USDA funds three new Nutrition Hubs

December 20, 2024 - The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a $4.5 million investment to create three additional USDA Nutrition Hubs. The hubs will support effective, translatable and scalable approaches to advance food and nutrition security and reduce the burden of diet-related chronic diseases, especially in underserved, at-risk communities.

"Nutrition security means everyone has consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe, affordable foods essential to optimal health and well-being," said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. "Ensuring nutrition security for all has been a cornerstone priority for the Biden-Harris Administration, and these new Nutrition Hubs will pave the way for even greater strides toward achieving that goal."

The addition of these three Hubs creates a network that builds on the pilot Nutrition Hub established last year in partnership with Southern University and A&M College under USDA's Agricultural Science Center of Excellence for Nutrition and Diet for Better Health (ASCEND for Better Health) initiative.

Funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, along with support from the USDA Agricultural Research Service, the Nutrition Hub network will complement and increase the impact of USDA's collective contributions to the Extension, education and research communities and underserved communities at large through the lens of precision nutrition.

Precision nutrition is a tailored approach to diet guidance based on individual subpopulations' unique characteristics, which include dietary intake and food composition, genetics, socioeconomic and psychosocial characteristics, food environments, cultural factors, physical activity and health status.

The Nutrition Hubs will be located at three Land-grant Universities: University of Hawaii, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Utah State University.

"USDA's Land-grant University partners are the perfect place to house these three new Nutrition Hubs because of the experience they have building their communities through education and Extension outreach programming," said Dr Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics and USDA's Chief Scientist. "Their goal will be to better understand the real-world opportunities and challenges around food, nutrition and diet-related health disparities, and to develop coordinated science-based solutions and resources for their populations."

Among the goals of the Nutrition Hubs is to stimulate and catalyse cross-cutting and interdisciplinary work among scientists and stakeholders, using highly interdisciplinary approaches and human-centred program designs.

The Pacific Nutrition Hub, located at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, will enhance nutrition capacity in the US Affiliated Pacific Region through data-driven strategies and professional trainings tailored for the area's Native populations that are culturally and biologically distinct with Native languages and customs.

The Healthy Living for Hispanic Communities USDA Nutrition Hub at the Texas A&M Institute for Advancing Health through Agriculture will improve food and nutrition security, reduce diet-related disparities and improve population health in Hispanic communities.

Utah State University's Western Region Nutrition Security Collaborative will foster interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration to address barriers such as structural inequalities and improve equitable access to health-promoting foods. 

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.

Utrix animal solutions receives Halal certfication

December 20, 2024 - Utrix has announced that their key feed additives and mycotoxin binders have received the Halal certification from Dar El Fatwa. These products are designed to improve poultry and ruminant performance, feed quality and safety, as well as the safety and quality of drinking water in poultry farms.

Michel Daher, Business Support Director, commented on the announcement: "We are confident that this Halal certification will open the door to new markets for our innovative solutions in the Middle East region. This milestone underscores our commitment to meeting the diverse needs of our customers while adhering to the highest standards of quality and safety."

For more information, visit 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 receives one million dollars in federal funding to promote animal food exports

December 20, 2024 - The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has received one million dollars in federal funding through the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP). In October 2023, the USDA initiated the $1.4 billion RAPP program aimed at developing new export markets for US food and agricultural products.

"We appreciate the USDA's continued recognition of AFIA's pivotal role in advancing the US feed ingredient and petfood industries on the global stage," stated AFIA President and CEO Constance Cullman. "This funding underscores our shared commitment to a strong US agricultural economy by building strong relationships with foreign buyers, expanding opportunities for American agricultural exports and boosting the competitiveness of US animal food manufacturers in emerging markets."

In 2023, the overall export value for feed, feed ingredients and petfood stood at $13.4 billion and the total volume of exports of these products amounted to 19.8 million metric tonnes, demonstrating the significant role the animal food industry plays in overall US agriculture exports.

The USDA's RAPP, initiated in 2023 following a bipartisan request from the US Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, awards funds to eligible entities, including agricultural trade organisations such as the AFIA, state regional trade groups, cooperatives and state agencies, to facilitate export expansion, address trade barriers and promote American agricultural products in new markets. This is the second time the AFIA has been awarded this funding.

For more information, visit 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.

TMO: Paddy production and stocks sufficient for market stability

December 19, 2024 - Turkey's paddy production and existing stocks are sufficient to maintain market stability, the Turkish Grain Board (TMO) announced. According to the statement, paddy production in 2024 is expected to reach 1 million tonnes (around 600,000 tonnes of rice), up 11.2% from the previous year. It was also stated that the market, which was stagnant before the harvest, became active with the purchase prices announced on September 13, 2024 and that the prices were shaped in line with the levels set by TMO.

TMO pointed out that the sudden price increases in the paddy market in recent days and the interruptions in product supply may be speculative moments. The institution emphasised that the market is monitored instantly and that strong stocks and market regulation powers will be activated when necessary. Considering the increase in production compared to last year, the existence of stocks in the hands of producers and the amount of product in circulation, it was underlined tat there is no situation that requires price fluctuations.

TMO assured the public that all necessary steps would be taken to maintain market stability.

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.

A new 'Oqualim' structure for animal feed safety

December 18, 2024 - Oqualim, Qualimat and Qualimat Sud-Ouest merged on December 17, 2024 to strengthen the performance, visibility and recognition of the French animal feed sector on sanitary issues, at three levels: regional, national and international.

