The Interview | Christian Rabe, Head of Applied Feed Technology, Evonik, Germany

Christian Rabe, Head of Applied Feed Technology, Evonik, Germany 

Christian Rabe started his education at the Technical University (TU) in Munich with a Bachelor of Bio-Process Technology, followed by a Master of Process Technology at the TU Braunschweig. In 2010, he started working on process development for the production of different feed additives at Evonik.

Mr Rabe possesses more than 10 years of practical experience with process technology and application of feed additives in different functions within Evonik. During his career he has also been involved with quality assurance and new product development for feed additives.

He has also worked on starting up new production sites for feed additives and implementing equipment at customer sites to handle these feed additives all over the world. To achieve this, he tries to get as many as possible different insights into the feed industry and then look at it from different angles.

  

Looking back at your life, which events in particular lead you into a career in the feed sector? 

At university I learned a lot about producing chemical or biotechnological substances in an optimum way to reduce the required resources. However, the application of these products often leads to an increased demand for resources.

Starting my career at Evonik, I was involved in the production of feed additives. Very early on, I got insights into the application of these products. I was fascinated by the beneficial effect you can achieve with feed additives on animal welfare and the ecological footprint. These effects are based on scientific research.

Because of the product value of these feed additives, I wanted to go deeper into their application. After getting further insights into the feed industry, including quality assurance and new product development, I really focused on feed mill production and still try to optimise this process as much as I can.   

 Where do you still see as being the highest optimisation potential in a modern feed mill, what would you say are the relevant core process steps?

 

For this question you need to distinguish between two important aspects. First, are you finding the same amount of all components in the final feed as you added? So, do you have a sufficient recovery rate? This is highly influenced by the dosing accuracy.

And second, is the added component always the same in each small feed portion? So, do you have a sufficient homogeneity? This is highly influenced by the mixing homogeneity.

To answer these two questions, you need to look deeper into the dosing and mixing process. Of course, all process steps during feed production will influence the final feed quality but mixing and dosing still have a high optimisation potential if you compare theoretical and practical data.

For both process steps, the performance is much higher in theory than in practice. We have measured this using the Evonik long term test in commercial feed mills all over the world. And these process steps can be improved easily by changing some parameters.

While the equipment parameters are fixed by the available equipment, the physical product and process parameters can be influenced by, for example, using dry or liquid ingredients. So, at this point you can directly improve mixing homogeneity and dosing accuracy by using more dry ingredients.

 

What would you say is the influence of feed quality for the ensuing value chain? 

A certain amount of essential feed additives is needed for every animal to achieve uniform performance. Different available scientific publications demonstrate what will happen if essential feed additives are not well distributed in the final feed; you will not achieve a uniform body weight or animal performance in the animals.

Therefore, the production of the final feed with the right quality is one essential piece of the puzzle to achieve sustainable meat production. Without having optimised feed production, you will use too many resources and, therefore, will lose money during meat production.

 

Do you see any emerging trends for feed production in modern feed mills? 

In future feed mill operations will be more and more automised and more and more data will be created during production. This will help to improve the overall feed production process. Connecting the different process steps and adapting each one because of slight changes to others will help you to run the feed production in an optimum way all the time.

A very interesting example is online analytics. If you are able to react to fluctuations in raw material quality on a single batch level, you can reduce all the safety margins you have added to get a constant feed quality.

Connecting online analytics with your dosing equipment will allow you to get this benefit, and this technique is already available. But one further step is to get data from animal performance directly and also use these data for feed production. So, you will connect your animal performance with your feed mill production and get your dedicated final feed. 

 

How do we check feed quality and if required, how can it be improved? 

One important point of feed quality mentioned above, is that all added ingredients need to be homogeneously mixed and added in the right amount. Of course, lots of other process steps next to dosing and mixing are important for achieving a sufficient feed quality.

But there is an easy way to check your mixing and dosing performance by just measuring a so-called mixing profile. There are several service providers available to do this, Evonik can check your dosing and mixing performance by measuring the content of different amino acids in the final feed, for example.

You just take ten samples from one mixing batch during a running operation. That is all. Afterwards you know if you need to improve your mixing and dosing process or not.

There are lots of factors influencing the mixing homogeneity and dosing accuracy you can check. These include the physical product properties, the maintenance status of the equipment, the set of process parameters, the amount of added liquids, the type of raw materials, the way of proportioning the products and the type of equipment.

