The Global Miller: June 2013

June 28, 2013

28/06/2013: Bike-powered grain mill; chief scientist presents crop genetics report; agriculture improves lives of Kapchorwa women

Chris Hergesheimer, a student at the University of B.C. has built a bicycle-powered grain mill.

The mill produces a kilo of wheat flour in seven to nine minutes while the miller maintains an easy clip on the bike.

It is hoped that his technology will help transform the lives of subsistence farmers in a remote corner of Sudan, far from the reach of electricity.

Brussels has launched a report calling on the European Union (EU) to lead the world in using science to improve agricultural productivity and enhance the environment.

The report will call for a change in Europe’s regulatory framework, for it to emphasise the trait and product more than the technology, taking account of the extensive experience and good practice gained in regulating genetically modified (GM) crops outside the EU.

Women in Kapchorwa are desperately trying to protect their families from recurring threats of food insecurity as a result of climate change, endemic poverty and poor health.

Now, thanks to a scheme set up by Actionaid Uganda, things are changing.

"I embarked on agriculture with a vengeance. “In addition to livestock, maize, coffee and bananas are also harvested," said Woria Cherotwo, vice chairperson of the scheme.

flour (Photo credit: Joanna Bourne)

New! GFMT article: Pest control across the supply chain

These series of two articles focuses on the importance of pest control.

The first article looks at pests in stored grains. Protecting grain and silos from insect infection is an important factor to be aware of. “Clearly millers want high quality, consistent grain,” says Martin Savage, trade policy manager, National Association for British and Irish Millers (nabim), United Kingdom, but this is not always acknowledged by farmers.

We then turn our attention to grains in transit. Mike Kelly, Acheta, United Kingdom explores the issues surrounding fumigation at ports.

Promoting good grain store practices

Format International

Format International Ltd is an independent company specialising in the design, authoring and marketing of recipe optimisation, ingredient allocation and food & feed formulation solutions for the animal feed, aqua feed, pet food, human food, premix and other industries. Click on the image to visit the format website.

Event: 6th Protein Summit 2013 – Platform for Future supply, Health & Technology

The world population will reach over 9 billion by 2050. The standard of living in the major growingeconomies of China, Russia and India will steadily increase, and demand for animal and dairy proteins will therefore rise. Global food transition is imminent, and food security and protein supplies are set to become major global issues.

The Protein Summit represents a unique platform for the world's decision makers, stakeholders and business leaders in the protein market to meet and exchange knowledge, share ideas and gain inspiration. The combination of plenary sessions, specific parallel sessions and panel discussions guarantees dialogue and insights for all delegates. With over 150 delegates attending, the Protein Summit will provide and excellent opportunity, helping to create new international relations in the protein market.

This year's two day Summit takes place Tuesday September 24, 2013 at the Beurs-World Trade Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Book by 24th July for a € 400 discount.

Find out more about the Summit here.

European food and drink industry heads towards zero fossil CO2 emissions

Campden BRI and the University of Newcastle upon Tyne are co-operating with organisations from Austria, Germany, Poland and Spain in an EU project to help the European food and beverage industry improve energy efficiency and reduce fossil carbon emissions, thus increasing competitiveness.

The project was launched in April 2013 and is co-funded by the Intelligent Energy Programme of the European Union. It mainly addresses dairies, bakeries, the meat industry, the fish industry, cereals, and animal feed, breweries and producers of fruit juice.

The project consortium will conduct 200 energy analyses in food and drink companies, looking at a company’s energy flows (especially the generation of heat and cold and their use in production processes) to determine possible measures for energy efficiency improvement, and options for using renewable energy sources – such as solar, thermal or biomass. From this group, 20 companies will be chosen for more detailed analysis, and five participants willing to implement measures within the project duration will be able to benefit from additional guidance. This is expected to lead to an actual emission reduction of 600 tons of fossil CO2 per year.

The consortium will combine technological expertise of food and drink production with knowledge on energy efficiency and renewable resources to help users identify tailor-made solutions for optimising their processes and energy supply. At the core will be a calculation tool for balancing and optimising energy and material flow, which will incorporate the calculation of primary energy use and CO2 emissions, heat integration, use of efficiency and renewable energy technologies, calculation of profitability and the assessment of suitable process technologies. These calculations will be supported by guidelines for implementation and long lasting energy management in SMEs.

The consortium will also address the question of funding mechanisms, as lack of financing is often a barrier for the uptake of innovative technologies to harness renewable energy sources or the implementation of energy efficiency measures, especially for SMEs.

