Dr. Liz Homer
Sustainability Manager
Ruminants Europe
Trouw Nutrition
PUBLISHED
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
ADMINISTRATIVE
Two
This famous quote, attributed to the American author Mark Twain after reading his own obituary in a local newspaper, has a certain relevance to the way in which the consumption of meat has been portrayed in the mass media in recent years.
Whether it’s the highly trumpeted rise of alternative meat products, the high-level climate change focus on livestock-based methane emissions, or the supposed health risks of eating too much red meat, there have been many damming obituaries written on the demise of meat eating.
Well, the good news for farmers and feed suppliers alike, is that such reports continue to be greatly exaggerated. In fact, there is considerable evidence that the tide against meat eating is turning, at least in some quarters.
There have, after all, been more than a few headlines in recent months highlighting a downturn in sales of alternative meat products, accompanied by reports of sliding company profits and the appointment of a new CEO or two, charged with driving through a fresh range of product and sales objectives. There have even been reports of a new era of meat alternatives being launched, a well-known public relations term trotted out to describe what might otherwise be reported as the end of the previous era.
Without falling into the obituary trap of exaggerating what’s really happening in the world of plant-based sausages and burgers, there is definitely evidence that the battle for meat-eating consumers is more challenging than certain newspaper headlines tend to suggest.
The truth is that global meat intake per person has nearly doubled in the last fifty years and appears well set for further expansion in the future. This reflects economic improvements in many countries and the desire by consumers for meat to fill a greater part of their diet, whenever incomes allow.
There is a long way to go in raising living standards globally, of course, with many people still living in poverty and food shortage, much to the shame of the developed world.
Balancing such needs with the climate change/methane emission concerns of global leaders is a massive challenge for us all. Reducing output to make the figures come right doesn’t help those who already don’t have enough to feed themselves or their children. We have to find ways to increase production, therefore, without adding to emissions in the process.
While the UK Climate Change Committee has been focusing on how to reduce ruminant populations and the lowering of red meat and dairy consumption to cut emissions, the onus is on our own feed and farming chain to take the lead in showing how meat can be produced with increased climate-sensitive efficiency.
There are solutions out there for those who are prepared to look.
Take age of slaughter, for example. The median age of slaughter for beef cattle in the UK is currently 21 months, with a general agreement among producers that this could be reduced. Profit and/or policy incentives need to be right to enable the lowering of the slaughter point to make sense, but the target in itself is certainly achievable.
Age at first calving is another potential action point, given that many producers acknowledge that most breeds could be calved at two years old, delivering both economic and emission-reduction benefits in the process.
Calving interval is another key area for on-farm improvement, building on the current average calving interval in the UK of 391 days.
Improvements are also being made in the number of heifers which fail to calve for two consecutive years. The failure figure in 2016 was 43,000 in the UK. That has now been lowered to 25,000, clearly with scope for further progress.
The standard methane emissions short-cut often voiced by the nation’s politicians is to simply reduce livestock numbers, leading to an immediate lowering of greenhouse gases. This would tick a political box or two, but only by exporting the problem to producers elsewhere. Surely it would be preferable to take responsibility for our own emissions, especially if we can do the job better than is currently being achieved in other countries.
There’s even an argument to be made for the UK to produce greater amounts of meat in the future on the basis that we could deliver the end product at a lower emission per kilogram than others are managing. That would require politicians internationally to view emission reduction as a global issue rather than adopting the current country-by-country approach.
While we’re focusing on such ‘visionary’ issues, how about working towards the development of all-factor emission comparisons, rather than the pick-and-choose methods followed at present?
How, for example, does the damage caused by a belching cow compare with the destructive climate load resulting from the production of a non-meat alternative? Let’s count everything, not just what suits an individual pro or anti-meat position.
Finally, there are many health benefits to champion in relation to meat eating, whatever the scary headlines may say. Thanks, on this point, to elite Welsh athlete Adelé Nicoll with her recent Iron Wo(man) Challenge, designed to highlight World Iron Awareness Week. Working with the Welsh red meat promotion body, Hybu Cig Cymru, Adelé used the Iron Week focus to emphasise the importance of iron in the diet and to highlight Welsh lamb and beef as her own key sources of iron, alongside other vitamins and minerals.
As we said: Reports of our death as a red meat industry, real meat that is, continue to be greatly exaggerated.
By Ryan Mounsey
Following an increase in production from a year earlier of 5,400 tonnes or 2.6 per cent in June, up to 215,300 tonnes, the total output of compounds, blends and concentrates in Northern Ireland during the first half of 2024 reached 1,416,400 tonnes. This surpassed its 2023 equivalent, and previous record high for the period, by 57,500 tonnes or 4.3 per cent. Furthermore, the current total also outpaced the decade long average for the timeframe by 132,300 tonnes or 10.3 per cent.
Total feed production during the first half of 2024 was made up of: 52.8 per cent cattle and calf feed; 32.7 per cent poultry feed; 8.5 per cent pig feed; 3.0 per cent sheep feed; and 3.0 per cent other feed.
At 747,800 tonnes, total first half cattle and calf feed production had bettered its corresponding year earlier return by 36,900 tonnes or 5.2 per cent. The total under review was the largest H1 output on record and in addition, outstripped the 10 year average for the period by 80,400 tonnes or 12.0 per cent.
Despite the record high tonnage from the sector as a whole, H1 beef cattle compounds and all other cattle compounds production both decreased from their year earlier levels. The former’s output fell by 3,500 tonnes or 4.9 per cent to 67,600 tonnes and the latter’s did so by just 100 tonnes or 2.3 per cent to 2,100 tonnes. On the other hand, production of beef coarse mixes and blends during the first half of 2024 increased from a year earlier by 25,000 tonnes or 21.44 per cent up to 141,400 tonnes, its third highest output for the period since records were kept in their current form. Furthermore, the remaining three categories all bettered their 2023 return and rose to record high H1 levels. Output from the sector’s largest element, dairy cow compounds rose by 3,700 tonnes or 1.1 per cent up to 337,800 tonnes;
dairy coarse mixes or blends production grew by 10,600 tonnes or 7.6 per cent up to 150,000 tonnes; and lastly, other calf compounds, at 47,300 tonnes, surpassed its year earlier H1 counterpart by 800 tonnes or 1.8 per cent up to 47,300 tonnes.
An increase of 10,500 tonnes or 2.3 per cent from a year previous brought total first half poultry feed production up to a record high 463,000 tonnes. Moreover, the current total was 46,800 tonnes or 11.2 per cent in excess of the 10 year average for the period.
H1 broiler feed production more or less matched the output of a year previous; at 246,500 tonnes it was just 500 tonnes or 0.2 per cent below its 2023 counterpart. Layer and breeder feed and chick rearing feed production were both at record levels for the first half of the year. Layer and breeder feed production had increased by 2,700 tonnes or 1.5 per cent up to 17,600 tonnes and chick rearing feed had done so by 1,900 tonnes or 12.5 per cent up to 17,600 tonnes. Turkey and other poultry feed production grew sharply from its year earlier total for the second H1 in succession; the current total of 21,100 tonnes was 6,400 tonnes or 44.0 per cent greater than in 2023.
After a significant downturn in production in 2023, total first half pig feed production surpassed its year previous output by 7,300 tonnes or 6.4 per cent. Due to higher production levels at the turn of the decade, the current total was a less marked 5,000 tonnes or 4.3 per cent in excess of the decade long H1 average.
Only pig growing feed production failed to better its year previous return for the period under review, down 1,500 tonnes or 7.1 per cent to 19,100 tonnes. Pig link and early grower feed was at a record high 20,500 tonnes for the first half of the calendar year, up 3,100 tonnes or 18.1 per cent. Pig starter and creep feed also surpassed its year previous return by a significant margin, growing by 2,700 tonnes or 20.9 per cent up to 15,900 tonnes for the period. At 48,200 tonnes, pig finishing feed production bettered its year earlier output by 1,100 tonnes or 2.4 per cent and pig breeding feed H1 production, at 16,900 tonnes, outpaced its 2023 return by 1,700 tonnes or 11.4 per cent.
Total first half sheep feed production was the one feed sector that fell below its year previous counterpart. Output decreased by 500 tonnes or 1.1 per cent to 43,100 tonnes and, moreover, was 700 tonnes or 1.6 per cent lower than the decade long average for the timeframe.
Growing and finishing compounds for sheep was the sole sheep feed subsector that bettered its year previous counterpart, doing so by 1,600 tonnes or 10.1 per cent up to 17,100 tonnes, its second highest return for the period this millennium. On the other hand, coarse mixes or blends for sheep output had declined by 1,700 tonnes or 19.2 per cent from a year earlier to 7,100 tonnes, its lowest output for the timeframe since 2001. Finally, breeding sheep compounds fell for the third H1 in succession to 18,800 tonnes of production, 400 tonnes or 1.9 per cent down on 2023.
First half production of total other feed had surpassed its respective year previous total by 4,300 tonnes or 11.6 per cent and rose to 41,800 tonnes of output. In addition, the current total outpaced the 10 year H1 average by 900 tonnes or 2.1 per cent.
Animal feed production in the first half of 2024 had reached record levels for the second year in succession in Northern Ireland. Both the cattle and poultry feed sectors followed the same pattern and pig feed production returned close to the historically high levels that characterised the first three years of the decade. Sheep feed production was the only sector to fall below its long term average and did so by just 1.6 per cent. The July production figures are analysed below.
Total production of compounds, blends and concentrates in Northern Ireland during July rose to its highest level on record of 216,500 tonnes, a significant increase of 25,600 tonnes or 13.4 per cent from the corresponding month a year earlier. Furthermore, the total under review was 29,100 tonnes or 15.6 per cent greater than the 10 year average for July.
Total feed production during the month of July 2024 was made up of: 49.0 per cent cattle and calf feed; 36.1 per cent poultry feed; 10.8 per cent pig feed; 1.8 per cent sheep feed; and 2.5 per cent other feed.
At 106,000 tonnes of production, total cattle and calf feed output was at its highest level for July since records were kept in their current form. The total under review had increased 12,300 tonnes or 13.1 per cent from the corresponding month a year earlier and outpaced the decade long average for July by 15,300 tonnes or 16.8 per cent.
All other cattle compounds was the only subsector in which production didn’t better its year earlier returns, as output decreased by just under 50 tonnes or 16.3 per cent to 250 tonnes. On the other hand, other calf compounds, beef coarse mixes of blends and dairy coarse mixes or blends were at record high levels for the month under review. Output of other calf compounds had risen by 500 tonnes or 9.2 per cent to 6,300 tonnes; beef coarse mixes or blends had increased by 3,400 tonnes or 24.6 per cent to 17,500 tonnes; and dairy coarse mixes or blends, at 19,000 tonnes, had grown by 2,800 tonnes or 17.2 per cent. Similarly, dairy cow compounds were at their second highest output of 54,000 tonnes, up 5,200 tonnes or 10.8 per cent from a year previous. Finally, at 8,900 tonnes, beef cattle compounds production surpassed its corresponding 2023 return by 200 tonnes or 2.4 per cent.
An increase of 7,800 tonnes or 11.2 per cent from a year earlier brought total poultry feed production for July up to 77,800 tonnes, a record high for the month under review. Additionally, the current total bettered the 10 year average for the month by 8,500 tonnes or 12.3 per cent.
All poultry feed subsectors outstripped their 2023 tonnages. Chick rearing feed production was at its highest output on record of 2,900 tonnes, an increase of 400 tonnes or 15.2 per cent from a year earlier. Turkey and other poultry feed output more than doubled from a year earlier; production had risen by 2,200 tonnes or 106.4 per cent to 4,300 tonnes, its highest level for July since 2014. Broiler feed production climbed for the second July in succession, up 2,000 tonnes or 5.1 per cent to 40,400 tonnes, as did layer and breeder feed output, which rose by 3,300 tonnes or 12.2 per cent from its respective year earlier return to 30,100 tonnes.
Following a sizable decrease in production in 2023, total July pig feed output rebounded to 23,300 tonnes, its highest total for the month under review since 1997, surpassing its year previous counterpart by 4,900 tonnes or 26.3 per cent. The current total was also in excess of the 10 year average, which it had surpassed by 4,100 tonnes or 21.6 per cent.
Every pig feed sub sector surpassed its year previous level and pig link and early grower feed also reached an unparalleled 3,700 tonnes for July, up 900 tonnes or 33.1 per cent from 2023. Output of pig starter and creep feed which was also at an unprecedented 2,800 tonnes for the month under review, up 600 tonnes or 25.5 per cent from a year previous. Production of pig finishing feed output and pig breeding feed were both also at historically high levels; the former had surpassed its 2023 return by 2,100 tonnes or 31.1 per cent to rise to 9,000 tonnes, the second highest total for the month on record while the latter had done so by 1,000 tonnes or 29.7 per cent to 4,300 tonnes, its largest July total since 1999. Finally, pig growing feed production bettered its year previous return by 200 tonnes or 7.5 per cent and rose to 3,500 tonnes.
At 4,000 tonnes of output, July total sheep feed production was at its joint highest level for the month. Production had increased by 500 tonnes or 15.3 per cent from a year previously and the current total outstripped the decade long 10 year average by 800 tonnes or 26.2 per cent.
Despite the large upturn in production from the sector as a whole, only the growing and finishing sheep compounds subsector surpassed its year previous total, albeit by a substantial 700 tonnes or 29.5 per cent up to 3,200 tonnes. In contrast, production of breeding sheep compounds dropped by 200 tonnes or 42.7 per cent to 220 tonnes and lastly, output of coarse mixes or blends for breeding sheep matched its year earlier return of 600 tonnes.
For the second year in succession, total other feed production bettered its year previous output, in this case 300 tonnes or 3.3 per cent up to 5,500 tonnes. In addition, the current total exceeded the decade long average for July by 400 tonnes or 7.9 per cent.
Total production of compounds, blends and concentrates, including integrated poultry units, in Great Britain during August amounted to 993,500 tonnes, a decrease of 4,300 tonnes or 0.4 per cent from the corresponding month a year previous. This was the third August in succession that production had fallen below its year earlier return and was the lowest output for the month since 2011. Accordingly, the total under review was 45,700 tonnes or 4.5 per cent lower than the decade long average for August.
Total feed production during the month of August 2024 was made up of: 47.5 per cent poultry feed; 30.5 per cent cattle and calf feed; 14.3 per cent pig feed; 3.8 per cent sheep feed; 1.2 per cent horse feed; and 2.7 per cent other feed.
At 471,900 tonnes of output, total poultry feed production, including integrated poultry units had fallen for the third August in a row, in this instance by 7,400 tonnes or 1.5 per cent. As a result of these successive drops and consistently higher production in the first half of the preceding decade, the current total was an even greater 32,700 tonnes or 6.7 per cent on the 10 year average for the month.
Despite the overall fall in production, the August output from three subsectors surpassed their year previous returns. Broiler chicken compounds increased by 1,700 tonnes or 1.1 per cent to 151,300 tonnes; layer compounds output rose by 3,300 tonnes or 4.2 per cent to 82,200 tonnes; and production of poultry rearing and breeding compounds, at 24,200 tonnes, had bettered its year earlier counterpart by 600 tonnes or 2.5 per cent. In contrast, integrated poultry units output fell by 6,700 tonnes or 4.0 per cent to 162,500 tonnes, the second lowest total for the month on record. Additionally, production of both chick rearing feed compounds, at 8,300 tonnes and turkey compounds, at 11,000 tonnes, had fallen sharply from their 2023 return. The former had dropped 1,900 tonnes or 18.6 per cent and the latter had done so by 2,000 tonnes or 15.4 per cent.
Total cattle and calf feed production was at its highest level for August in six years. An increase in output of 5,200 tonnes or 1.7 per cent brought the total under review up to 303,100 tonnes. Furthermore, the current total outpaced the decade long average for the month by 3,300 tonnes or 1.1 per cent.
Only the sector’s largest category, compounds for dairy cows,
failed to better its year earlier output, as it dropped by just 1,900 tonnes or 1.1 per cent to 164,400 tonnes. Production of blends for dairy cows surpassed its year previous counterpart by 1,700 tonnes or 3.0 per cent and rose to 58,900 tonnes. Total calf feed output also increased from a year previous, up 500 tonnes or 3.8 per cent to 13,600 tonnes. All other cattle blends rose from 2023 levels slightly more markedly; its output of 23,900 tonnes was up 2,000 tonnes or 9.1 per cent. Production of all other cattle compounds rose by 2,500 tonnes or 7.4 per cent from year earlier levels. Lastly, cattle protein concentrates production, at 6,000 tonnes, was up 300 tonnes or 5.3 per cent from a year previous.
A downturn of 6,200 tonnes or 4.2 per cent brought total pig feed production in August down to 141,800 tonnes, its lowest total for the month under review since 2015. Moreover, the current total fell 10,200 tonnes or 6.9 per cent below the 10 year average for August.
The pig protein concentrates subsector was the only one to better year previous production, which it did by tripling output from 100 to 300 tonnes for the month. Pig breeding compounds production, on the other hand, was at its lowest level for the month on record of 27,200 tonnes, a decrease of 3,800 tonnes or 12.3 per cent from a year previous. At 4,600 tonnes, link and early grower feed production was also at historically low levels, down 100 tonnes or 2.1 per cent from a year previous to its lowest output since 2005. Pig finishing compounds output had declined for the third August in succession to 81,000 tonnes, a drop of 1,900 tonnes or 2.3 per cent from a year previous. Lastly, a decrease in production of 400 tonnes or 1.5 per cent from 2023 levels dropped pig growing compounds down to 26,100 tonnes.
Following a sharp decline in 2023, total sheep feed production increased by a significant 6,400 tonnes or 20.3 per cent to 37,900 tonnes, the largest total for August since 2019. Additionally, the total under review outpaced the decade long average for August by 4,400 tonnes or 12.4 per cent.
Two sheep feed subsectors fell below their year previous returns: blends for breeding sheep output declined by 100 tonnes or 8.3 per cent to 1,100 tonnes and production of sheep protein concentrates halved from a year earlier to 200 tonnes. Production from the remaining elements all rose sharply: compounds for growing and finishing sheep increased by 5,100 tonnes or 23.7 per cent from a year earlier to 26,600 tonnes; blends for growing and finishing rose to 6,900 tonnes, up 900 tonnes or 15.0 per cent from 2023; and finally, compounds for breeding sheep output grew by 600 tonnes or 25.0 per cent to 3,000 tonnes.
At 12,200 tonnes of production in August, total horse feed was at its lowest level for the month since 2018 and 1,300 tonnes or 9.6 per cent down on a year previous. Moreover, the current total was 700 tonnes or 5.6 per cent below the decade long August average.
Total August other feed production had decreased by 1,300 tonnes or 4.7 per cent from a year earlier down to 26,400 tonnes. This fall brought August 2024’s total output to 9,900 tonnes or 31.6 per cent lower than the 10 year average for the month.
By Colin Ley
You can always count on the European Commission (EC) to come up with a good delay when you want one, which, in relation to the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), was definitely needed.
Thankfully, the EC and the European Council both agree that an extra 12 months is required to bring EUDR into being, at least in a way in which enables member states, operators and traders to be ‘fully prepared in their due diligence obligations’. The goal, after all, is to ensure that certain commodities and products sold in the EU or exported from the EU are deforestation-free, including feed sector raw materials. Better to get this right in the future than wrong in the here and now.
FEFAC was one of nine bodies to sign up to a ‘thank you’ statement as soon as the EC made its move in October, joining in an invitation to the European Parliament to also back the one-year postponement when MEPs vote in mid-November.
While supporting the regulation’s objective of combatting global deforestation, FEFAC’s view is that this needs to be achieved without jeopardising vital feed supply chains for soy (of both EU and non-EU origins) and palm oil (co-)products.
Well said, and good to see a united industry stance on this.
Just about every cropping and trading expert in Europe has a view on the state of the cereal harvest at this point in the year and it would be a pity not to join the crowd. I’m not an expert, of course, but am hopefully efficient at picking the relevant facts and figures out of this particular information storm. Sorry, unfortunate word selection.
Starting with figures released by the EC, the 27-member community has confirmed that the 2024 harvest is the smallest since 2007.
The agrosupply trade association, COCERAL, weighed in with a late September forecast that the total grain crop in the EU-27, plus the UK, will be around 280.3 million tonnes. If this proves correct, the final tonnage will be significantly down on the 296 million tonnes projection contained in the association’s previous forecast. It will also fall well short of the 294.2 million tonnes harvested in 2023.
The seemingly inevitable downturn was blamed by COCERAL on rain and a lack of sunshine during the spring which significantly impacted winter crop production in western Europe in general, and France and Germany, in particular. Lower plantings due to overly wet conditions during the autumn of last year also had an impact while hot and dry weather during pollination emerged to affect spring crop yields in southeastern Europe.
