The 2011 International Feed Expo (Expo), organized by the American Feed Industry Association in conjunction with the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association’s International Poultry Expo, attracted more than 20,000 visitors this year.
The event featured a series of speakers and educational programs, and more than 900 exhibitors displayed the latest in products and technologies that are beneficial to the feed, pet food and poultry industries.
According to the expo management the visitors came from over 100 different countries. "This year's Expo offered attendees a range of substantive programming and events to make their time in Atlanta as compelling as possible, on top of the hundreds of exhibits on the show floor," said Joel G. Newman, AFIA president and CEO.
Conference attendees received regulatory and legislative updates from industry leaders and key federal decision-makers as well as gained knowledge and insight during the Expo and related educational programs. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
January 31, 2011
Wheat resistance genes failing, new approach needed to stop flies
Many of the genes that allow wheat to ward off Hessian flies are no longer effective in the southeastern United States, and care should be taken to ensure that resistance genes that so far haven't been utilized in commercial wheat lines are used prudently, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Purdue University scientists.
An analysis of wheat lines carrying resistance genes from dozens of locations throughout the Southeast showed that some give little or no resistance to the Hessian fly, a major pest of wheat that can cause millions of dollars in damage to wheat crops each year. Others, even those considered the most effective, are allowing wheat to become susceptible to the fly larvae, which feed on and kill the plants.
Wheat resistance genes recognize avirulent Hessian flies and activate a defense response that kills the fly larvae attacking the plant. However, this leads to strains of the fly that can overcome resistant wheat, much like insects becoming resistant to pesticides. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
An analysis of wheat lines carrying resistance genes from dozens of locations throughout the Southeast showed that some give little or no resistance to the Hessian fly, a major pest of wheat that can cause millions of dollars in damage to wheat crops each year. Others, even those considered the most effective, are allowing wheat to become susceptible to the fly larvae, which feed on and kill the plants.
Wheat resistance genes recognize avirulent Hessian flies and activate a defense response that kills the fly larvae attacking the plant. However, this leads to strains of the fly that can overcome resistant wheat, much like insects becoming resistant to pesticides. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
New foliar product available for corn, soybeans
Ratchet, a new foliar product for corn and soybeans, has just been introduced for the 2011 growing season by EMD Crop BioScience. According to EMD, Ratchet enhances photosynthesis and plant growth.
It contains the company’s patented LCO Promoter Technology, which is a naturally-occurring molecule that EMD says provides early-season plant health benefits to a number of crops. The LCO Promoter Technology is already being used along with an inoculant in EMD’s Optimize 400 seed-applied product for soybeans.
Cathy Soanes, Ratchet product manager, says Ratchet is formulated for ease of use. “The product is compatible with the growers’ post-emergent applications, including glyphosate herbicides, so they can capture the benefits of LCO Promoter Technology with no additional passes over their fields.” The product is compatible with most tank mix partners. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
It contains the company’s patented LCO Promoter Technology, which is a naturally-occurring molecule that EMD says provides early-season plant health benefits to a number of crops. The LCO Promoter Technology is already being used along with an inoculant in EMD’s Optimize 400 seed-applied product for soybeans.
Cathy Soanes, Ratchet product manager, says Ratchet is formulated for ease of use. “The product is compatible with the growers’ post-emergent applications, including glyphosate herbicides, so they can capture the benefits of LCO Promoter Technology with no additional passes over their fields.” The product is compatible with most tank mix partners. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Trade and Investment Mission Leaves Monday for Peru
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA's) Acting Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse leads 20 U.S. companies on an Agribusiness Trade and Investment Mission to Lima, Peru, beginning Monday. The group will meet with 150 Peruvian and Ecuadorian entrepreneurs and buyers to develop business ties and explore opportunities for joint ventures.
Scuse says Peru and Ecuador have experienced a decade of political, social and economic change that has created a dynamic environment for economic growth. Both are keen on expanding trade and investment with the United States, as well as with other Pacific-Rim countries through the Trans-Pacific Partnership to which the United States is a party. According to Scuse, this mission provides an excellent opportunity for U.S. agribusinesses to make contacts, exchange information, and sign sales agreements. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Scuse says Peru and Ecuador have experienced a decade of political, social and economic change that has created a dynamic environment for economic growth. Both are keen on expanding trade and investment with the United States, as well as with other Pacific-Rim countries through the Trans-Pacific Partnership to which the United States is a party. According to Scuse, this mission provides an excellent opportunity for U.S. agribusinesses to make contacts, exchange information, and sign sales agreements. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Visitors focus on Sorghum: Spain and Portugal send grain buyers on tour of U.S. farms
Last week, the Sorghum Checkoff and the U.S. Grains Council hosted a group of Spanish and Portuguese grain buyers as they visited Kansas and South Texas. The organizations encouraged the use of sorghum in foreign poultry, swine and ruminant industries. Greg Graff, a sorghum farmer from Marienthal, Kan. says this group offers a great opportunity to sorghum producers because they represent very diverse industries.
"Presentations were made by everyone from nutritionists and feed millers to producer representatives," Graff said. "They are very interested in the sorghum and its potential in their industry." Spain has been a very important customer for sorghum in the past and now wants to learn the newest practices in feed milling and ration formulation, as well as the current nutritive values of grain sorghum. Sorghum offers them a great value and they recognize that. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
"Presentations were made by everyone from nutritionists and feed millers to producer representatives," Graff said. "They are very interested in the sorghum and its potential in their industry." Spain has been a very important customer for sorghum in the past and now wants to learn the newest practices in feed milling and ration formulation, as well as the current nutritive values of grain sorghum. Sorghum offers them a great value and they recognize that. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Mystery of 200 Dead Cows in Wisconsin Solved
Authorities investigating the deaths of 200 cows in Wisconsin have come up with an unlikely culprit: the sweet potato. The cows were found dead in a Stockton pasture two weeks ago. Locals were left scratching their heads about what caused the mass die-off.
Investigators from the University of Wisconsin have determined that the animals were killed by a poison found in spoiled sweet potatoes that were part of the cattle's feed. "It is likely that a mycotoxin from moldy sweet potato was a major factor in the disease and deaths of these steers," said Peter Vanderloo, associate director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
There's been a spate of mass animal deaths in recent weeks, from fish in Maryland and Arkansas to birds in Louisiana and South Dakota. The farmer who owned the cows had thought they might have fallen victim to disease such as infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, according to The Wisconsin Rapids Tribune. Vanderloo and his team ruled that out.
"None of the major respiratory pathogens of cattle were identified in the samples provided to the lab," said Vanderloo. He also explained that the toxic sweet potatoes were not in the human food supply chain, so there was no threat to people. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Investigators from the University of Wisconsin have determined that the animals were killed by a poison found in spoiled sweet potatoes that were part of the cattle's feed. "It is likely that a mycotoxin from moldy sweet potato was a major factor in the disease and deaths of these steers," said Peter Vanderloo, associate director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
There's been a spate of mass animal deaths in recent weeks, from fish in Maryland and Arkansas to birds in Louisiana and South Dakota. The farmer who owned the cows had thought they might have fallen victim to disease such as infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, according to The Wisconsin Rapids Tribune. Vanderloo and his team ruled that out.
"None of the major respiratory pathogens of cattle were identified in the samples provided to the lab," said Vanderloo. He also explained that the toxic sweet potatoes were not in the human food supply chain, so there was no threat to people. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
January 28, 2011
Romania wants EU to be less strict concerning GM crops
The European Union (EU) has been asked by Romania's national federation of farm producers to make it possible for the cultivation of more genetically modified crops (GM). The chairman of Romania's national federation stated that the EU should adopt a less conservative view concerning GM crops.
It said that the EU's current stance is halting economic prosperity of the continent in the absence of new technologies, according to a report by All Headline News.
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
It said that the EU's current stance is halting economic prosperity of the continent in the absence of new technologies, according to a report by All Headline News.
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
EW Nutrition acquires Agrochemica and Humavet
With the acquisitions of Agrochemica and Humavet, EW Nutrition expands and strengthens its product portfolio in the fields of speciality feed/feed additives and sanitary- as well as animal care-products for pets and farm animals. With Agrochemica and Humavet Dr. Arndt GmbH, EW Nutrition can optimally supplement the range and know how in innovative feed additives, enhancing animal health and performance.
Jürgen Montag, Agrochemica – Humavet Group’s founder is selling the company due to the fact that he will be retiring. Jürgen Montag states: “I am pleased to have found EW Nutrition, as a strong partner, developing and internationalising Agrochemica and Humavet in our employees’ best interest.”
According to Jan Wesjohann, managing director of EW Nutrition: “This acquisition is an important milestone in EW Nutrition’s future development and provides enormous synergistic potential in Research & Development, production and marketing. I am looking forward to working with our new colleagues for the benefit of our customers.” Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Jürgen Montag, Agrochemica – Humavet Group’s founder is selling the company due to the fact that he will be retiring. Jürgen Montag states: “I am pleased to have found EW Nutrition, as a strong partner, developing and internationalising Agrochemica and Humavet in our employees’ best interest.”
According to Jan Wesjohann, managing director of EW Nutrition: “This acquisition is an important milestone in EW Nutrition’s future development and provides enormous synergistic potential in Research & Development, production and marketing. I am looking forward to working with our new colleagues for the benefit of our customers.” Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
People: New appointments strengthen Optivite
Optivite, a British animal nutrition company, has strengthened its team by making five new appointments. Simon Knowles has been appointed as national sales manager responsible for the sales and marketing of the Optivite range of feed additives and biosecurity products.
Mike Duxbury has been appointed national business manager pig and poultry home mix. Mike’s role is to develop the business within the home mix market and is looking to focus on Optivite’s Genex brand and grow the Optomega portfolio.
Ellie Harrison has joined Optivite as Assistant Nutritionist. In her role she will give support in areas including product and feed formulation services to customers. Jackie Hill has joined Optivite as export registration co-ordinator. She will monitor regulatory submissions and renewals and coordinate documentation and assemble registration and renewal dossiers. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Mike Duxbury has been appointed national business manager pig and poultry home mix. Mike’s role is to develop the business within the home mix market and is looking to focus on Optivite’s Genex brand and grow the Optomega portfolio.