Challah (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

June 27, 2013

New! GFMT article: Feed Focus: Poultry

Anyone who's attended IPPE in the USA will know that poultry farming is big. In fact more than 50 billion chickens are raised each year worldwide and the UK consumes 29 million eggs a day.

Given these statistics, we decided to look at poultry, with an emphasis on chickens, in more detail. In this poultry focus we examine two elements of the poultry feed industry. First, Hossan MD Salim PhD, DLS, Bangladesh and University Manitoba, Canada explains the potential for DDGS in poultry feeds in Bangladesh. Second, Murray Hyden, Anpario, United Kingdom looks at amino acids in terms of efficiency and the environment.

Read the full article here.

GFMT's Feed Focus on poultry

27/06/13: Explosion at elevator kills man; FAO Statistical Yearbook 2013; all aboard the grain train

A man has died in an explosion at a grain elevator in Indiana, USA. James Swank, 67, was working at the Co-alliance owned facility, Union Mills the when the explosion happened on Monday June 24, 2013. The cause of the accident is as yet unknown but the focus of investigations is on grain ignition.

On Tuesday June 25, 2013, a fire broke out on one of the conveyor belts at the top of the elevator. This fire was a result of smoldering grain from the original incident and as a precaution, 30 nearby residences were evacuated.

In a statement, Co-Alliance says that there are now 'hot spots' of concern in five grain silos which are being watched closely by local fire agencies on the scene, Nationwide Insurance's grain salvage expert, and Co-Alliance professionals. In three of the five concerning bins, the fire department has added water in an effort to remedy the situation. Next steps of action are being determined for the remaining issues.
More information...

The FAO has released its FAO Statistical Yearbook 2013 - a comprehensive reference point for statistical data on food and agriculture. The publication also provides a snapshot of related economic, environmental and social trends and issues.

According to José Graziano da Silva, director general, FAO, "Good statistics are needed to monitor the progress of development. The better the data, the better policies can be designed to protect vulnerable populations. And, without good data, it is impossible to evaluate or determine the impact of policies."

Print copies are available to buy but there is also a wealth of information which is free to access online and downloads for e-book readers and tablets.

More information...

All aboard! It's the Victoria to Melbourne grain train. This video charts the progress of a 638 metre grain train as it makes its way across Australia through the night.

Buhler

Bühler is a specialist and technology partner for plant, equipment, and services for processing basic foods and for manufacturing advanced materials. Click on the image to visit the Bühler website.

June 26, 2013

Bühler expands rice processing footprint in Thailand with major contract with Siam Indica

The Bühler Group, has announced a further strengthening of its commitment to the Thai rice industry with the announcement of a prestigious high value agreement with Siam Indica Co. Limited, the largest rice exporter in Thailand. The substantial investment by Siam Indica will see Bühler Thailand supply rice processing equipment totalling over 100 machines.

This major supply contract marks a further milestone in Bühler’s continuing expansion in Asia and is strategically significant for Bühler Thailand’s position in the important Thai rice market. It also strengthens Bühler’s leading position as a technology-led solutions provider for the rice processing industry, demonstrating the increasing demand for the company’s processing and optical sorting solutions from rice processors across the world. Bühler has become a first-choice supply partner for rice processing in Thailand and South East Asia with substantial equipment contracts in place with the largest rice processing organisations.

Since its formation in 2004, Siam Indica has focused its business model on investing in the most advanced technology to achieve its corporate ambition of becoming the premier rice industry player in Thailand and South East Asia. The current extensive factory upgrade will see Bühler work closely with a local contractor in the supply of accessories and installation services. Close co-operation between Khun Sorawit Chansakulporn, director of production engineering, Siam Indica, and Dr. Ye Aung, chief technologist, Bühler Thailand, supported by senior sales executive Chaiyut Khanom, were key to an agreement that will ensure maximum benefit for Siam Indica.

“This new project markedly strengthens our industry references and reinforces our leading role in the rice processing industry. The agreement with Siam India Co. Limited demonstrates our commitment to help our customers develop state of the art processing solutions. It also shows we are confident about the growth of the rice processing market in South East Asia,” said Mark Ledson, territory manager for South East Asia, Buhler Thailand.

As part of the agreement, Bühler will supply 22 optical sorters that were selected in preference to other manufacturers’ equipment.