For this list I do not want to claim completeness, but optimisation of all of these parameters can increase mixing homogeneity and dosing accuracy, therefore improving feed quality.

 

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.

U.S. Grains Council hybrid summer meeting helps bring together members in person and online

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) brought members together in person Wednesday for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, launching its summer annual meeting in Des Moines, Iowa, and online through a virtual meeting platform.

Image credit: U.S Grains Council

Joining for his first in-person meeting since taking on his role as U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack addressed attendees on the status and future of U.S. agricultural trade.

Mr Vilsack began his remarks by calling the U.S. grains industry the 'secret sauce' of trade, noting that its members understand the importance of partnership to growing export demand.

'We are in the process at USDA to build back better for trade,' Mr Vilsack said. 'We've been working on removing barriers to trade and are ready to engage more frequently and closely with our counterparts in other countries. American agriculture is at the centre of that work because if something happens internationally, U.S. ag will feel that change. We are prepared and ready to look for more opportunities and diversity in trade partners.'

In addition, Mr Vilsack emphasised the continued need for biofuels in the future, including for aviation and marine use.

'It will be a long time before we're in the position where we won't need biofuels. We need to take a look at creative ways that we can use bio-based products. If we can do this, I think we'll see a bright future for American agriculture," he said.

USGC Chairman Jim Raben, a farmer from Illinois, began the 61st Annual Board of Delegates Meeting by thanking the industry for their perseverance during the global pandemic.

'Over the last year, our members provided customers around the world a virtual, behind-the-scenes look at their operations and ensured our global partners that the United States would continue to provide them a reliable, high-quality product, despite these uncertain times,' Mr Raben said.

'Likewise, our staff – time and time again – have stepped up to the plate and trade has continued despite the pandemic keeping us at home and the technology challenges we've all encountered and had to overcome.'

USGC President and CEO Ryan LeGrand offered his assessment of where markets stand for U.S. corn, sorghum, barley, distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol.

'During this time, we were challenged to think in new ways, figure out how we could use technology to keep servicing our customers and to keep markets open,' he said. 'I can definitively say we have been successful. We've had record sales of U.S. corn and U.S. sorghum during this period. While it's still a challenging trade horizon beyond our shores, it's one that holds great promise.'

Nearly 400 in-person and online attendees also heard a recorded presentation by former World Trade Organisation (WTO) Deputy Director-General Ambassador Alan Wolff and a live presentation by futurist Christopher Kent of Foresight Alliance, who shared his vision for what U.S. trade may look like in a post-Covid world.

World Food Prize winner, Ohio State University distinguished professor and soil scientist Dr. Rattan Lal spoke on the role of agriculture in sustainability as the world emerges from the global pandemic.

In the afternoon, attendees spent time in one or more of seven Council Advisory Team (A-Team) meetings. Each A-Team has a specific focus – including Asia, Ethanol, Innovation and Sustainability, Middle East/Africa/South Asia, Trade Policy, Value-Added and Western Hemisphere – allowing members the chance to offer input, set priorities and help determine the Council's course of action over the coming year.

On Thursday, Council programming is scheduled to focus on selected markets around the world in which it works - including Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, South Asia, Mexico and China. The meeting will culminate on Friday with the Council's Board of Delegates meeting, appointment of new A-Team leaders and election of members of the 2021/2022 Board of Directors.

For more information about the U.S Grains Council visit their 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.

Molino San Vito Società Cooperativa meets the food safety challenge thanks to Ocrim

Daniele Cassata, Managing Director of Molino San Vito Società Cooperativa, entrusted Ocrim in June 2019, with the modernisation of its durum wheat plant for the production of semolina. Testing was carried out almost a year ago and, to date, the cooperative's management is fully satisfied with the work carried out and the results it is achieving.

Image credit: Molino San Vito Società Cooperativa

The modernisation was focused on the pre-cleaning, cleaning and grinding sections. Excellent and high-performance Ocrim machines were installed in order to increase the mill's production capacity (from 110 to 160 T/24h), adapt the plant according to strict Atex standards and raise the quality of the semolina to the highest levels.

Diamond grindstone debranners have been installed to guarantee maximum debranning efficiency and longer production life. Antimicrobial sieves have been incorporated into the plansifters to ensure greater product wholesomeness and optimise machine maintenance. These choices are increasingly shared and adopted by Ocrim customers, both old and new, worldwide. Innovative solutions that are the result of constant, attentive work by Ocrim's entire Research & Development department.