Ellie Harrison has joined Optivite as Assistant Nutritionist. In her role she will give support in areas including product and feed formulation services to customers. Jackie Hill has joined Optivite as export registration co-ordinator. She will monitor regulatory submissions and renewals and coordinate documentation and assemble registration and renewal dossiers. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Animal feed company president donates US$100 million to UCLA
Animal feed mogul Meyer Luskin and his wife, Renee, have donated US$100 million to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The 85-year-old Luskin, a UCLA alumnus who lives in Brentwood, is president and chairman of Scope Industries, a Santa Monica-based firm that recycles bakery waste into an ingredient in animal feed.
Half the gift goes to the UCLA School of Public Affairs to support teaching and research in public policy, urban planning and social welfare. The rest goes toward construction of an on-campus hotel and conference center.
"I live and work in the region and wanted to give back in a creative and unique way that helps UCLA to continue its important work with the broader community," Luskin said. "In addition to educating students, providing them a way to improve their lives, and conducting research, UCLA should apply faculty expertise to help address our society's biggest issues, and I am appreciative of being able to contribute to those ends."
The school says the Luskin gift is the second largest ever to UCLA, topped only by entertainment industry mogul David Geffen's US$200 million medical school donation in 2002.
Half the gift goes to the UCLA School of Public Affairs to support teaching and research in public policy, urban planning and social welfare. The rest goes toward construction of an on-campus hotel and conference center.
"I live and work in the region and wanted to give back in a creative and unique way that helps UCLA to continue its important work with the broader community," Luskin said. "In addition to educating students, providing them a way to improve their lives, and conducting research, UCLA should apply faculty expertise to help address our society's biggest issues, and I am appreciative of being able to contribute to those ends."
The school says the Luskin gift is the second largest ever to UCLA, topped only by entertainment industry mogul David Geffen's US$200 million medical school donation in 2002.
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Residual herbicide use with herbicide-tolerant corn
If you have been growing corn and soybean or advising growers for several decades, it’s possible to remember how the ease of controlling weeds has switched back and forth between the two crops. There have been periods when control is easier in corn than soybeans (early days of atrazine) and then those when the reverse has been true (early days of Roundup Ready soybeans).
The development of glyphosate resistance issues has resulted in a trend where currently several weeds are more effectively and/or less expensively controlled in corn than in soybeans. Or as Dickens might have said if he was a weed scientist: “It was the best of times in corn, it was the worst of times in soybeans.”
This is certainly not true for all growers, since some still have great success in Roundup Ready soybeans. We do believe, however, that for several tougher weeds that have developed glyphosate resistance – giant and common ragweed, marestail and waterhemp – it’s essential to get effective control in corn to reduce the population that has to be managed in soybeans.
A number of growers have commented during winter meetings that there was way too much giant ragweed in corn at harvest this year, and we made the same observations. Problems with weather and crop development can contribute to this, but other possible causes that are affected directly by grower decision-making include: Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
The development of glyphosate resistance issues has resulted in a trend where currently several weeds are more effectively and/or less expensively controlled in corn than in soybeans. Or as Dickens might have said if he was a weed scientist: “It was the best of times in corn, it was the worst of times in soybeans.”
This is certainly not true for all growers, since some still have great success in Roundup Ready soybeans. We do believe, however, that for several tougher weeds that have developed glyphosate resistance – giant and common ragweed, marestail and waterhemp – it’s essential to get effective control in corn to reduce the population that has to be managed in soybeans.
A number of growers have commented during winter meetings that there was way too much giant ragweed in corn at harvest this year, and we made the same observations. Problems with weather and crop development can contribute to this, but other possible causes that are affected directly by grower decision-making include: Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
January 27, 2011
300 bushels/acre by 2030
In 1992, Ohio's corn crop achieved a record yield of 143 bushels per acre. Since then, genetic improvements have led to even higher yields, with the state's 2010 crop averaging a very respectable 163 bushels per acre. Now, the buzz across the nation's Corn Belt is that a remarkable 300 bushels per acre is possible by the year 2030.
Is such a feat achievable? Ohio State University Extension specialist Peter Thomison will explore the idea during a capstone presentation, "300 bushels/acre by 2030: A certainty? A possibility? Or science fiction?" at Corn University, part of the 2011 Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference, February 24-25 in Ada, Ohio.
Corn University is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. on Thursday, February 24, and will include presentations by specialists from Purdue University, the University of Illinois and the University of Kentucky. Thomison's session will be followed by a panel discussion to wrap up the day.
The Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference will be held at the McIntosh Center of Ohio Northern University. Early registration (before February 15) is US$50 for one day or US$70 for both days. More information and registration materials are available at http://ctc.osu.edu. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Is such a feat achievable? Ohio State University Extension specialist Peter Thomison will explore the idea during a capstone presentation, "300 bushels/acre by 2030: A certainty? A possibility? Or science fiction?" at Corn University, part of the 2011 Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference, February 24-25 in Ada, Ohio.
Corn University is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. on Thursday, February 24, and will include presentations by specialists from Purdue University, the University of Illinois and the University of Kentucky. Thomison's session will be followed by a panel discussion to wrap up the day.
The Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference will be held at the McIntosh Center of Ohio Northern University. Early registration (before February 15) is US$50 for one day or US$70 for both days. More information and registration materials are available at http://ctc.osu.edu. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Seed companies set for corn hybrid war with drought-tolerance traits?
DuPont (Pioneer Hi-Bred) and Syngenta developed the new varieties through traditional breeding techniques – with a little advanced technology thrown in to speed the process of picking which parent plants to try. The duo’s entry into the world market could start decades of fierce competition for rain-challenged growers’ business. Biotech varieties in the pipeline for future release may have an even bigger impact than today’s hybrids, says Kraig Roozeboom, agronomist with Kansas State University Research and Extension.
“Either way, drought-tolerant corn could expand seed companies’ markets,” he says. “Continued expansion of corn acreage at the expense of other crops, such as wheat and sorghum, will mean greater corn seed sales – which is the most profitable sector of the seed market.” Roozeboom adds that technology isn’t the only reason new-generation corns are arriving so fast, compared to the new offerings for other standard crops. The seed industry for some time has been making larger investments in improving corn yields, largely because corn has been generating more dollars to invest. Herbicide- and insect-resistant corn hybrids, for example, were earlier money-makers. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
“Either way, drought-tolerant corn could expand seed companies’ markets,” he says. “Continued expansion of corn acreage at the expense of other crops, such as wheat and sorghum, will mean greater corn seed sales – which is the most profitable sector of the seed market.” Roozeboom adds that technology isn’t the only reason new-generation corns are arriving so fast, compared to the new offerings for other standard crops. The seed industry for some time has been making larger investments in improving corn yields, largely because corn has been generating more dollars to invest. Herbicide- and insect-resistant corn hybrids, for example, were earlier money-makers. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Wheat growing belt concerned about the Weather
Dry and cold weather in the Plains states could spell trouble for wheat crop. USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey says snow cover is eroding in many parts of the High Plains from Montana into Texas."So if you make that short trip across the plains say from eastern Colorado into northeastern Kansas, you are going to find a very brown environment in the western areas," Rippey said. "As you head into northeastern Kansas there is still quite a bit of snow, as much as a half a foot on the ground."
The western and southwestern hard red wheat belt remains under significant drought stress and weather extremes. "The producers in that region have been fairly fortunate this winter in that conditions have not been that extreme." Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
The western and southwestern hard red wheat belt remains under significant drought stress and weather extremes. "The producers in that region have been fairly fortunate this winter in that conditions have not been that extreme." Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
5th annual Kemin Poultry Summit features feed safety panel
Industry experts discussed feed safety issues, programs and changing regulations at the 5th Annual Kemin Poultry Summit held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta (January 25). A panel discussion featuring three industry experts was moderated by Kristi Krafka, vice president of regulatory affairs, quality assurance and quality control for Kemin AgriFoods North America. Panelists included: Richard Sellers, American Feed Industry Association; Chuck Hofacre, D.V.M, M.A.M, Ph.D, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and Merrill Bishop, Cobb-Vantress, Inc.
“Feed safety has received much attention in the past year with several high profile incidents and many new regulations,” said Krafka. “Today’s panel discussion was a unique opportunity to learn from experts in regulatory, research and feed production how new regulations will impact the industry and what additional measures should be taken to ensure the continuing safety of animal feed.”
Richard Sellers is the vice president of feed regulation and nutrition for the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) in Arlington, Virginia. He joined AFIA in 1991 and was promoted to his current position in 2000. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Memphis and a Master of Science from the University of Arkansas in animal sciences. He is a professional animal scientist registered with the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
“Feed safety has received much attention in the past year with several high profile incidents and many new regulations,” said Krafka. “Today’s panel discussion was a unique opportunity to learn from experts in regulatory, research and feed production how new regulations will impact the industry and what additional measures should be taken to ensure the continuing safety of animal feed.”
Richard Sellers is the vice president of feed regulation and nutrition for the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) in Arlington, Virginia. He joined AFIA in 1991 and was promoted to his current position in 2000. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Memphis and a Master of Science from the University of Arkansas in animal sciences. He is a professional animal scientist registered with the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
China battles pork meat laced with a poisonous drug
There have been reports of consumers in China becoming ill and ending up hospitalised with stomach pains and heart palpitations after consuming pork laced with Clenbuterol.
Clenbuterol, in China is also known as "lean meat powder," and is banned in the country. However, animal feed is sometimes mixed with this dangerous drug because some farmers want to profit on the market – as it is used in animal feed because it can decrease a pig's body fat to a thin layer, which makes the meat appear leaner and while it also makes skin pinker – making the meat look fresher for a longer period.
Clenbuterol-treated pork requested from pig farmers. Because of the effects on pork meat, it has made some Chinese meat suppliers request Clenbuterol-treated pork from pig farmers. With using Clenbuterol fat burning and muscle growth happens rapidly, which is why some see it as an ideal a feed additive. Though there have been reports in China of the drug entering the food supply, exactly how much food tainted with this drug is not known currently – the Chinese government will not state how many cases of contaminated meat or related illness occur annually. Read more ...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Clenbuterol, in China is also known as "lean meat powder," and is banned in the country. However, animal feed is sometimes mixed with this dangerous drug because some farmers want to profit on the market – as it is used in animal feed because it can decrease a pig's body fat to a thin layer, which makes the meat appear leaner and while it also makes skin pinker – making the meat look fresher for a longer period.
