The Global Miller: January 2017

January 31, 2017

Brock Grain Systems company profile

Brock Grain Systems has a long-standing tradition of demonstrating innovative leadership in developing, marketing and supporting grain facility solutions worldwide.

1957 Brock was founded (Milford)

1976 Brock became part of CTB, Inc.

1997 CTB purchased the grain bin division of Butler Manufacturing (Kansas City, Missouri)

2000 CTB acquired ABC Industries’ grain handling equipment

2002 CTB acquired Beard Industries, Inc. (Frankfort, Indiana)

2012 CTB purchased the assets of Martin Industries, Corp. and its related subsidiaries including LeMar Industries Corp. (Des Moines, Iowa) and Riley Equipment Inc. (Vincennes, Indiana)

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

01/02/2017: The American engineering works of Messrs Edward P Allis & Co

by Mildred Cookson, Mills Archive Trust

Research for my article last month on our milling engineers and the milling revolution, led me to discover that during 1885, The Miller published illustrated descriptions of several milling engineering works.

Mildred Cookson

The 7 September issue reported on a visit to the Bay State engineering works of the American firm of Messrs Edward P Allis & Co in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The Journal underlined the historical and enduring importance of milling engineers; at that time they were revolutionising new machinery and competition between them was ever more intense. The machines of Edward Allis, an eminent firm of engineers and millwrights, not only were to be found in every part of the United States, their reputation had spread worldwide.

They manufactured on a scale second to no other American firm, and were among the first makers of roller mills in the USA.

In 1885 the firm had been agents for Wegmann porcelain rolls for the previous seven years. They were also fortunate in securing the services of another eminent milling engineer Mr WD Gray, and the inventor of the well-known roller mill bearing his name.

It was noted that such was the extent of orders received that all the workshops on the premises were working double time. This in the face of the prevailing depression in American millwrighting speaks volumes for the firm. They had over 30 milling contracts in hand, not only roller mills but other special machines.

Disaster and triumph
Many years earlier William Goodnow had started a small machine shop and foundry at the corner of Florida and Clinton Streets. By 1885 that site had been taken over by the Cream city Iron Works. Mr Goodnow had been fairly successful and he was determined that his new Bay State shops would be the best and most perfectly equipped machine shops in the west.

www.millsarchive.org

Having secured the location at the corner of Lake and Barclay Streets, he put up a three-storey brick building with engine room, blacksmith’s shop and foundry adjoining The whole establishment was supplied with an extensive and complete outfit of tools, patterns etc, and work began on a large scale.

In a short time it was found that the works, built in an excess of business rivalry, were far in advance of their legitimate trade requirements and the institution became heavily involved and finally hopelessly bankrupt.

After various ineffectual attempts to operate them by receivers and the assignee, they were finally sold, to be purchased as a speculative investment, by Edward P Allis, owner of the Reliance Works already a thriving business.

The Bay State works were to remain idle for several years, leased for a period to the Chicago, Milwaukee and St Paul Railway Company and were used as their repair shop. In time business grew and the site was reclaimed.

The firm had an excellent write up in The North-Western Miller describing the Bay State premises as occupying the half block fronting on Barclay Street, between Lake and Oregon Streets, Milwaukee.

Extra capacity was provided by the firm's Reliance Works, operating on a separate site but under the same management.

The main site made Gray’s famous noiseless roller mills, with the castings and the woodwork for the machines provided by the foundry and woodworking shops of the Reliance Works. For months at a time their daily output reached eight to ten complete machines.

Read the full article HERE.

01/02/2017: Minister MacAulay announces appointment to the Canadian Grain Commission

Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced today the appointment of Lonny McKague as Commissioner of the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC)

The appointment is for a four-year term effective February 13, 2017.

Image: Waferboard

This appointment is part of the rigorous new approach to Governor in Council appointments-an approach that uses open, transparent and merit-based selection processes that strive for gender parity and reflect Canada's diversity to support Ministers in making appointment recommendations for positions within their portfolio.

