The Global Miller: April 2017

April 30, 2017

Obial company profile

OBIAL is one of the leading global companies on grain storage technologies

Achieving to become a sought-after brand thanks to its philosophy of offering the highest quality with the most reasonable prices, OBIAL sets its targets being conscious of the responsibilities that come with being the leader in the sector.

In this parallel, the company offers turnkey grain storage system solutions with reasonable prices through the use of materials of highest quality, superior design and production standards, and an effective customer relations management.

Visit the company website, HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

For additional daily news from milling around the world: global-milling.com

01/05/2017: Pancosma appoints new Global Sales Director

Pancosma appoints Marcos Teixidó as Global Sales Director

Marcos Teixido

After 20 years of working with Pancosma as Sales Manager and regional Sales Director, Marcos Teixido is now appointed Global Sales Director.

In his new role, he will manage sales and distribution networks and coordinate them with upstream functions. The Global Sales Director is a member of Pancosma’s Executive Committee.

With a turnover that has almost doubled in recent years, Pancosma is continuously expanding its global presence and industrial footprint.

Marcos’ challenge will be to maintain and develop this momentum by continuously bringing innovation to our customers.

Read more HERE.

01/05/2017: Seed and grain imaging vs subjective inspection methods

by Phillip Clancy, Next Instruments International, Sydney, Australia

Plant breeders, seed producers and grain traders use subjective inspection methods, i.e., visual inspection, separation and counting to determine quality aspects of grains and oil seeds

Depending on the sample and the inspection standards, subjective inspection can take 15 minutes per sample or more.

On the other hand, machine vision inspection offers a rapid and more reproducible method of inspecting grains and oil seeds at a fraction of the cost of manual inspection.

Subjective vs Objective Measurements
The human eye and brain have an amazing ability to pick between two objects and decide differences in size, colour, defects and other physical parameters, however the brain cannot retain the exact image and provide a quantitative evaluation of these parameters. Not to mention, humans have different perceptions of colour and defects.

An Image Analyzer does not have the differentiation capability of a human, however an Image Analyzer can quantify the parameters, i.e., assign numbers to the parameter, which can be stored and compared to a set of standards for that parameter.

Subjective measurement is how humans measure physical parameters, where as an Image Analyzer makes an objective measurement. Another aspect of Image Analysis is that the lighting is kept constant from machine to machine where as lighting used in subjective measurements can vary.

A fluorescent lamp will show an image with more blue hues than red, as compared to a halogen lamp. Daylight is another light source but it changes depending on the time of the year, time of the day and whether it is overcast or sunny.

The image that is collected from the Image Analyzer provides a permanent record of the sample that was analyzed. A subjective measurement of a sample on the other hand has no record other than the count that was made by the inspector.

If the same image is re-analyzed by the SeedCount software, the results will be same. If a sample that has been subjectively assessed by a human is given to another human, then the results will probably be different.

There is one major problem with Image Analysis in that it is never going to be the same as the subjective measurement. The human eye can look at a seed, which has several coloured sections, and compare it with a printed standard and a subjective measurement can be made. It may not be 100 percent correct, however the eye and brain can make an assessment.

An Image Analyzer often cannot differentiate between subtle colour differences or complex shapes etc. As such, the decision to change from subjective measurements to objective measurements should not be based on the objective measurement producing the same results as the subjective measurement, which will change from person to person, but rather based on the ability of the machine to reproducibly assess samples no matter who is performing the test.

Where the machine cannot make the assessment due to the differences being too subtle or too complex, then the machine should be used to make the measurements that it can do, well and to combine it with a user option to classify the seed shown on the screen using a pull down options menu.

An operator selects a seed from the screen image and a table shows the machine assigned parameters. By clicking on a parameter, the operator can change the assessment. This hybrid system at least provides a permanent record of the assessment that can be emailed to the buyer or end user to validate the analysis.

Visit the NEXT Instruments website, HERE.

Read the full article, HERE.

01/05/2017: Save your spot at the Bühler Networking Days 2017

In less than one week, the Bühler Networking Days 2017 at Interpack will start!

Bühler addresses the challenges of the food processing industry and introduces 20 innovations at the Interpack trade fair in Düsseldorf.

They translate the vast possibilities of digitalisation and automation into opportunities for customers.

www.buhlergroup.com

Join them in a dedicated media event that covers the highlights of the Bühler presence under the motto “Feeling good about food”.

The food industry faces a number of challenges: For the first time in history, more people are overweight than undernourished, while undernutrition remains a key issue in many regions. The food production itself has a large impact on the environment. And food producers have to succeed in an increasingly competitive environment. Their solutions address these challenges and help their customers succeed in a competitive market environment.

Bühler’s latest innovations, like the Chocobotic robotised moulding line and the online learning platform ChocoGenius, translate the vast possibilities of digitalisation into solutions with sustained customer value.

