different growing, drying and storage conditions. Wiltafsky-Martin says, “All these factors vary not only from season to season, but also from region to region.

That’s why we don’t report only global averages, but country-specific values.”

The analyses are based on raw material samples that Evonik receives from customers all over the world. AMINODat® 6.0 comprises more than 900,000 analytical results from over 18,000 samples of more than 500 raw materials.

In addition to the amino acid and proximate content of raw materials, AMINODat® 6.0 provides: • a complete set of amino acid digestibility coefficients which had been updated and extended by Evonik’s experts,

Page 50 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

• fatty acid profiles of raw materials as a new feature, • quality parameters like anti-nutritional factors, protein solubility and content of reactive Lysine which indicate the degree of heat processing, • biogenic amines, which play an important role in the evaluation of animal by-products and silages, • l a t e s t r e v i s e d a m i n o a c i d recommendations for poultry, swine and aqua.

BA S F A n i m a l N u t r i t i o n Launches Digital Solution O p t e i n i cs f o r M o r e Sustainable Feed and Animal Protein Production Opteinics is a sustainability analytics platform, integrated to industry-standard feed formulation software, that enables even non-experts in sustainability to independently understand and reduce environmental impact.

Currently, animal feed formulation focuses almost exclusively on fulfilling the nutritional requirements of the animal at the minimum cost possible. With the addition of the environmental impact as a third dimension, Opteinics opens a new opportunity for a more sustainable feed and animal protein production, at the best price possible. Nutritionists and formulators are now empowered to make reasoned choices when designing feed, for the benefit of the environment. Thus, customer organizations profit from significantly reduced time and resource investment when innovating in their product portfolio, obtaining data for sustainability reporting, or communicating environmental impact reduction to customers and other stakeholders.

Opteinics draws its environmental impact datasets from globally accepted databases and its models are designed in accordance to the latest ISO, FAO LEAP and PEF standards. Additionally, the platform is

currently undergoing a neutral, third-party verification.

BASF Animal Nutrition is a leader in sustainability assessments and life cycle analysis (LCA) in the animal protein industry. Since their first project in 1996, BASF have completed hundreds of EcoEfficiency and LCA studies. With Opteinics, they aim to increase their reach even further. As a scalable solution, Opteinics empowers organizations in the feed and animal production industries to independently understand and reduce their environ-mental impact, without time and cost-intensive consultancy studies.

AB Vista Launches Online Dietary Fibre Calculator to Help Nutritionists Optimise Animal Diets AB Vista has launched a free tool to assist nutritionists as they formulate animal diets.

The dietary fibre calculator uses average values of global raw materials to calculate the dietary fibre content (plus other more in-depth fibre parameters) of finished animal feed.

The calculator offers the option of entering up to 28 different raw materials, along with the daily total intake in kg, to show the fibre composition of the feed and the daily fibre intake in either a data or graphic view.

Xaviere Rousseau, AB Vista Global Technical Support Manager, says: “As feed additive specialists, we know that the role of fibre in monogastric diets can be misunderstood and that achieving the optimum fibre fraction can be challenging, even for experienced nutritionists.

“We have designed this calculator to be a straightforward, easy to access way to assess the total dietary fibre content of finished feed.”

The parameters within the calculator represent the values that are available within AB Vista’s new Dietary Fibre analysis service, part of the company’s comprehensive NIR offering.

Kemin Industries Launches Paradigmox® Green f o r O r g a n i c L i v e s to ck P r o d u c t i o n i n EMENA Region Kemin Industries has launched a new antioxidant solution, Paradigmox® Green, for the organic livestock production industry in the EMENA region. Antioxidants are a crucial element in every livestock diet, as they preserve valuable nutrients and protect the diet from oxidation, ensuring optimal animal health, performance and carcass quality.

“The science is undeniable: the risk of feed oxidation is considerable and inherent to the feed production process,” said Karen Bierinckx, Product Manager, Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health – EMENA. “Oxidation can happen at any point in the production and distribution of feed, from the addition of oxidation-prone ingredients, such as lipids, to the preparation of premix, to heat-induced oxidation during transportation and storage.