Employing approximately 400 full time employees, the CGC is the regulator of Canada's grain handling industry and the official certifier of Canadian grain.

The CGC is responsible for establishing and maintaining Canada's grain grading system, and is also one of Canada's scientific research organisations on grain quality.

Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food said, "I am pleased to announce the appointment of Lonny McKague to the Canadian Grain Commission. The CGC is responsible for maintaining a competitive and efficient grain sector and I know Mr McKague will bring his knowledge and experience to ensure the Commission is properly equipped to carry out this important role."

Mr McKague has extensive experience as an owner and operator of a farm in South Central Saskatchewan. His forty years of experience as a primary producer have provided him with knowledge of current social and economic issues facing producers and their businesses.

He has successfully navigated a farming operation through all of the production, handling, transportation and marketing challenges that have occurred in the ever-changing global market.

Mr McKague served as a Director and a Founding Member of Ogema Elevator Ltd, a provider of grain elevator products and services in Ogema, Saskatchewan.

He is a former president of the Canadian Limousin Association, the Ogema Agricultural Society, and of the local Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association. He also served as a past director of the Ogema Credit Union. Mr McKague has studied Vocational Agriculture and Agriculture Business Management at the University of Saskatchewan.

Read more HERE.

01/02/2017: MGP mourns passing of former Board Chair and CEO Ladd Seaberg

MGP Mourns Passing of Former Board Chair and CEO Ladd Seaberg

Ladd M. Seaberg, former longtime board chairman, president and CEO of MGPIngredients, Inc., a leading supplier of premium distilled spirits and specialty wheat proteins and starches, passed away on Sunday, January 29, following a long illness.

Ladd M. Seaberg

He was a highly accomplished and recognised business and community leader, and abundantly devoted to his wife, Karen Seaberg, who currently serves as MGP Board Chair, and their children and grandchildren.

Funeral services for Mr Seaberg will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 6, at the First Presbyterian Church, 302 North Fifth St., Atchison, Kan.

The family will receive friends during a visitation from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home Chapel, 800 Kansas Ave. in Atchison. Mr Seaberg, who retired as chairman of MGP’s board on August 27, 2009, began his first term on the board in 1979.

Prior to being named chairman in 2006, he served for 26 years as president of the company and was also chief executive officer for 20 years.

Associated with MGP throughout his entire professional career, Mr Seaberg, 70, led numerous progressive developments at the company, including several major expansion projects, facility and technological upgrades, product diversifications and an extensive internal restructuring process.

He performed an integral role in MGP becoming a publicly traded company on the Nasdaq Exchange in 1988, and in the growth of the company’s product lines that included the addition of several specialty wheat proteins and starches for food applications, along with increased premium distilled spirits capabilities.

Mr Seaberg joined MGP in 1969 and rose from distillery production manager to vice president and manager of the company’s starch division in 1970. He was made vice president and plant manager in 1972 and was named president in 1980.

Mr Seaberg was a founding member and past president of the International Wheat Gluten Association. He also served for several years as president of the US Wheat Gluten Industry Council, and was a member of the USDA Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Grains, Feeds and Oilseeds, representing the US grain community at World Trade Organisation meetings.

Other professional memberships included the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the Water Pollution Control Federation, and the Technical Committee of the Distilled Spirits Council of the US

In addition, Mr Seaberg was a board member of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a member of Kansas Inc., and numerous other state committees under former Kansas Governor Bill Graves.

He also served for several years on the boards of Exchange National Bank and Trust Company, Atchison, the former Atchison Leather Products Company, and Benedictine College, and was an advisory director of Commerce Bank of Kansas City.

Mr Seaberg was one of the original founders of the Atchison Area Economic Development Council and was its chairman until the start of 2009. He also was a longtime member of the board of directors of the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum, Atchison, and the Atchison County Historical Society, and was former member of the Young Presidents’ Organisation and past chairman and president of the board for the Kansas City Presidents’ Organisation.