Breaking down the overall yield forecasts into wheat and barley, COCERAL is now expecting 126 million tonnes of wheat (down from its June forecast of 134.5 million tonnes and last year’s 140.3 million tonnes total)
with barley heading for 57.6 million tonnes (down from 59.9 million tonnes in the previous forecast and 54.8 million tonnes in 2023). The EU-27+UK rapeseed crop meanwhile, is forecast at 18.1 million tonnes (down from 19.4 million tonnes in the previous forecast and 21.3 million tonnes last year).
In the UK (viewed individually) the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board’s provisional harvest figures show widely expected falls in wheat and oilseed rape (OSR) production. Although the wheat crop is still larger than the historically low figure suffered in 2020, OSR output is provisionally the lowest since 1983. Also, despite increases in barley and oat production from 2023, both remain below their respective five-year averages. As a result, says AHDB, the UK will be much more reliant on imports than usual this season.
There are plenty more harvest reports to come before the end of the year, of course, but the downward trend seems securely set across Europe, all of which feed buyers will be factoring into forward contracts. Never an easy task.
A stark warning that global water shortages will impact more than half of the world’s food production by 2050, unless urgent action is taken, was issued in late October by the Global Commission on the Economics of Water.
Drawing on leading specialists from around the world, the Parisbased Commission blames ‘weak economics, destructive land use, and the persistent mismanagement of water resources’ for a worsening climate crisis which has put the global water cycle under ‘unprecedented stress’.
Convened in 2022 by the Government of the Netherlands and facilitated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Commission drew expert input from Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of Singapore; Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization; Mariana Mazzucato, Professor of the Economics of Innovation and Public Value at University College London, and Johan Rockström, Professor in Earth System Science at University of Potsdam and Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Germany.
Their combined views are that unless we start acting with greater boldness and urgency, than currently exists, the world is heading for an increasingly out-of-balance water cycle that will wreak havoc on economies and humanity globally.
The headline threat is that there will be an 8% loss of GDP in countries around the world on average by 2050, with lower-income countries suffering a 15% loss.
Warning that the human and economic costs of inaction will be substantial, the Commission lists high-population density hotspots, including northwestern India, northeastern China and south and eastern Europe, as being particularly vulnerable. It also states that if rainfall which originates from deforestation hotspots were to disappear, growth rates in Africa and South America could drop significantly, by 0.5% and 0.7%, respectively.
“If current trends persist, extreme water storage declines could make irrigation unfeasible,” adds the report, “leading to a 23% reduction in global cereal production. The economic impacts of such trends will be severe.”
It’s not difficult to see how such factors might influence livestock production around the world or the growing of essential feed sector raw materials.
Mission points
In the midst of proposing a wide range of solutions, the Commission lists five so-called mission points. These are:
1. Launch a new revolution in food systems. This would involve transforming agriculture to sustain the planet by scaling up microirrigation and radically improving water productivity, reducing reliance on nitrogen-based fertilisers, spreading regenerative agriculture, and shifting progressively away from animal to plant-based diets.
2. Conserve and restore natural habitats critical to protecting green water. The plan here is to conserve 30% of forests and restore 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030. Priority should be given to protecting and restoring those areas that can best contribute to a stable water cycle.
3. Establish a circular water economy. The challenge here is to capture the full value of every drop of water by treating and reusing wastewater, reducing distribution inefficiencies and recovering valuable resources.
4. Enable a clean-energy and AI-rich era with much lower water intensity. This would involve renewable energy, semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI) to define a new economic era.
5. Ensure no child dies from unsafe water by 2030.
This is a long report, of which I’ve only given a snapshot. Reading more of the Commission’s report, published under the title ‘The Economics of Water’, will not be a waste of your time.
Scots water survey
Although worrying about a lack of rainfall in Scotland has rarely been an issue over the years, the crucial importance of water to potato production in the east of Scotland is at the heart of a new investigation to be carried out by SAOS, Scotland’s farm co-op body, and the Scottish Potato Co-operative (SPC).
While water scarcity hasn’t been a problem for growers this year, the issue remains ‘challenging’, according to SAOS, warning of a potential decline in overall potato yields and the marketable yield of high value, early salad, and higher dry matter, varieties.
“When potato lifting is finished, I will get out and onto farms to interview SPC members to get a better understanding of what they’re doing,” said SAOS project leader, David Michie.
“Ultimately, we want to find out how to manage water as the climate changes. To identify options that businesses can put in place. As growing conditions change over time, and water becomes a scarce and valuable resource, we want to ensure our co-op members are best placed to use that resource profitably and sustainably.”
Local cereal growers will no doubt take close note of the survey as it develops.
No fewer than 16 of the EU’s 27 member states bought Scottish red meat and offal during the 12 months to July this year, seemingly proving the sustaining power of trade over Brexit. In fact, according to Quality Meat Scotland’s annual export survey, the country’s red meat and offal exports surged to £134 million during the year, which was the first time trade values had gone beyond £100m.
Sitting alongside exports to 12 different non-EU markets, of which
Switzerland was a key outlet for high-value cuts of beef and lamb, EU buyers accounted for more than 95% of overall export revenues.
The QMS conclusion is that ‘enterprising companies’ were willing and able to look beyond the additional costs and complexities of trading with EU countries from outside the single market, seeking opportunities which they found to be more profitable than those offered by the domestic market.
In short, despite the ongoing challenges posed by Brexit, Scottish exporters have adapted and thrived, a strength of purpose which can only be good for us all.
Poultry farmers in Europe are increasingly seeking to spread production costs, including the buying in of essential feed rations, by extending the laying lifetime of hens. That’s according to Dr Christiane Keppler of Landesbetrieb Landwirtschaft Hessen (Hesse State Farming Authority), based in Kassel, Germany.
She was commenting as part of a preview of EuroTier 2024, the Hannover-based international farm trade fair, which takes place from November 12-15. Her comments drew attention to the fact that controlling feed and energy costs for poultry farmers comes on top of a serious list of other challenges. These include coping with regular changes to animal welfare and animal health demands, the need to reduce antibiotic use and emissions from poultry farming and the constant threat of avian influenza.
In relation to laying hens, she said that considerable efforts have been made in recent times to keep birds producing eggs for significantly longer than in the past. This challenge is being addressed by a combination of breeding for longer laying persistence and by improving all-round bird health and management.
In this context, the EuroTier24 organisers will award medals to their top five selected poultry health innovators this year, with contenders spanning progress in vaccination techniques, fighting red bird mites without the need for chemicals, securing higher disinfection performance for hatching eggs, an enhanced washing robot for aviaries, improved animal welfare for laying hens, an ergonomic perch, and larval snacks for chicks.
The larval snacks idea is based on the fact that, during their first few weeks of life, chickens naturally eat mainly insects and worms. In order to keep the animals occupied, therefore, and at the same time provide them with high-quality protein, WEDA Dammann & Westerkamp, based in Goldenstedt, Germany, will be displaying their ‘ProBar – The Larvae Snack Bar’ for poultry at EuroTier24 with the promise that the item is equipped to enable a few live larvae to be ‘gently dispensed’ at specific time intervals. There will be many other feed items on view in the Hannover arena, of course.
Finally, a shout-out for feed industry entrepreneur, Susan Waithira Kuria, winner of the runner-up award in the agribusiness section of DLG (German Agricultural Society) ‘Women in Ag Award’.
Ms Kuria is the co-founder and Managing Director of Essential Drugs Limited, a Kenyan Company that is involved in the manufacturing of animal feed premixes and distribution of animal feed additives in the East and Central Africa Region. In announcing her award, DLG acknowledged her as a ‘seasoned entrepreneur with a great passion for advancing the livestock sector through innovation and modern technology’.
The award ceremony will take place during EuroTier 2024.
Fuel the cow by feeding her rumen. Zinpro® IsoFerm® is a breakthrough –the essential nutrient your herd needs.
Designed to enhance rumen function by directly feeding the fibre digesting microbes, Zinpro IsoFerm improves fibre digestion and protein utilization while ensuring on-farm sustainability. This proprietary isoacid technology increases milk yield, production efficiency and profitability.
To embrace the new frontier in dairy nutrition, scan the QR code or contact Jonathan Huxtable : jhuxtable@zinpro.com
By Matthew Wedzerai
Selenium-enriched yeast enhances gut health and immunity in broilers
Amidst antibiotic growth promoter restrictions, strategies to improve broiler immunity and gut health are crucial to boost intensive broiler production systems. Focusing on nutritional additives, this report elaborates on the benefits of supplementing broiler diets with selenium-enriched yeast (selenium-yeast), fenugreek seeds, and Bacillus-based probiotics on gut health and immunity.
Recent research shows enteric diseases can cause an imbalance of the intestinal microbiota, which can result in dysbiosis, inflammation, and susceptibility to infection by other pathogens. This necessitates the need to find effective and sustainable strategies to improve broiler immunity while enhancing the intestinal microbiota balance, especially in the face of the ban or restriction of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in many countries.
Supplementing selenium-yeast, fenugreek seeds and probiotics
Researchers of the current study published in the journal The Microbe explored the effect of supplementing different dosages (0.15, 0.225 and 0.30 mg/kg) of selenium-enriched yeast (selenium-yeast) on growth performance, intestinal morphology, gut microbial population and immune status of broiler birds (day 1-35). Focusing on similar nutritional additives, the other part published in the journal Poultry Science explores the effects of combining fenugreek seeds and multi-strain Bacillus-based probiotics on the immune-related gene expression and caecal microbiome in broiler chickens (day 1-42); the multi-strain Bacillus-based probiotics contained B. subtilis, B. amyloliquefaciens, and B. licheniformis.
Selenium (Se) is an essential trace mineral for poultry production; its inadequacy may lead to poor growth performance, nutritional muscular dystrophy, immune deficiencies, reduced antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation. Yeast and yeast cell wall products modulate the host immune response, reduce the load of pathogens, and ameliorate the pathologic effects of enteric infections in poultry. The principal mechanisms of action of yeast probiotics and prebiotics are competitive exclusion and antagonism, immunomodulation, effect on digestive enzymes, and direct nutritional benefits. Yeast cells are capable of binding dietary selenium in the form of both organic and inorganic compounds.
As a phytogenic additive, Fenugreek seeds contain various bioactive compounds, such as saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and polyphenols, that can exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory effects. Fenugreek seeds also contain insoluble and soluble fibres, with high concentrations of galactose and mannose — presenting a potentially beneficial effect on gut microbiome. Direct-fed microbials or probiotics are feed additives containing live or viable microorganisms that can confer beneficial effects on the host animal; for example, Bacillus spp. can modulate the intestinal microbiota by producing antimicrobial substances, enzymes, and organic acids, as well as competing with pathogens for nutrients and adhesion sites.
Supplementation of selenium-yeast (Se-Ye) at different dose rates significantly improved weight gain and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the control group birds (see Table 1). The highest dosage (0.30 mg/kg Se-Ye) showed the greatest improvement in growth performance.
Table 1: Effect of different dosages of selenium-yeast (Se-Ye) on weekly weight gain and FCR
Selenium-yeast on intestinal morphology and immunity
The results of the study demonstrated improvement in intestinal morphology and immunity of birds supplemented with selenium-yeast. The height of the villi and crypts depth and their ratio were highly significant amongst the selenium-yeast groups with the 0.30 mg/kg dosage producing the best results (highly enhanced surface area for nutrient absorption). The occurrence of goblet cells was higher in the selenium-yeast-fed birds. Goblet cells are specialised epithelial cells that have a role in barrier maintenance through the secretion of mucus. In addition, goblet cells secrete anti-microbial proteins, chemokines, and cytokines demonstrating their function in innate immunity beyond barrier maintenance. Supplementing selenium-yeast increased the weight, length and thickness of immune organs, that is, the bursa of Fabricius, spleen and thymus, indicated enhanced immunity. Selenium-yeast at
Comment section is sponsored by Compound Feed Engineering Ltd www.cfegroup.com
0.225 and 0.30 mg/kg also boosted the humoral immunity against Newcastle disease virus compared to the unsupplemented diet. The researchers also concluded that suppression of inflammatory factor, interleukin 10 (IL 10) is selenium-yeast dose-dependent. “This means beneficial bacteria might take part in anti-inflammatory reactions that minimise inflammation or decrease cytokine secretion by suppressing the pathogenicity of pathogens,” the researchers said.
From the analysis of the caecal microbial population, Ileal and colorectal microbial population and faecal microbial population, the researchers found a selenium-yeast dose-dependent reduction of gut pathogens (E. coli and Salmonella), while the abundance of the beneficial bacteria, Bifidobacterium spp., was significantly increased compared to the birds from the control diet.
The relative mRNA expression of ileal pro-inflammatory interleukins IL6 and IL8L2 showed significant downregulation by the individual supplementation of fenugreek seeds, Bacillus-probiotics and their combination compared to the control diet. The researchers stated that the downregulation of IL-6 and IL8L2 is generally associated with an anti-inflammatory response. They said previous studies have shown the upregulation of IL-6 and IL8L2 in chickens is associated with Salmonella and Eimeria infection. “The observed downregulation of IL-6 and IL8L2 in our study suggests that both fenugreek seeds and multi-strain Bacillu s-probiotics exert anti-inflammatory effects in the gut.”
To substantiate their observation, researchers also assessed the gene expression of other pro-inflammatory-related factors (caspase-6, interferon regulatory factor 7 and β-Defensins) and found a similar trend whereby the individual supplementation of fenugreek seeds, Bacillus-probiotics and their combination significantly downregulated these indicators of inflammation compared to the control diet. There was a tendency for improved gut microbiome diversity following the combination of the additives, which was ascribed to the additive effects of the prebiotic fenugreek seeds and the Bacillus-based probiotics.
Concluding remarks
It was concluded that supplementation of selenium-enriched yeast at the dose rate of 0.30 mg/kg significantly improves the growth performance, and gut health and enhances the immunity of broiler chickens. On the other hand, both fenugreek seeds and multi-strain Bacillus -based probiotics demonstrate the potential for improving broiler immunity through inflammation reduction. “The combination of fenugreek seeds and Bacillus-based probiotics offers a synergistic effect in immune modulation and specific microbial modulation, warranting further investigation with pathogen challenge models for comprehensive understanding,” the researchers said.
Orffa develops, customizes, sources and offers feed additives and feed additive concepts for the global animal nutrition market
EXCENTIAL SAPPHIRE Q
Natural blend to promote resilience to infection
• Unique blend of Quillaja saponaria extract (containing saponins) and an activated aluminosilicate
• Standardized and concentrated
• Designed to improve resilience to infection
• Applicable in multiple animal species
EXCENTIAL ALLIIN PLUS
Garlic and cinnamon to support gastrointestinal health
• Combination of cinnamon and garlic
• High concentration of active ingredients
• Stable product, because of unique production process
• Supports health and performance of animals
• Applicable in multiple animal species
CONTACT OUR DEDICATED SPECIALISTS
Sam Phelps
Technical Commercial Manager +44 7761 758 284 phelps@orffa.com
Roseanne Barclay
Technical Commercial Manager +44 7947 171 823 barclay@orffa.com
www.orffa.com - Follow us on
By Christine Pedersen Senior Dairy Business Consultant
The Dairy Group christine.pedersen@thedairygroup.co.uk www.thedairygroup.co.uk
The outlook for milk price continues to improve with the wholesale prices for cream and butter setting new records, dragging the market indicators to levels not seen since the heady days of 2022. With rising market returns comes rising farmgate prices with Arla leading the way with their standard manufacturing price of 45.02ppl for October. Our latest milk price forecast has jumped due to widespread milk price increases at the farmgate alongside the rising markets. Together this suggests the Defra farm gate price will rise in September to 41.7ppl, 43.4ppl in October and then rise further to 45.2ppl in November.
The forecast rolling price to March 2025 is 41.5ppl and could be higher if prices increase further. However, milk price does not give the whole picture as production costs have also risen over the past 2 years and now seem stubbornly high. Our current forecast is for an average cost of production of 44.2ppl which would give an average profit for 2024/25 of 1.5ppl after family wages. An average milk price of nearer to 45ppl is required to deliver anything like the returns needed for the investment to meet regulatory and environmental compliance. In addition, there is the continuing reduction in BPS income which in 2024 was around 50% of the income received in 2021.
We have recently analysed our specialist dairy farm accounts with a summary in the table below together with a forecast for 2024/25. We only include specialist dairy farm accounts for bench marking as mixed farm accounts can skew the average results. We also include all the costs to the business including rent and finance and we don’t deduct non-milk income and call this ‘net cost of production’ which is used by some milk buyers.
The average farm in the table sold 1.9 million litres in 2023/24, so well above the UK average. Last year, we saw a 6.2ppl reduction in profit, which resulted in a loss of 0.6ppl, mainly due to the 5.3ppl reduction in milk price. So, whilst the variable costs reduced by 1.9ppl, the overhead costs increased by 2.5ppl, which together with the 0.7ppl increase in family wages resulted in the cost of production increasing by 1.3ppl to 45ppl. The challenge going forward is how to deal with significant milk price volatility and to manage higher costs. Our Top 25% cost of production was 8.9ppl below the average due to virtually every cost item being lower, generating a profit of 7.6ppl after family wages.
The forecast for 2024/25 is for the cost of production to reduce by 0.8ppl to 44.2ppl, mainly due to the 0.9ppl reduction in feed cost, which gives a forecast profit of 1.5ppl. The actual out turn for 2024/25 will depend on what happens to milk price over the rest of the year to March 2025. A good opportunity for reducing the cost of production is to look at the highest cost which, at 29% of total costs, is purchased feed. There may be scope to reduce feed costs by making the best use of home-produced forage and buying the cheapest sources of energy and protein to meet the nutritional needs of the livestock on the farm.
A recent article I read from the US recommended that water troughs should be emptied and cleaned twice daily. This made me think about the role of water and question if water is the silver bullet? Milk is 87% water – as milk yields have increased, so too have requirements for water.
It may not have been an issue at lower yields but has the provision of water become a major limiting factor to herd performance?
Water quality (the presence of excess or unwanted elements or micro-organisms) and cleanliness (cows have a sense of smell eight times greater than humans so foul odours or tastes will reduce water intake) can both influence consumption. Equally as important is accessibility (trough provision, position and fill rates) to prevent bullying at the water trough and enable all cows to consume enough water to meet their requirements. At least 10% of the herd should be able to drink at any one time or there should be a minimum of 10cm of trough space for every cow in the herd. Evaluating water quality and accessibility can uncover some ‘easy wins’ to allow cows to fulfil their potential.
The SFI 2024 expanded offer is now open for applications and should offer all farms in England an opportunity to replace some of their lost BPS income. The new offer includes:
• familiar actions from the SFI 2023 offer, some of which have been updated
• new actions such as no-till farming, precision farming and springsown or summer-sown cover crops
• actions previously offered under Countryside Stewardship MidTier but updated for SFI to reduce management prescription wherever possible.
There are now 102 actions available and there are some key changes compared to SFI 2023:
1. Ten actions are now “limited” area actions. This means that the total eligible area entered into one or more of these actions must not be more than 25% of the total agricultural area of your farm. The actions affected are some of those that take land out of production, including flower-rich grass margins or winter bird food as examples.
2. Some key changes have been made to the management prescriptions of some of the actions. Applicants should review the detailed prescriptions for the relevant SFI 2024 actions before applying.
3. Some actions are now only available on part of the available area in each land parcel. This is particularly important for CAHL2 (winter bird food on arable or horticultural land) which is now only a part field action.
4. “Endorsements” from either a Natural England or Historic England advisor will be required for some of the new SFI actions. This is to ensure that the land is suitable for the action to protect habitats, species or historic features. More details regarding this will be made available later in 2024.
Businesses with live SFI 2023 agreements are no longer able to add land to their existing agreements. If you wish to add new land or options relevant to your farm you will need to apply to the SFI 2024 expanded offer. New agreements can run alongside existing SFI agreements meaning businesses could have multiple agreements running concurrently with different actions and prescriptions for those actions
By Robert Ashton
I recently had another birthday, and it struck me that I’ve now had my bus pass and state pension for three years. Had I followed a corporate career, I would by now have retired and perhaps be filling my time with new hobbies. My next door neighbours are a similar age, and almost every day sees them out in their garden, busy and happy as the months roll by.
But more than 30 years of self-employment meant that as I moved through my mid-60s, the mix of paid and pro-bono projects changed in favour of unpaid assignments and roles, particularly after I stopped for a year to study for a creative writing MA. I graduated at the age of 65 and have since embarked on a new career, as a non-fiction author. Over the final 20 years of my life, I plan to build a reputation by writing books that explore our rapidly changing world, and how our past can inform our future.
But not everyone has the opportunity to seamlessly segue into a creative post-employment lifestyle and many find the transition traumatic, deprived of the order of corporate life and the company of colleagues. Here are ten ways I think anyone can soften the blow that retirement can bring.
1. Remain useful – A wise old guy I know, who sold his business to retire and now works as an angel investor, told me that the most important thing was to make sure you remain useful. This ensures not only that your knowledge and experience isn’t lost, but also that your own mental health stays strong. Mentoring, both formally and informally, is how he now spends his time.
2. Taper gently - There are already moves to make it easier for people to work four days a week, so why not use this as your first step towards retirement? Use the extra day for something that will be useful later, such as a course of study, and then later, cut back to a three day week and even perhaps two. That will help others to pick up your workload, as well as ease you into your new way of life.