The business relationship with Molino San Vito started about fifteen years ago when Ocrim supplied them with machines for slight plant modernisation. This first task represented the beginning of a serious, long-lasting and constructive relationship that has led Ocrim to take on the modernisation and expansion of the plant today.

'The most important 'lesson' of our relationship lies at the very start of this experience: what was done fifteen years ago has gradually led to building an important relationship based on presence and trust that made it possible for Ocrim to be subsequently chosen to modernise the entire plant at Molino San Vito and to be part of their potential future choices.' These are the words of Ocrim's Managing Director, Alberto Antolini.

For more information about Ocrim visit their 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.

The Indo Livestock Virtual Expo and Forum has been cancelled

Following the current situation of pandemic and further consideration on the impact of Covid-19, PT Napindo Media Ashatama as the organiser had to take a decision to cancel Indo Livestock, Indo Feed, Indo Dairy, Indo Agritech, Indo Vet & Indo Fisheries Virtual Expo & Forum which was scheduled for August 2-7, 2021.

Image credit: Indo Livestock

This decision was made to follow the Emergency Public Activity Restriction (PPKM) imposed by the government, which is directly restricting coordination and preparation both among staff and foreign vendors they are working with. Thus, the organisers believe that all the participants will understand about the cancellation due to this force majeure condition.

Instead, Indo Livestock, Indo Feed, Indo Dairy, Indo Agritech, Indo Vet & Indo Fisheries Virtual Expo & Forum will take place July 6-8, 2022, at the Jakarta Convention Centre in Indonesia.

For more information visit the Indo Livestock 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.

GEA will design the world’s first krill protein pilot plant as commissioned by Aker BioMarine

On behalf of Aker BioMarine, GEA is to design and deliver the world's first pilot plant for hydrolysing krill protein. The client is a biotechnology company based in Norway that fishes for Antarctic krill – tiny shrimp-like crustaceans – and uses them to develop ingredients for functional foods, aquaculture and animal feed. 

Image credit: Aker BioMarine

Slated to come online in late 2022, the new pilot plant will produce a highly concentrated protein isolate destined for food and beverages. The partners signed the engineering, procurement and construction contract valued in the double-digit million-euro range in July 2021.

Sustainable marine biotechnology
'With GEA's expertise in engineering plants for food ingredients, we look forward to starting operations in a highly innovative facility that will also house our research and innovation centre,' says Kees van de Watering, Vice President Process Engineering Aker BioMarine. Through its activities at the new site in Ski Næringspark near Oslo, the company aims to help evolve Norway's marine biotechnology competence cluster.

As a manufacturer of seafood ingredients, Aker BioMarine believes it has a responsibility to improve human health through product innovation and sustainable harvesting technology without compromising the health of our planet and its marine ecosystems. To this end, the company intends to decarbonise both its krill fisheries and production. Aker BioMarine's decision to cooperate with GEA was motivated in part by the systems supplier's consistent pursuit of sustainability together with the reduced carbon footprint its process technology offers. GEA will engineer the pilot plant for krill protein with a view to sustainability. While every component's energy consumption and longevity are checked, major efficiency gains are secured thanks to streamlined process planning and automation.

Functional foods call for creativity from manufacturers and technical experts
GEA has been tasked with designing all technical processes in the krill protein hydrolysis pilot plant as well as supplying and integrating the machinery and components. The plant will utilise the GEA CODEX based automation system. Thanks to a highly flexible design, the facility lends itself to further product development and innovation.

'The functional food – or New Food – market is currently evolving very dynamically. Innovators such as Aker BioMarine are not only unlocking entirely new sources of human nutrition and health but also doing so without compromising the climate and environment. We are thrilled to join Aker BioMarine on their journey into researching and commercializing krill protein,' says Heinz-Jürgen Kroner, Senior Vice President Liquid Technologies at GEA, commenting on the boom in this growth market that also holds strategic importance for GEA. 'Assisting in developing new food sources provides us with an exciting opportunity to showcase our own creativity in process technology.' The pilot plant is to serve as a benchmark for further protein hydrolysis equipment in the future.