He additionally had been a member and chairman of the Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce board, as well as the local Santa Fe Depot Board of Trustees, and served for a time as state vice president of the Kansas Jaycees.

As a founder and charter member of the Amelia Earhart Bridge committee, Mr Seaberg was instrumental in initiating action leading to the construction of a new bridge over the Missouri River in Atchison in 2012.

He additionally spearheaded the funding and purchase of land and a walking bridge at the Independence Creek Lewis and Clark Historical Site in Atchison as part of the nationwide Bicentennial Commemoration of the explorers’ 1804 Corps of Discovery Expedition.

In recognition of his exceptional leadership in business, industry and local community affairs, Mr Seaberg was honoured by the local chamber of commerce in 2008 when he was inducted into the chamber’s prestigious Hall of Fame.

Along with his wife, Karen, his father-in-law, Cloud L. “Bud” Cray, MGP chairman emeritus, and other family members, he received the Cray-Seaberg Vision of Excellence Award from Atchison’s Santa Fe Depot Board of Trustees in 2014.

This distinguished award was established to honour individuals and families who demonstrate exceptionally outstanding community leadership.

Three years prior to that, he and his wife were recognised for their extraordinary service to Benedictine College by being awarded that institution’s highest honour, the Cross of the Order of St. Benedict.

A native of China, Texas, Mr Seaberg earned a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from Texas Tech University in 1969.

He and his wife, Karen, raised two daughters, Mrs. Roy (Lori) Mingus, Lawrence, Kansas, and Mrs. Kyle (Melissa) Huntington, Atchison, and became the grandparents of two girls and four boys.

Read more HERE.

January 30, 2017

Seedburo Equipment Co company profile

SEEDBURO Equipment Company is a manufacturer and distributor of handling, testing and grading equipment for the grain, feed and seed industries.

SEEDBURO has been the leading supplier to the agricultural industries for over 95 years. Priding itself on providing quality, state-of-the-art equipment, Seedburo strives for excellence in all facets of their manufacturing and distribution.

Founded in 1912, SEEDBURO quickly became one of the largest distributors of ag related equipment in the United States. Seedburo first began exporting equipment world-wide in 1940 through an extensive network of international sales personnel.

Other acquisitions and arrangements have allowed SEEDBURO to exclusively distribute many lines of equipment to the agricultural industries. Some of these products are the various Seedburo Grain Probes, Boerner and Precision Dividers, Count-A-Pak Seed Counters, Burrows Moisture Testers, SEEDBURO Computer Grain Scales, Ohaus Grading Scales, Official USDA Grading and Inspection Visual Reference Images and Inspection Stations, SEEDBURO Germinators and numerous others items.

Visit the website HERE.

31/01/2017: VIETSTOCK 2016: Livestock and aquaculture feeds record-breaking attendance

With a record number of visitors and exhibitors, Vietstock 2016 was the most successful edition to date

It is not surprising then that UBM expressed such sincere gratitude to all of their exhibitors, supporters, media partners, visitors, delegates, speakers and VIP’s for making Vietstock 2016 such an incredibly successful edition at the conclusion of the event.

With a registered 10,518 attendees, coming from 39 different countries,Vietstock 2016 Expo & Forum broke yet more records.

This impressive rate of growth is evident in the fact that this year’s show was 23 percent bigger than the previous edition, officially making this year’s show UBM’s biggest ever show in Vietnam!

As well as a packed exhibitor’s hall, the three-day event also featured an interesting collection of conferences and seminars which were held in three seminar rooms that featured more than 40 significant topics where all discussions were spearheaded by key government experts and renowned industry specialists; all of whom providing the very latest information and knowledge on livestock, meat and feed.

One of the main highlights of VietStock 2016 was the launch of Aquaculture Vietnam 2016 in conference format, with more than 10 international and local speakers covering a series of presentations that focused on Aquaculture, fisheries and seafood value chain.

Sponsored by Yara, Phileo and Cotton Inc, more than 450 delegates attended this one-day conference, which was also enabled by the support of Department of fisheries, VINAFIS, ICAFIS, whose presence brought a vast array of knowledge from local experts. However, the conferences did not only focus on local knowledge.