3. Times change – When I was a child, retirement was usually followed just a few years later by death. Today, even though the state retirement age is rising, most can expect at least 20 more years after they stop work. That is plenty of time to start something new!
4. Do something dramatically different – I know one former charity CEO who on realising that he no longer needed the money or the stress, stood down and started a new job driving a
mobile library. He loves driving the large van and is still helping people, albeit in a very different way. When income is no longer your priority, you can be spoilt for choice.
5. Volunteer – I know I drag this one out time and time again, but the fact is that most charity trustees are aged over 60, because they have both experience and time that they can share. Of course, experience has a half-life, and the longer you are away from the coal face, the less useful you become. But equally, your time as a trustee can help you keep abreast of changing legislation and attitudes.
6. Keep fit – Again I know that I’ve said this before, but as we get older, keeping fit becomes all the more important. To be blunt, you can’t focus on new post-retirement opportunities if you struggle to run up a flight of stairs, and while you’re never too old to start training, the later you leave it, the harder it gets.
7. Don’t do it! – I know one guy who did not retire from the business he founded until he was 86 years old and only then because he was undergoing cancer treatment. His role had evolved over his final years into that of a wise advisor and mentor to the team. He also managed his time well, so made time for work, and also time for play. He loved his work and I suspect his work has helped him live a long and happy life.
8. Move house – Once you no longer have to be in the office every day, you have the opportunity to move house, perhaps downsize too. Many, as I did, chose to return to where they grew up, and others, perhaps bolder, move overseas to where the weather is better and the wine cheaper. The advice I had was to make my final move in my 60s, rather than in my 70s, because the older you are, the more difficult it can be.
9. Accept that they can manage without you – It can be hard to accept that the business will continue perfectly well without you, but the fact is that nobody is indispensable. As we grow older, it’s ok to become a little more self-centred and realise our own goals, rather than those of others.
10. Make it easy for others too – Sometimes the decision to retire is made for us. It is true that legislation means that you cannot be forced to retire, but organisations evolve and often it’s right for the business, if not the individual, for you to retire. Remember that those facing this decision may be less experienced than you. If you’re in this situation, better to accept the inevitable than to fight to remain. Devote your energy instead to making sure the deal is as good as the company can afford!
I had thought that writing about retirement would be my final column here, but that is not the case. It’s just the subject that came to mind when I sat down this time to write. In fact, I’d like to write a few more regular columns for magazines and newspapers. You’re never too old to write a column, as Hunter Davis who still writes for the Sunday Times at the age of 88 illustrates well.
Ireland is now in general election countdown mode. And, according to Irish Grain Growers Group (IGGG) chairman, Bobby Miller, politicians must deliver fully costed commitments for the tillage sector in the run up to the big event.
He said: “The political parties’ manifestos must contain fully costed policies that will deliver for the tillage sector well into the future.”
He added: “The current government promised bespoke, long term support measures for tillage.
“Budget 2025 contained an aid package for this year only. Tillage farmers need the security of support measures that will allow them to build for the future on a sustainable basis.”
The IGGG representative also has a very clear message for Irish grain buyers and the agri co-ops at the present time.
He further explained: “Tillage farmers must receive realistic prices for the cereals they produced in 2024. International grain prices have increased by around €20/t since the end of this year’s harvest.
“This means that Irish grains, now in store, have risen in value by this amount. And all of this must be reflected back in the prices paid to Irish tillage farmers over the coming weeks.”
Meanwhile, fieldwork continues apace on tillage farms across the country.
Bobby Miller again: “Ground conditions continue to hold up well in most parts,” he said.
In my own case, this week will see the end of my autumn drilling programme. Gluten free oats are always the last crop to be planted out.
“Oats are sensitive to frost damage. So, it’s always a balancing act to get a planting date that reflects this fact but which also acts to give the new crop the best possible start.
“In or around October 20 meets this requirement. Thankfully, ground conditions this year have allowed this to happen.
“Once all the planting work has been completed, it’s a case of getting on with the required herbicide programmes across all the crops.”
The threat of Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) is posing a significant threat to newly planted cereal crops, according to the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) senior crops advisor, Robin Bolton.
He explained: “Weekly information on grain and other aphid numbers is available on the AFBI website. This data is generated from aphids caught in suction traps located at Crossnacreevy in Co Down.”
He added: “Cereal growers can use this as a reference point when
deciding whether or not to use an insecticide on newly emerged cereal crops.
“CAFRE does not blanket recommend the use of an insecticide when it comes to the management of the threat posed by BYDV.
“This is because the products used kill both the virus-carrying aphids and those beneficial insects that actually prey on them.
“In addition, aphid numbers tend to recover faster than those of the other insects in the proximity of the cereal crops that are treated with an insecticide.
“The fact that insecticide use has come back into the management tool of cereal growers is a direct consequence of the decision to ban neonicotinoid seed dressings a number of years ago.”
The CAFRE crops’ specialist is also aware that a number of cereal growers in Northern Ireland have planted a selection of BYDV tolerant varieties over recent weeks, despite the fact they are not on the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB) recommended list
He continued: “A crop of BYDV tolerant barley has been establisjhed at Greenmount College. So, it will be interesting to see how it develops over the coming weeks.
“BYDV tolerant seed is significantly more expensive than that of more traditional varieties.”
Meanwhile the planting of winter cereal crops continues apace across Northern Ireland.
Robin Bolton again: “Ground conditions have held up well. There was very heavy rain last Friday and a fair bit of lying water is now evident in some places.
“But, up to now, water seems to be draining away if dry conditions return to any extent.
“However, all of this may change as October progresses.”
He concluded: “Late harvested potatoes and maize may hold up the drilling of some winter wheat crops this autumn.
“The harvesting of maize crops is only getting underway now. That’s two to three weeks behind than would normally be the case.”
It has been estimated that the area of forage maize grown in Northern Ireland in 2024 is 30% up, year-on-year.
Irish Farmers Association (IFA) IFA Grain chair Kieran McEvoy said the recent announcements by Tirlán and Centenary co-ops to pay between €205-210/t for green feed barley and €217-220/t for green feed wheat are as good as could be expected given global grain markets.
“Despite the relatively dry weather for harvest and satisfactory yields for spring cereal crops, 2024 will be remembered as a very challenging year for the tillage sector. The unfortunate reality is that these prices
may still not cover the costs of production on rented land. Teagasc has forecast that average tillage farm incomes in 2024 are likely to remain very similar to 2023, which was a complete and utter disaster for the sector,” Kieran McEvoy said.
“Price premiums paid by co-operatives and merchants for food crops such as malting barley, gluten free oats and contracted winter barley will help to mitigate the situation for some tillage farmers,” he continued.
Native cereal and protein crops have produced good quality grain this harvest, despite earlier concerns about very delayed planting dates.
Kieran McEvoy said livestock farmers and other end users should give preferential treatment to Irish native grain when procuring and assembling feed rations for the winter months ahead.
Farm organisation representatives are expressing deep disappointment at the lack of positive tillage outcomes delivered by Budget 2025.
Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) National Grain Committee Chairman, Kieran McEvoy characterised the Budget as being totally devoid of strategic outcomes for the tilleage sector.
“We had hoped for the government to lay out a five-year plan for tillage.
“Instead, all we got was a repetition of the agriculture minister’s commitment to an additional area payment made earlier in the year.
He added: “This figure comes in at €30M when in reality the tillage sector needs support levels in the region of €60M to get them over the combined challenges of atrocious weather and poor prices that have been the real feature of the 2023/24 growing season.”
Irish Grain Growers Group (IGGG) chairman, Bobby Miller, is equally downbeat regarding the outcome of Budget 2025 for his organisation’s members.
He commented: “The Budget lacked any tillage vision. This is the most disappointing aspect of the government’s commitment to the tillage sector.
“While the Minister came through on his commitment of the €40 per acre and confirmed that the Straw Incorporation Measure will return to its original state in 2025, the ask from the tillage sector was €60 million for 2024.”
Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, has responded to the impact of Budget 2025 across his department and agriculture as a whole.
With an additional €158 million secured including a package of
€85 million for new measures, it is envisaged that the funding secured by Minister McConalogue will provide significant support to farming and coastal communities, as well as those working in these sectors in 2025.
The 2025 ‘Budget Estimates’ provide a gross vote of €2.112 billion for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. This includes a Capital Programme of €320 million, and current expenditure of €1.792 billion.
Minister McConalogue commented: ‘I wanted, in particular, to build on the significant sectoral supports I have put in place since my appointment as Minister. With that in mind, I am delivering substantially increased support for the dairy beef, suckler, sheep and tillage sectors.
He continued: “This government has provided more support to tillage farmers than any previous Government.
“I am fully delivering on my commitment of a €100 per hectare payment for farmers that planted tillage and field grown food crops for harvest 2024 as declared on farmers 2024 Basic Income Support for Sustainability.
“This is in addition to the Straw Incorporation Measure which will operate as normal next year.”
Minister McConalogue has also provided for measures to improve water quality and to support the government’s aim of securing a renewal of Irelands Nitrates Derogation.
He said: “My recently published plan to secure the Nitrates Derogation is fully funded under this budget. Farmers have made significant commitments to improving water quality, as shown during the recent visit by the European Commission’s Nitrates Team to Ireland. I am supporting these efforts through capital and programme funding, with at least €61m being provided for TAMs in 2025.
“In this context, further to my introduction of a dedicated 70% Nutrient Importation Storage Scheme (NISS), subject to European Commission approval, I will open a 60% grant-aided Nutrient Storage Scheme, with a separate investment ceiling of €90,000.
“This will allow farmers to invest in nutrient storage, under a dedicated investment ceiling, while also allowing them to invest in other measures on their holdings, up to an additional €90,000 investment ceiling.”
Lidl regional director, Ivan Ryan, has confirmed the need for an enhanced farm support budget in Northern Ireland.
He spoke at the recent Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA) 2024 annual dinner, adding:
“Northern Ireland’s farming and food sectors are very progressive in nature, working from state-of-the-art processing facilities and delivering full traceability from farm to fork.
“And with that comes great opportunity.”
Ryan went on to point out that numerous challenges also confront farming and food at the present time.
“These include market volatility, post-Brexit trading arrangements and labour shortages,” he commented.
“Funding also remains a major concern. The current agricultural support budget is well below where it should be as to allow agribusiness to tackle the current nature and climate crises.
“There remains deep concern regarding the level of farm support that will be available in Northern Ireland from 2025 onwards.”
Lidl established its first retail outlet in Northern Ireland 25 years ago.
Speaking after the dinner, NIFDA Chair Professor Ursula Lavery said: “As an industry we are asking fundamental questions about how we continue to feed a growing global population while making a positive impact on the environment, delivering for our customers, and providing good jobs for our local communities.
“Because food and drink makes such an important contribution to our economy locally, this is a critical question for our entire society.”
She added: “Economic growth is a catalyst for change, and done properly it will contribute to greater environmental sustainability: government sets policy, business delivers.
“Investment is key to being able to build a more sustainable society and to fund the improved public services we need.
“Growth is the enabler of investment. A strong Northern Ireland food and drink industry means a stronger Northern Ireland economy, and it allows us to make our industry more sustainable by unlocking investment and innovation.”
According to the NIFDA chair, sustainability is a principle to be embraced.
“We see the opportunity for Northern Ireland to be the most sustainable region for food production globally.
“With investment, supported by our continued growth, we can make that vision a reality,” she further explained.
“We also need to invest in our talent. Across the supply chain, the industry supports some 113,000 jobs and our companies are filled with some of the brightest, hardest working people.
“We want to continue to encourage more young people to consider a career in food and drink and this will require the government addressing the apprenticeship levy scheme.”
Ursula Lavery concluded: “We estimate that NIFDA members are paying in excess of £10m per year through the levy, but in Northern Ireland, unlike in England, that money isn’t earmarked for apprenticeships.
“Our simple ask is that a significant proportion of the levy is brought back to the table to be used to support apprenticeships, which is how the scheme was supposed to work in the first place.”
Decarbonising Irish agriculture remains a priority If Irish agriculture plays its cards right then the carbon agenda can be used to generate significant economic opportunities for farmers.
First off, the country’s soils sequester vast tonnages of carbon on an annual basis. However, in tandem with this, reducing the amounts of carbon that farmers use in their production processes should generate better market returns for our beef, milk, grains lamb etc.
So much for the background: most of which can be discerned as being positive.
The biggest challenge facing all our farming sectors at the present time is that of putting the entire industry on a truly sustainable footing for the future.
But more than this, the industry must clearly demonstrate that it is committed to securing a low carbon footprint. Making this happen will require farmers to provide the information/data required.
And there is no way of getting around this challenge. There is now legislation in place, obligating farmers to play their part in securing a lower carbon footprint for the industry as a whole.
And, as previously mentioned, this all comes back to the figures. Getting a carbon baseline for agriculture as a whole is critically important. And this work is ongoing on a trial basis.
It’s an initiative that will confirm if it is feasible to take a similar approach across the industry as a whole.
So important is this work that every stakeholder organisation within Irish farming should be fully supporting it.
The bottom line is this: government, food retailers and food processors all require that farming businesses clearly confirm their progress towards a low carbon future.
Moreover, independent verification to the extent this is happening must be forthcoming.
There are huge opportunities coming down the track for our farming and food sectors if they are put on a wholly sustainable footing.
At a very fundamental level, this will entail driving greater levels of efficiency across both industries. And, if this can be achieved, greater levels of profitability should follow.
Being in this position will then allow marketing bodies to tell consumers around the world Ireland’s agri food sectors really are top of their class.
But none of this can be achieved if farmers do not co-operate at a very fundamental level and make available the required performance data, relating to their businesses.
The next question that arises is this: what happens to the information that is secured from farm businesses?
We already have assurances from a number of important sources to the effect that data received at that level goes nowhere, other than being collated to determine industry trends.
But there is a much more fundamental point to be made here. The reality is that information made available by individual farming operations is the sole property of the businesses concerned.
And no one has the right to avail of it, without the permission of the people involved.
It’s called data protection and these rights have been enshrined in law for many years.
Microman removes the uncertainty and doubt around hand-weighing.
WHY DO OPERATORS LOVE
M i c r o M a n
Features
Real time information
Scaleable Scales
Label Printing
Automated Formulation update
Source of Truth
Stock Traceability
MicroMan and Condor can integrate with your existing control system and equipment. We built MicroMan knowing it will be used with many different barcode scanners, printers, and scales
A group of leading trade associations representing the UK animal feed industry have launched a new register of feed materials to support businesses.
The GB Register of Feed Materials is a practical online portal which allows animal feed businesses to notify new feed materials that are being made available to the market.
The register will be used by businesses in the sector as a reference point for new feed materials that are introduced into the UK market.
It is the result of collaboration between UK Feed Chain Task Force members the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC), the British Association of Feed Supplement and Additive Manufacturers (BAFSAM), the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) and the UK pet food manufacturing trade body (UK PetFood), as well as the Food Standards Agency (FSA), and Food Standards Scotland (FSS)
James McCulloch, Head of Animal Feed at AIC, said: “This new GB Register of Feed Materials provides an essential solution to the technical challenges posed by the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
“The Register will be key to supporting the decision-making at livestock and pet food businesses throughout Great Britain and is a great example of the industry uniting to achieve a valuable outcome for mutual benefit.”
Since the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, the UK Feed Chain Task Force member trade associations have worked to provide this technical solution to allow the animal feed industry to comply with the legal requirement to notify new feed materials.
The group of trade associations and food and feed safety regulators have been collaborating on the contents of the Register since they first agreed to work together last year.
Legal requirements had previously been met by feed companies registering all materials on the EU’s equivalent feed register. However, after EU Exit, this was no longer recognised in UK law and so created the need for a new register specifically for businesses operating in Great Britain.
The Register consists of the English language entries that were listed on the EU Register of Feed Materials as of 1 January 2021. The decision has been made to colour-code the entries in the Register:
• Red = Entries that are not considered a feed material following an assessment by UK FCTF and the competent authorities.
• Amber = Entries that were transferred from the EU Register having been listed prior to changes made to the notification procedure (pre-4 October 2019) and have not been reviewed.
• Yellow = Entries that were transferred from EU Register having been listed post changes made to the notification procedure (4 October 2019), or those entries notified to the GB Register and are under review.
• Green = Entries that are considered a feed material following an assessment by UK FCTF and authorities.
UK legislation requires that the person “who, for the first time, places on the market a feed material that is not listed in the Catalogue shall immediately notify its use to the representatives of the UK feed business sectors”
The completion of the Notification Form on the Register website therefore fulfils this legal requirement. The homepage of the website also carries a comprehensive guidance document on the notification process.
The GB Register of Feed Materials is a list of feed materials that are notified by UK feed business operators for placing on the Great Britain market only.
The EU law that applies to Northern Ireland is specified in Annex II of the Northern Ireland Protocol means that any business seeking to notify a new feed material for placing on the Northern Ireland market will have to continue to follow EU rules.
Businesses wishing to notify a new feed material for placing on the Northern Ireland or EU markets, can do so by visiting the EU Register of Feed Materials website.
For questions regarding the management of the online register, email contact@gbfeedmaterialsregister.org.uk.
Any questions related to the legislation can be addressed to the relevant authorities.
Links to the GB Feed Materials Register website have been placed on both FSA and FSS websites with some explanatory text.
To access the GB Register of Feed Materials, please scan the QR Code adjacent
• “Real-time” data regarding levels in silos can be viewed by all in the business, anytime, anywhere!
• Avoid costly downtime caused by run outs due to errors in reconciled methods of stock control
• Improve production scheduling in your mill
• Data can be directly integrated into ERP & CRM systems via API
• Low level alerts can be set at agreed thresholds for added peace of mind Transforming the stock inventory process for Animal Feed Mills
• Enhance health & safety by eliminating need to climb silos to inspect levels
T:+ 353 89 2426825 E: info@lvlogics.com www.lvlogics.com
With Jonathan Huxtable, Zinpro; Dr Dana Tomlinson, Zinpro and Professor Michael Van Amburgh, Cornell University
The more dairy farmers and nutritionists can improve fibre digestion and rumen microbial growth, the better cows will perform. This will be particularly important this year, with diets likely to be based on variable, often higher fibre first cuts, according to Jonathan Huxtable from Zinpro, opening a recent nutrition event organised by the company.
“Farmers will need to challenge their nutritionists to focus on fibre digestion to increase intakes and production,” he comments.
Professor Michael Van Amburgh from Cornell University suggests that nutritionists are only as good as the forage they are feeding. “They have to be able to work with both good and poor-quality forage and keep the rumen full of something digestible,” he explains, adding that low digestibility silage fills clamps but does not produce milk.
Professor Van Amburgh explains that NDF describes the material in the cell walls principally cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin with each digesting at different rates in the rumen. The higher the proportion of rapidly digestible material, the faster it will pass through the rumen thus promoting better intakes.
“NDF figures for forages can be artificially increased if there is soil contamination in the crop which increases ash content when analysed. In grass silages, this increase may be as much as 2-3% which is enough to impact digestibility and the overall dietary NDF. If cows don’t seem to be milking, it is best to get NDF assessed and to exclude the ash element and this might be worth considering, especially after a wet growing season.”
Professor Van Amburgh explains that digestibility drives rumen function and the formation of the rumen mat. He explains that while particle size is important, what matters is how fast those particles are digested.
When particles enter the rumen, they are colonised by bacteria which digest them, producing volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and gas. Particles of feed rise to the top of the rumen on this gas. As particle size declines due to rumination and digestion, gas production reduces, particles sink and move out of the rumen.
“What nutritionists need to ensure is that the diet provides sufficient NDF and that this is digestible. If we can increase the rate of digestion, several things happen.
“Firstly the rate of passage through the rumen increases which leads to higher dry matter intakes. Secondly, we see nutrient supply to the cow increase, both energy and metabolisable protein (MP). Faster digestion means there are more bacteria, and it is these bacteria that are the source of the higher MP and VFA production.
“As a guide, a 750kg cow needs 8.2kg NDF in the diet, about 1.08% of bodyweight, to ensure effective rumen fill. Remember that a significant proportion of NDF may come from high fibre ingredients other than forages. It is not forage that is important but NDF.”
All digestion in the rumen is carried out by the rumen microflora – particularly bacteria, fungi and protozoa. In general terms, the higher the population, the more effective and faster the digestion will be.
All micro-organisms perform key roles thus all are needed. By increasing the understanding of rumen function it is possible to influence performance, specifically by meeting the requirements of rumen microbes more accurately.
“If we can directly fuel the rumen microbes, we can improve fibre digestion and also protein utilisation,” explains Dr Dana Tomlinson from Zinpro. “One way we can do this efficiently is by increasing a product of digestion called Branch Chain Volatile Fatty Acids (BCVFAs) or Isoacids.