Making krill protein fit for human consumption
Having recently been generally recognised as safe (GRAS) by an expert panel, INVI, a sustainably sourced krill protein hydrolysate and the final product from the pilot plant, is now ready to be marketed in the United States. Krill protein has a complete, well-balanced amino acid profile and protein content of over 90 percent. Hydrolysates are known to be well absorbed by the human body as a result of the hydrolysis that takes place in the process and is consequently well suited to use in functional foods.

Following extensive research into protein powder, Aker BioMarine has developed a production process that converts protein flour into high-quality protein hydrolysate powder for human consumption. In commissioning the pilot plant, which will expand production from the current lab-based operation into a scalable, industrial process with a capacity of 120 tons per year, Aker BioMarine will develop and sell commercial products and work with partners to create new market opportunities.

For more information about GEA visit their 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.

Zhengchang expanding technology aids Wen's pig industry

Recently, the 40-ton high-end large and medium-sized pig feed expanding production line built by Zhengchang for Huize Wen's Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd. has entered the trial production stage. The equipment runs stably, the feed material produced is of good shape, and the pellets are uniform, which makes Huize Wen's customers very satisfied.

Image credit: Zhengchang

Huize County is one of the eight dominant pig counties in Yunnan Province, and has been awarded the national pig transfer from the country for 12 consecutive years. The county relies on the leading enterprises represented by Guangdong Wen's Group Co., Ltd. to vigorously promote the sustainable development of the pig industry. The pig industry has become one of the leading industries cultivated in the county's poverty alleviation.

However, after entering 2021, the industry's conclusion that the non-pneumonia epidemics are 'more frequent in winter in the north and frequent in summer in the south' has once again been confirmed. There is no doubt that the outbreak of epidemics in southern pig-raising provinces such as Guangxi, Guangdong, and Yunnan has revived. This brought a crisis to the pig industry in Huize County.

At this time, it is particularly important to prevent and control the epidemic and ensure the healthy development of the pig industry. As a source of all nutrients for animal growth, feed is inextricably linked to African swine fever. Internationally renowned feed expert Dr. Scot's research has shown that after the virus is carried in feed ingredients, it can still survive for a long time. Among them, the survival time of African swine fever virus in soybean meal can even exceed 30 days.

Removal of African swine fever virus carried in feed through feed processing technology has become an important issue in the industry. The industry has provided many solutions for this. Among them, the fourth-generation expanding process of Zhengchang, which won the 2011 China Feed Industry Major Technological Progress Project Award, can kill ASF viruses from the source and is the most effective in actual use by many customers.

This time, the high-end large and medium pig feed production line built by Zhengchang for Huize Wen's is equipped with Zhengchang's fourth-generation expanding process. The use of Zhengchang expanding technology can not only kill the swine fever virus from the source, but also increase the survival rate of suckling pigs in the 7-31-day training trough by 99 percent, and reduce the feed-to-meat ratio of piglets by 0.1 percent.

The pig feed produced by Zhengchang expanding technology has helped customers establish a series of differentiated competitive advantages:

It can completely kill the African swine fever virus from the source, allowing the baby pigs to grow up healthily.

It can eliminate the anti-nutritional factors in the raw materials, reduce the urease in the soybean meal, and the suckling pig will not diarrhea after eating, and the survival rate is high

Medium temperature and comfort (90~130 degrees) plus low temperature pelleting technology retains the activity of functional substances in the raw materials, improves the digestibility of feed, and realizes the formula value of nutritionists. The produced pig feed is fragrant, sweet, crisp, and crisp. Good nutrition, good digestion and fast growth

In the teaching trough stage, the feed intake can be increased, and the total feed intake can reach 525-700 grams, which improves the absorption capacity of the suckling pig's digestive tract. Generally, the weight of the suckling pig will increase by 1 kg during the teaching trough. The weight of adult pigs can increase by 10 kg.

Zhengchang specialises in creating stable, reliable and long-lasting expanding process production lines for pig feed companies to kill African swine fever virus in feed materials, improve feed quality, ensure health and pollution-free, and continuously create value for customers.

For more information about Zhengchang visit their 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.

Michael Fischer takes over the position of Chief Operating Officer at Delacon

Michael Fischer has more than 25 years of experience in the food industry and has been part of executive boards for 13 years. Together with the other Delacon C-Suite members, Markus Dedl, CEO, and Stéphane Jolain, CBO, he will guide the organisation in implementing its vision to unlock the plant universe for better lives.