By pooling their resources with both International Aquafeed and Aquaculture Without Frontiers from the UK, UBM were also able to impart information with a more global flavour; with the hope of replicating the success enjoyed by Vietnamese aquaculture in many other regions throughout the world.

Another unique feature of this year’s event, The Business Matching Program, successfully connected a series of key industry players, resulting in the signing of numerous trade agreements; as well as providing an invaluable opportunity for major stakeholders to increase their business reach through networking.

Most of the participants agree that Vietstock 2016 is the most successful edition of the show that they have ever attended.

Feedback from both exhibitors and visitors considered Vietstock 2016 to be an incredibly successful event that provided an effective platform for growing their business in Vietnam.

In some cases many even added that this was the very best livestock industry trade exhibition that they had attended in Vietnam, with many reserving special praise for the manner in which UBM conducted the show in such a well organised and hospitable manner.

It’s a safe bet that Vietstock 2018 will only build on the success of this year’s triumph; with the continued success owing much to the unwavering support of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Animal Husbandry Association of Vietnam.

Ms. Rungphech Chitanuwat Business Director UBM Asia, expressed her gratitude to all involved in the 2016 edition by stating that, “On behalf of organisers UBM Asia, we thank you for your untiring support in creating another successful Vietstock show. And we hope you join us once more at Vietstock 2018 Expo & Forum”

Read the full article HERE.

31/01/2017: ADM reaches agreement for sale of crop risk services business to Validus

Transaction includes marketing services agreement under which ADM and Validus will continue to offer ADM grain marketing services

Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) announced today that it has reached an agreement to sell its Crop Risk Services (CRS) business to Validus Holdings, Ltd. (Validus) (NYSE: VR) for $127.5 million, subject to certain working capital and balance sheet adjustments.

Image: Chris Alban Hansen

The deal includes a marketing services agreement under which ADM and Validus will work together to continue to offer a full range of insurance and farmer marketing products and services to CRS customers.

“We regularly evaluate our portfolio to ensure that our businesses and assets best fit our strategy to maximise long-term returns,” said Joe Taets, president of ADM’s Agricultural Services business unit.

“As a result of that ongoing process, we have identified a better strategic fit for the Crop Risk Services business. In the years since we purchased ADM CRS, that team has built it out to become a significant market participant. Equally as important, ADM CRS has become a platform through which our Grain business is able to offer our farmer partners a wide array of services that benefit both them and ADM. Now, we’re pleased to have reached an agreement that benefits ADM on two fronts: it includes a marketing services agreement that will allow ADM and Validus to work together to continue to offer customers a full array of crop insurance products as well as ADM’s grain marketing services, while the sale of the business gives us the opportunity to redeploy capital as part of our balanced capital-allocation framework. We are pleased to have found a buyer in Validus that is committed to running—and growing—the business, and we look forward to continuing to work with Validus and the CRS sales team and their customers across the country. This is a good solution for ADM, our shareholders, the CRS team, and the farmers who are the foundation of our business.”

Validus—a leading global provider of insurance, reinsurance and investment services, with over 800 employees and offices in all major regions worldwide—has committed to keeping the CRS business intact, including maintaining its operations in Decatur.

Ed Noonan, Validus’ chairman and chief executive officer, stated, “I’m very pleased to welcome CRS to Validus. CRS is a high quality crop insurance provider that has achieved excellent growth in recent years. Validus will benefit from CRS’s commitment to provide superior customer service to agents and farmers via their leading technology capabilities. The addition of CRS complements Validus’ existing agriculture book and participation in this market is a logical step as Validus continues to expand our presence in U.S. primary specialty lines. We are excited by the long-term partnership with ADM as this transaction further provides the unique opportunity of a marketing services agreement with one of the largest agricultural processors in the world.”

The sale, which is subject to regulatory review, is expected to close in the first half of 2017.