Supplementation of quality, peroxide-free feed improves animal welfare and assures healthy livestock products – which we consume daily.

This helps preserve and provide consumer nutritional and health benefits.”

Antioxidants are key in every diet, so Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health – EMENA offers an extensive portfolio of antioxidant solutions for its customers, with each product answering specific customer needs.

Globally, consumers are demanding more natural, sustainable and ecofriendly food products, making food producers move away from synthetic additives towards “green”, alternative products.

“To meet this emerging need, Kemin has developed Paradigmox Green, a fully natural blend that is also suitable for organic production,” said Frederika Somers, Business Manager – Nutrition for Monogastrics, Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health – EMENA. “By launching Paradigmox Green, Kemin now can offer a complete antioxidant solutions portfolio – liquid or dry, traditional or organic – that fits seamlessly with our customers’ specific requirements.”

Kemin scientists have developed unique liquid and dry blends consisting of synergistic mixes of natural tocopherols with chelators for complete protection against oxidation. The highly efficient antioxidants in Paradigmox Green are permitted for use in organic farming to help animal nutrition and health specialists meet market expectations.

“The combination of tocopherols with

natural ingredients makes Paradigmox Green a very effective antioxidant that benefits the animal, farmer, feed producer, retailer and final end-product user,” said Bierinckx. “With this newest solution, Kemin can answer the market demand for more environmentally friendly practices and boost Europe’s “green” economy.”

To support animal nutrition and health professionals, Kemin also offers services to ensure optimal results when using its products.

The extensive and unique Lipid Evaluation Test provides in-depth oxidative analysis to elucidate the nutritional quality of the lipid source that Kemin customers are currently using in your diets. Evaluating fats and oils is crucial, as large variations in oxidative value and energy may dilute the nutritional value of lipids, potentially resulting in lower animal performance and possible health risks.

leads to low birth-weight piglets with a lower chance of survival.

ABN’s Delta Nutrio range provides optimum nutrient supply for all levels of sow productivity and includes improved mineral and vitamin nutrition for increased sow lifetime performance.

“The producer benefits from well maintained sows in good condition, a reduced weaned to service interval and enhanced embryo quality, whilst also supporting improved litter size, with better piglet survival,” explains Dr Steve Jagger, senior pig nutritionist at ABN. Chelated minerals included in the Delta Nutrio range increase mineral bioavailability, leading to improved hoof, bone and cartilage integrity. A highly available source of vitamin D3 has been incorporated across the full Delta Nutrio range, supporting bone health and strength as well as immune function.

“Optimising these parameters leads

Kemin also provides a full evaluation of the oxidative quality of feed and feed raw materials, focusing on a complete oxidative profile validation, sensitivity towards future oxidation assessments and antioxidant recovery protocols.

For liquid antioxidants, Kemin Application Solutions offers a tailor-made liquid antioxidant application, supported by automated application technology developed and implemented to ensure excellent product distribution and ease of use.

to increased sow productivity and reduced culling rates, thus resulting in improved longevity,” adds Tegan Sutton, ABN pig nutritionist and Delta Nutrio project leader.

Keeping sows in optimal body condition also aids embryo development, leading to improved piglet vitality. Embryo quality can be improved by feeding sows a service diet, with highly digestible carbohydrate content, triggering the hormones required for embryo development. Added carnitine can improve placental development, reducing piglet variation and increasing piglet vitality. More viable piglets have an extended suckling period, boosting weaned weight.

The Delta Nutrio range improves the farrowing process through the use of fibres, reducing constipation, while the optimal electrolyte balance around parturition increases mineral mobilisation, aiding the birthing process and assisting with early milk production. The addition of a probiotic to the lactation diets reduces piglet mortality by balancing the gut flora.

“By combining all of these factors we can improve piglet vitality and survival rates,” says Ms Sutton.

The range also helps reduce sow weight loss during lactation, significantly influencing lifetime productivity.

“Improvements in condition, assisted by the inclusion of an enzyme to improve nutrient availability to the sow, leads to improved weaned to oestrus interval, an increase in the size of the next litter, and increased piglet numbers produced per sow, per year,” concludes Ms Sutton.