Clenbuterol-treated pork requested from pig farmers. Because of the effects on pork meat, it has made some Chinese meat suppliers request Clenbuterol-treated pork from pig farmers. With using Clenbuterol fat burning and muscle growth happens rapidly, which is why some see it as an ideal a feed additive. Though there have been reports in China of the drug entering the food supply, exactly how much food tainted with this drug is not known currently – the Chinese government will not state how many cases of contaminated meat or related illness occur annually. Read more ...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Russia says no to poultry from Germany - restrictions in place
Russia has stated that it has placed temporary restrictions on poultry imports from Germany. The restrictions – effective since January 25, 2011 has come about due to the recent dioxin scandal in which it was reported that the North German company Harles & Jentzsch manufactured fat components for the compound feed industry.
It was with this company that the dioxin contamination was discovered. The dioxin is believed to have stemmed from feed contaminated with industrial fats. Authorities believe these fats were substituted for vegetable fats at some point in the tainted feed's manufacturing process. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
It was with this company that the dioxin contamination was discovered. The dioxin is believed to have stemmed from feed contaminated with industrial fats. Authorities believe these fats were substituted for vegetable fats at some point in the tainted feed's manufacturing process. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Neogen: Tests for Salmonella in feed meet FDA draft guidance
Neogen Corporation announced that its rapid tests for Salmonella meet the guidance for Salmonella in animal feed currently being considered by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA's proposed guidance for Salmonella in animal feed seeks to lessen the number of human illnesses linked to contact with animal feed and pet food products, to reduce the risk to the animals themselves, and to prevent vertical transmission to human food.
To do so, the FDA is proposing the testing of "direct human contact animal feed" (e.g., pet food and treats, and other feeds intended to be handled by humans) for the presence of any Salmonella, and the testing of other animal feeds for the presence of Salmonella strains of known concern to specific animal species.
"Advancements in the ability to definitively trace a pathogenic outbreak to its root cause have solidified the link between animal feed and pet food contaminated with Salmonella and human and animal illness," said Ed Bradley, Neogen's vice president of Food Safety. "As we've proven by working with numerous worldwide food and feed industries over the years, we offer the animal feed industry not only exceptional rapid testing options, but also the expertise and experience to put the tests to their best use." Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
To do so, the FDA is proposing the testing of "direct human contact animal feed" (e.g., pet food and treats, and other feeds intended to be handled by humans) for the presence of any Salmonella, and the testing of other animal feeds for the presence of Salmonella strains of known concern to specific animal species.
"Advancements in the ability to definitively trace a pathogenic outbreak to its root cause have solidified the link between animal feed and pet food contaminated with Salmonella and human and animal illness," said Ed Bradley, Neogen's vice president of Food Safety. "As we've proven by working with numerous worldwide food and feed industries over the years, we offer the animal feed industry not only exceptional rapid testing options, but also the expertise and experience to put the tests to their best use." Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
January 26, 2011
Six months of price rally continues for grain markets
Although the 2010 corn crop was among the largest crops U.S. farmers have produced, increasing consumption of corn and robust demand have contributed to rising corn prices for several months. “For the March 2011 futures contract, the current rally began on June 30, 2010,” said Darrel Good, University of Illinois Extension marketing specialist. “We’re six months into the current price rally that has gone from US$3.60 to over US$6 now.”
The soybean market also has a similar trend.“The January 2011 contract rally started almost the same day as the corn contract,” said Good, who spoke at an educational meeting during the Northern Illinois Farm Show. “The soybean pattern is similar — that contract has gone from US$9 to over US$14 now.”Good discussed several issues that have contributed to this price rally.
“The drought in Russia this year really affected the wheat crop; it is down about 30 percent,” the marketing specialist said. Argentina is also experiencing a drought. “They are not a big corn producer, but they are a big corn exporter,” Good explained. “It has not been a good growing season so far and the dry area is a fairly wide area.” Some parts of Argentina have received some rainfall, but not in the corn growing areas, Good reported. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
The soybean market also has a similar trend.“The January 2011 contract rally started almost the same day as the corn contract,” said Good, who spoke at an educational meeting during the Northern Illinois Farm Show. “The soybean pattern is similar — that contract has gone from US$9 to over US$14 now.”Good discussed several issues that have contributed to this price rally.
“The drought in Russia this year really affected the wheat crop; it is down about 30 percent,” the marketing specialist said. Argentina is also experiencing a drought. “They are not a big corn producer, but they are a big corn exporter,” Good explained. “It has not been a good growing season so far and the dry area is a fairly wide area.” Some parts of Argentina have received some rainfall, but not in the corn growing areas, Good reported. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Willful violations assessed by OSHA in grain elevator deaths, insurers named in announcement
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposed penalties totaling nearly US$1.4 million against two Illinois companies for violations of safety standards that led to the deaths of three workers last summer in grain elevators. Haasbach LLC received 24 violations, including 12 classified as willful, for failing to take steps to workers from engulfed 30 feet deep in corn. Alex Pacas, 19, and Wyatt Whitebread, 14, died at Haasbach's Mt. Carroll site on July 28.
Two other young workers escaped, but one of them suffered serious injuries. In addition to the OSHA proposed penalty of US$550,000, Haasbach was also fined US$68,125 from the Labor Department for child labor violations; it was illegal for under-age Wyatt Whitebread to be working inside the grain silo.
The other Illinois firm, Hillsdale Elevator received 22 citations, including 17 classified as willful, for safety violations at its facilities in Geneseo and Annawan. Mr Raymond Nowland, 49, was killed on August 27 at the Geneseo site when he was engulfed in corn. OSHA proposed a US$345,000 penalty for violations related to Mr Nowland's death, and another US$384,000 in fines for violations at the Annawan site. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Two other young workers escaped, but one of them suffered serious injuries. In addition to the OSHA proposed penalty of US$550,000, Haasbach was also fined US$68,125 from the Labor Department for child labor violations; it was illegal for under-age Wyatt Whitebread to be working inside the grain silo.
The other Illinois firm, Hillsdale Elevator received 22 citations, including 17 classified as willful, for safety violations at its facilities in Geneseo and Annawan. Mr Raymond Nowland, 49, was killed on August 27 at the Geneseo site when he was engulfed in corn. OSHA proposed a US$345,000 penalty for violations related to Mr Nowland's death, and another US$384,000 in fines for violations at the Annawan site. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
New appointment Delacon Phytogenic Feed Additives
Delacon Phytogenic Feed Additives has announced that Dr. Karola Wendler is taking over as ‘head of product management & innovation’ by end of January 2011. Dr. Wendler has already been working five years for Delacon and successfully coordinated all research and developmentwork.
Dr. Wendler graduated at Martin Luther University in Halle (Germany) and received her doctorate at the ETH Zurich. After research at the Agricultural & Agri Food Canada Research Centre in Lacombe (CDN) and the Rowett Research Centre in Aberdeen (GB), she continued her career at Delacon.
In her new position Dr. Wendler will be responsible for management and coordination of the Delacon R&D team. In cooperation with the management, sales and marketing, she will set up research strategies and make decisions about the development of new products and applications to expand the position of Delacon as the global market leader in phytogenic feed additives.
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Dr. Wendler graduated at Martin Luther University in Halle (Germany) and received her doctorate at the ETH Zurich. After research at the Agricultural & Agri Food Canada Research Centre in Lacombe (CDN) and the Rowett Research Centre in Aberdeen (GB), she continued her career at Delacon.
In her new position Dr. Wendler will be responsible for management and coordination of the Delacon R&D team. In cooperation with the management, sales and marketing, she will set up research strategies and make decisions about the development of new products and applications to expand the position of Delacon as the global market leader in phytogenic feed additives.
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Japanese feedstuff manufacturer cuts corn in animal feed
Chubu Shiryo Co Ltd, a leading Japanese feed stuff manufacturer, has started making some animal feed with less corn as the price of corn continues to rise, a company official said on Monday. According to Reuters, the official said that the move will not immediately affect the volume of Japanese corn imports, though this could change when the company starts reducing corn volumes in a broader range of feeds.
Chubu Siryo started feed shipments for egg-producing chickens this month, with the use of corn cut from 50 percent to 30 percent, the average mix in compound feed for chickens in Japan, the official said. It plans to extend the move to feed used for pigs as well, although the official declined to set a time frame for this. The company increased the proportion of alternatives, primarily corn meal and wheat bran, without damaging the nutrition quality, helped by a processing technology the company has developed to improve the cost of processing feed from meal, he said. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Chubu Siryo started feed shipments for egg-producing chickens this month, with the use of corn cut from 50 percent to 30 percent, the average mix in compound feed for chickens in Japan, the official said. It plans to extend the move to feed used for pigs as well, although the official declined to set a time frame for this. The company increased the proportion of alternatives, primarily corn meal and wheat bran, without damaging the nutrition quality, helped by a processing technology the company has developed to improve the cost of processing feed from meal, he said. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Cargill teams up with KSU to build animal feed research centre
Cargill is to give a US$500,000 grant to the Kansas State University (KSU) to help with the construction of the Cargill Center for Feed Safety Research. The facility will conduct studies with pathogens such as salmonella and E. coli to address current food and feed safety issues facing the feed industry. Once operational (expected by the end of 2012), the facility will allow for planned research on a variety of food and feed safety efforts, including feed processing technologies to sterilize feed and lower bacterial/viral introduction to livestock operations and the food chain.
The facility will be in the department of grain science and industry complex along Kimball Avenue. It will be part of the new O.H. Kruse Feed Mill and Biorefinery Teaching and Research Center, the groundbreaking for which was in October 2010. The facility also will be near the site of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, which will conduct research on dangerous and exotic foreign animal diseases.
The Cargill Center for Feed Safety Research will be jointly operated by the K-State departments of grain science and industry and animal sciences and industry, and will serve as a critical link between the research, teaching and outreach efforts of the departments. Read more...