Through this merger, the new structure will bring together, from January 1, 2025, under the name Ogualim, all professionals in the animal feed sector and will federate their approach, expertise and their operational solutions of today and tomorrow, in the service of quality management and feed safety.

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Recognised for their commitment and operational solutions, Oqualim, Qualimat and Qualimat Sud-Ouest are joining forces in a single structure. This will bring together feed, premixes, mineral feed, liquid feed or specialties producers and will also include among its partners professional suppliers of raw materials, representatives of companies involved in collection, storage and transport. This grouping will allow for greater consistency of sectoral requirements, in compliance with the Guide to Good Practices in Animal Nutrition.

This collective approach should strengthen the international recognition of French standards, such as the animal nutrition certification standard (RDNA) and its 'Sustainable Soy' module (SDNA), the non-GMO technical bases (STNO) and equine nutrition (STNE), the raw material supplier certification standard (RCF), supported by Oqualim or the Qualimat-Transport standard.

The harmonised, integrated and impartial application of certification protocols, built by and for French professionals, is based on the involvement of certification bodies (CBs) and auditors, trained and respectful of these protocols. The continuity of the collaborations established between associations and CBs will guarantee the robustness and recognition of certified French companies in the future.

"This structuring project, respectful of the values and fundamentals upheld by the profession, will strengthen the approaches and experience acquired in terms of risk analysis, monitoring, control and certification. This success will serve all animal production sectors and the health safety of our food". (Press release, September 2023).

The optimisation of resources and pooling actions, or even the development of new services are intended to encourage the membership of all French animal feed professionals, of which more than 310 companies are already collectively engaged in a resolutely dynamic sector, to face new challenges including that of decarbonisation.

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.

ForFarmers and Remediiate announce collaboration

December 17, 2024 - ForFarmers, a European-based feed manufacturer, and Remediiate, which uses algae to convert CO₂ into animal feed, fertiliser and nutraceuticals, have signed a letter of intent for their collaboration in the United Kingdom.

The collaboration focuses on growing microalgae that can capture industry CO₂ emissions that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. The companies said processing the microalgae into animal feed reduces CO₂ emissions and creates sustainable, circular solution for animal feed.

Carlos de Pommes, Chief Executive Officer of Remediiate, said the collaboration with ForFarmers is an important step toward sustainable innovation.

"With Project LightARC in Wales, we are now capturing CO₂ emissions from nickel production to culture Microalgae, and in partnership with ForFarmers we are exploring its application in animal feed," he said. "This project shows that together we can make a positive impact on both industry and the environment."

He said that by using microalgae in animal feed, "they gain value and transform into protein for human consumption."

Microalgae, an alternative source material that can help reduce the use of certain crops, such as soybeans, "are rich in proteins, carbohydrates and oils, but as cultured here, they are not directly suitable for human consumption," de Pommes said. "That is why we call them a circular raw material for animal feed."

Rob Kiers, Chief Operating Officer, ForFarmers, said the collaboration is an important step toward a more sustainable future and fits well with the company's 'For the Future of Farming' mission.

"By using microalgae to sequester CO₂ in the final product, we not only create value for our animal feed industry, but also contribute to a sustainable future," Kiers said. "In addition, it is a step towards more circularity, one of the sustainability ambitions within our organisation."

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.

Kemin launches Bactan for pigs and poultry

December 17, 2024 - Kemin Industries, a global ingredient manufacturer, has launched Bactan, an innovative, water-soluble product designed to reduce diarrhoea, wet litter and antibiotic dependency in pigs and poultry. Bactan provides veterinarians and producers in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa (EMENA) with sustainable solutions to enhance animal performance.

The product has proven highly effective for pigs in reducing post-weaning diarrhoea and enhancing growth - all through its simple and efficient water-based application. Because it is water soluble, Bactan offers quick and easy application through drinking water systems, eliminating the need for feed adjustments, in case of sudden challenges. This reduces diarrhoea and wet litter, enhances animal performance and enables faster responses to challenges, making it a vital tool for reducing antibiotic use and supporting overall animal health.

"Bactan is an exciting development for our customers, as it works towards advancing sustainable animal health solutions," said Valentine Van Hamme, Marketing Manager, Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health - EMENA.

During the R&D process, Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health - EMENA conducted extensive field trials that demonstrated Bactan's ability to significantly reduce diarrhoea and enhance growth in pigs and poultry. In poultry, specifically, the field trials showed improved weight gain, better feed conversion rates and a significant reduction in wet litter.

"We've designed Bactan to meet the specific needs of veterinarians, pig producers and poultry producers," said Van Hamme. "For veterinarians, it offers an effective tool for immediate intervention during health challenges by reducing reliance on antibiotics and ensuring timely treatment. Pig producers benefit from its ability to simplify the management of post-weaning diarrhoea and drive growth. And for poultry producers, Bactan naturally enhances flock performance by reducing wet litter and promoting better overall health through an easy-to-apply solution."

Bactan combines two types of powerful, natural ingredients:

• Probiotics - Bacillus sp. PB6 supports microbial diversity, reduces inflammation and inhibits pathogenic bacteria, such as C perfringens.
• Phytogenics - antibacterial, anti-parasitic and antioxidant benefits help improve gut health.

The product is available in one-, five- and 25-kilogram packaging with dosage options tailored to meet customers' specific operational needs.

For more information, visit 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.