New Feed Range Meets Increased Demands Of The Hyperprolific Breeding Sow With sow productivity increasing by 0.3 piglets reared per sow, per year as seen over the last ten years, a new range of pig breeder feeds has been developed to meet the heightened nutrient demands of the hyperprolific sow.

Delta Nutrio from ABN promises to be a game changer for the pig breeding industry, claim the company, responding to increased sow prolificacy and the resulting demand placed on the animal, particularly in terms of vitality and well-being. Due to the increased nutrient requirements during the reproductive cycle, hyperprolific sows can suffer from loss of body condition leading to a delayed weaned to oestrus interval, and a reduction in the size of the next litter.

A greater variation of piglet birth weight, synonymous with increased litter sizes, also

Feed Compounder May/June 2021 Page 51

Hadden Graham appointed as Managing Director at Ocean Harvest Technology

stage of growth. Hadden’s leadership of our animal feed business

Ocean Harvest Technology are

unique supply chain and products, addressing similar needs in human

pleased to announce the appointment

nutrition”.

also means that we can now turn to additional applications for our

of Dr Hadden Graham as Managing Director of our Animal Feed business,

IFFO Appoints New Technical Director

marking the beginning of the next stage

From 1 June 2021, Professor Brett

of the company’s growth path.

Glencross will take over the position

Hadden joins Ocean Harvest

as IFFO’s Technical Director. He has

Technology with over 30 years

for the last 20 years been an important

experience in building animal feed

contributor to the aquaculture sector

businesses globally and will lead the

and academic research work.

sales team in the management and growth of the company. He

Since 2016 Brett Glencross has

holds a PhD in Agricultural Biochemistry from the Queen’s University

been the Professor of Nutrition at

of Belfast, followed by a decade in academia in University College

the Institute of Aquaculture at the

Dublin, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Montana

University of Stirling in Scotland. He

State University.

Hadden’s prior experience in the animal feed industry saw him

was also Chair of the Scientific Committee of the International Society for Fish Nutrition and Feeding (ISFNF).

working for Finnfeeds/Danisco Animal Nutrition as Technical Director.

Before then, and from 2008, Brett was one of the former editors of

Here he helped build from bottom-up the first global feed enzyme

the journal Aquaculture Nutrition. He has worked in various academic,

business, launching a number of unique and innovative products

institutional and industrial roles across Australasia, Asia, the Middle

through an international distribution network. Further experience saw

East and Europe. Throughout his career he has worked closely with

him act as Global Services Director of AB Vista (part of ABF) where

many major international aquaculture feed companies across the

he supported growth of the business to a global top-3 supplier in

world. He has Honours and Masters Degrees in Biochemistry from

feed enzymes. He also served as President of the European Feed

the University of Western Australia and a PhD in Animal Nutrition

Additives Association (FEFANA).

from the University of Queensland.

Commenting on his appointment, Hadden Graham said: “I am

“I am truly happy that Brett Glencross has decided to join us

excited about joining a fast-growing business such as OHT which

to contribute to the marine ingredients industry’s science-based

is ideally positioned to support the animal feed industry’s move

approach. Brett is a very experienced aquaculture professional and

to a more sustainable future”. He further noted that “The team

has an excellent track record in managing research programmes. He

has recently been working on establishing conclusive evidence

has a highly acknowledged profile in the aquaculture industry, with

explaining and supporting the ability of their products to improve

a research background spanning the application of functional feeds

gut health and performance in ruminants, swine, poultry, equine

for animal health, refining nutritional requirements and the use of

and aquaculture”.

nutritional modelling strategies, as well as a strong background in raw

Commenting on the appointment, Graham Ellis, CEO said: “Over the past 3 years OHT has built and proven solid prebiotic value

material assessment. We are very much looking forward to having Brett on board”, said IFFO’s Director general Petter Johannessen.

propositions for our main swine, poultry, bovine, and companion

Brett added: “I am delighted to be offered this opportunity to join

animal OceanFeed products, and critically now has world scale

the team at IFFO at a time when science is crucial to understand

customers in each of those segments”

the future trends affecting the development of fish feed ingredients.