Nearly all ADM CRS employees will transfer with the CRS business at closing.

ADM expects to record a book gain upon closing. About ADM Crop Risk Services ADM Crop Risk Services (“CRS”) is a Decatur, Illinois-based primary crop insurance company.

Read more HERE.

31/01/2017: BIOMIN boosts services, technical support to American poultry industry

BIOMIN has announced launching of new services, further expansion of its solutions and hiring of additional technical experts in order to support US-based poultry firms in achieving better outcomes, according to the feed additives company

“With this rollout, we reinforce our commitment to bringing science-based innovations to customers, supported by on-site expertise, educational training, and regular follow-up. It reflects our “3S” value proposition: Science, Service, and Speed,” explained Simon Walley, President of BIOMIN North America.

Simon Walley: www.biomin.net

Tailored improvement
The new services portfolio Biomin® GUTcheck, includes several laboratory assays as well as on-site support designed to assist customers enhance their operations.

“The key objectives of Biomin® GUTcheck is to assess flock health in order to promote growth of beneficial gut microbiota and overcome pathogenic challenges—both of which gain greater importance in the context of the veterinary feed directive (VFD),” shared Dr Raj Murugesan, Technical and Marketing Director of BIOMIN America.

Healthy gut, strong chick
BIOMIN has introduced two major application enhancements for its PoultryStar® synbiotic line, a post pelleting application and hatchery application, by launching a unique product: PoultryStar® solUS conc.

“The new PoultryStar® post pelleting application is one-of-a-kind in the American market, and we’ve fielded quite a few inquiries already,” stated Dr Murugesan. The second application, specifically for the US market, is to facilitate the administration of our synbiotic with vaccines through gel or spray systems in the hatchery.

“In addition to the proven effectiveness of PoultryStar®, our customers appreciate the ease of use and time savings the PoultryStar® hatchery application delivers when administered along with major vaccines and gels used in the market,” he explained.

Dr Raj Murugesan: www.biomin.net

Breakthrough pathogen control
Following the launch of Biotronic® Top3US for swine at the 2016 World Pork Expo, BIOMIN is bringing the same acid-based product to the poultry sector.

“The industry recognises the challenges that Gram-negative pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli pose, at a time when antibiotic reduction is a key focus for everyone,” commented Dr Murugesan. “Our swine customers have been quite receptive to Biotronic® Top3US since it was launched last year.

For poultry, we have gathered persuasive in vitro data and are currently working with industry partners to test the concept in live production,” he added.

More technical experts
Over the past 12 months, BIOMIN America has strengthened its US poultry team by hiring two key account managers: Susan Dunham covering South, Southeast, and East coast regions, and Laura Schadwick covering the Midwest, Northeast, and Central US.

Both Sue and Laura are supported by poultry technical specialists, Dr Chasity Pender along with Dr Raj Murugesan to serve poultry producers in the North American region. In addition, BIOMIN has introduced new knowledge-sharing initiatives.

“We continue to grow aggressively and expand our teams in order to match our scientific prowess in R&D with genuine know-how in the field,” declared Mr Walley. “Ultimately, it’s about delivering real results to customers when and where they need it,” he concluded.

For more, visit the BIOMIN booth C 2853 at the International Production &Processing Expo (IPPE) 2017, in Atlanta from January 31 to February 2, 2017.

Read more HERE.

January 29, 2017

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

30/01/2017: IAOM SEA 2016 event review

by Peter Parker

From the 10th - 11th October 2016, IAOM’s seventh South East Asian (SEA) annual regional meeting took place at the Intercontinental Hotel Bangkok, Thailand

The IAOM hosted event attracted millers and other members of the industry from all over but particularly from Thailand and nearby SEA countries such as the Philippines and Indonesia.

Comments from Industry solution providers suggested that whilst attendee numbers weren’t extremely high, the contacts being made were high quality, suggested because of the high standards set by the IAOM organization worldwide.