The facility will be in the department of grain science and industry complex along Kimball Avenue. It will be part of the new O.H. Kruse Feed Mill and Biorefinery Teaching and Research Center, the groundbreaking for which was in October 2010. The facility also will be near the site of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, which will conduct research on dangerous and exotic foreign animal diseases.
The Cargill Center for Feed Safety Research will be jointly operated by the K-State departments of grain science and industry and animal sciences and industry, and will serve as a critical link between the research, teaching and outreach efforts of the departments. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
U.S Corn trade continues pullback
U.S. corn futures closed lower for the second consecutive day Tuesday as the market pulled back from 30-month highs. Corn for March delivery, the most-active contract, settled down 11 1/4 cents at US$6.44 a bushel at the Chicago Board of Trade. Widespread selling of commodities weighed on futures prices, as corn slumped with neighbouring soybeans and crude oil, traders said. Crude oil is linked to the grains because ethanol is made from corn.
An announcement that the U.K.'s economy contracted 0.5 percent in the fourth quarter of last year, well below economists' expectations of a modest expansion, served as the catalyst that triggered selling across a host of commodities, said Bill Nelson, analyst with St. Louis-based Doane Advisory Services, a St. Louis-based agricultural advisory firm. The neighbouring soybean market lost 2.1 percent.
"Sharp losses were posted in corn and soybeans today as funds liquidated their long positions," said Karl Setzer, analyst for Iowa-based MaxYield Cooperative. Commodity index funds sold an estimated 13,000 corn contracts, a healthy amount, traders said. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
An announcement that the U.K.'s economy contracted 0.5 percent in the fourth quarter of last year, well below economists' expectations of a modest expansion, served as the catalyst that triggered selling across a host of commodities, said Bill Nelson, analyst with St. Louis-based Doane Advisory Services, a St. Louis-based agricultural advisory firm. The neighbouring soybean market lost 2.1 percent.
"Sharp losses were posted in corn and soybeans today as funds liquidated their long positions," said Karl Setzer, analyst for Iowa-based MaxYield Cooperative. Commodity index funds sold an estimated 13,000 corn contracts, a healthy amount, traders said. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
January 25, 2011
Cash grain inventories adequate; weak interior basis
U.S. interior cash-basis levels remain soft as adequate inventories in the cash supply pipeline capped basis movement. The supply chain has ample supplies, with large deliveries of forward booked sales in the first few weeks of the year alleviating the need for aggressive end user pricing, a cash connected Chicago Board of Trade floor broker said.
The rapid advancement of grain and oilseed prices to over two-year highs in January enticed farmers into selling additional supplies, placing excess supplies in the pipeline, he added. Producers sold sizable amounts of grain last fall for delivery in January, and the delivery of the inventories has pressured basis levels at interior elevators and river terminals.
However, farmgate prices did receive mild support from cold, snowy conditions in the central U.S. that limited farmer movement of supplies. The export basis for grains was flat to lower, while the soybean basis climbed at the Louisiana Gulf Monday. Strong export sales in the past week, and a higher than expected amount of soybeans inspected for export lifted CIF basis bids for soybeans.
The export basis, or the difference between cash prices and futures, rose by as much as seven cents a bushel for soybeans at the Louisiana Gulf, according to U.S. government data. The increase extended Friday's turnaround from recent weakness. Basis held steady for corn and was unchanged to up three cents for soft red winter wheat.
U.S. Department of Agriculture reported 25.874 million bushel of corn were inspected for export in the week ended January 20, below analysts' estimates that range from 30 million to 36 million. Soybeans inspected were 42.082 million above the high end of a range of estimates that span from 25 million to 35 million. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
The rapid advancement of grain and oilseed prices to over two-year highs in January enticed farmers into selling additional supplies, placing excess supplies in the pipeline, he added. Producers sold sizable amounts of grain last fall for delivery in January, and the delivery of the inventories has pressured basis levels at interior elevators and river terminals.
However, farmgate prices did receive mild support from cold, snowy conditions in the central U.S. that limited farmer movement of supplies. The export basis for grains was flat to lower, while the soybean basis climbed at the Louisiana Gulf Monday. Strong export sales in the past week, and a higher than expected amount of soybeans inspected for export lifted CIF basis bids for soybeans.
The export basis, or the difference between cash prices and futures, rose by as much as seven cents a bushel for soybeans at the Louisiana Gulf, according to U.S. government data. The increase extended Friday's turnaround from recent weakness. Basis held steady for corn and was unchanged to up three cents for soft red winter wheat.
U.S. Department of Agriculture reported 25.874 million bushel of corn were inspected for export in the week ended January 20, below analysts' estimates that range from 30 million to 36 million. Soybeans inspected were 42.082 million above the high end of a range of estimates that span from 25 million to 35 million. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
USDA and Purdue researchers say wheat hessian fly resistance genes failing
Many of the genes that allow wheat to ward off Hessian flies are no longer effective in the southeastern U.S., and care should be taken to ensure that resistance genes that so far haven't been utilized in commercial wheat lines are used prudently, say United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Purdue University scientists.
An analysis of wheat lines carrying resistance genes from dozens of locations throughout the Southeast showed that some give little or no resistance to the Hessian fly, a major pest of wheat that can cause millions of dollars in damage to wheat crops each year. Others, even those considered the most effective, are allowing wheat to become susceptible to the fly larvae, which feed on and kill the plants, researchers say.
Wheat resistance genes recognize avirulent Hessian flies and activate a defense response that kills the fly larvae attacking the plant. However, this leads to strains of the fly that can overcome resistant wheat, much like insects becoming resistant to pesticides.
"The number of genes available to protect wheat is limited. There really aren't that many," says Richard Shukle, a research scientist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Crop Production and Pest Control Research Unit and Purdue adjunct associate professor of entomology. "In the Southeast, having multiple generations of Hessian fly each year enhances the ability of these flies to overcome wheat's resistance." Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
An analysis of wheat lines carrying resistance genes from dozens of locations throughout the Southeast showed that some give little or no resistance to the Hessian fly, a major pest of wheat that can cause millions of dollars in damage to wheat crops each year. Others, even those considered the most effective, are allowing wheat to become susceptible to the fly larvae, which feed on and kill the plants, researchers say.
Wheat resistance genes recognize avirulent Hessian flies and activate a defense response that kills the fly larvae attacking the plant. However, this leads to strains of the fly that can overcome resistant wheat, much like insects becoming resistant to pesticides.
"The number of genes available to protect wheat is limited. There really aren't that many," says Richard Shukle, a research scientist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Crop Production and Pest Control Research Unit and Purdue adjunct associate professor of entomology. "In the Southeast, having multiple generations of Hessian fly each year enhances the ability of these flies to overcome wheat's resistance." Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
US: Will corn supplies be tight for another year?
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) projects that corn stocks at the end of the 2010-11 marketing year will total only 745 million bushels, said University of Illinois agricultural economist Darrel Good. “That projection represents 5.5 percent of projected marketing year consumption. Stocks as a percent of consumption would be the smallest since the record low five percent of 1995-96. And five percent is considered to be a minimal pipeline supply,” he said.
Marketing year-ending stocks of soybeans are projected at 140 million bushels, or 4.2 percent of projected consumption. That ratio is slightly smaller than the previous low of 4.4 percent in 2003-04, he said. “The low level of inventories projected for this year reflects different market conditions than those that existed in either 1995-96 or 2003-04. Small crops that required a sharp reduction in the level of consumption just to maintain minimum year-ending stocks characterized both of those years.
Year-over-year consumption of corn declined by 8.5 percent in 1995-96, and soybean consumption declined by 9.5 percent in 2003-04,” he said. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Marketing year-ending stocks of soybeans are projected at 140 million bushels, or 4.2 percent of projected consumption. That ratio is slightly smaller than the previous low of 4.4 percent in 2003-04, he said. “The low level of inventories projected for this year reflects different market conditions than those that existed in either 1995-96 or 2003-04. Small crops that required a sharp reduction in the level of consumption just to maintain minimum year-ending stocks characterized both of those years.
Year-over-year consumption of corn declined by 8.5 percent in 1995-96, and soybean consumption declined by 9.5 percent in 2003-04,” he said. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Gleaning a harvest for the needy by fighting waste
On U.S. farms, gleaning is making a comeback, as a national anti-hunger organization has turned to the ancient practice to help feed the poor. It also gives farmers a way to use produce that would otherwise be wasted. In the Old Testament, farmers are told not to pick their fields and vineyards clean, but instead to leave the edges for orphans, widows and travelers. In the modern day, gleaning is more about preventing would-be waste.
Food gets left in the field for all kinds of reasons. Two big ones are that mechanical harvesting misses a lot — and sometimes the crops aren't pretty enough for supermarket shelves. "The statistics are that 96 billion pounds of food are left — this is pre-consumer food — goes to waste in this country," says Linda Tozer of the Society of St. Andrew, an organization that coordinates farmers around the Southeast and out West.
And that food-waste estimate, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is going up, not down "What we are trying to do is build a network that will take food that would not make it to market for a variety of reasons," Tozer says, "and get it to agencies that are feeding the hungry." The Society of St. Andrew recently added an office in Tennessee. At Jackson Farms in Pikeville, volunteer Nathaniel Smart, 5, heaved a mesh bag of red and green bell peppers from a scale and dropped it on a growing pile. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Food gets left in the field for all kinds of reasons. Two big ones are that mechanical harvesting misses a lot — and sometimes the crops aren't pretty enough for supermarket shelves. "The statistics are that 96 billion pounds of food are left — this is pre-consumer food — goes to waste in this country," says Linda Tozer of the Society of St. Andrew, an organization that coordinates farmers around the Southeast and out West.
And that food-waste estimate, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is going up, not down "What we are trying to do is build a network that will take food that would not make it to market for a variety of reasons," Tozer says, "and get it to agencies that are feeding the hungry." The Society of St. Andrew recently added an office in Tennessee. At Jackson Farms in Pikeville, volunteer Nathaniel Smart, 5, heaved a mesh bag of red and green bell peppers from a scale and dropped it on a growing pile. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
January 24, 2011
Feed prices and dioxin devastate EU pig market
European feed manufacturers (Fefac) President Patrick Vanden Avenne called on the EU Farm Council Presidency to take urgent measures at the Farm Council meeting today to prevent the collapse of the EU pig market.