Dr Dana Tomlinson, Zinpro
“BCVFAs are essential nutrients required by the fibredigesting bacteria. They are needed to produce the essential microbial protein that is utilised by the cow to produce milk and muscle. As much as 25% of microbial protein comes from BCVFAs. If we can increase this supply it will increase rumen efficiency, reducing the need for higher dry matter intakes to support higher production.”
Normally, fibre-digesting bacteria are supplied BCVFA through the digestion of rumen degradable proteins such as soya and rapeseed which are digested by the starch and sugar-digesting
bacteria. In essence, the fibre digesters rely on the starch digesters to break down protein and release the BCVFAs.
Dr Tomlinson says that this is an inefficient process as amylolytic bacteria can compete with fibre-digesting bacteria for the released BCVFAs, and quite often there are simply too few BCVFA available to meet the requirements of the fibre-digesters thus reducing fibre digestion and feed efficiency.
“If we can supply additional BCVFAs direct to the rumen we can ensure they are sufficient to meet the needs, so improving fibre digestion and rumen performance. Zinpro® IsoFerm® is a unique blend of these isoacids which is proven to significantly enhance the performance of fibre-digesting bacteria, increasing the efficiency of fibrolysis and NDF digestibility. By better supplying the requirements of the fibre digesters we can increase the digestion of NDF, improving intakes and MP supply.”
In a study multiparous cows were supplemented with Isoacids from 27 days pre-calving until day 90 of lactation, receiving the equivalent of 20g/cow/day of Zinpro IsoFerm when dry and 40g/cow/ day when in milk. Control cows received no Zinpro IsoFerm.
“The supplemented cows had a lower dry matter intake bit higher milk yield, higher fat percent, elevated protein yield and energycorrected milk (Figure 1). Despite eating less and producing more milk, cows receiving Zinpro IsoFerm were better able to maintain body weight in early lactation (Figure 2).
Field observations involving 70,000 cows in over 50 herds show cows fed Zinpro IsoFerm for 60 days or more had an average 2% reduction in DMI with a 4.3% higher energy-corrected milk yield, resulting in a 5.5% improvement in feed efficiency.
“...If we can supply additional BCVFAs direct to the rumen we can ensure they are sufficient to meet the needs, so improving fibre digestion and rumen” performance...”
Dr Tomlinson stresses that it is not a universal solution and that the benefits of Zinpro IsoFerm are better in diets where RDP is limiting and therefore BCVFA supply is limited. It also has a better effect where the diet is highly fermentable which leads to increased activity by starch and sugar digesters increasing demands for BCVFAs.
To optimise the effect of feeding Zinpro IsoFerm, Dr Tomlinson advises starting feeding during the transition period, feeding 40g/ cow/day. He explains that this is required to allow the cow to adapt its rumen and metabolism.
Figure 3: Effects of feeding Zinpro IsoFerm at different lactation stages on production parameters
“Figure 3 indicates the responses seen in cows fed when dry. We see better dry matter intakes in close up and early lactation cows when we want to achieve high intakes. In late lactation, we see DMI reduced as cows are meeting their requirements more efficiently.
“With heifers, we see less of a yield response, but animals are still growing, and we see improved bodyweight gains throughout lactation.
“Milk yields are better throughout lactation due to rumen bacteria working more efficiently. We are seeing 12-15% higher peaks and improved persistency. Body Condition is also better which has benefits for fertility.
“Zinpro IsoFerm is designed to be used strategically. It’s not for everyone, as some diets are not a good fit, there’s just little or no need for it. But where the conditions are right the responses can be significant.”
With BESTMIX Software
In the feed and pet food industries, the conditions for both work and the market are shifting quickly, making stability a distant goal. Factors like global population growth, economic fluctuations, and climate change contribute to the unstable supply of raw materials and frequent price changes. As the Head of Nutrition, sourcing ingredients isn’t just a job—it’s a daily struggle to find and secure vital components for production. Choosing what to purchase can be challenging due to the rapidly changing prices and availability of ingredients. This is stressful, and one approach to tackle it is by finding an efficient and speedy management solution.
Understanding the challenges ahead is half the battle when it comes to finding solutions
Procuring raw materials poses numerous obstacles, which can vary depending on the production process and the individual nutritionist. However, there are common issues that nutritionists in both feed and pet food sectors face. Here are the primary challenges:
• Fluctuations in ingredient prices and availability: The unpredictable nature of the market makes it difficult to accurately forecast ingredient costs and their availability.
• Logistical challenges and disruptions: Delivery delays and operational issues such as problems with storage facilities can disrupt every nutritionist’s carefully planned production schedules.
• Evaluation of new ingredients: Thoroughly analyzing the suitability and competitiveness of new ingredients is essential, especially within tight time constraints.
• Quick decision-making: Being able to swiftly assess purchasing opportunities based on reliable data is critical for maintaining the company’s competitive advantage.
• Adaptability to change: The operational landscape is constantly changing, requiring every nutritionist to respond promptly and effectively to emerging challenges.
Multiblend: a game changer for every nutritionist
To tackle challenges swiftly, maintain productivity, and make informed decisions, nutritionists require a tool that applies real-time data. This tool should facilitate rapid recipe creation or adjustments to formulas while efficiently utilizing available resources from nearby locations.
Moreover, it’s crucial to dynamically redistribute ingredient allocations in volatile markets and swiftly make accurate purchasing decisions at the lowest possible cost. Multiblend emerges as the transformative solution tailored to meet these demands head-on:
• Least-cost formulation technique: Multiblend employs a leastcost formulation approach, prioritizing cost-effectiveness while ensuring nutritional integrity remains uncompromised.
• Site-specific optimization: Whether overseeing a single facility or multiple sites, Multiblend provides tailored support for optimizing ingredient distribution, and enhancing efficiency.
• Real-time data integration: Seamless integration with ERP systems guarantees that decisions are founded on precise, upto-date information, empowering quick and confident actions.
• Strategic procurement planning: Multiblend equips users with tools to analyze market trends, identify buying opportunities, and devise long-term procurement strategies, safeguarding supply chains effectively.
• Logistics management efficiency: By promptly addressing logistical challenges, Multiblend enables smooth production operations, minimizing disruptions and maximizing productivity levels.
What impact could Multiblend have on your daily operations, and how can it improve the efficiency and accuracy of a nutritionist’s role? This solution collaborates closely with you, providing stability, efficiency, and well-informed decision-making to redefine procurement strategies
and optimize overall performance. Here are some key aspects of Multiblend’s capabilities:
Stability in Procurement Strategies: By optimizing ingredient allocation and mitigating risks associated with market volatility, Multiblend enhances the stability of our procurement strategies, ensuring consistent supply chains.
Operational Efficiency: By streamlining procurement processes and delivering real-time insights, Multiblend boosts operational efficiency, enabling us to stay proactive and responsive to changing demands.
Informed Decision-making: Equipped with precise data and predictive analytics, nutritionists can make strategic decisions that promote long-term sustainability and foster growth.
Global Method Advantage: Multiblend’s “global” approach facilitates synchronized raw material purchasing across all sites, providing a competitive edge in procurement strategies.
Cost Optimization: Leveraging least-cost formulation techniques, Multiblend helps minimize raw material expenses while maintaining quality standards, thereby maximizing profitability.
In today’s constantly evolving landscape, where uncertainties and challenges related to raw material procurement have become almost
a daily routine, it’s imperative to seek out advanced solutions that streamline core tasks, enhance efficiency, and ultimately drive success. This frees up valuable time for strategic planning and focusing on the core tasks of nutritionists. For nutritionists, Multiblend serves as a powerful tool, enabling us to tackle these challenges head-on and transform our approach to procurement. By combining real-time data analysis and strategic planning, Multiblend supports you daily and can become a trusted advisor, offering guidance and support.
By María Garcia Suarez, Feed Product Manager, Olmix
Maintaining optimal gut health is essential for maximizing birds’ health and performance with the emergence of antimicrobial resistance and the urge to limit the use of antibiotics. Macroalgal extracts offer a natural alternative to strengthen gut integrity and support the immune system, thereby enhancing overall bird health and performance. A recent experimental trial conducted on broiler breeders demonstrated the efficacy and profitability of a macroalgal solution developed by Olmix.
Throughout their production cycle, broiler breeders receive a comprehensive vaccination program during the rearing period. Following this phase, the transfer to the laying facility induces significant stress, leading to an inflammatory status and a compromised immune function. This situation can result in health issues, increased flock heterogeneity, and challenges in achieving optimal onset of laying. In the latter half of the laying cycle, antibody titers tend to decline, rendering the birds more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections. Consequently, this increased vulnerability correlates with higher mortality rates, reduced egg production, and a decline in chick quality.
An experimental trial conducted in broiler breeders
The aim of this latest experimental trial was to evaluate the effect of Algimun® on broiler breeders’ performance and immune status. A total of 720 female D line Hubbard were involved in the trial, separated into 2 groups of 360 animals (15 replicates of 24 hens per group). The trial lasted from week 23 (transfer to production site) to week 42 of age. Artificial insemination was implemented during the entire period of hatching egg production. A Hubbard breeder feeding program was applied to both groups. The only difference between the groups was the incorporation of Algimun® at 1kg / T into the feed during the full trial period.
A significant improvement in overall health leading to better performance
The support of immunity and gut barrier function of the hens brought by the use of Algimun® led to more resistant animals and thus to a lower mortality from week 23 to week 42. The average laying rate was also improved for the hens in the Algimun® group compared to the control group.
The parietal polysaccharides of seaweeds present structural complexity and a unique composition that confers them high reactivity and explains their biological properties when used in animals. Olmix Group marine bioactive ingredient extraction know-how has led to the development of an in-feed product, Algimun®, which is based on the combination of two bioactive macroalgal extracts: MSP®BARRIER, a red algal extract, which enhances the gut barrier function; and MSP ®IMMUNITY, a green algal extract, that modulates innate and adaptive immune responses. This dual action effectively addresses the critical challenges encountered by the animals during their production cycle.
To provide more detailed insights, two metrics were used to assess hatchability rates during the trial. The first, HOES (hatch of eggs set), measures the number of chicks relative to the total number of eggs placed in the hatchery. The second, HOF (hatch of fertile), calculates the number of chicks relative to the number of fertile eggs, excluding clear or abnormal eggs. In both cases, the hens in the Algimun® group presented a higher hatchability compared to the control group, with a statistically significant difference for hatchability HOF.
To assess the effect of Algimun® in supporting the hens’ immune response to vaccines, antibody titers for Infectious Bronchitis (IB) and Newcastle Disease (ND) were measured through blood sampling at weeks 23 and 42. The coefficients of variation (CV) are expressed as percentages in the table. The results indicate that hens in the Algimun® group exhibited an improved immune response to IB and ND vaccines, with higher antibody titers and lower coefficients of variation, reflecting improved flock homogeneity.
Finally, the economic performance was calculated by factoring in the feed costs for both groups, including the cost of Algimun® for the test group, and the number of day-old chicks sold. Under the local conditions at the time of the trial, the reduction in mortality
and the increase in the number of DOC sold brought a net benefit of +15,772 € (for a flock of 20,000 broilers breeders for 20 weeks), leading to a high return on investment with a ratio of 11:1.
These results highlight the importance of supporting breeders’ gut integrity and immune system during the production period. The product can also be used in the rearing period for breeders and commercial layers as well as in other species such as swine, ruminants, aquaculture and petfood. By reducing reliance on antibiotics and promoting overall health, Algimun® has demonstrated its effectiveness as a natural and sustainable solutions that enhance flock resilience and productivity and offers a promising approach for addressing the challenges of modern livestock farming.
Unique association of biologically active macroalgae extracts (MSP®)
EuroTier 2024, the world’s leading trade fair for professional animal husbandry and livestock management, will kick off with an attractive exhibition and technical program, numerous market leaders and leading industry experts. From 12 to 15 November 2024, the DLG (German Agricultural Society), as the organizer, will offer visitors a comprehensive technical program with themed spotlights, expert stages, conferences and industry events on 220,000 square meters of exhibition space, reflecting this year’s guiding theme: “We innovate animal farming”.
With the high number of exhibitors across 13 entire halls on some 220,000 square meters of exhibition space along with a top-class international technical program, EuroTier will once again be the highlight of the international livestock sector in November. EuroTier 2024 features the World Poultry Show, which will feature a full range of international poultry farm solutions.
The exhibition covers the latest developments in cattle, pig and poultry production including the cross-industry topics of alternative proteins, genetics, feed and operating resources, husbandry and feeding systems, digitalization, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation. Milking and cooling technologies, animal housing, manure removal and transportation also feature.
International industry get-together: A full overview with the exhibitor directory
Numerous international and German market leaders as well as innovative enterprising companies and start-ups are represented at EuroTier. With 25 national pavilions hailing from agricultural regions and countries, including Canada, China, Finland, Spain, South Korea and the USA (Nebraska), and underline the international nature of the trade fair, with around 65 per cent of registered exhibitors coming from outside Germany.
“We innovate animal farming” - wide-ranging technical program
As part of this year’s guiding theme, exhibitors at EuroTier 2024 will be demonstrating their innovative approaches and strategies, developed
to help improve the efficiency, sustainability and ethical standards of livestock farming. The “We Innovate Animal Farming” theme is driving the technical program totalling 400 individual talks.
DLG Spotlights and Expert Stages will be presenting in-depth the many available strategies for professional livestock farming.
• DLG Spotlight: Barn Robot Event (Hall 13)
This year’s “Barn Robot Event” focuses on the topic of automatic feed pushing in cattle barns. In Hall 13, moving robots will be presented on a dedicated demo area. During the live demonstrations, visitors will experience close-up, how automatic feed pushers can support dairy farmers. With live commentary in German in the morning and in English in the afternoon, the demonstrations will take place twice a day.
• DLG Spotlight: Pig Farming without tail docking (Hall 15)
In Hall 15, EuroTier exhibitors will present a range of tried-and-tested solutions as well as innovative concepts, from breeding to slaughter, that support farms in implementing a no-docking policy. On all four trade fair days, experts from official advisory services will be on hand with valuable tips and will provide insights into all angles of this multifaceted topic.
• DLG Spotlight: TopTierTreff “Top cattle genetics” (Hall 11)
The TopTierTreff (Hall 11) feature, “Top Cattle Genetics”, is a must for both German and international cattle breeders. This is where
leading international breeding companies and organizations from both the dairy and beef cattle sectors unite to present their breeding animals. Visitors can also inspect international sheep and goat breeds. Breeding animals and offspring of the various dairy breeds will be presented several times a day on the TopTierTreff stage with live commentary by experts. A technical program offering in-depth talks on breeding issues as well as milk and meat production will round off the feature.
• DLG Spotlight: AI on poultry farms (Hall 17)
The DLG Spotlight “AI in poultry farming” will highlight promising possibilities in the advancing developments of automation and digitalization for poultry production, illustrating these with practical examples. In the dedicated feature, start-ups and established companies will be presenting their AI-based solutions for poultry production, from in-ovo sex determination to animal welfare and health monitoring.
• DLG Spotlight Inhouse Farming (Hall 24)
How does the automated breeding of insects for high-quality protein feed work on the farm? What are the challenges in the industrial rearing of insects as a food source? These are some of the questions that will be addressed at the practice-driven DLG Spotlight Inhouse Farming in Hall 24 with selected exhibits. Offering visitors ample opportunity for in-depth technical discussions and obtaining insights into selected technologies and solutions for self-contained agricultural and food systems. In addition to insects and aquaculture, vertical farming in circular economy systems will be presented.
• Expert Stages: Topic hotspots in the livestock sector
The “Expert Stage Poultry” will focus on innovations and trends in poultry production, including breeding, animal health, feeding as well as sales and marketing. Offering visitors a compact overview of the latest developments in breeding, feeding, husbandry and animal housing climate control, the Expert Stage Poultry is presented on two stages at the DLG stand (Hall 13, Stand E 58). Expert sessions include “Direct farm sales and on-farm slaughter” which covers topics such as mobile slaughter, legal framework conditions, marketing strategies and economic aspects of direct farm sales. EuroTier 2024 will be devoting special attention to horses. On each of the four event days, two specialist presentations on the Expert Stage of the DLG stand
in Hall 13 will explore key issues facing horse farms. The two Expert Stages “Inhouse Farming” and “EnergyDecentral” complement the comprehensive range of presentations and discussions.
FarmRobotix, the new DLG platform for robotics, AI and automation
For many years, the DLG has been promoting the use and knowledge of agricultural robots. With FarmRobotix, the DLG has created a new platform for robotics, digitalization, automation and AI in agriculture. The aim is to offer a forum for knowledge transfer and networking. At EuroTier 2024, FarmRobotix will combine exhibits, technical presentations and live demonstrations. In addition to daily presentations on the DLG Expert Stage, visitors will be able to experience robots in action in demo areas while gaining practical insights into the operation of autonomous agricultural vehicles and equipment.
Congresses and conferences: international offering EuroTier 2024 will bring together livestock farmers, agribusinesses and experts for networking and professional exchange. Together with the DLG’s partner organizations, EuroTier 2024 will once again offer various conferences and evening events:
• International Cattle & Pig Event on November 11, 2024
• International Poultry Conference on November 11, 2024
• Inhouse Farming Event on November 11, 2024
• International Conference Ukraine / Moldova on November 13, 2024
• Animal Health Event on November 14, 2024
Ideal complement: EnergyDecentral and Inhouse Farming
EnergyDecentral trade fair and the Inhouse Farming - Feed & Food Show both take place in parallel with EuroTier. Covering the entire value chain of sustainable energy production, including resources, energy production and smart energy, EnergyDecentral has already established itself as the leading platform for decentralized energy supply. The new Inhouse Farming - Feed & Food Show will be the global B2B venue for agricultural and food systems of the future. Closely networked with agricultural practice, the Inhouse Farming - Feed & Food Show offers specialist information, perspectives, innovations and business - from feed to food.
By Dr. Carsten Pedersen, Pedersen Nutrition Ltd., UK, Steffen Hansen, Pig.dk (Snekkebaek), Denmark and Jes Klausen, Hamlet Protein, Denmark
For many farmers, benchmarking their farm performance is an important management tool, giving an overview and insight into the improvement potential. Similarly, Interpig conducts benchmarking across countries. As an example, the average compound sow feed cost in selected European countries and the US for 2020-2022 is presented in Table 1.
The average for the three years is reported, and countries are ranked. Number 1 has the lowest average feed cost over the three years.
There is a significant difference among countries in feed cost, with the US having the cheapest sow feed and GB (IN (indoor) having the most expensive. Among the European countries, DK has the cheapest sow feed. The ranking is not the same for individual years as the average over the three years. For example, Hungary had the third cheapest sow feed on average, while in 2020, Hungary ranked eighth; in 2021, it ranked fourth, and in 2022, it ranked second. On the other hand, the US always had the cheapest feed, and GB (IN) had the most expensive or second most expensive sow feed. The difference between GB (IN) and DK was, on average, £70 per tonne.
This article aims to look into potential reasons for the observed results found above (Table 1). This article covers the following two potential reasons for the impact of amino acid recommendations and energy evaluation. It is well accepted that feed is the most expensive input factor in swine production with energy being the most expensive nutrient to fulfil. In addition, amino acid recommendations have been a ratio of calculated energy content. This article will not cover the effect of breed and other factors, as it is outside the scope. Identifying literature that covers the effect of breed is impossible without knowing the percentage of each breed represented in each country. In most countries, more than one breed will be common.
Table 2 lists the official amino acid recommendations for selected countries. Official recommendations for amino acids will be standard for feed mills to use in any country. It doesn’t mean that all feed mills do so,
and it would not be easy to prove that recommendations for nutrients a feed mill uses are different, as in-house knowledge about feedstuffs, energy evaluation, and nutrient recommendations are not shared.
Table 2. Amino acid recommendations from selected countries, relative values to Lysine for other listed amino acids, and protein recommendations
SID – Standardised ileal digestible (pre-cecal in Germany)
1 – Nehf et al., 2021. (DLG, Germany)
2 – SEGES, 2024a. (Denmark)
3 – Chambre D’Agriculture Bretagne, 2024. (France)
4 – CVB, 2023. (The Netherlands)
5 – NRC, 2012. (The US)
6 – AHDB, 2024 (UK)
7 - Recalculated from recommendations given in a ratio to energy concentration and used an energy concentration between barley and wheat.
There is limited agreement among recommendations for lysine concentration in feed for lactating sows (Table 2). In addition, there
Table 1. Average compound sow feed cost (£) in selected European countries and the US (Corsair, 2024, Davis, 2022)
is less agreement on the remaining essential amino acids in ratio to lysine (Table 2). The recommendation listed by DLG (DE) for lysine is significantly lower than especially the French and UK recommendations. For the other essential amino acid ratios to lysine, the values listed by NRC are the most different. For example, NRC recommends Met+Cys to be 53, while others are between 58 and 65.
An undersupply of any amino acid will cause a negative impact on animal performance but also cause an intentional oversupply of all other amino acids. Oversupply of amino acids is negative for the environment and has a higher carbon footprint than needed, as protein-rich feedstuffs have a higher carbon footprint than cereals (Seges, 2024b).