Mr Chansakulporn spoke of the development of his company relationship with Bühler in positive terms. “The close working relationship we developed with the Bühler team and their willingness to share their process knowledge ensured our factory upgrade, layout configurations and delivery time scale exceeded all of our expectations. We believe these upgrades will enhance our name in the international market and would like to recognise this in our future branding. We expect this will be the start of long lasting cooperation with Bühler to support the further development of our new projects and contribute to the growth of our company.”

Mr Chansakulporn will also head a delegation of senior Siam Indica engineers to tour Bühler’s manufacturing sites.

Nick Wilkins, Head of Bühler’s Rice Processing business, affirms that “This major contract is further acknowledgement of our global capability to supply complete process engineered solutions to leading rice processors driven by our leadership in rice research and technical excellence. We look forward to continuing our strong working relationship with Siam Indica.”

The sizeable supply of Bühler rice processing equipment substantially reinforces the company’s leading position and influence in delivering innovative, energy efficient technology solutions to Thai rice processors and expands Bühler’s footprint in the South East Asian market where several significant growth opportunities are expected.

High capacity Plansifter

26/06/2013: Sheep limb found in feed; climate-proof crops; feedipedia

A New Zealand farmer has reported finding a limb in an imported shipment of palm kernel expeller.

"The farm where the limb was found has sheep, home kill is undertaken, the maggots found on the limb were a species of blowfly found in New Zealand, and most of the PKE supplied goes through a 4mm filter," explained Andrew Coleman, compliance and response deputy director-general.

An advanced facility to help speed up development and selection of crop varieties is being set up at the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA).

The facility is being set up under the National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) to study climate change impacts in crops.

Three French agriculture companies have collaborated with FAO to produce Feedipedia, a world-wide information source for animal feed.

The project covers feeds mainly available in tropical, subtropical and Mediterranean regions but also includes common feeds used in temperate countries.

Full wool Merino sheep. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

New! GFMT article: ‘Kill step’ validation of low-moisture extrusion

In this article, Will Henry, Extru-Tech Inc., USA, explains the impact of contamination and the importance of extrusion food safety systems.

In the USA, the Food and Drug Administration has had a zero tolerance policy for Salmonella since 2010, which is why various extrusion industries have experienced a dramatic increase in recalls over the past two years.

Read the full article here.

Scientific studies to support properly designed extrusion food safety systems weren't possible...until now

Cimbria

Cimbria is one of the world’s leading producers within processing, handling and storage of grain and seed and increasingly other products. They offer projecting and process control – as well as the development, manufacture and installation of individual machines, customised systems and complete turnkey plants. Click on image to visit company website.

June 25, 2013

Event: Nottingham Feed Conference 2013

The Nottingham Feed conference has been held annually since 1967 and is the premier event of its kind in the UK.

The event attracts delegates from all parts of the feed industry, ranging from compounders, raw materials through to supplement, additive companies, vitamin manufacturers, pharmaceutical suppliers and government personnel.

Grain and Feed's Alice Neal is present at the conference, which starts today and covers everything from the carbon footprint of animal feeds to the nutritional quality of soya products for non-ruminants.

University of Nottingham (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

New! GFMT article: High efficiency elevator buckets: modern vs traditional design

In this article, Carl Swisher, 4B Components Ltd, USA, talkes us through the advancement in elevator bucket design.

An elevator bucket is an elevator bucket, right? Not anymore. Recent advances in design technology have brought the advent of the modern high efficiency centrifugal discharge elevator bucket. High efficiency elevator buckets push the traditional limits of carrying capacity, input flow and discharge, construction materials and diminished shipping space.

Read the full article here.

Modern vs traditional elevator bucket designs

25/06/2013: Crop rotation for pests; Chinese wine driving grain exports; NI animal feed trade ahead in Europe

The domestic grain market has continued to bounce along at a record pace throughout May and June on the back of Sorghum containers trading into China.
Sorghum is in abundant demand into China. The Chinese are a new customer and have taken a liking to our sorghum and its quality for producing a sorghum wine. The liquor can sell up to $600 a bottle and has a 60pc alcohol content that would make a Willy wag tail fight an emu.
- See more at: http://www.beefcentral.com/p/news/article/3286#sthash.p9OzXhaG.For the most part, crop rotation—planting different produce in different years—is advertised as a way of helping the soil by keeping a single crop from draining it of some types of nutrients. But it turns out that crop rotation can also help control some agricultural pests. Many pests are specialized feeders that grow on a limited number of plants. Place a distantly related species in the same field, and the pests find themselves with nothing to eat. By the time the original crop rotates back into the field, the bugs that specialize in feeding on it are long since dead.Crop rotation can also help control some agricultural pests. Many pests are specialised feeders that grow on a limited number of plants. Place a distantly related species in the same field, and the pests find themselves with nothing to eat.