“The current market situation of the EU livestock sector is extremely worrying. In particular the EU pig sector is facing a near market collapse,” Vanden Avenne said. A key reason for this situation lies in particular in the rising cost for feed grains, which have recently reached the levels of 2007/2008, resulting from global demand outpacing supplies of feed grains.
The current market crisis has been further exacerbated by the knock-on effects of the dioxin incident in Germany leading to a drastic fall in domestic consumption and temporary closure of some important export markets for German pork. In the meantime, however, market experts anticipate that the present tension on the EU and global cereals markets may grow further before the end of the marketing year due to rising global competition for scarce feed grain supplies. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
“The current market situation of the EU livestock sector is extremely worrying. In particular the EU pig sector is facing a near market collapse,” Vanden Avenne said. A key reason for this situation lies in particular in the rising cost for feed grains, which have recently reached the levels of 2007/2008, resulting from global demand outpacing supplies of feed grains.
The current market crisis has been further exacerbated by the knock-on effects of the dioxin incident in Germany leading to a drastic fall in domestic consumption and temporary closure of some important export markets for German pork. In the meantime, however, market experts anticipate that the present tension on the EU and global cereals markets may grow further before the end of the marketing year due to rising global competition for scarce feed grain supplies. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
CHS acquires Eastern European Agri Point
The Agri Point acquisition is part of the company's ongoing global grain origination expansion, adding approximately 1.5-to-2 million tonnes of corn, wheat and barley. CHS Inc, a leading grains, foods and energy cooperative in the US, has acquired Agri Point Limited from East Point Holdings Limited, Nicosia, Cyprus."
Acquiring Agri Point enables CHS to further develop its global competency and presence into the high growth areas of Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Serbia," says Claudio Scarrozza, general manager, CHS Europe, Geneva, Switzerland. "In addition, we're adding important infrastructure to our global supply chain capabilities with a deep-water port in Constanta, Romania, a barge loading facility on the Danube River at Giurgiu, Romania, and an inland grain terminal at Oroshaza, Hungary." Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Acquiring Agri Point enables CHS to further develop its global competency and presence into the high growth areas of Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Serbia," says Claudio Scarrozza, general manager, CHS Europe, Geneva, Switzerland. "In addition, we're adding important infrastructure to our global supply chain capabilities with a deep-water port in Constanta, Romania, a barge loading facility on the Danube River at Giurgiu, Romania, and an inland grain terminal at Oroshaza, Hungary." Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Jamaica in search of alternative feedstock
Government is exploring alternative feedstock as part of a programme aimed at combating volatile food prices, says Agriculture Minister Dr Christopher Tufton. Tufton made the revelation as Jamaicans brace for higher food prices due to soaring cost of grains on the international market which is expected to impact the cost of feeds used in the production of diary, poultry, meats and eggs.
"Where we have to go is, to take a look at alternative feedstock - cassava, for example, that can be pelletised to make poultry feed and pig feed; different types of grass that can be used for beef or production cattle rearing and small remnants rearing," Tufton told the Business Observer.
"That's where we have to focus our attention in order to say, instead of requiring 'x' amount of grain, we can cut back and substitute it with other things," he explained. Tufton ruled out directly replacing the imported grains with local produce, noting that Jamaica does not possess the critical mass needed to grow corn and soybean. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
"Where we have to go is, to take a look at alternative feedstock - cassava, for example, that can be pelletised to make poultry feed and pig feed; different types of grass that can be used for beef or production cattle rearing and small remnants rearing," Tufton told the Business Observer.
"That's where we have to focus our attention in order to say, instead of requiring 'x' amount of grain, we can cut back and substitute it with other things," he explained. Tufton ruled out directly replacing the imported grains with local produce, noting that Jamaica does not possess the critical mass needed to grow corn and soybean. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Lallemand Animal Nutrition appoints new Business development Director
Lallemand Animal Nutrition has announced that it has appointed Allan MacGillivray as Business Development Director – Australia, effective 1st February 2011. Allan MacGillivray is a nutritionist and experienced manager by background with a Masters in animal science from Colorado State University.
He joins LAN from a feed industry consultancy role having previously been General Manager of Provimi Australia for 4 years, handling its sale to Lienert Australia in 2008. Prior to this Allan was managing director/regional manager of Provimi’s JV business, NuTec Southern Africa for 10 years. Allan will report to Ken Rich, the managing director of Agrig8, LAN’s existing Australian business acquired in June 2010. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
He joins LAN from a feed industry consultancy role having previously been General Manager of Provimi Australia for 4 years, handling its sale to Lienert Australia in 2008. Prior to this Allan was managing director/regional manager of Provimi’s JV business, NuTec Southern Africa for 10 years. Allan will report to Ken Rich, the managing director of Agrig8, LAN’s existing Australian business acquired in June 2010. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
South American crop extremes
Of all the fundamentals weighing in on the corn and soybean markets lately, the one that's gotten most of the attention is how Mother Nature's behaved in the southern hemisphere, namely the areas of Brazil and Argentina that grow most of South America's soybeans and corn.
As farmers in those countries start to look ahead to harvest, which will begin in parts of South America in the next couple weeks, they're taking stock of where the weather's left their crop potential: Argentina's faced some tough drought conditions throughout the growing season, but recent rains have helped ease that drought pressure. A lot of farmers in Brazil, though, have had good weather lately, and are looking forward to a bumper crop.
Agriculture.com Marketing Talk member Santiago is a farmer in Argentina who's been dealt a tough hand with his crops this year. His farm in the Cordoba province in the center of the nation has missed out on many of the rains that have fallen there especially in the last 2 weeks and that's got him worried about his crop prospects as harvest looms.
"If we do not get any [rain this or] next week either, I can say that our soybeans will be in trouble," Santiago said in Marketing Talk this week. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
As farmers in those countries start to look ahead to harvest, which will begin in parts of South America in the next couple weeks, they're taking stock of where the weather's left their crop potential: Argentina's faced some tough drought conditions throughout the growing season, but recent rains have helped ease that drought pressure. A lot of farmers in Brazil, though, have had good weather lately, and are looking forward to a bumper crop.
Agriculture.com Marketing Talk member Santiago is a farmer in Argentina who's been dealt a tough hand with his crops this year. His farm in the Cordoba province in the center of the nation has missed out on many of the rains that have fallen there especially in the last 2 weeks and that's got him worried about his crop prospects as harvest looms.
"If we do not get any [rain this or] next week either, I can say that our soybeans will be in trouble," Santiago said in Marketing Talk this week. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
It’s show time at World Ag Expo in California
On a clear afternoon, the Sierra Nevada becomes a magnificent backdrop to the largest agricultural gathering in California each February. World Ag Expo exhibitor banners and signs contrast colorfully with what will be a snow encased mountain range this year for the 44th annual running of the world’s largest agricultural exposition Feb. 8-10 at the International Agri-Center in Tulare, Calif.
One of the heaviest snow packs in several years will be evident to the 100,000 people who are expected to visit World Ag Expo’s nearly 1,500 exhibitors within the 2.6 million-square-foot show grounds located alongside Highway 99 midway between Fresno and Bakersfield.
Snowmelt from the 640-mile long mountain range is major source of water for farmers and ranchers in California. Early-season measurements reflected a snow accumulation of at least 200 percent of normal this year. This is sure to give an economic boost to attendees and exhibitors at World Ag Expo. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
One of the heaviest snow packs in several years will be evident to the 100,000 people who are expected to visit World Ag Expo’s nearly 1,500 exhibitors within the 2.6 million-square-foot show grounds located alongside Highway 99 midway between Fresno and Bakersfield.
Snowmelt from the 640-mile long mountain range is major source of water for farmers and ranchers in California. Early-season measurements reflected a snow accumulation of at least 200 percent of normal this year. This is sure to give an economic boost to attendees and exhibitors at World Ag Expo. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
January 21, 2011
Postgraduate seminar - Advances in feed evaluation science
The objective of the International postgraduate seminar ‘Advances in feed evaluation’ (April 11-15 in Wageningen, the Netherlands) is to provide a concise update on the principles of feed evaluation as applied to the livestock industries. Our knowledge of the effects of specific nutrients and anti-nutrients on metabolism and ultimately animal performance has expanded rapidly over the last decade.
This has increased the need to accurately define the available nutrient content of animal feeds. In addition, some major advances have been made in chemical analyses and other laboratory assays that allow us to better characterise nutrient content and availability in feedstuffs. The Seminar Advances in feed evaluation science is intended for nutritionists, feed formulation, advisors, managers, teachers, researchers and professionals involved in animal feed manufacture.
Topics at the seminar will be presented by:
Prof. J.L. Black, John L. Black Consulting, Warrimoo University of Sydney, Australia.
Prof. W.H. Hendriks, Animal Nutrition Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Prof. P.J. Moughan, Massey University, Riddet Institute, Palmerston North New Zealand.
Prof C.F.M. De Lange, University of Guelph, Department of Animal and Poultry Science, Guelph, Canada. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
This has increased the need to accurately define the available nutrient content of animal feeds. In addition, some major advances have been made in chemical analyses and other laboratory assays that allow us to better characterise nutrient content and availability in feedstuffs. The Seminar Advances in feed evaluation science is intended for nutritionists, feed formulation, advisors, managers, teachers, researchers and professionals involved in animal feed manufacture.
Topics at the seminar will be presented by:
Prof. J.L. Black, John L. Black Consulting, Warrimoo University of Sydney, Australia.
Prof. W.H. Hendriks, Animal Nutrition Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Prof. P.J. Moughan, Massey University, Riddet Institute, Palmerston North New Zealand.
Prof C.F.M. De Lange, University of Guelph, Department of Animal and Poultry Science, Guelph, Canada. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
EFSA opens nanomaterials guide for comments
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has launched a public consultation on its draft guidance document for engineered nanomaterial (ENM) applications in food and feed. The guidance document sets out for applicants, the data needed to understand the specific properties of the ENM, allowing a risk assessment to be carried out.