This article will not go through all the differences among the systems, only highlighting a couple of differences, as seen in Table 3, which lists energy evaluation systems for selected countries. ME – metabolic energy and NE – net energy. The NE system in Denmark is also called PPE, which is Potential Physiological Energy.
Item DE FR NL DK
ME X
NE – French X
NE – NL X
NE - DK X
The site for measuring the digestibility of nutrients is one of the main differences. Another main factor is the methods used to analyze different nutrients. The French and Dutch NE are based on the same animal experimental data but use different nutrient analysis methods.
Just et al. (1985) confirmed Zebrowska’s (1973, 1975) findings that protein and amino acids digestibility must be measured at the end of the small intestine. Only the Danish NE system has implemented that concept. The ME, French, and Dutch NE systems are using total tract digestibility for crude protein.
As starch is a significant energy source in pig feed, determination of the amount and its digestibility is a potential source for inaccuracy. According to Bach Knudsen (2001), the starch digestibility is between 90 and 95% for legumes. The French system uses a polarimetric laboratory method to measure starch content. The Dutch system uses an enzymatically digestible method, and finally, the Danish system uses EFOSI. EFOSi – enzymatic digestible organic matter at the ileal level, which is a simulation of the digestion of the stomach and ileum of pigs. The method measures the ileal digestion content of starch, sugar, and oligosaccharides as one fraction. Protein is also measured using the same In Vitro method.
The question is whether the energy evaluation system gives the same feedstuff ranking (Figure 1). Barley is set to 100 and other feedstuffs are ranked.
Figure 1 shows that the ME system used in Germany consistently ranks the protein-rich feedstuffs higher than all NE systems, explained
1. Ranking of selected feedstuffs using different energy evaluation systems. Barley set at 100.
by the higher energy for protein for the ME system vs. the NE systems. There is no agreement among the NE system for the ranking of feedstuffs; for example, wheat middlings are ranked significantly higher for the NL and FR systems, potentially explained by (differences in) estimates for starch digestibility.
There is a significant difference in average feed cost among countries. The choice of feed evaluation system and recommendations for amino acids and protein being a significant factor found among countries. The ranking and therefore, the inclusion level of any feedstuffs depends on the energy evaluation system, and it will contribute to differences found in feed cost. Another contributing factor is the overand undersupply of critical nutrients like amino acids. Understanding the optimal recommendations and best possible energy evaluation system is a tool for optimizing pig performance, without over spending on feed, a service provided by PPE 2.0. For more information about how you can improve your feed composition to increase profitability and animal performance, visit our website: www.ppe20.com
Chambre D’Agriculture Bretagne, 2024. Accessed online September 2024 L’alimentation de la truie - Chambre d’agriculture Bretagne (chambresagriculture.fr)
Corsair, J., 2024. Cost of production in selected countries (InterPIG). AHDB. Cost of production in selected countries (InterPIG) | AHDB
CVB, 2023. Booklet of feeding tables for pigs. Nutrient requirements and feed ingredient composition for pigs. CVB-series no. 68 June 2023
Davis, C., 2022. 2021 pig cost of production in selected countries.
Just, A., H. Joergensen, J.A. Fernandez, 1985. Correlation of protein deposited in growing female pigs to ileal and faecal digestible crude protein and amino acids. Livestock production science, 12: 145-159
NRC, 2012. Nutrient requirements of swine. National Research Council Seges, 2024a. Normer for naeringstoffer (In Danish). Version 35. Næringsstoffer (svineproduktion.dk)
Seges, 2024b. Klimafoder database. Blandingsberegner (powerappsportals. com)
Zebrowska, T. 1973. Digestion and absorption of nitrogenous compounds in the large intestine of pigs. Rocz. Nauk Roln., 95(B), 85-90
Zebrowska, T. 1975. The apparent digestibility of nitrogen and individual amino acids in the large intestine of pigs. Rocz. Nauk Roln., 97(1), 117-123
By The Animine Technical Team
Introduction
Trace minerals are essential for the nutrition and overall well-being of ruminants and livestock in general, influencing crucial aspects such as immune function and reproductive performance. In the United Kingdom (UK), where forages constitute a primary nutritional source for grazing animals, understanding the fluctuating levels of trace minerals in these feedstuffs is of greatest importance. However, this is influenced by diverse factors including soil composition, climate conditions, and agricultural practices. This variability presents challenges for livestock producers striving to implement optimal nutrition and productivity in their herds. This article examines the variability of trace minerals in UK forages and its impact on animal health and performance. Understanding this variability is essential for adapting trace mineral supplementation strategies to ensure optimal nutrition for livestock.
Exploring Trace Element Variability in Forages of the UK
For grazing animals in the UK and Ireland, forages are the primary diet, but identifying trace mineral deficiencies is challenging. Factors like rainfall, soil type, grass management, and location affect forage mineral content. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for optimising animal health and production while managing the risks of deficiency and oversupply.
A recent study by Harper Adams University analysed 1,453 forage samples from 2020 to 2023, revealing that manganese , cobalt , selenium, and iron generally met the NASEM 2021 guidelines for livestock. However, copper levels were consistently below the minimum requirements (<8 mg/kg DM) in the UK and fell below cattle requirements (<10 mg/kg DM) in Ireland during 2020-2022. High sulfur levels (>2.5 g/ kg DM) in 2020 and 2021 exacerbated copper deficiencies. Iron levels often exceeded the threshold (>250 mg/kg DM) for copper-related problems, except in Ireland in 2021. Molybdenum showed significant increases in 2023, with a threshold around 2 mg/kg DM posing potential copper-related challenges. Zinc (Zn) and iodine (I) deficiencies were noted in some years, with concentrations below <30 mg/kg DM for Zn and <0.45 mg/kg DM for I.
These findings emphasize the need for further investigation and targeted trace mineral supplementation for grazing ruminants in the UK and Ireland. Soil composition, agricultural practices, and environmental conditions significantly impact forage mineral content, requiring a comprehensive approach to livestock nutrition.
Soil composition is a primary factor influencing trace mineral content in forages, as it varies widely and directly affects the availability of essential trace elements for plant uptake. Soils high in sulfur or iron, for example, can cause antagonistic interactions with other trace minerals like copper, impacting their availability to grazing animals. Agricultural practices also play a significant role; certain fertilizers or soil amendments can alter soil pH and nutrient uptake mechanisms, and crop rotation and grazing management influence nutrient cycling within the ecosystem. Environmental factors such as rainfall, temperature, and seasonal variations contribute to trace mineral variability. Heavy rainfall can leach minerals from the soil, reducing concentrations in forage crops, while seasonal changes in plant growth affect nutrient uptake and allocation, causing fluctuations in trace mineral content. Additionally, interactions between trace minerals within the forage can impact animal health, with imbalances between copper and molybdenum or sulfur potentially leading to copper deficiency or toxicity in grazing animals. Furthermore, a study conducted in the UK (Figure 1), showed that the mineral content of forages varies among botanical groups, with forbs being highest in iodine and selenium, grasses in manganese, and legumes in copper, cobalt, zinc, and iron. This highlights the importance of understanding these complex interactions to formulate targeted supplementation strategies and address specific mineral imbalances.
The variability of trace minerals in UK forages has significant implications for livestock production, affecting both economics and animal welfare. Deficiencies or imbalances in essential trace minerals can harm animal health, reproduction, and performance, leading to reduced productivity and profitability for farmers. In fact, imprecise mineral nutrition in grazing animals is a major worry linked to the variability of trace minerals. Livestock consuming forages lacking essential trace minerals may experience impaired growth, reduced feed efficiency, and weakened immune systems, making them more vulnerable to diseases. Poor reproductive performance is also a consequence, resulting in lower fertility rates, increased embryo loss, and longer calving or lambing intervals. Beyond immediate health and productivity concerns, trace mineral variability in forages can affect the nutritional quality of animal products. Milk and meat from
of concentrations
animals grazing on deficient forages may have lower nutrient levels, compromising their value for consumers.
Addressing trace mineral deficiencies or imbalances in forages can add costs for farmers, including supplementation, veterinary care, and decreased productivity. Moreover, unsustainable agricultural practices may arise if trace mineral variability isn’t managed effectively, leading to soil degradation, environmental harm, and reduced farm profits.
In the pursuit of optimizing trace mineral nutrition for grazing animals, farmers employ a multifaceted approach. Supplementation for example plays a critical role in bridging potential gaps in trace mineral intake, ensuring animals receive adequate nutrition for optimal health and performance. Farmers carefully select mineral supplements, considering factors such as bioavailability and effectiveness in meeting the specific needs of their livestock. Moreover, the selection of the right mineral source is primordial. Some mineral forms offer superior bioavailability, ensuring efficient absorption and utilization by animals. By choosing the most suitable mineral sources, farmers can maximize the effectiveness of their supplementation strategies, further enhancing animal health and performance.
Innovation also plays a pivotal role in advancing trace mineral
management practices. Tools like AniGun, a tool developed by Animine utilizing X-Ray Fluorescence technology, represent the cutting edge of rapid mineral analysis in forages. This innovation enables farmers to rapidly assess the mineral content of their feedstuffs, facilitating timely adjustments to supplementation strategies and ensuring optimal nutrition for their livestock.
In conclusion, the variability of trace minerals in forages across the UK and Ireland presents significant challenges for livestock nutrition and productivity. However, by employing strategic measures, such as utilizing innovative tools like AniGun to assess the extent of this variability, farmers can mitigate its impacts and ensure consistent nutrition for their livestock. AniGun’s ability to rapidly analyze mineral content in forages empowers farmers to make informed decisions about supplementation and grazing practices in real time. Additionally, choosing the appropriate mineral sources, with a focus on bioavailability and effectiveness, is essential for optimizing trace mineral supplementation. By selecting high-quality sources, farmers can enhance the absorption and utilization of essential nutrients by their animals, thereby promoting overall health and productivity. This proactive approach not only helps address immediate nutritional needs but also contributes to long-term sustainability and profitability
With Andrew Birch, Binary Co-Founder and CEO
September saw over 50 representatives from 10 companies descend on our hometown of Harrogate for the first of what will hopefully be an annual fixture in the feed industry calendar. Designed for hands-on users of our Feed Dynamics ERP system, Blend provided two days of demonstrations, presentations and round table discussions across two streams designed to inform, educate and inspire those customers who have been so critical in the development of both our product and our company.
Feed Dynamics has grown from a single installation for I’Anson Bros in 2013, to 24 mills across the UK and Ireland by the start of 2025. We decided that this, coupled with Binary’s 15th anniversary, made it the perfect time to hold an event designed to bring all our customers together to reflect on what’s been achieved but more importantly, to help us design the future of Feed Dynamics.
Across the three days, we accomplished more than we could have hoped, both in the scheduled sessions and in the social time in between. The level of engagement, commitment and support our customers showed by attending our first event in such numbers was overwhelming and truly made the event the success that it was. From participation in round table discussions on key topics such as product & labelling management, transport planning and order processing, to an entirely different kind of round table at La Feria sharing excellent food & drinks, the conversation didn’t stop. From a Binary perspective, it was fantastic to see the customers we’ve worked with separately over the years coming together and meeting each other for the first time; swapping stories and experiences but most importantly, helping us to chart a course for the future of Binary and Feed Dynamics that addresses their common challenges and goals. Never have we been able to more confidently say “Feed Dynamics is built for our customers”.
The feed industry is no stranger to events that bring people from (competing) companies together in a social setting for good food, drink and company. But these events are typically commercially focused such as annual grain dinners or nutritional conferences. Our vision was that Blend would provide a similar forum for the operational roles not usually found at the traditional industry events, your accountants, customer service teams, transport and production planners. As well as providing valuable education and training, Blend aimed to connect users in similar roles at different companies and to listen to their combined ideas about the direction that we, Binary, should take Feed Dynamics for their collective benefit. And simply put, mission accomplished!
Although this was our first event of this type, we’re pleased to say that the whole programme ran without a hitch, including the recording of most sessions to allow those who attended to share the content with the rest of their colleagues. The feedback we received made it very clear that all those who attended found it enjoyable and valuable and want to see more of everything next year. Having set the bar so high on our first outing, preparations are already underway to make Blend 25 bigger and brighter, with dedicated training streams for new users and deeper dive “how-to” sessions focused on getting more out of the software everyone already has. The September 2025 event will also be the official unveiling of roadmap features and products announced and discussed at this year’s event, giving both Binary and our customers a focus for the year ahead.
“Having worked in the Feed Industry for nearly 25 years,” says Andrew Birch, Binary co-founder and CEO, “I’ve long been aware of the
community of cooperation and friendship that exists even between competitors and have seen first-hand how that translates into some excellent social and commercial gatherings throughout the years. My hope was always that one day we might have a large enough customer base to run an event of our own, founded on the same principles of cooperation through friendly competition, that would connect a whole
different group of people from those same feed millers with the common goal of improving the way they work (with computer systems). I am absolutely thrilled that our first foray into this was so successful, thanks entirely to the hard work of the whole Binary team and the overwhelming support and trust shown by our customers by taking the time out to travel and attend. I couldn’t be prouder of what we have achieved together and look forward to many more years of Blending with you all!”
Prompt identification of specific mycotoxins in feedstuffs will allow targeted action to be taken to reduce the consequences of toxins this winter.
“The climatic conditions we have seen this summer with a high number of warm, humid days means that it will be a favourable year for fungal growth, therefore creating a higher risk from mycotoxins,” comments Alicia Wilson from Trouw Nutrition GB. “Heavier than average rainfall can also result in increased impact of some mycotoxins.”
While there are a significant number of potential mycotoxins, six are most commonly associated with problems in livestock. Symptoms of mycotoxin contamination can be non-specific, hidden and vary between different mycotoxins. The lack of distinct and unique symptoms and visible signs of contamination mean it is not easy to confirm mycotoxins are a problem on farm.
“The most cost-effective strategy is to take preventative measures to reduce any potential impact. The most effective approach to take will be strain specific, so you must first identify which mycotoxins are present, which can be quickly determined using Mycomaster.”
Mycomaster is a unique mycotoxin analyser capable of analysing over 40 different feed and raw materials including widely used cereals and protein ingredients, as well as finished pig, poultry and ruminant feeds. The technique is very simple and does not require extensive laboratory technical training and a laboratory setup. The analysis of a sample takes 15-20 minutes. Compared to the alternative ELISA test, Mycomaster is simpler to use and not restricted by the need for specialist facilities.
Mycomaster can test for mycotoxins in over 40 different feedstuffs
Mycomaster can analyse for the six principal types of mycotoxins (Aflatoxin combined, Ochratoxin, T2-HT2 Toxin, Zearalenone, DON (Deoxynivalenol or vomitoxin), Fumonisin) from feed raw materials and finished feeds. The process involves mycotoxin extraction, clarification and then quantification of the specific mycotoxin risk.
“Mycotoxin binders are the most effective way to reduce the consequences of contamination, but as they vary in their effectiveness against different toxins, it is vital to choose the optimum binder for the specific situation.
Once the source and extent of mycotoxin contamination has been determined using Mycomaster, it will be possible to determine the most effective binder for optimum effectiveness and return on investment. ”
I’Anson (centre) pictured with Andrew and Fiona Mounsey in front of the new I’Anson mill at Dalton, North Yorkshire. The mill is already in production and output will gradually increase over the coming months. With an initial capacity of 200,000 tonnes, the facility has been designed with expansion in mind.
There are currently two pelleting lines and a Blend line with dedicated mixers for species segregation. One line is dedicated to ruminant feed production with the second multipurpose line also capable of producing monogastric feed using the hot start and hygieniser technology. The design accommodates space for further expansion with two lines as the business grows.
Designed and built by Dutch milling engineers Ottevanger with the milling equipment installed by Game Engineering Ltd and electrics by Apex electrical. The mill becomes the most technologically advanced facility of its type in Europe with unparalleled levels of efficiency in feed production costs.
A full article will be included in Feed Compounder to coincide with their 125th anniversary next year.
With Anna Millar, Ruminant Technical Manager, Trident MicroNutri
Reducing endotoxin load and inflammatory responses key to supporting health and performance
T he transition period is a vulnerable time for dairy cows, particularly in relation to gut health, with the potential for significant impacts on future health and performance, and ultimately therefore, to farm productivity and profitability.
Latest research in the US, particularly from Professor Lance Baumgard, is challenging some of the accepted views and perceptions around poor transition, resulting in common postpartum metabolic disorders, such as hypocalcaemia (milk fever) and ketosis.
He says these disorders are not the cause of the transition failure, but are consequences of it. Professor Baumgard believes it is the cow’s response to immune activation and systemic inflammation, which is the root cause of these disorders. Addressing this is key to a successful transition period.
“Typically, we probably think that post-calving disorders may be the cause of transition failure, but they are not, it is inflammation that causes them,” says Anna Millar, ruminant technical manager at Trident MicroNutri.
“This may come as a result of an infection, for example, if a retained placenta has led to a metritis infection, or simply down to the stress of calving leading to a mastitis infection, causing inflammation.
“Inflammatory responses require energy. As this energy will be taken from the available measure the cow would use for production, we can see negative impacts on productivity, fertility and overall health,” she explains.
There are lots of things that can affect gut health around calving, from environmental, social and psychological stress, through to those infections such as mastitis and metritis, with nutrition a key factor. Ms Millar says that some of the more recent research has been studying the effects of the change of diet around transition.
“The dry cow diet is much higher in fibre, and is generally made up of a lower quality, high forage ration. Once the cow calves in, we need to supply lots of energy, and this can sometimes lead to a very abrupt change in the diet, with the inclusion of a lot more starch in the
lactation ration, to supply that energy,” she says.
When there is more starch going into the rumen, this does invariably lead to increased susceptibility or vulnerability to acidosis. High levels of concentrate have been shown to be associated with systemic inflammation, and also immune activation.
While this is most commonly associated with the rumen, as ruminal acidosis, there is research that suggests another important place, as a source of systemic immune activation, is the hindgut.
“If there are not enough starch digesters for the amount of starch in the diet, and some of that starch fails to be digested, it can bypass the rumen and pass through into the hindgut, where it can ferment and lead to hindgut acidosis (HGA),” says Ms Millar.
The signs of hindgut acidosis are largely very similar to ruminal acidosis, such as loose dung. If that dung is frothy or bubbly, this might indicate fermentation is going on in the hindgut.
This causes really severe problems for the gut barrier function. It has been well proven that subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) and stress have been associated with increased permeability of the gut wall.
“While we talk about leaky membranes in the rumen, it is also very common in the hindgut, especially for these high producing dairy cows that require lots of energy and are typically on very high starch diets,” says Ms Millar.
“As a result of the acidic conditions, we have the release of endotoxins or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), from gram-negative bacteria. This acid also causes the gut to become more permeable, and those endotoxins can be absorbed into the blood, which creates more inflammation.
“If we activate the immune system, we are using up energy as the cow tries to deal with all the inflammation, and that means less energy available for production, or for coming into heat, holding a pregnancy or for general cow health.
“If we do have this kind of fermentation, and we have a greater release of endotoxins not only in the rumen, but also in the hindgut, we can reduce risks by ‘mopping them up’ with a binder with endotoxin binding capabilities,” she says.
Utilising existing and newly available raw materials for binding and detoxification, the new formulation of mycotoxin binder Ultrasorb R can
help to prevent endotoxins being absorbed through the leaky gut wall. This means there is less in the blood and, therefore less inflammation.
The upgrade of the yeast extract and the addition of a new live yeast has improved fusarium mycotoxin binding, while the addition of new clays has increased the endotoxin binding capacity from 40% in the old formulation to 70%.
“By providing endotoxin binding and detoxification, we can support the cow through reducing the endotoxin load and likelihood and severity of an immune response,” says Ms Millar.
There are also environmental stresses on the dairy cow during transition, moving from one group to another, one house to another, alongside the stress of calving itself, so there are social and psychological implications.
“Stress periods have also been linked with leaky gut, so there are lots of things going against the cow at this stage. Careful management and an understanding of all of these underlying factors can support a much more successful transition period,” concludes Ms Millar.
A joined-up and robust approach to planning and supply is helping to drive the logistics operation that is crucial to the safe and efficient delivery of high-quality pig and poultry feeds to farms across the country.
The British manufacturer of pig and poultry feeds, ABN, operates a Target Zero ambition and Everyday Excellence programme that aims to create a safety and efficiency culture across its entire supply chain. The appointment of a new head of planning and supply earlier this year is now driving this ethos across the distribution operation.
joined Associated British Foods (ABF) through the group’s graduate management scheme, in September 2010.
‘Efficiently,
effectively and safely’ – the approach that is key to the logistics operation distributing feeds from across ABN’s estate
Appointed in March 2024, ABN’s Jerry O’Reilly brings a vast operational background within the grocery sector, and is now applying that experience within the agri industry, dovetailing closely with the work spearheaded by ABN’s head of Continuous Improvement (CI) Steve McNamara, and director of Health, Safety, Quality and Environment, Dave Roberts.
Based around the company’s approach to combine local knowledge with national expertise, the logistics team really is at the forefront, or coalface, of everything that ABN does.