Ellis concludes: “Hadden is coming in at an exciting time where

Technical projects led by IFFO contribute a great deal to increasing our

his network and experience of scaling will enable the team to replicate

knowledge on marine ingredients and driving change for the benefit of

its recent success even faster, and to take the company into its next

the whole value chain, and especially the aquaculture sector.”

Page 52 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

F o r F a r m e r s We l c o m e s N e w Po u l t r y A c c o u n t Manager

Wynnstay Appoint New Commercial Sales and Marketing Director

ForFarmers Poultry team have

Wynnstay is pleased to announce

welcomed their latest recruit James

the appointment of Paul Jackson

Atrill, who joined in a new role as

as Commercial Sales and Marketing

Poultry Account Manager following

Director, with effect from 5 July 2021.

on from the expansion of the team

This appointment completes the

in 2020. With over 20 years in the

Group’s new management structure

poultry industry, James brings a high

put in place around the end of the

calibre of knowledge and trusted

last financial year, following a major

experience to his new position at

reorgansiation of reporting lines and

ForFarmers.

roles.

James Atrill will be responsible for working with layer customers

Paul will be responsible for leading the development of all sales

from the Midlands and Northern England using his previous

channels, and will work with the senior executive team to increase the

experience with different varieties of poultry, including layer and

effectiveness of the Group’s sales policies and services in line with

broiler, to generate new business. James comments, “I’m looking

Wynnstay’s strategic plan.

forward to progressing in my role and working collaboratively with

Paul has worked in the UK agriculture sector for over 35 years since

other members of the Poultry team at ForFarmers. Since starting, I’ve

graduating from Harper Adams University. He has extensive experience

been particularly impressed with the sophisticated and well-organised

in commercial sales and joins Wynnstay from AB Agri Ltd which he joined

systems in place so I’m excited about using these tools to show new

in 2004 and where he was Head of Sales. In this role, he managed sales

customers what ForFarmers has to offer.”

and strategy for three operations, Trident Feeds, the UK’s largest supplier

David Hilldrith, UK Poultry Director comments: “We are thrilled

of co-products, KW Alternative Feeds, a leading developer of alternative

to have James on board. He has held numerous successful roles

feeds for livestock, and Amur, leaders in anaerobic digestion, and was

over 20 years in the industry, and with his knowledge of the Midlands

responsible for a team of 65 people.

and Northern customer base, we are confident that he will be a great asset to the team.”

Gareth Davies, Chief Executive Officer of Wynnstay Group plc, commented: “I am extremely pleased to welcome Paul to the business.

The growth of ForFarmers Poultry team is great news for the

He has an extensive understanding of the needs of farmers, having

business and customers alike, and ForFarmers looks forward to the

worked in the agricultural industry for over 35 years, and significant sales

future growth of the poultry business and seeing the team flourish

experience. He joins a talented Wynnstay team, and we all look forward

over the coming months.

to working with him as we continue with our growth plans.”

Feed Compounder May/June 2021 Page 53

the

Fe e d C o m p o u n d e r

Guide

BUYERS’

Feed Compounder Buyers’ Guide – the product and service finder for the animal feed industry

Trouw Nutrition GB, Blenheim House, Blenheim Road, Ashbourne DE6 1HA Tel: 01335 341100 Fax: 01335 341171 E-mail: customerservices.gb@nutreco.com Web: www.trouwnutrition.co.uk (See Acidifiers, Analytical Services, Animal Health Products, Antibacterials, Chelated Minerals, Enzymes, Feed Additives, Feed Supplements, Milk Replacers, Mould Inhibitors, Mycotoxin Binders, Salmonella Control, Silage Additives)

Promtek Ltd Fisher Street, Brindley Ford, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST8 7QJ Tel: 01782 375600 Fax: 01782 375605 E-mail: info@promtek.com Web: www.promtek.com (See Calibration and Weighing Services, Process Control Systems)

CLASSIFIED LISTINGS

ANTIBACTERIALS

Adesco Nutricines, Lower Main Street, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford X35FX45, Ireland Jack: +353 87 2208816 Seán: +353 85 1667512 Email: info@adesco.ie Web:www.adesco.ie