The draft guidance also recognises several uncertainties related to test methodologies and the availability of data and makes recommendations about how risk assessments should reflect such uncertainties.
Professor Vittorio Silano, Chair of EFSA's Scientific Committee said, "This is the first time that risk assessment guidance on nanotechnologies related to the food chain has been developed, making this public consultation very important to EFSA. We look forward to reviewing the contributions. " Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
The draft guidance also recognises several uncertainties related to test methodologies and the availability of data and makes recommendations about how risk assessments should reflect such uncertainties.
Professor Vittorio Silano, Chair of EFSA's Scientific Committee said, "This is the first time that risk assessment guidance on nanotechnologies related to the food chain has been developed, making this public consultation very important to EFSA. We look forward to reviewing the contributions. " Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Australia remains world's 5th-largest wheat exporter
Australia maintained its position as the fifth-largest global exporter of wheat in 2009-10. Exports to China increased in 2009/10 and imports of Australian wheat by Middle Eastern countries decreased, Wheat Exports Australia said. According to industry regulator Wheat Exports Australia (WEA) the country exported 12.1 million tonnes (mt) of bulk wheat to 36 countries, and 2.5 mt in containers and bags to 46 countries in the Australian marketing year ended Sep. 30, 2010.
The total global wheat trade reached 127 mt in the international trade year that ended June 30, 2010, WEA said. Australia's top six bulk wheat exporters shipped 9.6 mt and accounted for 79 percent of total bulk exports in 2009-10. The top four exporters each shipped in excess of 1.0 mt of bulk wheat, accounting for 64 percent of Australian bulk wheat exports.
Historically, Australia has held a position in the top five major wheat-exporting countries, but in recent years this position has been challenged by growing exports from the former Soviet Union states of Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. About 20 percent of global wheat production is sold internationally, with the trade averaging 115 mt a year in the 10 years ended 2009-10, peaking with growth of 41 percent to 143 mt in 2008-09, WEA reported. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
The total global wheat trade reached 127 mt in the international trade year that ended June 30, 2010, WEA said. Australia's top six bulk wheat exporters shipped 9.6 mt and accounted for 79 percent of total bulk exports in 2009-10. The top four exporters each shipped in excess of 1.0 mt of bulk wheat, accounting for 64 percent of Australian bulk wheat exports.
Historically, Australia has held a position in the top five major wheat-exporting countries, but in recent years this position has been challenged by growing exports from the former Soviet Union states of Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. About 20 percent of global wheat production is sold internationally, with the trade averaging 115 mt a year in the 10 years ended 2009-10, peaking with growth of 41 percent to 143 mt in 2008-09, WEA reported. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
More efficient beef cattle with restricted feeding
Reducing the amount of feed given to young female cows called heifers can result in more efficient use of nutrients for growth and reproduction, according to studies conducted by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) animal scientist Andrew Roberts and his colleagues at the Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory in Miles City, Montana, found that the heifers they fed to lower target weights than those traditionally recommended consumed 27 percent less feed over the winter months, and gained weight more efficiently throughout the postweaning period and subsequent grazing season.
According to Roberts, this strategy of providing less feed may reduce costs of developing each replacement heifer by more than US$31 and extend their lifespan, with important ramifications for lifetime efficiency and profitability. Feed represents 50 to 55 percent of total costs of developing replacement heifers. In their study, begun in 2001, heifers were divided into two lifetime treatment groups: The control group was fed according to industry guidelines, and the restricted group was fed (on a body-weight basis) 80 percent of feed consumed by their control counterparts for 140 days, ending when they were 1 year old. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
According to Roberts, this strategy of providing less feed may reduce costs of developing each replacement heifer by more than US$31 and extend their lifespan, with important ramifications for lifetime efficiency and profitability. Feed represents 50 to 55 percent of total costs of developing replacement heifers. In their study, begun in 2001, heifers were divided into two lifetime treatment groups: The control group was fed according to industry guidelines, and the restricted group was fed (on a body-weight basis) 80 percent of feed consumed by their control counterparts for 140 days, ending when they were 1 year old. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Soft cash grain basis; stocked pipeline
U.S. cash basis levels are expected to remain soft, continuing to feel pressure from an adequately stocked
cash supply pipeline. The market isn't seeing a great deal of activity beyond already contracted movement of supplies, as end-user buying remains subdued while the market digests fresh supplies already filtering into the pipeline in recent weeks, a cash connected broker at the Chicago Board of Trade said.
Producers sold sizable amounts of grain last fall for delivery in January, and the delivery of the inventories has pressured basis levels at interior elevators and river terminals. Cash basis is static at best, as shipments are slow right now, but weather could kick start things in the near future, analysts at FCStone, a brokerage firm, said in a market note.
Commercial inventories of U.S. cash grain held steady last week while soybeans supplies increased, leaving elevators, terminals, ports and warehouses surveyed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture filled to 70 percent of total holding-capacity. The agency said, although overall stated stockpiles held steady, soybean inventories increased by three percent in the past week, while visible supplies dropped by two percent for corn, and one percent for grain sorghum. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
cash supply pipeline. The market isn't seeing a great deal of activity beyond already contracted movement of supplies, as end-user buying remains subdued while the market digests fresh supplies already filtering into the pipeline in recent weeks, a cash connected broker at the Chicago Board of Trade said.
Producers sold sizable amounts of grain last fall for delivery in January, and the delivery of the inventories has pressured basis levels at interior elevators and river terminals. Cash basis is static at best, as shipments are slow right now, but weather could kick start things in the near future, analysts at FCStone, a brokerage firm, said in a market note.
Commercial inventories of U.S. cash grain held steady last week while soybeans supplies increased, leaving elevators, terminals, ports and warehouses surveyed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture filled to 70 percent of total holding-capacity. The agency said, although overall stated stockpiles held steady, soybean inventories increased by three percent in the past week, while visible supplies dropped by two percent for corn, and one percent for grain sorghum. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Chinese delegation purchases soybeans
On Thursday, a delegation of Chinese officials representing the ten largest soybean crushers in China signed contracts to purchase 110 million bushels of U.S. soybeans. According to the United Soybean Board, which hosted the ceremony in Chicago, these contracts are worth US$1.8 billion.
This signing represents the second largest single-day export sale of soybeans, eclipsed only by a sale in 2008. "This is a huge event for U.S. soybean farmers," said Jim Call, United Soybean Board International Marketing chair. "This isn't something that happens everyday and it just goes to show that the commitment between the U.S. soybean industry and China is continuing."
A number of U.S. exporting companies also participated in the signing ceremony, including ADM, Cargill and CHS. Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn also attended, as did U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
This signing represents the second largest single-day export sale of soybeans, eclipsed only by a sale in 2008. "This is a huge event for U.S. soybean farmers," said Jim Call, United Soybean Board International Marketing chair. "This isn't something that happens everyday and it just goes to show that the commitment between the U.S. soybean industry and China is continuing."
A number of U.S. exporting companies also participated in the signing ceremony, including ADM, Cargill and CHS. Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn also attended, as did U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
January 20, 2011
United States Federal Government spends millions on hoop houses
The federal government has spent millions of dollars to help farmers nationwide buy greenhouse-like structures called high tunnels that can add valuable weeks and even months to their growing seasons by protecting produce from chilly temperatures.
About US$13 million has gone to more than 2,400 farmers in 43 states to help pay for the low-tech tunnels that look like a cross between Quonset huts and conventional greenhouses. The structures, also known as hoop houses, have been particularly beneficial in the north, where they allow farmers to plant as much as four weeks early and keep growing later in the fall.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture touts the tunnels as environmentally friendly and a way to help meet the demand for local and sustainable produce. Experts say high tunnels employ efficient drip irrigation systems and reduce pest problems, diseases and fertilizer costs. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
About US$13 million has gone to more than 2,400 farmers in 43 states to help pay for the low-tech tunnels that look like a cross between Quonset huts and conventional greenhouses. The structures, also known as hoop houses, have been particularly beneficial in the north, where they allow farmers to plant as much as four weeks early and keep growing later in the fall.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture touts the tunnels as environmentally friendly and a way to help meet the demand for local and sustainable produce. Experts say high tunnels employ efficient drip irrigation systems and reduce pest problems, diseases and fertilizer costs. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Farming co-op opens £18m animal feed mill in Co Tyrone
Farming co-operative Fane Valley has opened an UK£18m animal feed mill in Co Tyrone. The mill at Bankmore Industrial Estate outside Omagh was opened by Fane Valley chairman William McConnell, who said it was the result of a six-year development and construction project by the farmer-owned group.
"This development will allow Fane Valley to significantly increase its feed compounding capacity, thereby meeting the needs of our growing customer base throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland," Mr McConnell said. "The investment has also safeguarded the 40-plus jobs at the former Fane Valley (Scotts) mill in Omagh," he said.
The company said the facility was the most modern of its kind in Europe and had the best technology for feed milling. Chief executive Trevor Lockhart said the facility was a "win-win scenario for Omagh". Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
"This development will allow Fane Valley to significantly increase its feed compounding capacity, thereby meeting the needs of our growing customer base throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland," Mr McConnell said. "The investment has also safeguarded the 40-plus jobs at the former Fane Valley (Scotts) mill in Omagh," he said.
The company said the facility was the most modern of its kind in Europe and had the best technology for feed milling. Chief executive Trevor Lockhart said the facility was a "win-win scenario for Omagh". Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Sodrugestvo loves to play with trains
Sodrugestvo Group has increased its railcar and grain hopper park with the acquisition of Balt-Trans, Russia’s second largest player in this field. Founded in 2009 by a group of private investors, Balt-Trans contributes 1,875 grain hoppers and 102 boxcars to the Group logistics operations, already consisting of Trans-Agro, a railcar owner, operator and freight forwarder.
Combined, the company now owns a total of 2,225 grain hoppers and 102 boxcars and leases 80 vegetal oil cars on a long-term basis. Sodrugestvo was the company's largest customer prior to its purchase. The Group has received all required regulatory approvals for the transaction.