Michael Fischer
Image credit: Delacon

In June 2021, the experienced business leader, Mr Fischer, took over the position of Chief Operating Officer at Delacon. He is located at the company's Hub in Engerwitzdorf, Austria. In his function, Mr Fischer is reporting directly to Delacon's CEO Markus Dedl and oversees the areas of Operations, Finance, Organisational Development, as well as Administration.

'Having consumer demands and beliefs in mind, I see a very bright future for phytogenics, and can highly identify with Delacon's values: make a difference, grow together, impact life', says Mr Fischer, 'Together with the global team and partners, I look forward to growing Delacon's global footprint and make the world a little bit better with our concepts and solutions, every day.'

Mr Dedl adds, 'With joining our C-Suite, we are strengthening our top management as a base for Delacon's future growth and development. Together, we will pursue our mission of making phytogenics for health and nutrition available to all.'

Mr Fischer brings over 20 years of leadership experience in different positions. In leading several business units, he gained broad expertise in finance and controlling, business development and sales, brand and marketing, global expansions and export strategies, production and purchase, organisational changes, and corporate strategy.

Most recently, Fischer worked with the family-owned food company SPITZ as CEO for the bakery division. Before that, for 20 years, he was the CEO for the greatest division of Resch & Frisch, contributing significantly to the enormous growth of the Austrian family company with about 1,100 employees focusing on baked goods. His professional career is founded on his business administration studies at the University of Linz, with a specialisation in Controlling and Marketing. He holds a Magister's as well as an MBA degree.

For more information about Delacon visit their 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.

Total Nutrition: Feeding Animals For Health And Growth 2nd Edition – a book by Dr Clifford A Adams

This book considers the practical implications and implementation of a Total Nutrition programme, designed to respond to the modern issues of sustainability, animal health, high quality food production, environmental concerns and reduced use of antibiotics.

In many countries there is now great resistance to the widespread use of antibiotic growth promoters and of other pharmaceutical products in raising animals for food. Unfortunately, there is frequently little appreciation by the population at large and by the media of the challenges this poses to the production of large volumes of low cost food of animal origin.

The concept of 'Total Nutrition' outlined in the book, may help to meet these challenges where health maintenance, disease avoidance and general nutrition are seen as requirements of animal diets today. This requires the consideration of both the nutrient levels of feeds and other bio-active components, known as nutricines. Initial results suggest that by judicious use of a range of nutricines, it will be possible to achieve both good health status of animals and good growth performance using feed formulations and ingredients that satisfy modern legislative and consumer demands.

This book is a must read for people who are interested in a Total Nutrition approach to food production, such as nutritionists and students.

The book discusses topics such as feed quality and hygiene, immune system and defence, public health, ethical issues, and much more.

For more information about the book visit the 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.

Cimbria continues to focus on sustainability with their new Bamboo Chain Conveyor

Cimbria has been driven by innovation throughout its 75 years history. They are now delivering another innovation supporting a better environment with the creation of a new eco-attentive product for the feed industry.

Image credit: Cimbria

The opportunity was born when Felleskjøpet Rogaland Agder (FKRA), one of the leading suppliers in the agricultural sector in Norway, asked Cimbria to reduce the presence of micro plastics within its supply chain.

FKRA joined the Ethical Trading Initiative (IEH) in 2013. The membership shows their commitment to continuously improve environmental conditions, in line with basic ILO standards and United Nations conventions.

Within this commitment, suppliers must work to improve their products to achieve high levels of sustainability and replace plastic components with organic parts, where possible.

That's why Cimbria has developed an innovative feature in chain conveyors. They are now utilising sustainable raw materials to replace PE-HD plastic plates with bamboo plates. As a result, the new Bamboo Chain Conveyor is the first conveyor on the market able to reduce the presence of micro plastics in the fish feeding supply chain.

The Cimbria Bamboo Chain Conveyor offers a range of features, which makes it ideal for that industry. It includes maximum wear resistance, smoother operation and lower noise for a better workplace environment.

Collaborating with clients to ensure high-quality products has always been Cimbria's best way to drive results. It positively impacts business and the environment. Both teams share the same vision for the future and for society.

With the bamboo chain conveyor, Cimbria strengthens its commitment to put resources in place and provide the best solutions for their customers, while serving the planet. 