Trouw Nutrition GB, Blenheim House, Blenheim Road, Ashbourne DE6 1HA Tel: 01335 341100 Fax: 01335 341171 E-mail: customerservices.gb@nutreco.com Web: www.trouwnutrition.co.uk

ANTIOXIDANTS Adisseo Tel: +353 87 766 8848 E-mail: info.nauk@adisseo.com Web: www.adisseo.com

ACIDIFIERS Trouw Nutrition GB, Blenheim House, Blenheim Road, Ashbourne DE6 1HA Tel: 01335 341100 Fax: 01335 341171 E-mail: customerservices.gb@nutreco.com Web: www.trouwnutrition.co.uk

ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE ENHANCERS Adisseo Tel: +353 87 766 8848 E-mail: info.nauk@adisseo.com Web: www.adisseo.com

Animal Health Products Trouw Nutrition GB, Blenheim House, Blenheim Road, Ashbourne DE6 1HA Tel: 01335 341100 Fax: 01335 341171 E-mail: customerservices.gb@nutreco.com Web: www.trouwnutrition.co.uk

ANALYTICAL SERVICES DM Scientific Ltd, Main Site, Dalton, Thirsk, North Yorkshire YO7 3JA Tel: 01845 577757 Email: dmacmillan@dmscientific.co.uk Web: www.dmscientific.co.uk

Trouw Nutrition GB, Blenheim House, Blenheim Road, Ashbourne DE6 1HA Tel: 01335 341100 Fax: 01335 341171 E-mail: customerservices.gb@nutreco.com Web: www.trouwnutrition.co.uk

Page 54 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

BAG CLOSING/HANDLING

Manufacturing bag sealing, sewing, gluing machines, bag handling & palletizing lines T: +44 (0)20 8344 6600 E: sales@fischbein-saxon.co.uk www.fischbein.com

BAGGING EQUIPMENT Concetti S.p.A S.S. 75 Centrale Umbra, km 4, 190 Ospedalicchio 06083 Bastia Umbra, PG - Italy Tel: +39 075 801561 Fax: +39 075 8000894 E-mail: sales@concetti.com Web: www.concetti.com

BULK STORAGE AND HANDLING Croston Engineering Ltd, Tarvin Mill, Barrow Lane, Tarvin, Chester CH3 8JF Tel: 01829 741119 Fax: 01829 741169 E-mail: admin@croston-engineering.co.uk Web: www.croston-engineering.co.uk

CALIBRATION AND WEIGHING SERVICES Promtek Ltd Fisher Street, Brindley Ford, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST8 7QJ Tel: 01782 375600 Fax: 01782 375605 E-mail: info@promtek.com Web: www.promtek.com

CHELATED MINERALS Trouw Nutrition GB, Blenheim House, Blenheim Road, Ashbourne DE6 1HA Tel: 01335 341100 Fax: 01335 341171 E-mail: customerservices.gb@nutreco.com Web: www.trouwnutrition.co.uk

Kemin UK Ltd Kemin UK Ltd. Castlethorpe Court, Castlethorpe, 34 Botanic Road, BRIGG NorthSouthport, LincolnshireMerseyside DN20 9LG, England PR9 7NG

www.kemin.com

tel: +44.1652.65.10.10 Tel: +44fax:+44.1652.65.54.13 (0)1704 537702

COMMODITY CLAIMS MANAGEMENT RMC Commodity Claims Management 3 Clement Road, Fulwood, Preston PR2 59LG Tel: 07841 198733 E-mail: enquiries@rawmaterialclaims.co.uk Web: www.rawmaterialclaims.co.uk

ENZYMES AB Vista 3 Woodstock Court, Blenheim Road, Marlborough Business Park, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 4AN. United Kingdom Tel: +44(0)1672 517650 Fax: +44(0)1672 517660 E-mail: info@abvista.com Web: www.abvista.com

Adisseo Tel: +353 87 766 8848 E-mail: info.nauk@adisseo.com Web: www.adisseo.com Danisco Animal Nutrition PO Box 777, Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 1XN Tel: 01672 517777 Fax: 01672 517778 E-mail: info.animalnutrition@dupont.com Web: animalnutrition.dupont.com