Controlling own logistics
"By combining Balt-Trans' holdings with our existing Trans-Agro operations, Sodrugestvo is now able to fully control its logistics chain inside Russia," said Stephane Frappat, CEO of Sodrugestvo Group. Sodrugestvo Group, founded in 1994, is a rapidly growing agro-industrial company serving global markets.
The company is vertically integrated with three business units - specialized infrastructure (including deep-water sea ports), logistics (including railcars and storage facilities) and processing facilities (for the production of proteins and oils from vegetal and animal commodities). Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Combined, the company now owns a total of 2,225 grain hoppers and 102 boxcars and leases 80 vegetal oil cars on a long-term basis. Sodrugestvo was the company's largest customer prior to its purchase. The Group has received all required regulatory approvals for the transaction.
Controlling own logistics
"By combining Balt-Trans' holdings with our existing Trans-Agro operations, Sodrugestvo is now able to fully control its logistics chain inside Russia," said Stephane Frappat, CEO of Sodrugestvo Group. Sodrugestvo Group, founded in 1994, is a rapidly growing agro-industrial company serving global markets.
The company is vertically integrated with three business units - specialized infrastructure (including deep-water sea ports), logistics (including railcars and storage facilities) and processing facilities (for the production of proteins and oils from vegetal and animal commodities). Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Alltech's Sel-Plex 1000 approved for organic farming
The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI), a United States body tasked with approving the organic status of materials, has approved Alltech’s application for Sel-Plex 1000, making it the third product Alltech has listed with the institute. Since 1993, Sel-Plex 1000 has been a standard organic selenium source in animal diets around the world. Due to the recent OMRI listing, it can now be included in all organic feeding programmes across the United States and is approved for use in organic farming.
“Selenium is an essential nutrient for both animals and people, and plays a critical role in metabolism, normal growth, reproductive health, and immunity,” stated Alltech’s president Dr. Pearse Lyons. “Because of its specific organic form, Sel-Plex selenium is better absorbed and retained by the animal. Sel-Plex provides selenium in nature’s form – the safest form.” Sel-Plex is the only US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed form of organic selenium, and is the first strain specific form of organic selenium to be EU approved for all species (Strain:Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3060). Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
“Selenium is an essential nutrient for both animals and people, and plays a critical role in metabolism, normal growth, reproductive health, and immunity,” stated Alltech’s president Dr. Pearse Lyons. “Because of its specific organic form, Sel-Plex selenium is better absorbed and retained by the animal. Sel-Plex provides selenium in nature’s form – the safest form.” Sel-Plex is the only US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed form of organic selenium, and is the first strain specific form of organic selenium to be EU approved for all species (Strain:Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3060). Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Cargill Amsterdam Multiseed plant certified for ingredient safety
The Cargill Amsterdam Multiseed plant is certified according to the European Feed Ingredients Safety Code (EFISC) as of the January 17, 2011. The plant is a modern oilseed crushing facility processing about 600.000 tonnes of rape- and sunflower seeds per year. The audit was performed by the certification body SGS.
“As a global acting company we are very happy with this pan- European initiative. Feed safety is a non-competitive issue as any problem occurring has strong repercussions on the industry as a whole,” said Hans Broekhuizen, Cargill Quality Assurance Benelux plants. “The present dioxin crisis is a clear example of such an incident.”
“EFISC was developed by our industries best experts and has therefore contributed to the awareness on feed safety in our sector. This has essentially contributed to better understanding and implementation of the EU feed hygiene legislation and beyond. I would recommend this to other feed material sectors as well as an example of the way forward,” he said. The European Feed Ingredients Safety Code promotes good practices in the industrial manufacturing of safe feed materials. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
“As a global acting company we are very happy with this pan- European initiative. Feed safety is a non-competitive issue as any problem occurring has strong repercussions on the industry as a whole,” said Hans Broekhuizen, Cargill Quality Assurance Benelux plants. “The present dioxin crisis is a clear example of such an incident.”
“EFISC was developed by our industries best experts and has therefore contributed to the awareness on feed safety in our sector. This has essentially contributed to better understanding and implementation of the EU feed hygiene legislation and beyond. I would recommend this to other feed material sectors as well as an example of the way forward,” he said. The European Feed Ingredients Safety Code promotes good practices in the industrial manufacturing of safe feed materials. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
January 19, 2011
US Feed Outlook - January 2011
Feed grain production for 2010/11 is estimated at 330.0 million tons, according to the latest report from the USDA Economic Research Service.
Domestic changes this month are based in part on USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service's Crop Production 2010 Summary and January Grain Stocks reports. Feed grain production for 2010/11 is estimated at 330.0 million tons, down 2.2 million from last month as lower corn production more than offsets an increase in sorghum output. Projected 2010/11 corn ending stocks are lowered 86 million bushels as a small increase in imports only partly offsets the lower production estimate. At 5.5 percent of projected usage, ending stocks would be their lowest since 1994/95. Projected season average prices are raised for corn, sorghum, and oats.
December 1 hay stocks per roughage-consuming animal unit (RCAU) are down from last year, but silage production per RCAU is up as the decline in RCAUs outpaces that for silage. U.S. and foreign 2010/11 coarse grain production and ending stocks are reduced this month. Forecast World coarse grain ending stocks for 2010/11 are down 20 percent from the previous year and are lower than in 18 of the previous 20 years. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Domestic changes this month are based in part on USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service's Crop Production 2010 Summary and January Grain Stocks reports. Feed grain production for 2010/11 is estimated at 330.0 million tons, down 2.2 million from last month as lower corn production more than offsets an increase in sorghum output. Projected 2010/11 corn ending stocks are lowered 86 million bushels as a small increase in imports only partly offsets the lower production estimate. At 5.5 percent of projected usage, ending stocks would be their lowest since 1994/95. Projected season average prices are raised for corn, sorghum, and oats.
December 1 hay stocks per roughage-consuming animal unit (RCAU) are down from last year, but silage production per RCAU is up as the decline in RCAUs outpaces that for silage. U.S. and foreign 2010/11 coarse grain production and ending stocks are reduced this month. Forecast World coarse grain ending stocks for 2010/11 are down 20 percent from the previous year and are lower than in 18 of the previous 20 years. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Argentine farmers freeze grain sales in protest
Argentine farmers halted sales of wheat, corn and soy on Monday as they went on strike over export curbs, rekindling a dispute that helped drive global grains prices to record highs three years ago. The seven-day protest by growers in the South American nation, one of the world's biggest food suppliers, could fuel supply concerns just as dry weather linked to La Nina worsens the outlook for soy and corn production.
Argentine farmers have been at odds with the government for years over export curbs aimed at taming double-digit inflation and guaranteeing affordable supplies of everyday staples. They say the system of wheat and corn export quotas lets millers and exporters pay farmers low prices, and want center-left President Cristina Fernandez to scrap the caps.
"These distortive, interventionist measures have been repeated for several harvests in recent years," Hugo Biolcati, leader of the Argentine Rural Society, said when the country's four farming groups announced the strike last week. This week's protest, which will last until midnight next Sunday, is bad news for Fernandez nine months from an October election in which she is widely expected to seek re-election. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Argentine farmers have been at odds with the government for years over export curbs aimed at taming double-digit inflation and guaranteeing affordable supplies of everyday staples. They say the system of wheat and corn export quotas lets millers and exporters pay farmers low prices, and want center-left President Cristina Fernandez to scrap the caps.
"These distortive, interventionist measures have been repeated for several harvests in recent years," Hugo Biolcati, leader of the Argentine Rural Society, said when the country's four farming groups announced the strike last week. This week's protest, which will last until midnight next Sunday, is bad news for Fernandez nine months from an October election in which she is widely expected to seek re-election. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Cargill to split off Mosaic unit
Cargill said on Tuesday that it planned to spin off its 64 percent stake in the Mosaic Company, a big producer of important ingredients in fertilizer and animal feed, leaving Mosaic open for a possible sale at a time when mining and agriculture giants are on the prowl for acquisitions. The complicated tax-free transaction worth more than US24 billion as estimated by The New York Times, will also help keep Cargill, one of the biggest American companies, private.
Cargill will distribute its 286 million Mosaic shares to its own shareholders and debt holders. The corporate parent’s sale of its 64 percent stake in Mosaic Company comes as big mining companies have been seeking to expand in fertilizer. As standards of living improve in countries like China and India, global demand for food is rising and companies that produce fertilizer are being seen as attractive takeover targets.
“The world is not getting less hungry,” James T. Prokopanko, Mosaic’s chief executive, said on Tuesday afternoon during a conference call with analysts. Mosaic was formed in 2004 from the merger of Cargill’s crop nutrition unit with IMC Global, creating a giant in fertilizer production and leaving Cargill with a 64 percent stake. It is the world’s second-largest potash producer, behind Potash, and owns more than a third of Canpotex, the Canadian entity that controls that country’s exports of the material. Based in Plymouth, Minn, it has 7,500 employees. Mosaic had a market value of about US$ 40 billion. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Cargill will distribute its 286 million Mosaic shares to its own shareholders and debt holders. The corporate parent’s sale of its 64 percent stake in Mosaic Company comes as big mining companies have been seeking to expand in fertilizer. As standards of living improve in countries like China and India, global demand for food is rising and companies that produce fertilizer are being seen as attractive takeover targets.
“The world is not getting less hungry,” James T. Prokopanko, Mosaic’s chief executive, said on Tuesday afternoon during a conference call with analysts. Mosaic was formed in 2004 from the merger of Cargill’s crop nutrition unit with IMC Global, creating a giant in fertilizer production and leaving Cargill with a 64 percent stake. It is the world’s second-largest potash producer, behind Potash, and owns more than a third of Canpotex, the Canadian entity that controls that country’s exports of the material. Based in Plymouth, Minn, it has 7,500 employees. Mosaic had a market value of about US$ 40 billion. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
State of feed additives in new legal environment
Regulation (EC) no. 1831/2003 concerning additives for feed stipulated that all feed additives had to be reassessed by 8 November 2010. A short time after that, the Commission made a distinction in the Online European Feed Additive Database. The first part of the Feed Additives Database (Appendix 4, Annex 1) includes all feed additives which were admitted between 2003 and 8 November 2010 and the feed additives for which a file had been received for reassessment on 8 November 2010.