A media event with Johannes Wick, CEO Grains & Food, and Ian Roberts, Bühler Chief Technology Officer, will take place on Thursday afternoon, May 4 (at 15:00) at the Congress Centre Düsseldorf CCD Süd, Pavillon (Room 19).

The highlights presented at the media event create high customer value, drawing on the key topics that are shaping the food processing industry: digitalisation, food and feed industry, nutrition, and sustainability.

Highlights include:
• Chocobotic, Bühler’s first robotised chocolate moulding line
• ChocoGenius, the online learning platform with interactive tutorials and learning modules
• The opening of our new site for chocolate moulding in Germany: Bühler Reichshof
• An innovative IoT-based on line food safety validation service for drying solution
• MyBühler, the new online customer portal for ordering project specific spare parts and service

Read more information about the Bühler Networking Days 2017 @ Interpack, HERE.

Read more information about the Interpack 2017, HERE.

April 27, 2017

Global Industries, Inc. company profile

The Global International sales team is committed to providing cost-effective solutions for clients around the world, using a broad portfolio of grain storage, conditioning and handling products, as well as buildings for the housing of poultry and livestock and wastewater treatment systems.

With offices in Bangkok, Thailand; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Rostov-on-Don, Russia, they are positioned to serve.

Visit the website HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine GFMT
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

For additional daily news from milling around the world: global-milling.com

28/04/2017: The underestimated uses of fishmeal and fish oil in swine and poultry diets

by Dr Neil Auchterlonie, Technical Director, IFFO

Decades ago fishmeal and fish oil were the mainstay of pig and poultry production, but with the growth of aquaculture from the 1960s onwards these materials have been diverted largely towards feeding fish

With a very broad nutritional profile, their use as feed ingredients for pig and poultry does have large potential advantages, not least of which relate to farmed animal health and welfare. Their high quality is reflected in the market price, but least cost formulations may not always produce higher profit margins once the production benefits are taken into account.

Introduction
Animal protein sources have been known to provide performance advantages in feeds for the production of both swine and poultry since at least the 1880s, when the rendering industry became established with developments in infrastructure, logistics and technology (Denton, et al., 2005).

Periods when animal protein sources have not been available, and where feeds were vegetable-based, such as during the Second World War, coincided with a dip in production efficiency (Ibid.), so their importance is clear, and more recent science continues to validate the position (e.g. Yun et al., 2005).

Fishmeal, as one of those animal protein sources, has a long history of use as an ingredient in pig and poultry feeds. Records of fishmeal and fish oil as ingredients in pig feed stretch back at least a century (Ashbrook, 1917), and have been known in poultry feeds for a similar length of time.

Today, they are important strategic ingredients in feeds for both animals, where the nutritional benefits provided in weaning and other early life-stage diets are known to extend throughout the production cycle.

Background
Excellent nutritional benefits are provided by fishmeal through the relatively high protein content (62% to >70%, Sauvant et al., 2004) as well as the wide range of micronutrients including the amino acid profile, and the vitamin and mineral composition.

A five percent or less inclusion (dry weight basis) is typical in terrestrial livestock feeds, and a review of the performance advantages including sows, weaning pigs and broilers is provided by Cho & Kim (2011) clearly illustrating some advantages in growth.

Two IFFO-sponsored studies, one in 2009 (conducted by Prof. Haifeng at the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Research Centre of the Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry), and one in 2014 (conducted by Prof Ma at the China Agricultural University in Beijing) have shown how both fishmeal and fish oil can improve both the growth performance and health of weaned pigs.

Whilst acknowledging the high cost of the material, this work shows that fishmeal and fish oil may also support achievements in improved bioeconomic efficiency of production. Even though fishmeal carries a high value and is a relatively expensive ingredient, therefore, the benefits from its incorporation may outstrip competitor ingredients through an influence on the economic production model to achieve improved profit margins.

Read the full article HERE.

References

[1] http://www.iffo.net/system/files/China%20Pig%20feeding%20trial%20-%20Full%20report.pdf

[2] http://www.iffo.net/system/files/IFFO%20China%20Report%20-%20Effects%20of%20different%20quality%20fishmeal%20and%20other%20protein%20sources%20on%20growth%20performance%20of%20weaned%20piglets%20-%20Feb%202015_1.pdf

28/04/2017: Stinson joins Brock Grain Systems as a district manager

Tim Stinson has joined Brock Grain Systems as a District Manager for the Eastern Region of the United States and Canada, according to Dave Dell, Global Marketing and Sales Director for the CTB Inc. business unit

Tim Stinson

Mr Stinson will be working with dealers to grow their business and increase their familiarity with the line of storage, handling, conditioning and structural products for grain that Brock Grain Systems offers their customers.