DSM Nutritional Products Ltd Heanor Gate, Heanor, Derbyshire DE75 7SG Tel: +44 (0)1773 536500 Fax: +44 (0)1773 536600 E-mail: heanor.anh-enquiries@dsm.com Web: www.dsmnutritionalproducts.com

Trouw Nutrition GB, Blenheim House, Blenheim Road, Ashbourne DE6 1HA Tel: 01335 341100 Fax: 01335 341171 E-mail: customerservices.gb@nutreco.com Web: www.trouwnutrition.co.uk

FEED ADDITIVES Borregaard UK Ltd Clayton Road, Risley Employment Area, Warrington, Cheshire WA3 6QQ Tel: 01925 285423 Fax: 01925 285433 E-mail: glenn.dearsley@borregaard.com Web: www.lignotechfeed.com Cargill Animal Nutrition Provimi Ltd., Dalton Airfield Industrial Estate, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 3HE Tel: 01845 578125 www.cargill.com/feed DSM Nutritional Products Ltd Heanor Gate, Heanor, Derbyshire DE75 7SG Tel: +44 (0)1773 536500 Fax: +44 (0)1773 536600 E-mail: heanor.anh-enquiries@dsm.com Web: www.dsmnutritionalproducts.com

Pancosma SA Voie des Traz 6, 1218 Le Grand-Saconnex, Geneva, Switzerland Tel : +41 22 929 84 84 Fax : +41 9259 84 95 E-mail: info@pancosma.ch Web: www.pancosma.com Trouw Nutrition GB, Blenheim House, Blenheim Road, Ashbourne DE6 1HA Tel: 01335 341100 Fax: 01335 341171 E-mail: customerservices.gb@nutreco.com Web: www.trouwnutrition.co.uk

Orffa Minervum 703251 Vierlinghstraat 4817LC LZWerkendam Breda 4251 TheNetherlands Netherlands The

T +31 183 44 77 66 E info@orffa.com

Find your Orffa specialist at www.orffa.com

FEED Ingredients Azelis UK Ltd Axis House, Tudor Road, Manor Park, Runcorn WA7 1BD Tel: 01928 793090 Fax: 01928 716997 Email: nutrition@azelis.co.uk www.azelis.com Bioiberica S.A.U. Contact: Xavier Córdoba Tel: 34 93 490 49 08 E-mail: animalnutritioncontact@bioiberica.com Web: www.bioiberica.com/en Gemcom Ltd 68 Great Portland Street, London W1W 7NG Tel: +44 (0)20 7580 8004 Fax: +44 (0)20 7580 8002 E-mail: info@gemcom.co.uk Web: www.gemcom.co.uk WestendAgri The Heath Business & Technical Park, Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 4QX Tel: + 44 (0)1477 544400 Mobile: +44 (0)7961 977623 E-mail: sales@westendagri.com Web: www.westendagri.com

FEED PATHOGEN CONTROL Adesco Nutricines, Lower Main Street, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford X35FX45, Ireland Jack: +353 87 2208816 Seán: +353 85 1667512 Email: info@adesco.ie Web:www.adesco.ie Anitox Ltd 7 Regent Park, Booth Drive, Park Farm, Wellingborough NN86GR Tel: +44 1604 811228 Fax: +44 1604 811013 E-mail: anitoxEMEA@anitox.com Web: www.anitox.com

Feed Compounder May/June 2021 Page 55

FEED MILL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

MILK REPLACERS

Croston Engineering Ltd, Tarvin Mill, Barrow Lane, Tarvin, Chester CH3 8JF Tel: 01829 741119 Fax: 01829 741169 E-mail: admin@croston-engineering.co.uk Web: www.croston-engineering.co.uk

Trouw Nutrition GB, Blenheim House, Blenheim Road, Ashbourne DE6 1HA Tel: 01335 341100 Fax: 01335 341171 E-mail: customerservices.gb@nutreco.com Web: www.trouwnutrition.co.uk