The mission of IAOM is to provide an international forum where one can learn best practices, network with colleagues, exchange ideas, and develop professionally. Exhibitors were set up on tables in an intimate but tidy hall laden with local Thai refreshments and manned coffee stations.

All of the big names in milling solutions were exhibiting there, taking advantage of the opportunity to network and develop an updated grasp of the industry needs in the region of rapid growth.

Reflected in the quality of the highly technical all-day Pre-Conference workshop presented by IAOM Treasurer and industry expert Joel Hoffa on “Mill Operations & Management”, was one of IAOM’s core interests – education.

Sessions ran throughout the two days in the categories of ‘What’s new’ and ‘educational sessions’, within which a wide range of milling technology developments and concepts were discussed. IAOM also took the opportunity to promote the resident milling courses they offer in collaboration with Buhler and Kansas State University in the USA.

One of the most popular educational sessions was a Q&A style discussion panel titled “Trends and Innovations in Milling”.

Facilitated by Joel Hoffa, the panel was made up of Industry experts, including Marco Galli, Technical Sales Manager at Ocrim SpA; Luigi Caterina, Area Manager for Mill Service SpA; Dr Anne Bridges, Technical Director of AACC International; Rachid Elkaham, Wheat and Quality Technical Manager of CBH Group; and Andreas Hummel, Area Sales Manager for Buhler.

The questions put forward were focused on food safety, wheat production trends and challenges in the SEA region.

Other topics included a changing labour force, the increasing requirement for energy and water efficient processes.

The requirement for skilled and experienced labour was a re-occurring topic, one issue the audience voiced was the potential for millers to leave a company after having invested so much into their training.

Mr Caterina received a laugh with the following story: The CEO of a flour mill is asked, “what if we put all this effort into training this guy and he leaves?”, and so the CEO replies, “sure, but what if we don’t train him and he stays!” When the panel sessions ended, the host Mr Hole informed us that IAOM intend to continue with such Q&A’s and wish for the audience to be as involved and responsive as possible.

Read the full article HERE.

30/01/2017: IDMA 2017 Exhibition

IDMA - International Flour, Semolina, Rice, Corn, Bulghur, Feed Milling Machinery & Pulse, Pasta, Biscuit Technologies Exhibition, which is organised by Parantez Fair in order to announce the innovations and developments in grain and pulses processing industry to the world, was first organised in 2005

IDMA 2017 Exhibition from Parantez Fuarcılık on Vimeo.

IDMA Exhibition which is held in Istanbul every two years and has increased both the number of exhibitors and visitors to a large extent since the first year it was organised is currently the only international technology exhibition which is held globally for grain and pulses processing technologies.

In IDMA Exhibition where companies developing technologies, products and services for grain and pulses industry take part as exhibitors, the latest technologies developed for flour, semolina, corn and feed mills and pulses cleaning, packaging, pasta and biscuit plants are exhibited.

Besides, the latest innovations in grain storing silos, filling, conveying and unloading systems, laboratory equipment, additives, packaging machinery and equipment, spare parts and sub-industry products are presented to the taste of the visitors in IDMA.

The fact that all kinds of solutions for grain and pulses processing industry are presented with all the alternatives in IDMA Exhibition enables processors from 144 countries come together in IDMA in order to plan their investments and have necessary contacts.

Read more HERE.

30/01/2017: Evonik to introduce first own developed probiotic (DFM) - GutCare® PY1

Evonik will launch its first own developed probiotic (DFM, direct fed microbial) product GutCare® PY1 at the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) 2017 in Atlanta (USA)

Over the coming years, Evonik, specialist in feed amino acids, also intends to assume a leading role in the field of sustainable and antibiotic-free livestock management.

www.evonik.com

GutCare® PY1 has a positive effect on the healthy balance of bacteria populations in the chicken gut especially under stressful conditions.

“The product can be part of a set of alternative solutions to reduce the use of antibiotic growth promoters. Thus it can contribute to a healthy and balanced nutrition of livestock,” says Dr Emmanuel Auer, head of the Animal Nutrition business line at Evonik.