Developing a partnership approach across the supply chain, based on the Everyday Excellence ethos, is a key focus for Jerry, as he transfers and develops key skills from his previous experiences into the agriculture sector.
Having completed a master’s degree in chemical engineering at University of Manchester, Jerry’s career was kick-started when he
Attracted by the breadth and scale of ABF’s global operations, Jerry moved into Allied Bakeries, one of the largest bakery manufacturers in the country, covering brands including Kingsmill, Allinson’s and Sunblest.
In one of his early forays into project engineering, he oversaw the installation of new factories, spending some £350 million over a five-year period.
“We were literally demolishing sites and building them up again, working across multiple suppliers and contractors, commissioning plants all the way through to the point of handing over the site, and the recruitment process,” he says.
Moving on to run one of those factories he had built, as a manufacturing shift manager, Jerry then spent a period of time in continuous improvement (CI), both in manufacturing and supply chain management.
Stepping out of manufacturing engineering and moving directly into logistics, Jerry looked after two other sites in the North West, at the same time continuing with an element of programme management across the whole business, in terms of business investment and supply chain optimisation.
Having taken on the largest Allied Bakeries site in Stockport, he
then took over the whole of the North West area in September 2021, managing over 300 staff across distribution, incorporating transport, warehousing and vehicle maintenance.
This meant integrating many of the principles and cultures that have been embraced by ABN with its Everyday Excellence and Target Zero programmes, and included the delivery of major safety initiatives, as well as driving operational efficiencies.
In January 2020, stretching his skillset further, Jerry began studying for his MBA, funded by ABF as part of its apprenticeship levy scheme, completing it in June 2022.
“Across the ABF group, there is always a lot of opportunity to get involved with different business functions. I heard about this exciting opportunity to broaden my overall experience, stepping out of grocery into an area of agriculture that I found very exciting, particularly in terms of commitments to food security and reduced carbon footprints.
“I felt that I had skills that could cross over into this industry, and it offered me a wider remit, with a more strategic business leadership role,” he adds.
According to Jerry, while the two sectors are very different in terms of the process and production, the critical control points are still there, and are just as important in terms of meeting the customer’s quality requirements for a product.
In his previous role, he would have 100 drivers going out to supermarkets every day, delivering to some 20 stores each, on the same runs every time.
“The thing is with bread, if you don’t deliver it, the stores can buy something else, or someone else’s bread. In my new role, if we don’t deliver, it is not just about a missed delivery, but we also have animal welfare issues to consider. It is a very distinct difference and challenge.
“It probably focuses you that little bit more, to ensure there is a robust and dynamic supply chain, both in manufacturing and distribution. It is very important that we are meeting our customer’s requirements,” continues Jerry.
The supply aspect of the role involves leading the distribution of ABN feeds to customers, from all ten operating sites across the UK. The fleet encompasses 220 vehicles, with around 200 directly employed drivers.
ABN is part of the DVSA’s (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) operator recognition scheme, with a high focus on transport compliance.
“I am proud to say we are one of the most compliant operators in the country, and this is because we invest a lot of time in the training and development of our drivers,” says Jerry.
“From my own perspective, I spent the first eight weeks in the role visiting all ten manufacturing sites, going through the mill process and going out to farms with drivers. It meant I could really get to know the nuts and bolts of what we are asking people to do, on a daily basis,” he says.
Jerry’s role focuses on planning throughout the sales and operational planning (S&OP) process, ensuring demand is accurately forecasted, and manufacturing and distribution plans meet customer requirements.
“I am working on building that robust and dynamic supply chain, to really bed that process in, drive it forward, and make it more mature,” he says.
“The vision and ethos is delivering quality feed safely. This means making sure we are working effectively for our customers, ensuring they get what they want, when they want it, as efficiently as possible.
“We are taking that Everyday Excellence mantra that is imbued across our business, and applying it to both our planning process and our daily distribution. This means looking weeks and months ahead as to how we can most optimally service our customers,” he says.
Jerry has also looked into contingency planning, preparing for periods when the supply chain comes under stresses, so that there is some movement, and the business can react.
“This can be in terms of the planning process, when we will typically be looking 3-6 months ahead when scheduling maintenance of our sites. We can ensure we have contingency stocks where we need to have them, while we are investing in our plant and equipment so we can be as efficient and effective as we possibly can be,” he says.
“One of the things I have noticed, coming from a very mature customer base in terms of the major retailers, is the level of resource in receiving and planning orders to get to farm. All of the hard work that goes into that is remarkable.
“It is much more people orientated in terms of how we get feed to farm, compared to the system-orientated approach in the retail sector. This only happens with passionate people, going that extra mile, making sure that customers are served when they really need it.
“I am proud to play my part in making sure we are all working together in this partnership approach, getting quality feed, to our customers, safely and efficiently,” concludes Jerry.
With Roche’s
In today’s competitive feed milling landscape, efficiency and safety are paramount. Recognising this, Roche’s, a leading manufacturer of animal feeds in Ireland, recently partnered with LvLogics to implement their innovative SiloSpi system across a range of their mill silos. This state-of-the-art technology is revolutionising how Roche’s manages their feed inventory, leading to significant improvements in several key areas.
Prior to SiloSpi, monitoring feed levels relied on manual checks, a time-consuming and potentially inaccurate process. SiloSpi’s advanced sensor technology provides continuous real-time data on material levels in each silo. This eliminates the need for manual checks, freeing up valuable staff time for other critical tasks. Additionally, SiloSpi delivers millimetre-precise measurements, ensuring accurate inventory control and preventing stockouts that could disrupt production.
Manually checking silos to check feed levels can be a risky and potentially hazardous activity. SiloSpi removes this risk entirely. By offering remote access to silo data, mill operators can monitor levels from the safety of a control room. This not only protects staff from potential accidents but also improves overall operational safety for Roche’s.
Figure 1: SiloSpi installed in the mill in Roche’s, ensuring efficient grain storage and monitoring.
SiloSpi’s integration capabilities offer even greater benefits. The system can be seamlessly linked to Roche’s’ existing milling operations control software. This allows for automated processes, such as triggering lowlevel alerts and initiating ordering procedures when feed levels reach a
pre-determined threshold. This integration streamlines operations and reduces the need for manual intervention, further enhancing efficiency.
The real-time data provided by SiloSpi goes beyond just level monitoring. The sensors can optionally measure temperature and humidity within the silos. This valuable information allows Roche’s to proactively identify potential issues with feed quality before they escalate. This data-driven approach can significantly improve quality control and ensure the consistent production of high-quality animal feed.
Figure 2: Screenshot from the SiloSpi software showing tonnage graph over 1 month time span in Roche’s Mill
Roche’s’ adoption of SiloSpi technology demonstrates their commitment to continuous improvement and innovation. By prioritising efficiency, safety, and data-driven decision making, they are well-positioned to maintain their position as a leader in the Irish feed milling industry. As LvLogics continues to develop cutting-edge solutions, Roche’s can expect to reap further benefits in the years to come.
Figure 3: Screenshot of the Phone app showing in an easy to understand format the remaining feed in the silo, as we all an actual measure of the % fill and the tonnage
With Clare Farrington, Feedlync by Cowconnect.
Accurate and real-time data exchange key to improving feed efficiency
Embracing new technologies and focusing on feed efficiencies and reduced wastage can not only support productivity and profitability on dairy units of all sizes, but can also significantly help reduce farm carbon footprints.
With dairy producers facing greater pressure from the consumer, retailers and processors to reduce farm carbon footprints, with many contracts aligned to wider GHG reduction strategies, the ability to make data-driven changes to improve efficiencies and minimise feed waste can be critical to long-term farm resilience and sustainability.
New advances in digital feed management systems are having a transformative influence on production and feed efficiencies, and can be an essential tool for nutritionists and advisors, particularly as they support clients to meet contract requirements.
“Increase in milk yield is often attributed to more consistent feeding which is absolutely key for efficient dairy productivity. A consistent and precise approach to feeding also supports the best possible health for animals,” says Clare Farrington of Feedlync by Cowconnect.
With active monitoring and real-time data exchange that can be integrated seamlessly with external processor and herd management systems, Feedlync 2.0 by Cowconnect has been developed to meet farmer requests for a feed management system that is intuitive and easy to operate, providing an overview of feed-intake, efficiency and costs.
This has most recently been reflected by its use in the latest initiatives by Müller Milk & Ingredients, in conjunction with Kite Consulting, as it looks at ways to increase feed efficiencies, and therefore lower the carbon footprint of a litre of milk within its milk pool.
With Müller Milk & Ingredients targeting a 30% reduction in emissions associated with its liquid milk production by 2030, the importance of having access to timely data is key, to help inform decision making and drive actions needed to meet their carbon emission goals.
Müller Milk & Ingredients are looking into initiatives using realtime data, rather than relying on annual reporting based on historical data, to help farmers to identify and focus on the indicators that have the biggest impact on their sustainability.
One of those key indicators is feed efficiency, and by utilising the cloud-based, digital feed management system, users have access to accurate feed efficiency monitoring, as a key element of the data capture, with real-time data exchange.
“The feed management system is already being used by over 1,500 farms in 25 countries across the globe, helping dairy producers improve feed efficiencies and cow performance, while reducing wastage and farm carbon footprints,” continues Ms Farrington.
“Working with the weighing system, Feedlync ensures the feed is mixed precisely so that cows get the correct ration every time, helping to save on feed costs and reducing wastage,” she says.
Operated via the iOS or Android app and an online portal, the system is live all the time and can be accessed via multiple mobile device logins.
“This allows farm nutritionists to manage the diets even when not on farm. They can change the rations, add or remove ingredients, manage pens and groups on the go, allowing for great visibility of the cows, as well as a faster and more accurate way to increase milk production and savings on feed,” says Ms Farrington.
Users can see margins and cost of production, leading to better, accurate and informed decision making. The system also enables producers to analyse feed accuracy quickly and easily, allowing for instant adjustment of feed composition and cow numbers.
With unique loading accuracy heatmap and stock management features, operator accuracy and stock levels of all ingredients can be monitored, with access to real-time updates on forage stocks. Users will be informed of how many days of forage are left in a clamp or how many days until a delivery is required for concentrates.
Zinpro®IsoFerm® Wins Silver Medal at EuroTier Innovation Awards
Zinpro® Corporation is proud to announce that its dairy product, Zinpro IsoFerm, has been awarded the Silver Medal at the prestigious EuroTier Innovation Awards.
The EuroTier Innovation Awards recognize the most innovative products in the animal livestock and management industry. The Silver Medal is awarded to products that demonstrate significant improvements in functionality, efficiency and sustainability. Zinpro IsoFerm was recognized for its groundbreaking approach to enhancing animal nutrition and performance.
“ We are honoured to receive this recognition from EuroTier,” said Justin Howes, Ruminant Senior Global Marketing Manager at Zinpro. “Zinpro IsoFerm represents our commitment to advancing animal performance by pioneering technology that is reshaping dairy nutrition. This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team.”
Zinpro IsoFerm is a proprietary blend of branched-chain volatile fatty acids (BCVFAs or isoacids) that are naturally used by the rumen microbes to make microbial protein and energy. The company describe IsoFerm as “a breakthrough product that improves fermentation by feeding the fibre-digesting bacteria in the rumen, allowing cows to be more efficient and productive. Isoacids have been recognised as required nutrients for decades, but supplementation in deficient diets was impossible until now.”
The Feedlync system increases feed accuracy on average by 4%. With less feed used to produce a pint of milk, users can expect a return on investment within an average of just 94 days.
“By reducing feed waste, and only purchasing bought-in feeds as required, users can bring both a cost benefit but also reduce environmental impacts,” adds Ms Farrington.
“Not only does it support the bottom line and improve profitability, by measuring KPIs and improving feed efficiencies, the system can help support responsible production by reducing emissions and carbon footprints associated with milk production.”
During Eurotier, John Allen of Kite Consulting will be looking into the challenges, opportunities and potential benefits as industry prepares for Scope 3 emissions reporting, and how monitoring feed efficiency, using the digital feed management system, can play a vital role in lowering the carbon footprint of a litre of milk.
Eurotier Experts Stage Cattle | Rind – Hall 13 | 13E58 Fri 15 Nov | 10-10:20am | Are you prepared for scope 3 reporting?
How Müller fast tracked farm efficiency.
Some specific benefits include:
• Superior Transition Cow Performance: Through enhanced liver function in early lactation, cows experience reduced body weight loss, lower ketosis and greater glucose production.
• Increased Milk Production : By improving fermentation, Zinpro IsoFerm helps cows produce more milk with fewer resources, consistently achieving 10-12% higher peak milk production.
• Improved Feed Efficiency: It enhances the natural rumen function, fuelling fibre digestion and protein utilization, often with less dry matter intake, resulting in greater feed efficiency.
• Enhanced Farm Efficiency : The improvements in feed and production efficiency contribute to greater farm efficiency, leading to higher income over feed costs and an improved bottom line.
• Environmental Sustainability : The advancements in efficiency and productivity from Zinpro IsoFerm also drive operational and environmental sustainability.
The innovation award will be officially presented at the EuroTier event on November 12, 2024. Tim Horne, Zinpro Regional Manager for Europe and South Africa says, “Our team is thrilled about receiving the silver medal for innovation and we are eager to welcome EuroTier visitors to our booth where we’ll showcase Zinpro IsoFerm and many other Zinpro product offerings.”
Exeter Mill, owned and run by ForFarmers, marked 50 years of operation in September with an on-site celebration.
Built in 1974 as part of a big development for Unilever which owned BOCM Silcock, nowadays ForFarmers operates out of Exeter Mill at Sowton Industrial Estate, which has been modernised over time.
The mill’s design was replicated across seven mills in the year it was built, including the ForFarmers’ site in Carmarthen. Pauls Agriculture and BOCM Silcock then merged in 1992 to form BOCM PAULS before becoming ForFarmers in 2012.
The 50th celebration held at the mill was attended by many ex-employees, merchants and hauliers. On the day, walking tours of the mill were enjoyed along with a hog roast, raffle and band.
Nick Parsons, Operations Manager said: “We were very pleased with the day. It was brilliant for old friends and colleagues to get together and reminisce about time spent at the mill. The operations at the mill have changed over time. In the early years, they would have been dealing with a lot of bagged volume, but now we deal in much more in bulk. The mill has survived many ups and downs in the agricultural sector. It has seen the BSE crisis, Foot and Mouth and Covid, when our drivers and mill staff continue to work as essential workers.”
Trouw Nutrition’s MyMilkPrint carbon footprinting tool and associated Carbon Reduction Program Dairy was recognised at the prestigious Cream Awards, being Highly Commended in the Award for Innovation out of a competitive field of 30 applicants.
The award was collected by Dr Liz Homer, Europe Sustainability Manager for Ruminants, and Natalie Ingman, GB National Account Manager.
Sponsor
“It is wonderful to get industry-wide recognition for the work that we are doing to unite stakeholders across the industry to focus on what changes we can make together for a more sustainable dairy future,” Dr Homer commented. “Our focus is on providing the tools and knowhow for farmers to apply practical changes on farm that benefit both the environment and their business efficiency.
“The challenge for dairy businesses is finding a clear and practical way to reduce carbon footprint, identifying key areas for focus to move forward and benefit environmental, economic and social sustainability.”
MyMilkPrint is a tool designed to be used by advisors such as the nutritionist and vet, alongside the farmer, to develop and implement an emissions reduction programme for more sustainable and profitable production. It is used by many of Trouw Nutrition’s customers and has helped open practical discussions to reduce dairy herd emissions.
Drawing together research from across the industry, it is structured to make carbon reduction a core business process operating seamlessly alongside efficient milk production, following a clear process:
Step 1 - Measure baseline/current carbon footprint per kg fat and protein corrected milk
Step 2 - Identify the biggest hotspots contributing to the footprint and using what if scenarios identify the areas where the biggest impact can be achieved to reduce emissions and contribute to profitability
Step 3 - Investigate the impact of feeding and feed management e.g. impact of purchased feeds, impact of the total diet, methane production of the diet, stock numbers and their impact
Step 4 - Determine the short, medium and long term paybacks in terms of profitability and carbon reduction
Step 5 - Establish a long-term plan with pertinent KPIs
Step 6 - Review progress and refine the plan including establishing new carbon footprint
“The industry must recognise that there is no silver bullet and that we must work together in partnership to reduce carbon footprint on dairy farms. The whole Carbon Reduction Program Dairy features our key pillars LifeStart, HealthyLife and Precision Nutrition, including our environmental footprinting tools to support the farmer.
“When using MyMilkPrint farmer and advisor get the carbon footprint baseline, interpretation of the numbers, what if scenario planning including profitability and diet specifics, then a deliverable reduction plan supported with products and services to suit the farmer needs. Together these make it the most comprehensive and practical scheme available to help farmers meet demands for emission reduction while allowing them to still focus on efficient milk production.
“This award is recognition that MyMilkPrint can deliver the practical approach farmers crave to help them meet the demands placed on them to reduce emissions while also contributing to economic and social sustainability,” Dr Homer concludes.
The poultry industry continues to explore ways to increase laying hen productivity and to support this, Cargill has developed a new service, called Reveal® Layers, which is now available for UK producers. This new service uses non-invasive, near-infrared (NIR) technology to monitor the body condition of laying hens.
“Laying hen body condition can be linked to liver function and long-term egg production,” says Cargill UK poultry technology specialist Luke Barnard. “By measuring body fat, we can identify deviations from the optimum and adjust diet composition to support egg production and improve laying persistency.”
Reveal® Layers is fast and noninvasive. It involves measuring the fat pad in a random sample of 50 to 100 hens. Results are logged directly via Bluetooth to a mobile device. Monitoring is best carried out routinely and a log kept of the flock’s body condition over time. However, ad hoc monitoring can be carried out where appropriate.
“It is believed that over-developed fat pads in laying hens are problematic for long-term egg production and optimal liver
function,” adds Mr Barnard. “Keeping the bird in a good condition is crucial for the longevity of lay.”
The monitoring data provides producers and nutritionists with immediate access to body composition assessments of their hens. These results are assessed and benchmarked against the optimum body score range for their age.
Cargill has collated a large database to calibrate body condition against productivity relative to hen age, breed and colour. It has used this and in-depth knowledge to develop accurate algorithms. This information allows for corrective measures to be taken when flock data deviates from expectation.
“We can use these benchmarks and the flock’s data to suggest nutritional changes and management changes to support future performance,” adds Mr Barnard. “These decisions are in real-time and help to support the flock’s long-term performance. Reveal® Layers gives us a new window into the bird’s condition and potential performance and provides insights that were not previously obtainable.”
Laying hens with the optimal body condition score have been found to have an extended production cycle. As hens approach the end of their laying period, egg production becomes less efficient, and margins are eroded making the unit less viable.
“By optimising body condition, the hen’s productive period can be extended and egg production increased, making older flocks viable. An assessment of body condition can also pinpoint any issues during the bird’s productive life.”
Reveal® Layers is part of Cargill’s holistic approach to monitor body fat and egg production, supporting the producer and nutritionist to make educated decisions regarding the diet from rearing to laying.
The service is now being used by Cargill poultry specialists in the UK. It has been used successfully in laying flocks in North American, Europe and Asia from early 2024.
The SFT POULTRY conference 2025 is now available for booking on the SFT website under events and conferences.
The conference is being held on the 16th January 2025 at the Windmill hotel in Coventry.
A copy of the agenda for the day can be found online.
No bearings, seals or service down time …
Guaranteed for 5 YEARS for UK
Single V-Belt drive; High inertia, smooth and efficient
No oil leaks into feed or on press floor
Designed, fabricated and built in Italy
Design, installation and project management services
UK based stock and engineers
2-3 day Die and roll refurbishment
Dies held in stock on request
Sales technicians who understand the day-to-day requirements of a busy mill
>50 years manufacturing experience at La Meccanica Condex Ltd - established in 1980
www.lameccanica.it
With Georgie
Croxford,
Head of Ruminant Technical & Quality, Trident Feeds and Rodger Morris, Head of Feed Safety, Quality & Regulatory, AB Agri
Testing, analysis and quality auditing key to consistent co-product supply to support feed safety and security
Growing pressures from various influences have meant that food and feed security has never been more important as we strive to feed a growing population.
From climate change, including sea reclamation and long-term temperature shifts, to the requirement for more land to grow crops for energy, we are facing the prospect of less and less land to grow crops for feed or food.
When combined with global political instability, and the numerous policies UK farmers have to adhere to from government, processors and retailers, there is a need to focus on increasing outputs, while using less inputs, if we are to achieve food and feed security.
“At Trident, as part of the ruminant division of AB Agri, we feel we have a key role in this space, in particular in the safe supply of quality co-products, as an important feed ingredient in ruminant rations,” says Georgie Croxford, head of ruminant technical & quality, at Trident Feeds.
The use of co-products in ruminant rations, such as those generated from the production of beer, whisky, ethanol, starch and sugar for example, have been shown through globally recognised methodology, to carry a significantly lower carbon footprint, and often cost, compared to more traditional straights.