For more information about Cimbria visit their 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.

New series of Smart Sampling Systems introduced by Dinnissen Process Technology

From a range of plunger and screw samplers for different applications, to their latest Multisize Sample Carousel that fully automates sampling of different sample sizes. Dinnissen presents their latest range of sampling solutions in one video, available on their website.

Why producers sample
Producers use sampling to test the quality of their product. In order to produce the best possible products, a producer needs to be 100 percent sure of the entire production process. Especially as food safety and product quality requirements are increasing. To validate their product, producers analyse samples that have been taken after and during processing steps.

There are different types of samples with different purposes:

• Output samples
• Chemical samples
• Bacteriological samples
• Hourly samples
• Batch samples
• Continuous samples

Sampling during the production process is an increasingly intensive task. Therefore, it is good to know that you can significantly simplify this task with sampling carousels. Sampling with the new Multisize Sample Carousel significantly reduces the amount of labour required and minimises the margin of error.

With Dinnissen's Multisize Sample Carousel, producers can now take samples of different sizes in an automated sampling process. With this innovation, producers can also determine the order and frequency per sample size. The cleanability of the carousel is also an essential factor for the ability to take truly representative samples.

The Multisize Sample Carousel collects up to 20 samples in different shapes, without human intervention. The innovation can be seamlessly integrated into new and existing lines and keeps downtime to a minimum. Dinnissen Process Technology works with the customer to draw up a sampling plan to create the most efficient sampling process possible, tailored to each customer's specific situation.

Features of Dinnissen Smart Sampling Systems

• Hygienic design
• Wide range of samplers
• Easy access for fast but thorough cleaning
• Sample carousels that can be adapted to your specific objectives
• Carousels with 8 to 20 positions, with sample sizes from 10 to 1,000 grams
• Material certificates for these product-contact parts, such as 3.1, FDA requirements and EC1935 / 2010, are included as standard
• Also available in ATEX version
• All product contact parts can be removed without tools
• Designed, built and tested in-house

For more information about Dinnissen visit their 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.

Applications are now open for the Commercial Dry Feed Facility of the year

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), in coordination with Feedstuffs, has opened the application phase for its Commercial Dry Feed Facility of the Year (FFY) program. The program is open to all AFIA member commercial dry facilities.

'We are excited to have the opportunity to recognise the commercial dry facilities that go above and beyond in keeping their operations running safely and efficiently,' says Gary Huddleston, the AFIA's director of feed manufacturing and regulatory affairs. 'The commercial dry category has always had a large participation and we are looking forward to a large participation again this year.'

The AFIA has been recognising excellent feed manufacturing facilities since 1985. In 2016, the AFIA created four distinct manufacturing categories to be more inclusive of our industry facilities. In 2021, the FFY program separated each category into its own individual program: liquid feed, commercial dry, premix and ingredient, and integrator, with each category having its own facility of the year award.

The application phase for the Commercial Dry Feed Facility of the Year is now open and submissions, with the $100 application fee, are due by September 16. The winning facility will be recognised at the AFIA's Feed Education Program at the International Production & Processing Expo, taking place January 26, 2022, in Atlanta, Ga. The winning plant manager will receive overnight accommodations and a free registration to the expo.

For more information about AFIA visit their 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.

UK ‘meat tax’ would cost economy almost £250M a year, prompting a study into a more subtle approach

A 'meat tax' would cost the UK £242 million a year according to a new study. Conversely, the savings resulting from reduced climate emissions were calculated in the region of £100M per annum.

Image credit: Global Panorama on Flickr
(CC BY-SA 2.0)

The report from agricultural research institute Rothamsted Research concludes a tax on red meat to help curb climate change could do more harm than good.

Dr Taro Takahashi, the agricultural economist who led the research said the economic losses would not only be borne by livestock farmers, but everyone in society. 'Solely from the climate change perspective, our results unambiguously support everyone else's finding: that a red meat tax can reduce GHG emissions.

'But unfortunately, this is only half the story, because the same tax could also force grazing livestock farms out of the industry – even when grassland is actually the most sensible land use at that particular location.

'As well as impacting consumers and farmers, the knock-on effects will be felt right along supply chains as well as rural communities that support and are supported by farmers.'