For the development of GutCare® PY1, a multi-parameter selection process was established to screen more than 500 strains of the bacterial type Bacillus subtilis for probiotic properties. Different scientific in-vitro as well as in-vivo studies demonstrated the ability of Bacillus subtilis DSM 32315 to modify the gut microbiota to inhibit the conditions that encourage different necrotic enteritis outbreak isolates.

This illness, which is commonly associated with certain pathogenic bacteria of the Clostridium perfringens type, causes losses of billions of US dollars to the global poultry industry every year.

The product will initially be introduced in the US market, and other countries will follow. Since the acquisition of the probiotic business of the Spanish company NOREL S. A. in the summer of 2016, Evonik has two probiotics in its portfolio: Ecobiol® (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CECT 5940) for poultry and Fecinor® (Enterococcus faecium CECT 4515) for piglets.

“Our own developed probiotic product GutCare® PY1 ideally complements our product portfolio and expands our options to serve our customers worldwide,” states Peter Freisler, head of Gut Health Solutions at Evonik.

In addition to expanding its product portfolio, Evonik is developing a unique chicken gut simulation model in order to study the mechanisms of action of probiotics in animal nutrition.

“From our perspective, the potential of probiotics for sustainable animal production is far from being exploited. That's why we want to understand in detail how they work within the gut” explains Stefan Pelzer, head of innovation area Gut Health & Diagnostics.

Evonik’s Animal Nutrition business line has over sixty years of experience in the manufacture of essential amino acids and provides solutions for efficient and sustainable animal nutrition to customers in over one hundred countries.

Evonik wants to make an even greater contribution to the efficiency and sustainability of animal feed by complementing its portfolio with innovative feed additives beyond amino acids in order to create additional value for its customers.

Evonik’s products and services in the area of animal nutrition play a key role worldwide in the production of healthy and affordable food, while preserving natural resources and reducing the ecological footprint.

Read more HERE.

January 27, 2017

27/01/2016: Changing climate has stalled Australian wheat yields

Australia’s wheat yields more than trebled during the first 90 years of the 20th century but have stalled since 1990. In research published today in Global Change Biology, we show that rising temperatures and reduced rainfall, in line with global climate change, are responsible for the shortfall.

This is a major concern for wheat farmers, the Australian economy and global food security as the climate continues to change. The wheat industry is typically worth more than A$5 billion per year – Australia’s most valuable crop. Globally, food production needs to increase by at least 60% by 2050, and Australia is one of the world’s biggest wheat exporters.T

here is some good news, though. So far, despite poorer conditions for growing wheat, farmers have managed to improve farming practices and at least stabilise yields. The question is how long they can continue to do so.

Read more HERE.

January 26, 2017

27/01/2017: Case study - the use of Posi-flate butterfly valves

The Posi-flate butterfly valve has been used for numerous applications in the milling and grain industry such as inlet and outlet valves on pneumatic transport vessels conveying seeds from a storage silo into weigh hoppers to fill 50 pound bags lines

Using the Posi-flate butterfly valves boosts reliability and increases production. Posi-flate butterfly valves are also used as outlet valves on bucket elevators diverting fertilizer into different storage silos, eliminating downtime for unscheduled maintenance and lost production.

They are also used as inlet valves on Extractor/Reactors discharging various dry organic powders under a vacuum, which prevents harmful vapors from escaping the Extractor/Reactors and reaching plant personnel.

Less friction, low torque, less wear, longer life
Posi-flate’s unique butterfly valve design uses air pressure to expand the seat against the disc, providing even pressure distribution for a bubble-tight seal, every time. Because the seat makes only casual contact with the disc during valve opening and closing, there is minimal disc impingement.

This is in contrast to conventional butterfly valves where disc impingement leads to shaving of the seat, decreasing the overall performance and valve life. Substantially less torque is required to open and close the Posi-flate butterfly valve, thus a smaller actuator can be used resulting in lower overall valve cost.