Turner Process Equipment Ltd 5 De Grey Square, De Grey Road, Colchester, Essex CO4 5YQ Tel: 01206 752017 Fax: 01206 854484 E-mail: sales@turnerprocessequipment.co.uk Web: turnerprocessequipment.co.uk

MILL MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

Van Mourik Group Boylestraat 34, 6718 XM Ede, The Netherlands Tel: + 31 (0) 318 64 11 44 E-mail: info@vanmourik-group.com Web: vanmourik-group.com

FEED SUPPLEMENTS DSM Nutritional Products Ltd Heanor Gate, Heanor, Derbyshire DE75 7SG Tel: +44 (0)1773 536500 Fax: +44 (0)1773 536600 E-mail: heanor.anh-enquiries@dsm.com Web: www.dsmnutritionalproducts.com Trouw Nutrition GB, Blenheim House, Blenheim Road, Ashbourne DE6 1HA Tel: 01335 341100 Fax: 01335 341171 E-mail: customerservices.gb@nutreco.com Web: www.trouwnutrition.co.uk Premier Nutrition The Levels, Rugeley, Staffordshire WS15 1RD Tel: 01889 572500 Fax: 01889 577074 E-mail: info@premiernutrition.co.uk Web: www.premiernutrition.co.uk

FLAVOURS & PALATANTS Inroads International Ltd Unit 4, Wem Engineering Centre Church Lane, Wem, Shropshire SY4 5HS Tel: +44 (0)1939 236 555 Fax: +44 (0)1939 236 450 Email: info@inroadsintl.co.uk Web: inroadsintl.com

CORETech Tel: +353 25 41400 or +44 1473 744000 Web: www.coretechnology.ie

MINERALS/PHOSPHATES WestendAgri The Heath Business & Technical Park, Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 4QX Tel: + 44 (0)1477 544400 Mobile: +44 (0)7961 977623 E-mail: sales@westendagri.com Web: www.westendagri.com

MOISTURE MEASUREMENT & CONTROL Adesco Nutricines, Lower Main Street, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford X35FX45, Ireland Jack: +353 87 2208816 Seán: +353 85 1667512 Email: info@adesco.ie Web:www.adesco.ie

Hydronix Ltd, Units 11-12, Henley Business Park, Pirbright Road, Normandy, Surrey GU1 4UG Tel: 01483 468900 E-mail: enquiries@hydronix.com Web: www.hydronix.com

MOLASSES PRODUCTS E D & F Man Liquid Products UK Ltd Alexandra House, Regent Road, Bootle L20 1ES Tel: 0151 944 5100 Fax: 0151 944 3919 E-mail: info.mlpuk@edfman.com Web: www.edfmanliquidproductsuk.com

United Molasses GB Ltd 48 Gracechurch Street, London EC3V 0EJ Tel: 0151 955 4850 Fax: 0151 955 4860 E-mail: molassesgb@umgroup.com Web: www.unitedmolasses.com

HAMMER MILLS Van Aarsen International Heelderweg 11, 6097EW Panheel The Netherlands Tel. +31 475 579 444 E-mail: advice@aarsen.com Web: www.aarsen.com

METHIONINE Adisseo Tel: +353 87 766 8848 E-mail: info.nauk@adisseo.com Web: www.adisseo.com

Page 56 May/June 2021 Feed Compounder

MOULD INHIBITORS Adesco Nutricines, Lower Main Street, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford X35FX45, Ireland Jack: +353 87 2208816 Seán: +353 85 1667512 Email: info@adesco.ie Web:www.adesco.ie

Trouw Nutrition GB, Blenheim House, Blenheim Road, Ashbourne DE6 1HA Tel: 01335 341100 Fax: 01335 341171 E-mail: customerservices.gb@nutreco.com Web: www.trouwnutrition.co.uk

MYCOTOXIN BINDERS

PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS

AB Vista, 211 Castle Rd, Randalstown, Antrim BT41 2EB Tel: 028 9447 3478 Email: Info@abvsita.com Web: www.abvista.com

DSL Systems Ltd Adbolton Hall, Adbolton Lane, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 5AS Tel: 0115 981 3700 Fax: 0115 981 3702 E-mail: sales@dsl-systems.com Web: www.dsl-systems.com

