DSM starts construction of large scale production facility for its novel methane-reducing feed additive for ruminants, Bovaer®

Royal DSM, a global purpose-led science-based company active in Health, Nutrition and Bioscience, today began construction of a new manufacturing facility at its site in Dalry, Scotland. The plant will significantly increase global production of Bovaer®, DSM's unique methane-reducing feed additive for cattle. In an official groundbreaking ceremony attended by the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, and Dimitri de Vreeze, Co-CEO of DSM, the company marked the next step in its plan to use Bovaer® to reduce global methane emissions and contribute to worldwide methane reduction targets.

Image credit: Joachim Dobler on Flickr
(CC BY-ND 2.0)

DSM announced that planning had started during the UN Climate Change Conference last year in Glasgow. Construction officially began today on a facility that will help DSM scale-up production of Bovaer® in the coming years and marks another milestone in the company's ambition to bring its methane-reducing feed additive to the market worldwide. This development of DSM's Dalry site has been supported by the Scottish Government through Scottish Enterprise, the national agency supporting economic development and innovation.

Reducing methane emissions is crucial for keeping warming below the 1.5°C target outlined in the Paris Agreement. Over 100 countries have signed a Global Methane Pledge, agreeing to reduce global methane emissions by at least 30 percent by 2030. The addition of new signatories in recent months, such as Australia in October 2022, underscores growing recognition of the need for urgent action. Ruminants (mainly cows) emit around 20 percent of all methane gasses globally, so reducing emissions in ruminant herds will play a vital role in meeting global climate ambitions.

Bovaer® is a feed additive that can achieve an average enteric methane reduction of 30 percent in dairy cows, and 45 percent in beef cattle (with some tests showing reductions of up to 90%). DSM has initial product volumes available for near term market development. The product is in the early commercialisation phase in many countries around the world, including the EU/EEA, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Pakistan, Switzerland, Turkey, and Uruguay. Since the start of the development of Bovaer® an estimate of 15,000 tons of CO2e has been saved, and reductions will accelerate further once the Dalry plant is fully operational, expected in the course of 2025.

Rt Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP, First Minister of Scotland, says, 'Just one year on from the announcement at COP26, I am very pleased to see the progress being made on site and the fact that spades are now in the ground.

"We are here today to celebrate a world-leading project and multi-million pound investment which will make Scotland the home of this innovative product, underlining that Scotland continues to lead the way in delivering a net zero future.'

Dimitri de Vreeze, Co-CEO of DSM, comments, 'After many years of hard work and dedication, it's a wonderful feeling to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for such a large-scale production facility. This is a historic moment for DSM: We are continuing to deliver on our 2030 methane pledge, one of our food systems commitments. I wish the construction team every success as they develop this plant in the coming years.'

Scottish Enterprise's Chief Executive, Adrian Gillespie, adds, 'Today's groundbreaking ceremony is a significant milestone and the next step in delivering such an innovative project for Ayrshire and Scotland.

Royal DSM's Project Bovaer® has the potential to be a game-changer for emissions reductions from cattle. Scottish Enterprise has developed a close relationship with Royal DSM over many years and we were delighted to work with the company to secure Dalry as the home for this global manufacturing opportunity.'

For more information about DSM 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.

Ukraine fulfills its mission as a guarantor of global food security

The Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, Markiyan Dmytrasevich, on the air of the UArazem national marathon, explained why Ukraine is taking an unprecedented step, taking responsibility for the food supply of others in the conditions of war and blockade of ports. He also explained what exactly the content of the Grain from Ukraine initiative is.

Image credit: Trevor Mattea on Flickr
(CC BY 2.0)

'The Grain from Ukraine program provides for the supply of Ukrainian grain – wheat and corn – to countries in Asia and Africa that need it the most: those that are on the brink of famine, or that have already faced it,' said Mr Dmytrasevich.

According to him, about 30 countries and international organisations have already confirmed their participation in this initiative.

'We have always been the guarantor of global food security, it's just that other countries have not always understood the importance of Ukraine in these processes. And even now, in the conditions of war and an extremely difficult situation, we conscientiously fulfill our mission and international obligations. This once again shows our spirit, strength and our weight in the food security of the world. Despite all the difficulties, we can afford it,' the Deputy Minister emphasised.

According to him, Ukraine has taken over the costs of the first few ships, which involves the purchase of Ukrainian grain itself, as well as the chartering of several ships. In the future, this work will be coordinated together with the partner states that have agreed to participate in the Grain from Ukraine program. Such participation involves several possible directions: the purchase of grain, its transportation to destination countries, its further distribution or payment for grinding wheat into flour for those countries that cannot provide it themselves.