The second part (Annex 2) lists all feed additives for which no file for reassessment had been received by 8 November. This latter group of feed additives will be prohibited within a foreseeable period of time. It is not clear yet whether a so-called withdrawal will be issued. At any rate, there will be regulations about selling out periods and the Commission will explore measures to prevent these prohibited additives from reaching the market as feed material. Within this context also the work of the Commission on the "grey list products" has been of relevance.
"Grey list” products are products which on the one hand consist of feed additives which are also used as feed (double listing) and on the other hand of products about which there has been a great deal of discussion in recent years whether they are feed additives, feed materials or even veterinary medical products. This discussion was completed in October with the publication of Regulation (EU) no. 892/201. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
The second part (Annex 2) lists all feed additives for which no file for reassessment had been received by 8 November. This latter group of feed additives will be prohibited within a foreseeable period of time. It is not clear yet whether a so-called withdrawal will be issued. At any rate, there will be regulations about selling out periods and the Commission will explore measures to prevent these prohibited additives from reaching the market as feed material. Within this context also the work of the Commission on the "grey list products" has been of relevance.
"Grey list” products are products which on the one hand consist of feed additives which are also used as feed (double listing) and on the other hand of products about which there has been a great deal of discussion in recent years whether they are feed additives, feed materials or even veterinary medical products. This discussion was completed in October with the publication of Regulation (EU) no. 892/201. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Increased demand and pricing implications of corn industry
Corn farmers who came to St. Louis for the National Corn Growers Association's Priority and Policy Conference enjoyed a presentation by Bruce Scherr, CEO of Informa Economics and one of the nation's leading agricultural economics research firms. In his presentations, Scherr reviewed the historical trends in corn prices and looked at how changing global demographics are shifting the agricultural commodity market paradigm.
"What we see in increased corn prices today is the ripple effect of economic expansion," Scherr said. "The expansion of commodity values is not over. It's just beginning." Noting that commodity prices remained, on average, stagnant for three decades despite significant inflation in the market as a whole, Scherr explained that it is essential to keep current price increases in perspective because prior values were unsustainably low.
He also pointed out that, while demand initially surged, increases have leveled off and are now trending to more gradual growth. In light of increased demand, Scherr pointed out the importance of remembering that the United States has never actually run out of corn despite major demand increases. When needed, farmers boosted production by as much as 2 billion bushels. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
"What we see in increased corn prices today is the ripple effect of economic expansion," Scherr said. "The expansion of commodity values is not over. It's just beginning." Noting that commodity prices remained, on average, stagnant for three decades despite significant inflation in the market as a whole, Scherr explained that it is essential to keep current price increases in perspective because prior values were unsustainably low.
He also pointed out that, while demand initially surged, increases have leveled off and are now trending to more gradual growth. In light of increased demand, Scherr pointed out the importance of remembering that the United States has never actually run out of corn despite major demand increases. When needed, farmers boosted production by as much as 2 billion bushels. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
New method to measure Soybean Rhizobia
Soil-borne rhizobia bacteria form a mutually beneficial relationship with legumes, during which the rhizobia convert atmospheric nitrogen into plant-available nitrogen in exchange for carbohydrate energy from the plant. This process is called biological nitrogen fixation and is a major player in the global nitrogen cycle, facilitating greater agricultural productivity with less fertilizer input.
Soybean, a legume planted on nearly 30 million ha annually in the United States, can fulfill most of its nitrogen requirements via biological nitrogen fixation. Many commercial, seed-applied rhizobia inoculants are available to soybean producers to encourage biological nitrogen fixation and increase yield, but scientists have found mixed results regarding the effectiveness of these products.
To begin researching the predictability of a positive yield response to seed inoculation, a team of scientists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison determined a new method for the quantification of soybean-associated rhizobia in the soil. The method is described in the November–December 2010 issue of Crop Science. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Soybean, a legume planted on nearly 30 million ha annually in the United States, can fulfill most of its nitrogen requirements via biological nitrogen fixation. Many commercial, seed-applied rhizobia inoculants are available to soybean producers to encourage biological nitrogen fixation and increase yield, but scientists have found mixed results regarding the effectiveness of these products.
To begin researching the predictability of a positive yield response to seed inoculation, a team of scientists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison determined a new method for the quantification of soybean-associated rhizobia in the soil. The method is described in the November–December 2010 issue of Crop Science. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
January 18, 2011
Korea creates National grain procurement system
In response to growing concerns about food security, Korea recently announced the creation of a national grain procurement system. The newly created consortium is comprised of five major parties, including Korea Agro-Fisheries Trade Corporation, a government-invested entity and a key player of the consortium; CJ CheilJedang Corporation, a feed miller and food manufacturer; Samsung C&T Corporation, a general trading company; STX, an export elevator investor; and Hanjin Shipping.
According to the agreement, the consortium will work with the Korean government, which will provide financial support for the consortium to start the international grain trading business. The consortium aims to secure grains needed for both animal and human consumption and also plans to invest in 10 country elevators and an export elevator in the United States.
“Through this new system, the parties hope to import 50,000 metric tons (2 million bushels) of corn and 50,000 tons (1.8 million bushels) of soybeans in 2011,” said Byong Ryol Min, USGC director in Korea. “By 2020, they plan for this system to secure 30 percent of the nation’s total imports which would include diversifying origin by investing in grain production and marketing chains in Brazil, the Ukraine, the Maritime Province of Siberia and other countries.” Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
According to the agreement, the consortium will work with the Korean government, which will provide financial support for the consortium to start the international grain trading business. The consortium aims to secure grains needed for both animal and human consumption and also plans to invest in 10 country elevators and an export elevator in the United States.
“Through this new system, the parties hope to import 50,000 metric tons (2 million bushels) of corn and 50,000 tons (1.8 million bushels) of soybeans in 2011,” said Byong Ryol Min, USGC director in Korea. “By 2020, they plan for this system to secure 30 percent of the nation’s total imports which would include diversifying origin by investing in grain production and marketing chains in Brazil, the Ukraine, the Maritime Province of Siberia and other countries.” Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Pava penetrates compound feed business
Being the largest grain processor in Siberia and the Far East, Pava has now outlined shipments of combined feed to livestock farms as a separate area of work. According to company’s representatives, it’s a promising area of cooperation that requires a customized approach.
Pava stresses that cooperation with the livestock farms in a separate line of work does not mean that the grain processor prioritizes one particular area of operation. The crucial point here is different requirements that are put forward by the company’s partners.
While wholesale companies place orders for traditional recipes, livestock farms have individual requirements. Such separate approach to production and distribution of combined feed has emerged due to increase in the number of contracts with farms and their elevated interest in Pava’s products.
OJSC Pava produces combined feed for all types of animals, poultry and fish at its production facility in Achinsk, Krasnoyarsk territory. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Pava stresses that cooperation with the livestock farms in a separate line of work does not mean that the grain processor prioritizes one particular area of operation. The crucial point here is different requirements that are put forward by the company’s partners.
While wholesale companies place orders for traditional recipes, livestock farms have individual requirements. Such separate approach to production and distribution of combined feed has emerged due to increase in the number of contracts with farms and their elevated interest in Pava’s products.
OJSC Pava produces combined feed for all types of animals, poultry and fish at its production facility in Achinsk, Krasnoyarsk territory. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
TechMix appoints LinkAsia Partners for Asia Pacific
TechMix Inc, manufacturer of animal nutritional products to minimize dehydration stress and enhance performance, has appointed LinkAsia Partners as its strategic partner to represent and develop its complete line of nutritional specialty products in the Southeast Asia and Oceania regions. LinkAsia Partners will provide marketing and commercial support to launch TechMix products to these markets.
“Partnering with LinkAsia Partners offers us access to an extensive network of channels and market intelligence,” said David Muysson, Director of International Business at TechMix Inc. “We are confident that this is a start of a rewarding journey for TechMix in the important markets in Southeast Asia and Oceania.” TechMix. Inc. is a US-based manufacturer specialized in developing nutritional specialty products that are scientifically formulated to enhance animal performance and minimize dehydration stress.
The company offers a complete line of nutritional specialty products for different animal species, all in support of improving and maintaining good animal health and nutrition. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
“Partnering with LinkAsia Partners offers us access to an extensive network of channels and market intelligence,” said David Muysson, Director of International Business at TechMix Inc. “We are confident that this is a start of a rewarding journey for TechMix in the important markets in Southeast Asia and Oceania.” TechMix. Inc. is a US-based manufacturer specialized in developing nutritional specialty products that are scientifically formulated to enhance animal performance and minimize dehydration stress.
The company offers a complete line of nutritional specialty products for different animal species, all in support of improving and maintaining good animal health and nutrition. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
No-Till, Summer fallow stores water in Central Great Plains
Storing just one inch of water in an acre of soil is worth US$25 to US$30 per acre. That gets the attention of Central Great Plains farmers served by U.S.D.A. (USDA) researchers. Soil scientist Merle Vigil and his colleagues at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Central Great Plains Research Station at Akron, Colo, calculated this by using 10-year average crop prices in equations they developed to relate crop yields to stored water levels. ARS is USDA's principal intramural scientific research agency, and this research supports USDA's commitment to agricultural sustainability.
Four to six passes with various tillage equipment to kill weeds over 14 months of leaving land idle or fallow result in a loss of three acre-inches of water to evaporation. Those six passes also cost US$24 to US$48 an acre in fuel and labor costs. Add that to the cost of water lost, and you have US$99 to US$138 an acre that never makes it into the farmers' pockets. Plains farmers traditionally grow wheat only every other year, leaving fields fallow in between, because most years there isn't enough precipitation to grow wheat annually. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.
Four to six passes with various tillage equipment to kill weeds over 14 months of leaving land idle or fallow result in a loss of three acre-inches of water to evaporation. Those six passes also cost US$24 to US$48 an acre in fuel and labor costs. Add that to the cost of water lost, and you have US$99 to US$138 an acre that never makes it into the farmers' pockets. Plains farmers traditionally grow wheat only every other year, leaving fields fallow in between, because most years there isn't enough precipitation to grow wheat annually. Read more...
This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.