One to three million cycles
In actual comparison tests and documented field applications, the Posi-flate butterfly valve outperformed all other valves. In fact, a Posi-flate valve life of one to three million cycles, even in extremely abrasive applications, is not uncommon.

For dry solids, gases and slurry applications, the Posi-flate inflatable-seated butterfly valve is unsurpassed. Standard valve sizes range from 2 inch (50mm) to 30 inch (800mm) and fit both ANSI and metric flanges.

A full line of actuators, limit switches and controls are available to suit individual applications.

How the Posi-flate butterfly valve works. When the valve is closed and unsealed, as it rotates into the closed position, the disc makes only casual contact with the seat, reducing friction, wear and torque requirements.

After the valve is closed, the seat inflates against the disc providing more sealing surface and an even pressure distribution against the disc. After the valve is closed and sealed, the seat inflates against the disc providing more sealing surface and an even pressure distribution against the disc.

When it is open and unsealed, before the valve opens, the seat is first deflated. The disc is then free to rotate to the open position.

Read the full article HERE.

IDAH company profile

IDAH’s ultimate goal is to be world’s number one with customer satisfaction.

IDAH’s vision is to build on their solid traditional manufacturing roots and expand out to be a full-service solutions provider: offering value-added system designs and turnkey project consultation services.

Through this expansion, they hope to create an international platform where technology could be shared and integrated for the benefit of their customers.

By upholding the IDAH Spirit, the passionate team members of IDAH are committed to achieve this vision.

The IDAH Spirit

"Creativity, Honesty & Quality "

Creativity is what gave birth to IDAH in 1974 and consequently the birth of the feeds manufacturing industry in Asia.

Innovation through creativity is what has enabled them to be the industry driver from their inception until now. IDAH is committed and well positioned to lead the industry of tomorrow.

According to their website, "If creativity is the engine that has rapidly pushed IDAH forward; Honesty is what keeps us moving in the right direction."

"IDAH has been firmly grounded on the virtues of quality, honour, and accountability. Our main business is to safeguard the trust that customers have given us and be a dedicated upholder of the highest quality standard."

Visit the website HERE.

27/01/2017: Milling industry experts meet for introductory training

Professionals obtain basic knowledge of flour milling

Flour milling is a topic in the grain industry that a lot of people may not know about but want to learn more about the science behind the process of flour milling.

The IGP/KSU Introduction to Flour Milling course was held January 16–20, 2017 at the IGP Institute Conference Centre in Manhattan.

This course does not require any milling experience, but does apply to any new mill employees, and mill HR staff and managers.

Courseparticipants learn about the machines
involved in the flour milling process in
the Hal Ross Flour Mill.

It also helps grain and ingredient procurement managers, feed and flour sales representatives, production schedulers, research and development staff, wheat breeders, grain inspection personnel, food program administrators, international wheat/grain traders, journalists, extension agents, wheat commission staff or board members, and agricultural and business economic analysts.

Many course participants enjoy learning through a combination of lectures and hands on labs at the Hal Ross Flour Mill on the Kansas State University campus.

“It gives professionals in the milling industry with little or no milling background an excellent understanding of the milling process from starting in the wheat field to using the flour for baking,” says Shawn Thiele, course instructor and IGP’s flour milling and grain processing curriculum manager.

Each year, this course brings in several participants who have an interest for the milling industry and want to build their knowledge of flour milling.

“This course was very enlightening and really allowed me to put together a foundation of what the milling industry entails, what goes into the flour milling process, and it has given me more confidence moving forward in my position,” says Matt Anderson, Financial Analyst for the Operations Division at Ardent Mills in Denver, Colorado.

This learning experience for the participants not only helped them acquire an understanding for the milling process, but also hit on a personal level where the course participants can take back this information to their companies to apply in their operations.

Mr Anderson adds, “Our team viewed this course as a great opportunity for everyone on our team for additional learning and to benefit the business as a whole.”

In addition to grain processing and flour milling the IGP Institute also offers courses in feed manufacturing and grain quality management, and grain marketing and risk management.

Read more HERE.

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