Mr Stinson has extensive experience in the agribusiness sector. Previously, he was an operations manager for a network of tractor and farm implement dealerships. Mr Stinson was responsible for customer satisfaction as well as overseeing the parts, service and sales departments.

He also has been the regional manager for a Midwestern agricultural building firm. A native Hoosier, Mr Stinson graduated from Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, with a bachelor’s degree in telecommunication sales management. Mr Stinson currently lives in Columbus Ohio and plans to relocate to the area in the near future.

Read more HERE.

28/04/2017: Brabender extruders for the food lab

Extruder products rank among the pioneering opportunities for product innovation in the food sector with promising opportunities on the market

This is why practically relevant equipping with extrusion equipment is a fixed constituent of the “toolbox” that is required for product developers in the food industry. New developments in snack products, breakfast cereals, flat breads, sweets, pet food and other special products can be prepared on a laboratory scale using this modern key technology.

Lab-Compounder KETSE 20/40

Brabender provides suitable instruments for experimental trials of potential product lines with extrudates in a wide range of shapes, colours and flavours. They are compact and can be put to versatile use in innovative food laboratories. They make it possible for modern foods to be developed under realistic process conditions.

This means that ongoing production is not impacted, which saves money but is still consistently quality oriented. There are few procedures with as much potential for completely redesigning a product matrix. In order to develop innovative food textures and structures, the parameters of pressure, temperature, and shear can be varied during extrusion without changing the final product.

Continuous operation in a closed system combines complex production steps into a constant, continuous production process. If product developers have to experiment on extruders during live operations in order to do this, this can lead easily to operational disruptions.

This is why laboratory extruders are a sensible alternative for everyone involved in the development and testing of new processes and products – regardless of existing traditional processes, and with potential prospects for creating something completely new.

Six arguments speak in favour of practical product development with laboratory extruders rather than experimental interventions in the production process:

• You get to know new processes, and are able to test textures and sensory characteristics before trials have to be conducted on a production scale.
• You can vary your application ideas in a wide variety of ways: in terms of raw materials, composition, machine or product.
• You require significantly less material to carry out your trials, and hardly any product waste occurs.
• You don’t have to worry about impacting your current quality management system.
• You can establish methods for measuring your quality from raw material to end product in advance, in order to be in a position to react to quality variations in a better way at a later date.
• You can easily achieve a return on investment with an appropriate philosophy of innovation within your company.

Brabender has many years of global experience with extruders and the practical deployment thereof: Thanks to the transfer of technology between plastics processing, the pharmaceutical industry and the food sector, Brabender can provide extrusion expertise in three essential fields of application.

The use of measuring extruder systems in food laboratories provides reliable results for the fine tuning of optimal production conditions and to providing constantly high product quality. As is to be expected from Brabender®, the extruder technology that is provided is suitable for a wide variety of uses, especially in the field of grain products, and can be networked with other ‘classical’ quality measuring processes.

Single-screw and twin-screw extruders or the modular expansion make it possible to adapt the processing conditions to the many different of products and tasks in the best possible way, customised to suit your operations:

• Quality control and analysis of raw materials
• Product development and recipe optimisation
• Testing of the extrusion properties of different materials
• Research and optimisation of processing characteristics
• Binding of active ingredients and aromatic substances to a carrier material, such as in snacks
• Measurement of rheological properties of material combinations
• Extrusion of degradable products
• Product manufacturing on a laboratory scale

At the same time, studies with laboratory extruders have a range of technical process advantages over other procedures such as the practically-oriented measurement of extrusion conditions with small sample volumes, rapid changes in trial conditions, and simple operation and cleaning.

April 26, 2017

27/04/2017: Is it time that Europe makes folic acid fortification mandatory?

by Renée Jopp, International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, Belgium

Today, over 80 countries now have a mandate to fortify at least one staple grain with folic acid, with the notable exclusion of Europe, where we have yet to secure a single mandate

How does Neural Tube Defect relate to the milling and grain industry? 2017 marks the 26th anniversary of a ground-breaking international study that changed the future for the global prevention of some of the world’s most common congenital birth defects, Neural Tube Defects (NTDs).

The 1991 study conducted by the Medical Research Council (MRC), led by Professor Sir Nicholas Wald, confirmed the protective benefits of folic acid in the prevention of NTDs, with this B vitamin reducing the risk to unborn babies by up to 72 percent.

The positive correlation was so overwhelmingly that the trial was ended ahead of schedule, as it was deemed unethical to continue withholding folic acid from women in the control group.

A quarter of a century later and the milling and grain industry has become a vital player in the worldwide strategy to prevent these serious conditions. Having said that, there is still much more to be done.

