01/08/2013: New manager at Norel; fungus as animal feed; US Grains Council new chairman

Norel has announced the appointment of Ms Irene Margüenda in its technical department. Margüenda studied agronomy engineering and achieved a diploma of advanced studies. 

She has experience in animal nutrition, animal husbandry, farm management and critical analysis of experimental performances.

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Hans van Leeuwen, researcher at Iowa State University has developed a process that can turn the waste product from ethanol production into a high-protein fungus that is currently being tested for use as animal feed.

It is hoped that the fungus, which contains essential amino acids, will eventually help the millions of starvation-related deaths in developing countries each year.

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During its 53rd annual board of delegates meeting in Ottawa, Canada, the US Grains Council elected a new chairman to its board of directors.

Julius Schaaf, a farmer from Randolph, Iowa, has more than 33 years of experience in production agriculture.
 

"The world is always changing. Markets are always changing. Today competition is growing, and so are the opportunities. Our job is to figure out how to stay ahead of the changes,” Schaaf told attendees of the conference.

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chemical structure (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Toxinor, the wide spectrum mycotoxin binder

Over 300 types of mycotoxins are known, different in origin, structure and toxic characteristics. They are usually resistant to heat or chemical and biological degradation, besides being invisible, odourless and tasteless. 

Sometimes, synergistic effects might enhance their toxicity. Therefore, to tackle these different toxic compounds a multifaceted approach has to be employed. TOXINOR is a combination of ingredients with different physical properties and structure that confers the ability to sequester a range of mycotoxins based on many variables such as polarity, molecular size, etc... 

To be able to cover the maximum range of mycotoxins, NOREL decided to use three different ingredients that combines laminar 3D, fibrous-like and empty spheres structures, this way the specific surface value is maximised to optimise the activity against a range of mycotoxins, and to show a high binding capability for AFB1, AFB2, T-2, ZEN, Fumonisins and Ochratoxin. 

In order to assess its efficacy, TOXINOR was tested using HPLC in 10 toxins under two different pH conditions and compared with each control group. Results indicate a binding close to 100 percent for several toxins (Aflatoxins and Zearalenone), above 90 percent for Ochratoxin and T-2 toxin and a lower binding for Fumonisin and Vomitoxin.     

More information...

chemical structure of the mycotoxin ochratoxin C (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

28/08/12: UK wheat's fusarium risk; Norel's new distributor; human capital and agriculture

Welcome back!  We've had a Bank Holiday weekend here in the UK but are now back at Global Miller HQ and ready to go.  Here's the news:

• Alltech teams up with IFAMA to find solutions to addressing the development of human capital in agriculture:

Recognising a need to provide a global discussion on the topic of human capital in agriculture, the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IFAMA) announced the release of a special issue of the journal, International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, devoted to human capital in food and agribusiness. “Global Networks, Global Perspectives and Global Talent” contains 23 essays from top industry executives and leading academics who discuss different approaches to the challenges and solutions in filling the current global talent gap.

Featured authors include Hugh Grant, President and CEO of Monsanto; Hans Jöhr, Corporate Head of Agriculture for Nestlé; Pearse Lyons, President and Founder of Alltech; Vikram Puri, CEO of Mahindra ShubhLabh Services, and many more. The special issue is designed to raise awareness of the importance of human capital to a wide audience, share innovative ideas and identify areas for further study. It is available for free on the IFAMA website, www.ifama.org.

• NOREL appoints new distributor in South Africa:

Bupo Animal Health (Pty) Ltd, based in Pretoria, South Africa has started distributing Norel Animal Nutrition products for the poultry, dairy, and cattle markets. Mr Oscar Humberto Bupo, CEO of Bupo Animal Health has stated that the company is a very dynamic and growing company with innovative products and solutions for the African markets, with established branches in Mozambique, Kenya, Egypt, and Morocco.  Bupo Animal Health has established itself as a reliable company in the animal health industry for the last 25 years. During a technical training event presented by Mr Mathieu Cortyl at Bupo Animal Health’s Head Office in Pretoria last May, Mr Oscar Bupo said: “The Company will venture into the field of nutritional products for most commercial animal species and will explore new markets in the African continent and beyond its borders. The Company has the size, strength, and diversity to ensure the continued top quality of our products and services, the cornerstone of our international branding”.  More information...

Wheat? (Photo credit: « Jonny Boy »)

• UK wheat at risk from fusariam:

Analysis by CropMonitor found that 97% of UK winter wheat showed symptoms of fusarium head blight.  Read more...