Last week's National Food Strategy report called for a 30 percent reduction in meat consumption but steered clear of suggesting a meat tax, calling it 'politically impossible'. This decision was met with strong criticism by advocates of a levy against ruminant farming because dairy, beef and lamb are known to cause greater greenhouse gas emissions than poultry, pork or plant-based foods.

However, whilst UK sheep and cattle are typically reared on grass, poultry and pigs are predominantly fed on cereals that could instead be eaten by humans – and with limited space available for agriculture, growing food for farm animals rather than people is often seen as an inefficient use of land.

Dr Takahashi says rather than a blanket tax, a better solution would be to look at which areas of the country are best kept as cattle and sheep farms, and which would be better turned to other uses such as crop production for human consumption, agroforestry, and provision of ecosystem services.

'This would involve a more nuanced approach of weighing up the carbon savings against the amount of nutrients produced and the impacts on the economy, both locally and nationally.'

The new study, published in Scientific Reports, modelled economy-wide impacts of meat tax for the first time and estimated that, even under moderate tax rates previously proposed for the UK (19% for meat and 11% for dairy), the country's economic losses would amount to £242M per year. These losses resulted from transfer of land and labour forces from livestock farms to arable farms and non-agricultural industries. The study found meat and milk production would decrease, with substantial greenhouse gas savings recorded both directly on farms and indirectly at connected industries, such as the manufacturing of agrochemicals.

Under the proposed tax, such climate change causing emissions were predicted to decrease by 2.5 Mt CO2 equivalent per year – equating to a monetised social benefit of £101M per annum under the same carbon price (£41/t CO2 equivalent) used to derive the assumed tax rates.

Advocates of a meat tax argue that economic models predict a significant reduction in GHG emissions as a result of taxation.

'However, many of these analyses do not consider wider effects of taxation beyond red meat and dairy markets, and as such the macroeconomic impacts associated with a shrinkage in the livestock industry were mostly unknown before this study,' says Dr Takahashi.

Professor Michael Lee, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Harper Adams University who co-authored the paper while at Rothamsted adds, 'Our study also shows the vital role responsible consumption of ruminant livestock products can play within a sustainable food system under the UK's grassland dominated landscape.

'Ruminant livestock are the most efficient provider of key nutrients for human health from land not suitable for growing crops. The study highlights that even with reduced protein consumption levels as advocated in the National Food Strategy, ruminants, given our landscape, should continue to supply high-quality protein from grasslands. This way, more fertile lands can be freed up for provision of fibre and vitamins through vegetables and fruits.'

The next step for the research team is to identify when exactly grassland should remain grassland for sustainable food production, a task Dr Takahashi describes as 'critical' for the future of UK agriculture.

'Given that we currently consume more livestock products than nutritionally recommended, it is perhaps socially suboptimal to maintain all of today's grasslands for grazing purposes. The question, then, is under what soil, local climate and other geographical conditions are they desirable to society?

'We absolutely need to answer this question before telling a specific farmer to stop rearing livestock, because otherwise some unintended consequences are very likely.'

For more information about Rothamstead Research visit their 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.

AFIA and IFEEDER announce their new development and operations specialist, Emily Igli

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) and Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER) have announced the addition of Emily Anne Igli as the new development and operations specialist, effective July 12.

Emily Igli
Image credit: AFIA

Ms Igli will provide tactical support for Constance Cullman, AFIA's president and CEO, and Lara Moody, IFEEDER's executive director, as well as facilitating Board operations and donor stewardship. She will also support the IFEEDER Board of Trustees and deliver reports on fundraising efforts and results, while working closely with the IFEEDER executive director to establish and implement the overall strategic direction for the public charity. Additionally, she will work closely with the AFIA communications team, developing strategies for a development presence in all communications and marketing.

'Emily's past experience in agricultural government relations and interest in sustainability makes her an excellent asset to the AFIA team,' says Ms Cullman. 'I'm thrilled to welcome her and I look forward to seeing the new perspective and expertise she will bring to our association and industry research arm.'

Bringing a wealth of experience from the interpersonal facets of various business organisations, Ms Igli values the importance of quality communication while fostering creativity and tangible sustainability in the workplace. Prior to joining the AFIA and IFEEDER, Ms Igli learned the ins and outs of corporate agriculture as she completed a professional clerkship with Tyson Foods in their legal and federal government relations department.

Ms Igli holds a bachelor's degree in sociology and political science from the University of Arkansas.

For more information about AFIA visit their wbesite, 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.