What is Folic Acid?
Folic acid (vitamin B9) is the manmade version of folate, which is found naturally in green leafy vegetables, some fruits and pulses, the kinds of food that we’re all encouraged to eat more of.

However, whilst a healthy balanced diet is always beneficial, food folates are very unstable, and they can lose much of their nutritional content as a result of cooking and poor or prolonged storage.

Folate/folic acid plays an essential role in cell growth and development and the formation of DNA, consequently its role becomes even more vital in the early stages of pregnancy, when cell growth and reproduction is at its most rapid.

Most of us will get enough of this essential vitamin through a healthy balanced diet, but it’s impossible for women to obtain the daily additional folate they need to support a healthy pregnancy through diet alone.

Folate insufficiency at the time of conception is known to increase the risk of serious birth defects, NTDs, which occur in the very early stages of pregnancy when the brain and spine fail to form properly, with around 70 percent of babies affected also developing the commonly associated condition hydrocephalus (‘water on the brain’).

The instability of natural folates makes it very difficult to accurately gauge how much of the original vitamin content has been preserved to benefit the consumer, yet its manmade counterpart is considerably more stable.

Both forms are water soluble, so our bodies can’t retain them very effectively, making daily consumption essential. As a result, since 1992, most countries around the world have advised all women that could become pregnant to take a daily supplement containing 400mcg of folic acid to help reduce the risk of their pregnancy being affected by NTDs.

Despite this measure, NTDs still affect around ½ million pregnancies every year, resulting in thousands of late terminations every year (most NTDs are first diagnosed during a 20-week ultrasound), and many babies being born with a wide spectrum of both physical and learning disabilities. Many of these cases could have been prevented with daily additional, timely folic acid.

Read the full article HERE.

Lambton Conveyor company profile

Family owned since 1965, Lambton Conveyor Limited is a multinational manufacturer of grain, storage, material handling, drying and feed equipment. They provide an ever-expanding line of innovative and practical products.

Products include: bucket elevators, chain conveyors, tube conveyors, screw conveyors, flow system accessories, grain bins, bin unloads, bin dryers, gravity screen cleaners, pellet mills, hammer mills, mixers, coolers, crumblers and custom fabrications.

Almost all of the equipment produced by Lambton Conveyor is fabricated using galvanised steel. The galvanised coating ensures a long service life and a low maintenance finish.

Most products are also available in stainless steel and painted mild steel upon request or depending on the application.

Lambton equipment can be seen around the world in varying environments and applications.

The modular design of our equipment provides our customers with flexibility and assembly efficiencies.

From the local farmer to the commercial processor they have a reputation for providing high quality and cost effective equipment.

Visit the website HERE.

27/04/2017: Yara reports increased deliveries but weaker margins

Yara International ASA delivered weaker first-quarter results compared with a year earlier

Net income after non-controlling interests was NOK 1,692 million (NOK 6.19 per share), compared with NOK 2,800 million (NOK 10.22 per share) a year earlier.

Image: Hermann Kaser

Excluding net foreign exchange gain and special items, the result was NOK 5.01 per share compared with NOK 9.16 per share in first quarter 2016.

First-quarter EBITDA excluding special items was NOK 3,335 million, down 34 percent compared with a year earlier, driven primarily by lower realised fertiliser prices and higher energy costs.

"Yara reports a weaker result than a year earlier, reflecting lower fertiliser prices and margins. However, we delivered increased sales volumes, both for fertiliser and Industrial products," said Svein Tore Holsether, President and Chief Executive Officer of Yara.

"Our ammonia production was lower, underlining the need for our on-going efforts to improve operations. The Yara Improvement Program is on track and has already delivered 90 of the targeted 500 million US dollars of annual earnings improvement within 2020," said Holsether.

Deliveries of Yara-produced fertiliser including blends were three percent higher than in first quarter 2016.

The growth was mainly driven by higher nitrates and compound NPK deliveries in Europe and higher compound NPK deliveries in China and Thailand, two of Yara's most important NPK markets outside Europe.

Adjusted for the divestment of Yara's CO2 business last year, Industrial deliveries were 17 percent higher than a year earlier, with growth for all products.

Lower realised prices and higher gas costs impacted both commodity upgrade margins and premiums for fertiliser and industrial products compared with a year earlier.

Yara's average realised urea and nitrate prices decreased five percent and 15 percent respectively, while realised NPK prices decreased by around 10 percent. Yara's average global gas costs were 28 percent higher than a year ago.

The global farm margin outlook and incentives for fertiliser application remain supportive overall, and while grain prices are stable, prices for several key crops like sugar, coffee, oils and dairy products are higher than a year ago.

In Europe, first quarter nitrogen industry deliveries were six percent higher than a year earlier, but with a slower trend in March as weather-related delays and lower global nitrogen prices delayed purchasing.

