October feed update: What did you miss?
All About Feed brings you the latest business developments and updates from around the world this October, including the launch of a project aimed to revolutionise soil health monitoring and sustainable agriculture, and the unveiling of new functional feed ingredients and solutions. Also, a wrap-up of partnerships, expansions and acquisitions in the global feed industry. This and more.
Lesaffre acquires majority stake in Biorigin
Lesaffre has acquired a 70% stake in Biorigin, a business unit of Zilor, a multinational company producing yeast derivative products, to enhance the supply of yeast derivatives for savory ingredients. The cooperation will improve production processes, logistics and services to the benefit of a global customer base. The deal includes Biorigin’s production unit in Quatá/São Paulo.
De Heus opens another production site in Indonesia
Since its entry into Indonesia in 2018, De Heus has been driving growth to become one of the country’s largest animal feed producers. The company has now announced the acquisition and launch of its fifth production facility in Purwodadi, Central Java. The factory has expanded its production capacity to 15,000 tonnes per month.
Munters acquires Hotraco and strengthens its position in Europe
Munters has signed an agreement to acquire Hotraco (NL), a developer of control systems and sensors for the agricultural sector, strengthening Munters FoodTech portfolio. It marks another step in the strategy to create a digital ecosystem built around data capture platforms and software that supports a more efficient and sustainable food production.
Wheatwatcher project launched
The Wheatwatcher project, a European initiative funded by the EU Horizon Europe programme and aimed at advancing soil health monitoring, plant health assessment, and food traceability, kicked off with a 2-day meeting hosted by the coordinating partner, Ghent University. Representatives from each partner organisation, including experts from 9 countries, participated in discussions to set the foundation for the project’s work. The project, which is designed to tackle pressing challenges in agriculture, soil degradation and environmental sustainability, will implement innovative soil monitoring technologies to provide real-time data, enabling farmers to make informed decisions. It will deploy and validate predictive models that integrate local soil conditions and wheat farming requirements, foster collaboration with stakeholders, including farmers, policymakers, and research institutions, to support the implementation of sustainable practices.
Cargill to unveil new micronutrition and health solutions brand portfolio
Cargill Animal Nutrition will showcase a range of micronutrition solutions and services under its new Micronutrition and Health Solutions brand portfolio in Hall 19/20, B52 at EuroTier, taking place from 12-15 November in Hanover, Germany. Cargill will also present species-specific solutions as part of its feed business. For ruminants, Cargill will showcase Aminoreach Ruminants, a new nutritional solution that enhances protein use efficiency.
Berg+Schmidt Animal Nutrition to showcase functional feed ingredients at EuroTier
At the EuroTier 2024 (Hall 19/20, A50), taking place in Hannover, Germany, from 12-15 November, Berg+Schmidt Animal Nutrition will unveil various feed solutions for dairy cows. Included in the solutions are BergaFat NGF, a rumen-protected fat, the new LipoAktiv Lys 40, which uses readily bioavailable L-lysine as an encapsulated nutrient, and LipoVital WS, which is made up of water-soluble short-chain and medium-chain fatty acid monoglycerides.
New Novus solution impacts dairy feed costs
Novus’ latest intelligent nutrition product aims to support greater returns on feed investments while providing a safeguard for feed inventories. The Next Enhance CGO Feed Solution helps dairy farmers get more out of forage by optimising dry matter intake per kg of milk produced while maintaining milk production and body weight/condition. Studies with dairy cows fed Next Enhance feed solution in commercial conditions show decreases in dry matter intake by 0.95 kg (2.08 lbs) per cow per day. MSD Animal Health calls for greater integration of precision livestock technologies
MSD Animal Health UK has called on the UK government and food supply chain industry to support and promote the use of new technologies to enhance animal health and welfare, to improve production efficiencies, and to safeguard the sustainability and economic viability of livestock farming businesses in the UK. As part of a campaign, the company has published a 23-page technical white paper, ‘Time for Tech: The Time is Now’ to illustrate how these technologies can benefit farmers, the supply chain and end consumers.
Alltech releases latest sustainability report
Alltech has released its annual Sustainability Report, which demonstrates the actions the company is taking to align its business with its purpose of ‘Working Together for a Planet of Plenty’, reducing its environmental impact and advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The company’s 2023 highlights include a reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 19.8%, the completion of 19 energy efficiency projects, the completion of 74 core product life-cycle analyses across its top 7 specialty ingredients and 17 production facilities, as well as being awarded 3 EcoVadis sustainability medals in 2023, and accredited by the Pet Sustainability Coalition for the third year in a row. Techna celebrates its 60th anniversary
France-based Techna is celebrating 6 decades in the field of animal nutrition and natural health. The animal nutrition company has a global presence with 8 subsidiaries on several continents. With 320 employees, including 100 outside of France, the company continues to grow, with sales of €85 million, and aims to exceed €90 million by 2025. Techna now accounts for 40% of rabbit feed volumes, 10% of pig feed, 20% of ruminant feed and 20% of poultry feed, and with notable performances in turkey (65%) and broiler (30%).
Royal Agrifirm Group appoints new CEO
On 1 December, Piet Hilarides will join Royal Agrifirm Group as its new CEO. He will succeed Dick Hordijk who will resign on 1 January 2025 after 8 years of service in this position. Hilarides is a seasoned professional with more than 20 years of national and international experience in cooperative and non-cooperative environments in the agro and food industries.
Nuqo expands team in Asia
Nuqo Animal Nutrition India has appointed Reena Rani as head of marketing, South Asia. In this role, Reena will oversee all marketing functions and will lead strategies and key initiatives of Nuqo in the region and will be driving growth and engagement across key markets. Reena, who holds a master’s degree in industrial chemistry and an advanced Diploma in Digital Marketing and Analytics, brings over 12 years of extensive experience in marketing.