Crop rotation is primarily used as a way of helping the soil, though it can also help control some agricultural pests. By the time the original crop rotates back into the field, the bugs that specialise in feeding on it are long since dead.

A new animal feed testing and sampling regime which starts its initial run this summer, will put the animal feed trade in Ireland ahead of every country in Europe.

During a recent meeting of the Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association (NIGTA), Professor Chris Elliott, from the Global Food Security Unit at Queens University, congratulated NIGTA on having the foresight to utilise the scientific knowledge and modern technology to carry out this detailed sampling, and monitoring plan.

He added “ As the first link in the food chain you are setting an excellent example. This must be followed throughout the food chain, with the ultimate aim of testing and monitoring everything that is imported into or exported from Ireland and GB.”

Sorghum is in abundant demand in China. The Chinese have taken a liking to the grain, producing sorghum wine. The liquor can sell up to $600 a bottle and has a 60pc alcohol content.

This liquor production has created a whole new dimension for domestic feed grain markets as feedlots, poultry and ethanol consumers scramble to compete with Chinese demand.

English: Queens University, Belfast. Queen's is a member of the Russell Group of the UK's 20 leading research intensive universities (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sorghum is in abundant demand into China. The Chinese are a new customer and have taken a liking to our sorghum and its quality for producing a sorghum wine. The liquor can sell up to $600 a bottle and has a 60pc alcohol content that would make a Willy wag tail fight an emu. - See more at: http://www.beefcentral.com/p/news/article/3286#sthash.p9OzXhaG.dpuf

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This new demand has created a whole new dimension for our domestic feed grain market as feedlots, poultry and ethanol consumers scramble to compete with Chinese demand. - See more at: http://www.beefcentral.com/p/news/article/3286#sthash.p9OzXhaG.dpuf

Sorghum is in abundant demand into China. The Chinese are a new customer and have taken a liking to our sorghum and its quality for producing a sorghum wine. The liquor can sell up to $600 a bottle and has a 60pc alcohol content that would make a Willy wag tail fight an emu.
Current demand will see over 350,000 tonnes shipped by containers into China by the end August.
- See more at: http://www.beefcentral.com/p/news/article/3286#sthash.p9OzXhaG.dpuf

The domestic grain market has continued to bounce along at a record pace throughout May and June on the back of Sorghum containers trading into China. - See more at: http://www.beefcentral.com/p/news/article/3286#sthash.p9OzXhaG.dpuf

June 24, 2013

Event: Australasian Milling Conference 2014

Asia’s rise in the 21st century will profoundly affect Australia’s food and feed systems. Demand for food in Asia is likely to double between 2010 and 2050, with China accounting for 43 percent of increased demand, particularly for beef, wheat, dairy products, sheep meat and sugar.

The Australasian Milling Conference (AMC) is the leading conference for feed and flour millers held biannually in Australia.

The 13th edition of AMC 2014 takes place May 25-27, 2014 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Providing a strong technical milling program together with trade displays and social functions, the event will draw delegates from Australia, New Zealand and countries in the South Pacific and South East Asia.

You can find out more about the event here.

The AMC 2014 will be combined with the Poultry Information Exchange conference (PIX), the premier Australasian poultry industry conference.


Visit www.millingconference.com.au for more information

New! GFMT article: Adding value to feed milling with profit-oriented feed formulation

In this GFMT article, Bea van Deynse, Adifo, Belgium, talks us through feed formulation within feed milling.

Formulation software has become a commonly used tool in the feed industry. Almost all feed mills use some application or other to calculate their least-cost formulas. But can such a formulation software tool mean more for a feed producer?

Read the full article here.

How can feed formulation add value to a feed mill’s business process?

IIn this GFMT article, Lutz Popper, Mühlenchemie GmbH & Co. KG, looks at the most commonly used material to strengthen gluten is ascorbic acid, also called vitamin C.

The material itself is originally a reducing rather than an oxidizing agent, but it is converted into an oxidative substance, namely dehydroxy ascorbic acid (DHAA), through the action of flour enzymes during dough preparation.

Read the full article here.

- See more at: http://gfmt.blogspot.co.uk/#sthash.QFzLcbNO.dpuf