However, Yara expects normal nitrogen consumption for the European spring season overall. Yara has established a corporate program to drive and coordinate existing and new improvement initiatives, which will deliver at least USD $500 million of annual EBITDA improvement by 2020, of which an estimated USD 150 million will be realised in 2017.

To meet growing demand for premium products in particular, Yara is expanding capacity in several plants, with most of the projects due to be completed during 2017 and 2018.

Applying current market prices, these projects are expected to generate approximately USD $600 million of annual EBITDA improvement (NOK 6 net income per share) by 2020 when fully operational.

Read more HERE.

To view the report click, HERE.

27/04/2017: Kemin subsidiary opens state-of-the-art facility as part of five-year, global expansion

Kemin Industries, a global nutritional ingredient company that uses science to create solutions and products to touch half of the world’s population, announced today the opening of its Russia manufacturing and laboratory facilities in Lipetsk

The new facility for the Kemin subsidiary, Kemin Industries (Lipetsk) LLC, is located in the Special Economic Zone of Lipetsk.

Image: Dmitry Dzhus

The new location has the capacity to serve the growing demand for specialised nutritional ingredients to address the needs of the rapidly growing Russian animal protein industry.

“Russia is one of the largest animal feed markets in Europe producing more than 30 million tons of feed. Localising manufacturing reduces process time and allows us to best serve our Kemin customers in the region,” said Dr Chris Nelson, President and CEO of Kemin Industries.

“On a global scale, Kemin is always aggressively pursuing expansions to meet our customers where they are to provide high-quality products and solutions. The Lipetsk facility is an example of how Kemin thinks globally and acts locally to best serve our customers and the 3.4 billion people we touch every day with our products.”

With regional headquarters in Europe, Kemin has been serving Russia since 1995. In 2014, the company opened a fully equipped customer service laboratory in Moscow to better serve the feed industry and its growing customer base.

The Lipetsk location is part of the five-year, global expansion plan for Kemin. The new state-of-the-art facility is one of the most sophisticated plants in the global Kemin portfolio, and features a manufacturing plant, quality labs and warehouses.

“For more than 20 years, Kemin has established a strong footprint in Russian feed production. As the demand for meat production increases in Russia, the need for our value-added products is growing tremendously,” said KP Philip, President of Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health.

“Now, we can serve one of the largest animal feed markets in Europe with local availability of high-quality feed ingredients, condensed delivery time and reduction of risk with supply chain transportation; all which enables us to grow and better serve the Russian market while increasing the collaboration between our scientists and the direct customers we serve in Russia.”

Head of the Administration of the Lipetsk Region O.P. Korolev commented, "We in the region are constantly working to create a favorable business climate and value the confidence of investors. I am very glad that now another production has opened in the SEZ "Lipetsk" and workplaces will be created, which means that the quality of life in Lipetsk region will continue to increase. We thank the investors for the joint fruitful work.”

27/04/2017: A unique range of functional 'clean label' ingredients for bakery product manufacturers

Ingredient transparency and the use of natural products are of increasing importance in the bread-making industry

In this context and as a pioneer in ‘Clean Label’ ingredients, Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients (LCI) unveils its new range of functional ingredients, LCI’s touch.

The range combines functional flours and enzymes to provide new ‘Clean Label’ solutions.

Through the various offerings of the range, ‘LCI’s touch’ range makes it possible to:

- replace up to 50 percent of added gluten
- to increase dough hydration levels
- to reduce added salt
- to control softness and/or to reduce egg quantity by up to 20 percent

www.limagrain.com

All six ingredients in the LCI’s touch range can be listed as ‘wheat flour’ in the end product ingredient list:

- GLUSAFE is an ingredient which replaces up to 50 percent of added gluten in bread (sandwich bread loaves, traditional or artisanal bread). With GLUSAFE, no modification of the process or hydration is required and dough is improved (greater elasticity, enhanced texture, etc).
- GLUSAFE SWEET is available for viennoiserie and pastries.
- The unique ingredient HYDRA 0.2 percent increases dough hydration levels and reduces bread recipe costs.
- STOP SALT, an innovative nutritional solution, reduces the amount of salt added to recipes by up to 25 percent. STOPSALT can be used in recipes for traditional or artisanal breads, sandwich bread loaves and viennoiserie. With STOP SALT, dough retains its hydration and elasticity without becoming sticky.
- CAKESOFT makes it possible to control the soft texture of pastries with a long shelf life. No additional water is required in recipes using cakeSoft.
- SOFT EGG is used to reduce the amount of eggs by up to 20 percent in bakery products without adding allergens. SOFT EGG also increases product shelf life and results in bakery products with finer breadcrumbs.

Read more HERE.