It is an important example of how livestock producers play an integral role within a circular economy.
According to Ms Croxford, a lot more people are now talking about co-products than ever before, not just to drive performance, but also to lower carbon footprints. Strong feed safety practices are key if performance and feed efficiency are to be optimised.
In essence, if the product does not meet the required nutritional
specification, or feed safety is compromised, carbon footprint levels will effectively be ‘out of the window’, as performance and productivity will be put at risk.
“We have thorough processes in place to make sure that our product quality is well controlled. Some of these co-products may be processed further, from an innovation standpoint, but stringent quality measures, testing and analysis takes place either by ourselves, or by the key co-product suppliers that we work with, to ensure consistent product quality,” she adds.
This includes providing in-depth advice on handling and storage, particularly with the many moist and liquid co-product ranges.
“It is crucial that nutritionists and farmers have confidence in a consistent and trusted source of co-products. This is where the importance of testing and analysis, and working with different sites to ensure feed safety and quality, is paramount,” explains Ms Croxford.
While many farmers may be warming to the idea of co-products as a means of meeting responsibility targets or contract requirements, how many really have an insight into what happens to ensure a safe, high-performance, quality and consistent product is delivered on farm, whether that be as an individual raw material or as part of a compound or blend? And what are the processes involved to deliver that?
Across all of the various co-products it supplies, AB Agri works to legislation and certification standards, and is a member of the industry body AIC (Agricultural Industries Confederation), which in itself has three key standards from a feed safety perspective.
• FEMAS (Feed Materials Assurance Scheme) – covering the supply of feed materials.
• UFAS (Universal Feed Assurance Standard) – covering manufacture, trading and supply of those materials.
• TASCC (Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops) –covering the haulage, testing and storage element.
AB Agri has strong representation and involvement within AIC, with key figures sitting on and in some cases chairing working groups within the individual schemes.
“Traceability is key to feed safety, across the supply chain flow, from growing the grain in the ground, processing, reaching
the retailers, and all the steps involved in between,” says Rodger Morris, head of feed safety, quality & regulatory at AB Agri, across the dairy division.
From a UFAS perspective, all of Trident’s suppliers must be FEMAS accredited or equivalent, and AB Agri has a review process for every single ingredient, not only for accreditation, but also for nutritional requirements and ensuring it is fit for purpose.
The supplier approval process can cover everything from product quality and feed safety, to feed supply and provenance, and also socio-political factors, including checks on labour/working conditions within the supply chain.
The supplier review also includes how supplier storage is handled, third party manufacturing sites, and anywhere where material is being taken and placed on to the market. Trident works closely with its suppliers to deliver this, such as with Yelo, the manufacturer of rumen protected rape products, which Trident supplies into the market, from UK-grown, farm-assured rapeseed.
product manufactured or traded, from where the material is sourced, when and how those raw materials are processed to make other products, how those products are labelled, and what QC data there is to support that,” he adds.
All of these activities fit within the wider remit of Target Zero, an AB Agri wide initiative, covering everything from health and safety to feed safety, security and environmental impact.
“Under feed safety there are two AB Agri fundamentals, firstly where we measure complaints recorded and closed as founded, all being investigated individually, with a focus around robust corrective and preventative action on reducing complaints and improving customer satisfaction and confidence in our products and services. The second fundamental is based on the 15-point Feed Benchmarking Matrix,” explains Mr Morris.
NovaPro can be used to replace soya, with an improved carbon footprint, offering the opportunity to lower crude protein fed on farm, whilst still meeting metabolisable protein requirements for cattle, with a similar or improved performance.
On top of supply chain, haulage and storage auditing, an internal process of “Feed Safety Benchmarking” is also in place, covering 15 key elements under three key areas of Site, System and Supply Chain, which is applied across AB Agri’s dairy division. This effectively adds another layer of security.
Internally, and in line with industry standards, the entire audit process is reviewed, at minimum, annually, and that filters back into the Feed Safety Benchmarking process.
Trident delivers around 1.2 million tonnes of co-products into the market annually, so it is a huge undertaking to manage feed safety and quality control.
As per risk assessed schedules, all raw materials are tested to make sure they continue to meet nutritional and feed safety requirements.
A quarterly raw material matrix review provides a dynamic, live database of analysis for raw materials. “Ultimately, this means we can check that what it says on the tin, is in the tin!” says Mr Morris.
Alongside internal auditing, AB Agri’s own production and merchanting sites receive an annual independent external UFAS audit completed for AIC by the certification body KIWA. In addition, within a three-year period they will also receive an additional shortnotice audit.
“In addition to a number of other elements, within the audit, we have to demonstrate our ability to trace any raw material or finished
Alongside these fundamental elements, there are three enablers in place to help keep performance on track to achieve Target Zero aims. Enablers can and do change year to year, they focus on delivering continuous improvement.
1. Risk Based Auditing – This is a new enabler, here AB Agri wants to develop its existing external/internal non-conformance recording, to identify trends in data to help target more focused internal auditing. In addition to NC’s, other key measurements are also reviewed, from supplier complaints and process errors to name a few.
2. Feed Safety RACI – Through identifying key tasks which contribute to delivering feed safety. AB Agri has focused on making everyone aware of their responsibilities and accountabilities by role, and this is an ongoing process, based around competencies and identifying if/where further consultation or information/training is required.
3. Product & Service Consistency – This is a focus on product, data and/or service consistency. Measuring analysis against targets, evaluating these results and calculating to provide an Overall Variability Factor measurement (OVF). Advice or data can be difficult to measure, so focus is more on the accuracy of the advice given, and within company product literature. The key is to demonstrate product quality and safety, before being placed onto the market.
“AB Agri is a very technical, analysis driven business, taking a lot of data and information to bring to market safe, high-quality co-products to support a circular economy,” says Ms Croxford.
“As more and more producers look to co-products as a means to reduce carbon footprints, while achieving the same or improved performance, these processes ensure the confidence in feed safety, in turn supporting feed and ultimately food security.”
With Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health
Since its founding in 1961, Kemin has built a global reputation for innovation in the animal feed industry. We have evolved from addressing customer needs to advancing food safety and improving human and animal health. Today, we remain committed to transforming lives through science-driven breakthroughs that enhance animal health, productivity, and environmental sustainability.
A Legacy of Sustainable Animal Solutions
Already in the 1980s, Kemin, led by President and CEO Christopher E. Nelson, Ph.D., embraced a focused approach to research and development, advancing products that positively impact animal feed. This foundation has led to the development of solutions such as antioxidants, mould inhibitors, and antimicrobials that benefit animal production and contribute to greater sustainability across various industries.
Feed Your Curiosity in Sustainable Animal Solutions
We’re excited to be at EuroTier again this year, offering a unique, interactive experience focused on sustainability and innovation.
Join us as we invite you to Feed Your Curiosity through handson workshops and informative sessions designed to tackle the feed challenges you face on the farm.
Learn about how our solutions enhance animal performance, boost feed efficiency, and optimise nutrient absorption, helping your farm become more productive, sustainable, and economical.
Join Our Interactive Sessions at EuroTier 2024
Throughout EuroTier 2024, we will host four sessions daily, covering key areas in animal nutrition and feed production. These sessions will provide valuable insights, trends, and practical tools you can implement on your farm. The same sessions will be offered at different times each day, allowing flexibility in attendance.
The sessions will take place daily at:
• 10:00 - 10:45
• 11:30 - 12:15
• 14:00 - 14:45
• 15:30 - 16:15
Informative Session Content
The content of these four sessions is outlined below:
• Interactive Workshop on Detecting Intestinal Health Challenges in Pigs and Poultry
In this interactive workshop, we’ll explore how intestinal health directly affects pigs’ well-being and how wet litter in poultry can be a crucial indicator of underlying health issues. Our unique wet litter and faecal scoring tool thoroughly evaluates factors like consistency, colour, and
form, giving you actionable insights into animal health. With rapid diagnostic tools and interactive scoring exercises, you’ll gain hands-on experience in identifying issues and making quick, informed decisions to improve welfare, reduce disease, and increase productivity on your farm.
• Research-Backed Solutions for Ruminant Transition Management
Managing the health and well-being of ruminants during their transition phase is critical for long-term success. Effective Transition Phase Management focuses on minimising stress and optimising nutrition to ensure that cows transition smoothly from the dry period to lactation. This session will provide expert guidance on enhancing overall herd productivity, health, and reproduction performance during this phase. We’ll explore various solutions to support healthier transitions, helping you achieve more productivity and efficiency in dairy operations.
• Cutting-Edge Solutions for Safe and Efficient Feed Processing
Healthy, high-performing animals rely on safe, high-quality feed. This session provides practical solutions to prevent contamination and protect your animals. Learn to identify and mitigate risks, ensuring safe feed quickly. Experts will guide you through detecting issues like Salmonella, which can be hard to spot if sampling or antimicrobials are ineffective. Explore cutting-edge technologies to keep feed processing safe, efficient, and contamination-free, contributing to profitable and sustainable feed production. The session also covers advances in engineering and digital technology for process standardisation, profitability, and feed safety in animal production.
• Nutrient Absorption – The Essential Link to Truly Achieving the Maximum from Your Diets
Efficient nutrient absorption is key to animal health, directly affecting growth, performance, and productivity. In this session, learn how LYSOFORTE EXTEND can boost nutrient uptake, improve feed efficiency, and enhance overall animal health without changing diets. This innovative biosurfactant helps nutritionists maximise feed potential, promoting healthier, more resilient livestock and increasing farm productivity with minimal adjustments.
Feed Your Curiosity — Come and Find Us At Hall 21, Booth F19
We’re excited to invite you to Feed Your Curiosity at EuroTier 2024, where we’ll share our latest innovations and research.
Connect with our experts to explore trends in animal feed and production, and discover new ways to improve efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.
Visit us at Hall 21, Booth F19 — just look for the Feed Your Curiosity banner and the Kemin logo!
Join us at EuroTier 2024, and let’s explore the possibilities for a more efficient and sustainable future in animal nutrition and feed production.
Rhodimet® At88: Fluid Motion with Peace of Mind
Rhodimet ® AT88 served by Adisseo, a market leader with a long experience
Adisseo has a long history with methionine sources. The company has been producing DL-Methionine, Rhodimet® NP99 since 1945 (first producer to do this synthesis worldwide) and liquid OH-Methionine, Rhodimet® AT88 since 1990.
This wide methionine sources portfolio to address all types of feed producers, gives Adisseo a unique position with a 360° market knowledge and extensive view on methionine usage at feed level. There is a clear strategy to serve customers current and future needs by expanding methionine sources production capacities. Especially Rhodimet® AT88 as a valuable methionine source for feed millers has seen its production capacities multiplied by 4 within 10 years, making Adisseo by far the largest producer worldwide of liquid OH-Methionine.
All good reasons to choose this methionine source like 30 billion broilers per year or more than 7000 feed mills:
• Rhodimet® AT88 is a high-quality methionine source for feed millers and an economical choice in feed formulation and production for an optimized diet cost.
• You can rely on Rhodimet ® AT88 supply with unmatched production capacity with 2 industrial plants on 2 continents, a long experience and efficient supply chain organization.
• We incorporate the best science and technical information, into the services and support we provide to customers on nutrition and technology, relayed by R&I and technical advisors on the field.
Contact: Sarah Davies or John Dunne
Email: info.nauk@adisseo.com Web: www.adisseo.com
ADM is a global leader in innovative solutions from nature, including organic trace minerals. B-TRAXIM 2C is an advanced organic trace mineral solution designed for all major livestock species, including poultry, swine, ruminants and aquaculture. It enhances the bioavailability of essential minerals such as iron, copper, zinc and manganese, which are vital for metabolic processes and overall animal health.
Traditional inorganic minerals often suffer from poor absorption due to mineral antagonisms, competition for absorption and interactions with feed components. B-TRAXIM 2C addresses these challenges with a patented formulation that binds minerals to glycine, ensuring greater stability, absorption and retention. Produced using iso-fusion technology, this product offers highly bioavailable and homogenous particles, making it ideal for use in premixes and complete feed formulations. By improving mineral bioavailability, B-TRAXIM 2C supports optimal growth, performance and productivity across all major species. Additionally, organic trace minerals support a reduction of the minimum mineral supply needed to meet the animal’s nutrition requirements and maintain performance, as well as a reduction of mineral excretion. These outcomes are better for the animal, the environment and the producer’s bottom line.
Web: www.adm.com
Mineral management is more than just preventing deficiencies. Incorrect mineral supplementation can have major consequences on animal health and productivity. Traditional methods of supplementation have used inorganic minerals. However, inorganic minerals are poorly absorbed by the animal. This has caused a shift to organic mineral supplementation in many markets.
Amplify efficiency with Alltech Mineral Management
Alltech’s Mineral Management programme focuses on feeding organic trace minerals that are better absorbed, stored and utilised by the animal.
Studies have shown that when trace minerals are provided in the right forms, as in Bioplex® and Sel-Plex®, they can be fed at significantly lower levels, compared to traditional inorganic minerals, while still improving animal performance.
We call this innovation Alltech’s Total Replacement Technology (TRT). This approach allows for better management of the animal’s mineral requirements while reducing the impact on the environment. Break with tradition and feed your animals the modern way.
Email: knowyourminerals@alltech.com Website: www.alltech.com/animal-nutrition
There is a growing number of trace mineral sources authorized in the European Union for animal nutrition. For example, 16 zinc compounds are listed in the Register of Feed Additives. New approvals are better defined in Annex entries as additive composition, characterisation of the active substances, and analytical methods are now attached to any new compound. Of note, no term such as “organic” exists for zinc, copper, and manganese sources: organically-bound trace minerals are all called chelates. Because authorisations of nutritional feed additives are generic, there is no exclusivity from the petitioner, so any supplier can benefit from the situation. Surprisingly, no claim of superior bioavailability compared to the reference form (sulfate) has been accepted as valid for all scientific dossiers submitted to EFSA.
During the 10 years of approval, it can happen that the manufacturing process has been modified and that it will change key properties of the compound. For example, EFSA recently acknowledged that in the renewal of a copper source, the solubility had changed by a magnitude of 20%. No test is required by EFSA on the stability of trace mineral compounds in the premix, in the feed, and in the upper part of the digestive tract. Regarding the risks for human health and the environment, there is a wide variability on the CLP status of some micro-minerals sold in the market.
So, it is clear that premix and feed manufacturers have to collect more information from their suppliers than basic product standard specifications. Precision feeding of livestock requires accurate characterization of feed ingredients and additives. Physico-chemical properties of the mineral powders affect their dissolution kinetics, their impact on digestive health, and ultimately their bioavailability. Animine portfolio includes a complete and consistent range of trace mineral compounds (HiZox®, CoRouge®, ManGrin®) with well-defined chemical structure. Unique manufacturing processes offer exceptional advantages for the feed industry. In parallel to the scientific support given to products, the innovative power of Animine has been rewarded by Innov’SPACE for the analytical services AniGun (see Feed Compounder May/June 2024).
Contacts
Email: marketing@animine.eu
Email: steve.ladbrook@sensnutrition.com
Azelis Animal Nutrition in UK & Ireland offers an increasing range of nutritional solutions.
Active D
Active D is a plant-based product formulation of the directly available form of Vitamin D, as 1,25-Dihydroxy Vitamin-D3 (calcitriol), and also contains ursolic acid and glucosamines. This new product in our range offers a targeted and flexible approach to vitamin D supplementation by supporting vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus metabolism, alongside aiding joint condition and the improvement of immunity and intestine integrity.
The plant source from which Active D is produced contains secondary plant metabolites, as ursolic acid that catalyse a higher metabolization rate of vitamin D. This can help to significantly boost uptake of calcium and phosphorus, critical for example to skeletal development and egg shell strength in poultry.
In addition, Active D can be used to successfully reduce pain perception in gilts and sows, alleviate locomotion issues, and decrease difficulties during farrowing. Furthermore, it’s usage during the lactation phase can improve piglet performance reducing mortality and improving growth rates. It is thought that this is due to improved transport of calcium to milk and colostrum as a result of increased active calcium absorption in the intestine, higher stress resistance and a strengthened immune system during this critical phase.
Plexomin® Chelated Minerals Water Soluble Mono-Glycinates Plexomin® Cu, Plexomin® Zn, Plexomin® Fe and Plexomin® Mn available as mono-glycinates.
Nuproxa Range providing natural and efficient solutions, including Natu- B4®, a natural choline substitute, OptiMethione® a methionine recycler allowing for more efficient use of methionine. Furthermore, OptiMethione ® can partially replace synthetic methionine and OptiLysin® a polyherbal blend which can replace 50% of synthetic lysine.
For further information please contact Leia Trotman at Azelis on: +44 (0)7792116659 or via email: leia.trotman@azelis.co.uk
Cargill has developed nutritional products to include in livestock diets to support and improve performance in a sustainable way.
Aminoreach® is a nutritional solution that can be included, with a nutritional matrix, in sow lactation feed, grower and finisher diets and as a top dressing on piglet starter feed.
It is a by-product of the fermentation process of a specific fungus
that contains metabolites and other compounds that support protein and amino acids digestion in the diet.
The combination or matrix of amino acid and energy in Aminoreach® can be adapted for specific customer situations to take account of the type and quality of other feed ingredients. This robust matrix, that improves the accuracy of amino acid and energy in the diet, adds flexibility in feed formulation and allows the diet to be formulated to meet growth and feed efficiency targets more cost-effectively.
The more precise amino acid and energy combination means that there is less non-digested protein in the rear gut which improves the gut microflora balance and reduces the risk of diarrhoea. Diets that include Aminoreach® therefore bring health, welfare, economic and sustainability advantages to pig producers.
SilvAir® is a methane-reducing product for ruminants and is authorised for use in animal feed under EU regulations and in the UK. It is a carefully manufactured feed grade calcium nitrate comprising 76% nitrate and 22.5% calcium, with a dry matter of 84%.
The product must be used in compound feeds at the recommended inclusion rates, which are based on scientific research. Diets where it is included must be reformulated to ensure correct amounts of crude protein are supplied and excess levels are avoided.
SilvAir® works by ‘mopping up’ some of the hydrogen produced in the rumen during fermentation of feedstuffs. This hydrogen would otherwise combine with carbon to produce methane. But if it combines with calcium nitrate supplied in the diet then ammonia is produced. This ammonia can then be used in the milk production pathway.
The production of this ammonia in the rumen means that dietary protein is reduced.
Trials have shown that 100g of SilvAir® can replace 40g of feed grade urea or 250g of soyabean meal in dairy diets. Also, 100g of the feed product can replace 60g of limestone in cow diets. It is safe to use and stable in compound feeds at these rates and has been shown to have no adverse effects on intakes.
In Belgium, SilvAir® is included on the Belgium Feed Association’s list of technologies to reduce methane emissions and is eligible for a government subsidy. In the Netherlands, Friesland Campina has introduced an incentive system to reduce the carbon footprint. SilvAir® is included in the toolbox of available solutions.
Here in the UK, it is included in the online carbon footprint calculators Cool Farm® Tool and Agrecalc product listings and can, therefore, be used to adjust the on-farm carbon footprint through reduced methane output.
Josie Hatch
Marketing Communications Specialist – UK and Ireland
Cargill Animal Nutrition
Tel: +44 (0)1845 578125
Josie_hatch@cargill.com
Provimi Ltd., Dalton Airfield Industrial Estate, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 3HE
www.cargill.com/feed | @CargillAnimalUK
OVN Optimum Vitamin Nutrition®
Vitamins are essential for wellbeing and good health. They play many crucial roles in farm animals, in areas including: Bone formation; Disease resistance; Feed efficiency; Growth; Fertility; and Egg production
Our OVN Optimum Vitamin Nutrition® is about feeding animals with high quality vitamins, produced with the lowest environmental footprint, in the right amounts, appropriate to their life stage and growing conditions, to optimise:
• Animal Health and Welfare – good for animals
• Animal Performance – good for farmers
• Food Quality & Food Waste – good for consumers and the planet
Check and adjust vitamin levels for more sustainable farming. All ingredients in animal feed are regularly evaluated and likewise vitamin levels require the same degree of attention.
We therefore encourage the feed industry and all other stakeholders to check the vitamin levels in their animal feed and adjust them accordingly for more sustainable farming.
The dsm-firmenich Vitamin Supplementation Guidelines are designed to provide OVN Optimum Vitamin Nutrition® of animals under typical industry practice and are regularly reviewed and adjusted.
To accomplish this, we are intensely engaged in research and development and we focus on partnering with all important stakeholders – leading scientists, universities, genetics companies, independent research institutes, and customers. This enables us to develop and produce a complete line of high quality vitamins and support the feed industry in achieving their sustainability goals with the updated OVN Optimum Vitamin Nutrition® Guidelines 2022.