Adisseo Tel: +353 87 766 8848 E-mail: info.nauk@adisseo.com Web: www.adisseo.com

Promtek Ltd Fisher Street, Brindley Ford, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST8 7QJ Tel: 01782 375600 Fax: 01782 375605 E-mail: info@promtek.com Web: www.promtek.com

Trouw Nutrition GB, Blenheim House, Blenheim Road, Ashbourne DE6 1HA Tel: 01335 341100 Fax: 01335 341171 E-mail: customerservices.gb@nutreco.com Web: www.trouwnutrition.co.uk

SALMONELLA CONTROL

Nutrition Toll Manufacture B2B Nutrition, Fordton Industrial Estate, Crediton, Devon EX17 3BZ (A division of the Denis Brinicombe Group) Tel. 01363 775115 Contact David Mills 07803 736196 Email dmills@b2bnutrition.co.uk Web www.b2bnutrition.co.uk

PALLETIZING Fischbein Tel: +44 (0)20 8344 6600 E-mail: sales@fischbein-saxon.co.uk

Adesco Nutricines, Lower Main Street, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford X35FX45, Ireland Jack: +353 87 2208816 Seán: +353 85 1667512 Email: info@adesco.ie Web:www.adesco.ie

Trouw Nutrition GB, Blenheim House, Blenheim Road, Ashbourne DE6 1HA Tel: 01335 341100 Fax: 01335 341171 E-mail: customerservices.gb@nutreco.com Web: www.trouwnutrition.co.uk

SELENIUM Web: www.fischbein.com

Adisseo Tel: +353 87 766 8848 E-mail: info.nauk@adisseo.com Web: www.adisseo.com

PELLETING EQUIPMENT Compound Feed Engineering Ltd 5 Haydock Lane, Haydock, St Helens, Merseyside, WA11 9UY Tel: +44 (0) 1942 728188 Fax: +44 (0) 1942 408430 E-mail: info@cfegroup.com Web: www.cfegroup.com

Millson Engineering Ltd Coppice Trading Estate, Kidderminster, Worcestershire DY11 7QY Tel: 01562 823900 Fax: 01562 823998 E-mail: sales@millsonengineering.com Web: www.millsonengineering.com

Van Aarsen International Heelderweg 11, 6097EW Panheel The Netherlands Tel. +31 475 579 444 E-mail: advice@aarsen.com Web: www.aarsen.com

SIEVING & PRECLEANING Turner Process Equipment Ltd 5 De Grey Square, De Grey Road, Colchester, Essex CO4 5YQ Tel: 01206 752017 Fax: 01206 854484 E-mail: sales@turnerprocessequipment.co.uk Web: turnerprocessequipment.co.uk

SILAGE ADDITIVES Trouw Nutrition GB, Blenheim House, Blenheim Road, Ashbourne DE6 1HA Tel: 01335 341100 Fax: 01335 341171 E-mail: customerservices.gb@nutreco.com Web: www.trouwnutrition.co.uk

TRACE ELEMENTS PROCESS TECHNOLOGY Van Aarsen International Heelderweg 11, 6097EW Panheel The Netherlands Tel. +31 475 579 444 E-mail: advice@aarsen.com Web: www.aarsen.com

Chemox Pound Ltd Unit 1, IO Centre, Swift Valley, Rugby, CV21 1TW Tel: 01845 575065 Mobile: 07884 231880 E-mail: lawrence.green@chemoxpound.com Web: www.chemoxpound.com

Feed Compounder May/June 2021 Page 57

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Tailored for animals, inspired by nature

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A sustainable relationship requires guarantees, rely on our Value Charter

As a producer of feed-grade amino acids, Ajinomoto Animal Nutrition Europe implements sustainability in a comprehensive manner. That is why we provide our clients with a broad set of guarantees in the form of our Value Charter, which illustrates our customer relationship policy. High-quality products, reliable supply, regulatory compliance, environmental performance, genuine intellectual property, continuous innovation: 6 Pillars that highlight our commitment to our customers for the future-proof development of animal production.

www.ajinomoto-animalnutrition-emea.com