April 25, 2017

26/04/2017: Nutriad appoints technical manager in China

Multinational feed additive producer Nutriad announced the appointment of Dr Wei Wang as Technical Manager for China

Dr Wei Wang

As part of an ongoing strategy to increase its presence in this dynamic market, Nutriad continues to invest in building technical and commercial support teams in China, allowing them to further improve their constant engagement and support to customers.

BK Chew, APAC Director Nutriad, commented ‘China is the main growth engine within APAC and the appointment of Dr Wang will enable increased technical support for our applications in mycotoxin management and gut health.”

Dr Wei completed a total of 10 years of studies in animal nutrition, obtaining a BSc in Animal Science at Southwest University of Science & Technology, a MSc in Swine Nutrition at Sichuan Agriculture University and PhD in Applied Biological Science, Swine Nutrition at Ghent University.

Dr Wang said, “I have always been fascinated by converting scientific knowledge on animal nutrition and health into practical solutions. As such I have admired Nutriad from the outside for many years and am excited to now become part of the Chinese team and support the company on its next steps in China.”

Read more HERE.

Yenar company profile

With more than 20 years experience in the sector, Yenar have a state of the art production plant on an area of 40,000 m2, of which 18,000 m2 is covered.

Domestic and global leaders since 1995, Yenar's equipment range includes rolls manufactured using the most up to date technology by means of the double pour centrifugal casting method. These rolls are in demand in many food sectors.

Manufacturing 22,000 units annually of various diameters and lengths as of 2014, Yenar is the fastest growing Turkish company in the sector, supplying hundreds of food sector producers in both domestic and foreign markets by means of professional sales teams.

Visit the website HERE

26/04/2017: Enzymes for enhancing flour quality

by Pinar Erdal, Research & Development Manager of Mirpain Bakery Ingredients, Turkey

Bread, is the most widely consumed food in the world and its main ingredient is flour

For making bread, the most consumed flour is Wheat Flour and the most important value of wheat is its quality. The quality of the wheat flour depends on its compounds which depends on wheat variety its compounds, which means depending on wheat variety, harvest season (winter or spring), climatic effects (rainfall), storage conditions-durations, crop and after crop treatment, planting regime, biological effects and so on.

These conditions affect the bread's characteristics like crumb and crust colour even and smooth crumb texture, higher water absorption, uniform loaf shape, better-knife opening and higher tolerance to various processes.

When your flour cannot meet these factors, functional ingredients especially ultra concentrated enzymes that catalyse chemical reactions in the case of flour/dough, take a big role in improving the flour.

As a result of being ultra concentrated, when a little enzyme is used it yields desired effects on the flour quality. For example, they enhance gas production by yeasts and can help control the strength of the dough. Each enzyme acts upon only one specific substrate and ignores the others.

Like proteins, they have an optimum temperature and ph to react. On top of these factors, water content, enzyme amount, substrate content and the given time for reaction are also important. Also it is known that amylases and xylanases are the enzymes most added to dough.

Amylases
Most widely used, Amylases are reported as being the first enzymes to be added to bread dough. They are also the topic of most current research on enzymes in dough. While the initial use was for generating fermentable sugars (increasing gassing power), current interest focuses on their ability to delay crumb firming, the anti-staling effect.

Amylases action on damaged starch granules produces dextrins and oligosaccharides. The key factor of amylase in wheat flour is to break down complex starches into simple sugars. The presence of amylase is essential for fermentation of dough because yeast requires simple sugars to produce carbon dioxide.

Although flour contains a tiny amount of sugar, one to two percent, this amount is not enough to make dough rise during fermentation. However, wheat kernels contain naturally occurring alpha amylase because they need to break starch molecule into sugar to have the needed energy during the germinating of the kernels.

The amount of naturally occurring amylase is affected by wheat variety, harvest season (winter or spring), climatic effects (rainfall), storage conditions-durations, crop and after-crop treatment, planting regime, as well as biological effects of the wheat. Falling Number Method is a key analysis to determine the quality of flour by figuring out indirectly the alpha amylase activity.

In the case of deficiency in naturally occurring amylase, the flour is supplemented by adding commercially available amylases or it is possible to blend flours to balance the amount of amylases.

Read the full article HERE.

26/04/2017: Sonny Perdue Sworn in as 31st US Secretary of Agriculture

Sonny Perdue was sworn in as the 31st US Secretary of Agriculture by fellow Georgian and Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court Clarence Thomas in a brief ceremony today at the Supreme Court building

The US Senate confirmed Secretary Perdue by a vote of 87-to-11 on Monday evening.

After Secretary Perdue took the oath of office, he addressed employees at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) before getting to work on his first day. Also this morning, USDA launched his official Twitter handle: @SecretarySonny.

Sonny Perdue, with his wife Mary, takes the oath of office
administered by Associate Justice Clarence Thomas
in the US Supreme Court Building, becoming the 31st US
Secretary of Agriculture.