The OVN Optimum Vitamin Nutrition® Guidelines 2022 can be found here: https://www.dsm.com/anh/products-and-services/tools/ovn.html
Contact
DSM Nutritional Products (UK) Ltd
Tel: +44 1773 536539
Web: www.dsm.com/anh
EVONIK OPERATIONS GMBH
Evonik Animal Nutrition is a highly reliable, globally operating provider of science-driven products and services for sustainable and efficient production of meat, fish, eggs and milk. The organization is marked by scientific excellence and sensitivity to the needs of our customers and society. We translate over 60 years of experience in manufacturing essential amino acids for animal nutrition into solutions that meet the evolving needs of its
customers in over one hundred countries.
MetAMINO ® is the methionine source with the best quality, handling and performance at 100% bioefficacy and 99% pure DLmethionine. ThreAMINO® (L-threonine) complements our amino acid portfolio to help support low protein diets and enhance the sustainability of monogastric livestock production. Mepron®, an innovative rumen protected methionine, and K-Pron®, a potassium carbonate source, are products focused for the dairy industry.
We share a deep commitment to global food security and safety through science. Because we are united by the goal of mastering the pressing challenge of feeding growing world populations, our Animal Nutrition culture is marked by self-motivation, autonomy and teamwork. This spirit of trust and cooperation also means that we are very close to our customers and deliver individually tailored solutions and service.
Please contact us or visit our website for more information regarding our innovative products and services. Web: https://animal-nutrition.evonik.com/en
KEMIN: CholiGEM 60% (encapsulated Choline Chloride)
Animal health is crucial for sustainable dairy farming, with metabolic post-calving problems as a focus point. Research shows that cows that experience such problems produce significantly less milk and have an increased risk of fertility problems. Problems like chronic milk fever and ketosis are caused by an energy imbalance. Rumen-protected choline offers a solution by supporting the liver in converting fatty acids into energy, which reduces the production of harmful substances such as keto bodies.
Studies show that supplementing choline to dairy cows increases milk production and improves feeding efficiency. CholiGEM™ , a rumen-protected choline developed by Kemin, has more than double the concentrated source of choline chloride (60%) in encapsulated form with more than triple the bioavailable choline chloride than its first generation. The C3-model, focused on concentration, core and coating, makes CholiGEM an effective source of choline. The right particle size and specific gravity results in a combination of an elevated
level of rumen escape, providing high intestinal choline content ready to be absorbed and available to the animal.
Recent research published (Marques et al., 2024. J Dairy Sci.) highlighted the legacy effect of supplementing CholiGEM when it was fed 21 days pre- and post-partum. They concluded that feeding CholiGEM increased fat-corrected milk yield up to 150 days in milk (see graph).
In conclusion, if rumen-protected choline is fed pre- and postpartum, it has legacy effect on increasing milk production in dairy cows.
Please contact your Kemin sales representative for further information: Mobile: +44 7538 461541
Email: robert.hamilton@kemin.com
Web: www.kemin.com
Trace elements such as copper, zinc, and manganese are essential for optimal health and performance of livestock. In order to avoid deficiency symptoms and associated health problems, sufficient levels of dietary trace minerals have to be supplied. It is important to consider the source of trace minerals supplemented to the feed. The Excential Smart Hydroxy Trace Minerals from Orffa have a stable crystalized structure with ‘smart’ covalent bonds. The high stability of these hydroxy trace minerals and their low solubility at neutral pH ensure low reactivity. This low reactivity is beneficial for premix and feed stability as well as the palatability of feeds. Reduced complex formation with other feed constituents, such as phytate, also leads to a high bioavailability of trace elements to the animals. A higher absorption can lead to a lower excretion of trace elements to the environment. Research has shown that, compared to traditional inorganic trace mineral sources, hydroxy trace minerals can positively influence footpad health and growth performance of broilers. Furthermore, Excential Smart Hydroxy Trace Minerals have the advantage of by-passing the rumen, thereby preventing the unfavoured toxic effects on rumen microorganisms and on fermentation. Orffa’s Excential Smart range contains high levels of the trace elements: Excential SmartC with a minimum of 54% copper, Excential SmartZ with a minimum of 56% zinc, and Excential SmartM with a manganese content of 50%.
Contact our Specialists Sam Phelps (phelps@orffa.com) or Roseanna Barclay (Barclay@orffa.com) for more details or go to our website www.orffa.com
TIMAB MAGNESIUM
CAPMAG® Zn: The latest-generation zinc supplementation for swine
It is well known that various compounds present in the diet can inhibit zinc (Zn) bioavailability. For instance, due to their high affinity for Zn ions, phytates can bind to Zn and form non-absorbable complexes that are subsequently excreted in the faeces.
Commonly used inorganic Zn sources have a fast solubilization in the stomach, increasing the risk of creating these undesired complexes. Thanks to physical magnesium protection, CAPMAG Zn technology adapts Zn solubilization kinetics to guarantee late Zn release in the gastro-intestinal tract, avoiding complexations and increasing trace element absorption by the animal.
Developed over 6 years of research through a university thesis in solid state and materials chemistry, the product has already shown its efficiency in vitro and in vivo . Numerous trials in piglets have demonstrated improved growth performance compared with existing Zn sources.
Piglets fed CAPMAG ® Zn displayed improved feed conversion ratio, average daily gain and live weight. Performance response depends on the type of ZnO used in the control group: up to + 2kg final weight after post-weaning with ZnO (nutritional and pharmacological levels) and up to + 1kg against a potentiated ZnO. A positive effect was also observed in gut health, with a modulation of piglets’ microbiota in favour of good bacteria compared to ZnSO 4and Zn-Proteinate.
In conclusion, CAPMAG ® Zn supports growth and intestinal health in piglets during the challenging post-weaning period compared to other existing Zn supplements.
Contact:
Web: www.timabmagnesium.com
Email: timab.magnesium@roullier.com
EuroTier : Hall 20 Booth D52
Press contact for technical information regarding our product: Zoé Garlatti
Swine Product Manager
Email: zoe.garlatti@roullier.com
Optimized zinc biovailability thanks to magnesium protection
ATOMIC PROTECTION BY MAGNESIUM
Innovative technology
INTESTINAL ABSORPTION IMPROVEMENT
BETTER VALORIZATION of ZINC iN PIGLETS
ZINC DISCARDS REDUCTION
TIMAB Magnesium, 57 Bd Jules Verger, 35800 DINARD timab.magnesium@roullier.com
Join us from November 12 to 15, 2024: Hall 20 - Stand D52
IGF PURA, the Concetti packaging technology for feed supplements
Hygienic, ergonomic and easy to clean, the all-new IGF PURA, an automatic filling and closing machine for feed supplements in 5-50 kg bags at speeds up to 750 per hour, was created to ensure the highest product quality in modern food packaging. High hygiene standards are increasingly required in the animal nutrition sector, already involving additives and vitamins.
Concetti redesigned the proven IGF, following the latest international machinery hygiene guidelines. From avoiding product retention, using specific contact-part materials and providing convenient access for cleaning, everything is geared towards safeguarding the final product.
The dual-auger fed integrated scale is completely accessible using quick release panels. Automatic in-place cleaning is achieved by air-blast nozzles in the auger casing, combined with reversible screw direction to clear residue into a floor level container. Augers are removable for more thorough cleaning.
The monobloc structure has transparent panels, electrical and pneumatic connections sealed in the machine frame and generous internal space to aid cleaning and maintenance operations.
A touchscreen panel with easy-to-use graphic interface permits easy control and supervision while the redesigned bag magazine is more operator-friendly: both for loading and accessing coding, printing, and labelling devices.
Closing options showcase Concetti’s reputation for flexibility. From simple sewing to combined folding, stitching and welding of internal PE liners with ‘easy open’ feature, all guarantee security of the closure.
Concetti, as a manufacturer of complete packaging and palletizing
lines, ATEX certified for potentially explosive atmospheres if necessary, provides a single, reliable source for all your bag filling needs.
Web: www.concetti.com
Trevor Mirford
Email: t.mitford@concetti.com
FISCHBEIN is known for its bag closing machines, and you are already familiar with our Fischbein sewing systems and Saxon bag sealers.
Through the recent acquisition of VOTECH in February 2021, the company enhances its ability to offer fully automatic Dosing, Bagging and Palletizing lines, as well as Pallet Wrapping and Stretch-Hooders.
We are specialists in manufacture of high-precision and hygienic solutions in the food and powder sectors such as Milk Powders, Animal Feeds, Food Flavours, Flour Milling, Fertilizers, Wood Pellets, Horticulture, and associated products.
Contact us to discuss your needs.
VOTECH
UK: +44 20 8344 6600
Europe: +31 13 820 0357
Email: salesuk@votech.com
Web: www.votech.com
At KSE Group, we are dedicated to delivering innovative solutions for dosing and weighing, and automation software tailored specifically for the solids handling industries. With our cutting-edge technology and commitment to excellence, we strive to empower our clients to optimize their processes, enhance efficiency, and achieve their goals. We are committed to maximizing the efficient utilization of skilled personnel, time, and raw materials. Our mission is to handle these valuable elements with care, ensuring that we extract their full potential.
Our vision is to be a pioneer in process optimization in various
solids handling industries around the world. We achieve this by:
• Seeing the Bigger Picture: Providing comprehensive solutions, high-quality machinery, and efficient software to support our customers across all aspects.
• Embracing Innovation: Rejecting standard solutions and instead exploring creative approaches tailored to real needs.
• Future-Focused: Continuously improving processes, emphasizing flexibility, and using modular systems that adapt easily.
KSE Group – Navigate production success For more information, visit www.ksegroup.com
From the time that the Company was formed in 1976 Croston Engineering has been closely involved in the design and building of process plants for the animal feed, human food and associated industries, that also include grain brewery, distillers, pet food, fertilisers etc. for clients throughout the U.K.
A major part of this work relates to providing mechanical handling
equipment that is in accordance with the throughput requirement of production equipment such as mixers, grinders, pelleters etc.
The Company’s involvement begins at the mechanical intake of raw materials via elevators, conveyors, rubble separators and magnets into storage bins, plus the pneumatic conveying of powdered ingredients into their designated additive storage bins, which are fitted with correctly sized dust filter units.
Bin hoppers and dischargers are designed to suit the materials being handled and their associated weighers sized to maximise weighing accuracy before being transferred to blending. Then on via transit bins and associated conveyors through the production cycle to finished products storage prior to packing and bulk out loading.
Many projects involve upgrading and extensions to existing plants which may, as a consequence, require reassessment to ensure continued compliance with DSEAR/ATEX Explosion Regulations as may be applicable. Crostons will advise and implement should action be required.
In addition to its 47 years’ service and experience in serving the industry the Company’s standing is enhanced by being an Approved SafeContractor, a recognised standard of competence in the industry and an S.P.A. Passport holder.
Tarvin Mill, Barrow Lane, Tarvin, Chester CH3 8JF
Tel: 01829 741119 Fax: 01829 741169
Email: admin@croston-engineering.co.uk
Web: www.croston-engineering.co.uk
manufacturers since 1976 with solutions in b
of Alk Brand as CEO
competitive, efficient and resilient in a dynamic market environment.”
Wynnstay has announced that, Gareth Davies, has stepped down from his role as Chief Executive Officer as he continues to focus on a serious family matter; he remains on the Board of Directors. At the same time, the Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Alk Brand as Chief Executive Officer with effect from 1 October 2024. These events follow Gareth’s agreed period of leave, reported on 26 February 2024.
Steve Ellwood, Chairman, who assumed executive responsibilities on an interim basis, as reported on 26 February 2024, will relinquish these responsibilities and return to his previous non-executive role on 1 October 2024. Group Finance Director, Rob Thomas, who also took up additional duties to cover Gareth’s leave of absence, has had his portfolio of responsibilities redefined and becomes Chief Financial Officer from 1 October 2024, with the Finance function also strengthened.
ED&F Man the specialist merchant of agricultural commodities, trading specifically in sugar, molasses and coffee has appointed Ken Gay as Supply Chain Manager for Molasses Liquid Products.
Ken has 21 year’s experience in the manufacturing and agricultural supply sector. He joined Scotmin Nutrition Ltd in 2002 working in a variety of positions. In 2010 he was appointed Operations Manager for Caltech / Scotmin Nutrition, a division of Carrs Group plc, where he was responsible for the management of all aspects of the business relating to its production sites.
He was promoted to Caltech / Scotmin Nutrition Commercial and Operations Director in 2018 where he took responsibility for overall productivity and effectiveness across the multi-site operations. Specifically, he had to ensure supply chain and procurement activities were optimised.
At ED&F Man Ken will be responsible for the effective management of the molasses liquid products supply chain process, procurement, pricing, sustainability and quality management systems. He says: “I look forward to building on the success of MLP UK whilst helping the business remain
ED&F Man Managing Director Dr Phil Holder welcomes the appointment: “With the increased complexity of global supply, efficient and effective supply chain management is fundamental to our ability to provide the highest level of service and products to our customers. Ken brings a wealth of experience which will strengthen our ability to deliver unrivalled supply chain efficiency.”
Perstorp Group appoints Ian Atterbury to lead its ambitious Animal Nutrition growth plan
Perstorp Group has announced new leadership within its Animal Nutrition business, with Ian Atterbury joining as Senior Vice President, effective January 13th, 2025
Ian Atterbury is an established executive leader and has over 30 years’ experience in the animal nutrition industry. He has been working globally for the majority of his career and has a strong background in leading and growing animal nutrition business.
“Animal Nutrition is an important component of Perstorp’s future. We are delighted to welcome Ian to Perstorp Animal Nutrition Business at this exciting time. We have a new ambitious strategic plan outlining the roadmap to grow the business through our differentiated product pipeline,” says Perstorp CEO Ib Jensen.
Ian Atterbury succeeds Aart Mateboer who retired earlier this year.
AB Agri Appoints new Managing Director for Global Supplements
AB Agri announces the appointment of Richard Moore as the new Managing Director for its Global Supplements business. Currently encompassing NAF, Natural Vetcare and Nutrilabs brands, Global Supplements is an important strategic area for AB Agri that is poised for continued growth under Richard’s leadership.
Richard assumed the role on 23 September 2024 and brings a wealth of experience to AB Agri, having previously led ADM Protexin’s Global Animal and Human Supplements Divisions. His previous leadership roles at Glanbia Performance Nutrition and Procter & Gamble further underline Richard’s diverse expertise and proven track record in the 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)
Lallemand Animal Nutrition Limited
10 – 13 Spring Lane North, Malvern Link WR14 1BU
Email: animaluk@lallemand.com
Tel: 07827 228161
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
Adisseo
Tel: +353 87 766 8848
E-mail: info.nauk@adisseo.com
Web: www.adisseo.com
ANIMAL
Kernfarm B.V.
De Corridor 14D
3621 ZB Breukelen, The Netherlands
Tel: +31 (0) 346 785 139
Email: info@kernfarm.com Web: www.kernfarm.com
Mervue Laboratories Ireland
Unit 9 Watergrasshill Business Park, Watergrasshill, Co. Cork, T56 HH98, Ireland
Tel: +353 21 21 4391080
E-mail: info@mervuelab.com Web: www.mervuelab.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
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
Adesco Nutricines, 23 Strandside South, Abbeyside, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford X35 W778, 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
Adisseo
Tel: +353 87 766 8848
E-mail: info.nauk@adisseo.com Web: www.adisseo.com
Lallemand Animal Nutrition Limited 10 – 13 Spring Lane North, Malvern Link WR14 1BU
Email: animaluk@lallemand.com
Tel: 07827 228161
AUTOMATED BAGGING & PALLETIZING EQUIPMENT
salesuk@fischbein.com
Tel. +44 208 344 6600 www.fischbein.com
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
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
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
RMC Commodity Claims Management
3 Clement Road, Fulwood, Preston PR2 9LG
Tel: 07841 198733
E-mail: enquiries@rawmaterialclaims.co.uk
Web: www.rawmaterialclaims.co.uk
AB Vista
Edificio Twin Golf A, C/Perú, 6, 2º Floor, Office 4, 28290 Las Rozas, Madrid, Spain
Tel: +34 91 859 1787 Email: 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 & Health, IFF PO Box 218
2300 AE Leiden, THE NETHERLANDS
Tel: +31 6 1539 6689
Web: www.animalnutrition.iff.com
Trouw Nutrition GB, Blenheim House, Blenheim Road, Ashbourne DE6 1HA
Tel: 01335 341100 Fax: 01335 341171
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
Inform Nutrition Ireland Ltd Whitescross, Cork, T23 KD50, Ireland
Tel: +353 21 4394770
E-mail: info@informnutrition.com Web: www.informnutrition.com
www.kemin.com
Pancosma SA
E-mail: customerservices.gb@nutreco.com Web: www.trouwnutrition.co.uk
Lvlogics Limited, Ballyhist, Carnaross,
Tel: +353 89 2426825
Email: info@lvlogics.com Web: www.lvlogics.com
Monitoring Kells, Co. Meath, Ireland
Kemin UK Ltd.
Kemin UK Ltd
Castlethorpe Court,Castlethorpe,BRIGG North Lincolnshire DN20 9LG,England
tel:+44.1652.65.10.10 fax:+44.1652.65.54.13
34 Botanic Road, Southport, Merseyside PR9 7NG Tel: +44 (0)1704 537702 Orffa
Minervum 7032 4817 LZ Breda The Netherlands
Vierlinghstraat 51 4251 LC Werkendam The Netherlands
T +31 183 44 77 66 E info@orffa.com
Find your Orffa specialist at www.orffa.com
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
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
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
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
The sole UK supplier for Feedtech and supplier of all new and used milling equipment
Go Green Pelleting Solutions Ltd, Unit 8A Brindley Road, St Helens WA9 4HY
Mick Swift – 07500887637 David Kelly- 07500335621 Office Number – 01744808600 www.gogreenpelletingsolutions.co.uk www.feedtech.com.tr
Adesco Nutricines, 23 Strandside South, Abbeyside, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford X35 W778, 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 NN8 6GR
Tel: +44 1604 811228 Fax: +44 1604 811013
E-mail: anitoxEMEA@anitox.com Web: www.anitox.com
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
Gemcom Ltd
66-68 Margaret Street, London W1W 8SR
Tel: +44(0) 20 3928 6235 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
E-mail: sales@westendagri.com Web: www.westendagri.com
Adisseo
Tel: +353 87 766 8848
E-mail: info.nauk@adisseo.com Web: www.adisseo.com
Inroads International Ltd
Unit 4, Wem Engineering Centre
Church Lane, Wem, Shropshire SY4 5HS
Inform Nutrition Ireland Ltd Whitescross, Cork, T23 KD50, Ireland
Tel: +353 21 4394770
E-mail: info@informnutrition.com Web: www.informnutrition.com
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
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
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
Adisseo
Tel: +353 87 766 8848
E-mail: info.nauk@adisseo.com Web: www.adisseo.com
MILK REPLACERS
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
WestendAgri The Heath Business & Technical Park, Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 4QX
Tel: + 44 (0)1477 544400
E-mail: sales@westendagri.com Web: www.westendagri.com
Tel: +44 (0)1939 236 555 Fax: +44 (0)1939 236 450
Email: info@inroadsintl.co.uk Web: inroadsintl.com
Adesco Nutricines, 23 Strandside South, Abbeyside, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford X35 W778, Ireland
Jack: +353 87 2208816 Seán: +353 85 1667512
Email: info@adesco.ie Web: www.adesco.ie
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
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
Adesco Nutricines, 23 Strandside South, Abbeyside, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford X35 W778, 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
AB Vista Edificio Twin Golf A, C/Perú, 6, 2º Floor, Office 4 28290 Las Rozas, Madrid, Spain
Tel: +34 91 859 1787 Email: info@abvista.com Web: www.abvista.com
Adisseo
Tel: +353 87 766 8848
E-mail: info.nauk@adisseo.com Web: www.adisseo.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
Fischbein
Tel: +44 (0)20 8344 6600
E-mail: salesuk@fischbein.com Web: www.fischbein.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
Promtek Ltd
Fisher Street, Brindley Ford, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST8 7QJ
Tel: 01782 375600 Fax: 01782 375605
B2B Nutrition, Fordton Industrial Estate, Crediton, Devon EX17 3BZ
(A division of the Denis Brinicombe Group)
Tel. 01363 775115
Tom Butler (Technical) 07803 736194
Email: tbutler@brinicombe.co.uk Web: www.b2bnutrition.co.uk
Adesco Nutricines, 23 Strandside South, Abbeyside, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford X35 W778, Ireland
Jack: +353 87 2208816 Seán: +353 85 1667512
Email: info@adesco.ie Web: www.adesco.ie
Lallemand Animal Nutrition Limited 10 – 13 Spring Lane North, Malvern Link WR14 1BU
Email: animaluk@lallemand.com Tel: 07815 483755
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
Adisseo
Tel: +353 87 766 8848
E-mail: info.nauk@adisseo.com Web: www.adisseo.com
Lallemand Animal Nutrition Limited 10 – 13 Spring Lane North, Malvern Link WR14 1BU
Email: animaluk@lallemand.com
Tel: 07827 228161
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
E-mail: info@promtek.com Web: www.promtek.com
Lallemand Animal Nutrition Limited 10 – 13 Spring Lane North, Malvern Link WR14 1BU
Email: animaluk@lallemand.com Tel: 07884 312382
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