“The only legacy that I seek is the only one that any grandparent or parent seeks – to be good stewards, and to hand off our nation, our home, our fields, our forests, and our farms to the next generation in better shape than we found it,” Mr Perdue said.

“Making sure that Americans who make their livelihoods in the agriculture industry have the ability to thrive will be one of my top priorities. I am committed to serving the customers of USDA, and I will be an unapologetic advocate for American agriculture.”

Mr Perdue’s policies as US Secretary of Agriculture will be guided by four principles which will inform his decisions.

First, he will maximise the ability of the men and women of America’s agriculture and agribusiness sector to create jobs, to produce and sell the foods and fibre that feed and clothe the world, and to reap the earned reward of their labour.

It should be the aim of the American government to remove every obstacle and give farmers, ranchers, and producers every opportunity to prosper. Second, he will prioritise customer service every day for American taxpayers and consumers. They will expect, and have every right to demand, that their government conduct the people’s business efficiently, effectively, and with the utmost integrity.

Third, as Americans expect a safe and secure food supply, USDA will continue to serve in the critical role of ensuring the food we put on the table to feed our families meets the strict safety standards we’ve established. Food security is a key component of national security, because hunger and peace do not long coexist.

And fourth, Mr Perdue will always remember that America’s agricultural bounty comes directly from the land. And today, those land resources sustain more than 320 million Americans and countless millions more around the globe.

Mr Perdue’s father’s words still ring true, we’re all stewards of the land, owned or rented, and our responsibility is to leave it better than we found it.

“As secretary, I will champion the concerns of farmers, ranchers, foresters, and producers, and will work tirelessly to solve the issues facing our farm families,” Mr Perdue said.

“I am proud to have been given this opportunity and look forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work as we continue to move the USDA and our nation forward.”

Upon nominating Secretary Perdue in January, President Donald J. Trump said, “Sonny Perdue is going to accomplish great things as Secretary of Agriculture. From growing up on a farm to being governor of a big agriculture state, he has spent his whole life understanding and solving the challenges our farmers face, and he is going to deliver big results for all Americans who earn their living off the land.”

About Secretary Perdue
Sonny Perdue came by his knowledge of agriculture the old fashioned way, he was born into a farming family in Bonaire, Georgia.

From childhood, and through his life in business and elected office, Mr Perdue has experienced the industry from every possible perspective. Uniquely qualified as a former farmer, agribusinessman, veterinarian, state legislator, and governor of Georgia, he became the 31st United States Secretary of Agriculture on April 25, 2017.

Additionally, Mr Perdue recognises that American agriculture needs a strong advocate to promote its interests to international markets. The United States is blessed to be able to produce more than its citizens can consume, which implies that we should sell the bounty around the world.

The relationship between the USDA and its trade representatives, as well as with the US Trade Representative and Department of Commerce, will be vital. The work of promoting American agricultural products to other countries will begin with those relationships and will benefit us domestically, just as it will fulfill the moral imperative of helping to feed the world.

Mr Perdue has pledged to be an unapologetic advocate for American agriculture. Under Secretary Perdue, the USDA will always be facts-based and data-driven, with a decision-making mindset that is customer-focused.

He will seek solutions to problems and not lament that the department might be faced with difficult challenges. As a youngster growing up on a dairy and diversified row crop farm in rural Georgia, Mr Perdue never fully realised that the blessings of purposeful, meaningful work would serve him as well as they have in life. When he was a young boy feeding the calves and plowing the fields, he was an integral part of the workforce on his father’s farm.

As the son of a mother who was an English teacher for 42 years, he benefitted from her teachings as well – not just by instilling in him the beliefs he still holds dear, but also by lending him an appreciation and respect for language and proper grammar. But more than anything in his life, it was the family farm which shaped Sonny Perdue.

He has lived and breathed the exhilaration of a great crop and the despair and devastation of a drought. He learned by experience what his father told him as a child, “If you take care of the land, the land will take care of you.”

The work ethic cemented in him by his farming roots has remained with Sonny Perdue throughout his life. As a younger man, he served his country in the US Air Force, rising to the rank of Captain. After earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia, he put that training to use in private practice in North Carolina.

As a member of the Georgia State Senate for eleven years, he eventually ascended to the position of President Pro Tempore as elected by his senate colleagues. As a two-term governor of Georgia, he was credited with transforming a budget deficit into a surplus, dramatically increasing the student performance in public schools, and fostering an economic environment that allowed employers to flourish and manufacturers and agricultural producers to achieve record levels of exports.

He followed these accomplishments with a successful career in agribusiness, where he focused on commodities and transportation in enterprises that have spanned the southeastern United States. These experiences have proven invaluable in his current role as principal advocate for American agriculture and all that it serves.

Mr Perdue is a strong believer in good government, in that it should operate efficiently and serve the needs of its customers: the people of the United States. As a state senator, he was recognised as a leading authority on issues including energy and utilities, agriculture, transportation, emerging technologies and economic development, and for his ability to grasp the nuances of complex problems.

As governor, he reformed state budget priorities, helped Georgians create more than 200,000 new jobs, and promoted his home state around the world to attract new businesses. In 2009, the Reason Foundation’s Innovators in Action magazine recognised Mr Perdue as a leader who “aggressively pursued new strategies to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of government and deliver better value at less cost to taxpayers.”

In addition, he was named “Public Official of the Year” in October 2010 by Governing Magazine. To this day, his thoughts are never very far from the wishes of the citizens – the true owners of the government.

Mr Perdue’s views on agriculture have always been shaped by his first-hand knowledge of all of its aspects, both as a farmer and as an agribusinessman. He appreciates the daily concerns and needs of American farmers, while also understanding the intricacies of global commodities markets.

He is acknowledged as a national leader in agriculture, having served as a board member for the National Grain & Feed Association, and as President of both the Georgia Feed and Grain Association and the Southeastern Feed and Grain Association.

Mr Perdue has long-standing, close relationships with the leadership of the National Farm Bureau and has been recognised by the Georgia 4-H and FFA programs, among others, for his leadership in agriculture.

As the product of Georgia, a state where agriculture is the leading economic driver, Mr Perdue recognises that agriculture is an issue and industry which cuts across political party boundaries. He recognises that the size, scope, and diversity of America’s agricultural sector requires reaching across the aisle so that partisanship doesn’t get in the way of good solutions for American farmers, ranchers, and consumers.

Mr Perdue has been married to Mary Ruff Perdue for 44 years and has four adult children and fourteen grandchildren. He and his wife have served as foster parents for eight children awaiting adoption. Mr Perdue remains a licensed airplane and helicopter pilot and avid outdoor sportsman.

You can follow Secretary Perdue on Twitter, HERE.

Read more HERE.

April 24, 2017

25/04/2017: Ukraine: a future agricultural frontrunner?

by Christophe Palletier

This month I have had the privilege to visit Kiev for the very first time to see first-hand something of Ukraine’s agricultural industry

Christophe Palletier

In a country with more than 4272 million hectares of productive land and a population of only 42.5 million people, agriculture makes up a major part of their GDP.

In a system where land cannot be bought or sold, the farming companies have to negotiate leases from the freeholders - who usually own very small parcels of land.

The local landowners who individually own very few acres seem very willing to lease their share to some very major corporations, some of who have turnovers running into billions of dollars.

The country itself is rapidly developing its very significant rural economy to rank ‘top 10 exporters of foodstuffs worldwide.

Its major customers being China, India, Turkey and the EU, outside of which it still remains. 60 percent of its production comes from two regions, Mykolaiv and Potava, with maize/corn, wheat and barley being its main cereal based crops, all responsible for some 60 million tonnes per year.

Potatoes however, are the main vegetable crop along with sugar beet and vegetables.

It can be believed that with improving road and logistics, this country will become even more influential in the world’s agriculture economy.

As well as producing crops, livestock has a major influence - with poultry the main product, annually producing about 1144 million tonnes of which 7 percent is for export, with pig production taking second place at 760 million tonnes, most of which is consumed at home.

Unlike the western palate, fat meat is sought after. Because of the countries land borders and large-scale intensive units, disease spread is a major problem.

This is compounded by a lack of bio-security with many workers having a few pigs at home and a large wild pig population. African swine fever is a major problem, which hopefully will be abated with the help of geneticists who are looking for the health gene, successful vaccination programmes along with increased bio-security.

This in addition with the uptake of correct disposal of dead and diseased animals, the outbreaks can be limited and arrested.

Not to mention the training of staff, which plays a key role in any successful control measures in raising awareness, control and prevention.

Read the full article, HERE.

Golfetto Sangati company profile

Over the last century, the Group’s history has followed the interweaving stories of its three consituent companies. These disparate paths have led to the current Golfetto Sangati, a company that represents the culmination of a long journey that started in the Twenties.

Golfetto, originally founded in Padua, specialised in the engineering of cereal manufacturing plants. Its foundation is the starting point from which all future events took place. It was followed by Sangati’s foundation, in 1929, a company that in just a few years became a renowned name in the milling industry.

In 1952, Berga S.p.A. was set up. At first the company specialized in milling machines and silos. It then widened its business to animal feed production. During the seventies it became a recognised leader in the engineering and building of mills, animal feed plants, cereal storage and handling for harbour terminals. The company expanded even further with the opening of new branches in Europe and Northern Africa.

Visit the website HERE.

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