In the plans to ship from one to 10 vessels every month – everything will depend on logistical and financial possibilities, summed up Mr Dmytrasevich. 

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.

Hydronix releases three new sensors providing one complete product range

Hydronix, one of the world leaders in microwave moisture measurement, announces today the official release of its three latest digital microwave moisture sensors: 

• The Hydro-Mix XT-EX and the Hydro-Mix HT-EX are suitable for installation in explosive atmospheres, specifically for dust environments, both certified for use in ATEX, IECEx and NEC/CSA Hazardous Locations (Dust).
• The Hydro-Mix XT-FS has been designed to measure moisture where there is a food safe requirement.
• The Hydro-Mix XT-EX is suitable for Zone 20 process environments and Zone 21 external to process in temperatures up to 60ºC.
• The Hydro-Mix HT-EX is suitable for Zone 20 process environments and is specifically engineered for high temperature applications reaching up to 120ºC.
• The Hydro-Mix XT-FS is compliant with the requirements of EN 1935/2004.

Jason Laffan, managing director, explains that 'Hydronix has dedicated time and resources in developing the new EX and Food Safe sensors. The EX sensors have passed a rigorous testing and audit process as mandated by American, European and UK regulations and directives. The Food Safe sensor complies with the European directive for materials and articles that come into contact with food. We are delighted to announce their official release, allowing us to extend into new markets. It marks a milestone for Hydronix and enables our customers to benefit from the Hydronix measurement technology throughout their entire process.'

'As customers experience the benefit of our precision measurement equipment, we are seeing an increased awareness of the advantages of measuring in a greater number of locations or processes throughout the plant. The increased use of sensors across the depth and breadth of plant operations allows the reduction of statistical variance and improved end-to-end control of the process. This reduces waste and maximises yield and pleasingly simultaneously increases quality whilst reducing energy consumption.

"We are proud to be able to meet this increasing demand by providing a complete range of sensors that use the same connectivity options and familiar interface enabling our customers to easily implement a complete end-to-end solution and to maximise their efficiencies.'

Both the Hydro-Mix XT-EX and the Hydro-Mix HT-EX have been designed to measure moisture in flowing bulk solids, such as animal feed, grain, rice, and pulses, processed in a dusty environment. The Hydro-Mix XT-FS has been designed to measure moisture in materials fit for human consumption. The sensors precisely measure the moisture content of material passing over the ceramic faceplate. The sensors are fitted flush with the internal wall of the process and can be installed in ducting, screw conveyors, or mixers and are easily mounted.

All of the three new sensors improve on the standard Hydro-Mix HT and Hydro-Mix XT range of sensors offering increased flexibility and installation options. The sensor output has a linear relationship with the moisture level in the material. The sensors have on-board signal processing, smoothing, and averaging which can be configured remotely. Industry standard interfaces are built-in allowing direct connection with a control system, enabling straight-forward configuration, calibration, and diagnostics. 

Mr Laffan concludes that 'our new ATEX and Food Safe certified sensors combined with the latest Hydronix interface units, Hydro-View (Model HV05) and Hydro-Hub (Model HH01), allow numerous methods for connectivity depending on your requirement.  This enables our customers to continuously monitor both the moisture and the performance of their plants.'

For more information visit the Hydronix 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.

Grain & Milling Expo set to take place 2023

The "Grain & Milling expo" (GME) is the unmissable biannual event for professionals in the milling and cereal industries in Morocco in particular and their counterparts in Africa and the Middle East.

Organised by the National Federation of Flour Milling , legal and unique representative of all the units of the industrial flour milling sector in Morocco, the GME constitutes the logical and improved continuity of the technical days of the IFIM (whose 6th edition was held in May 2015), now relocated to the OFEC, bringing together its professional and international character.

After two successful editions held in October 2017 & 2019, the GME which was scheduled for October 2021 had to pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but is back in force in 2023, at the Casablanca International Fairs Office (ex OFEC).

A true B to B crossroads, the 'Grain & Milling expo' is a showcase for new products, equipment, installations and services.

It is a forum for exchanging information and sharing experience, as well as an opportunity to learn about news and progress in the milling and cereals sector, through round tables and conferences.

It will be held on October 4 & 5 , 2023 under the unifying theme: 'Food sovereignty: The case of cereals'.

More than 100 Moroccan and foreign exhibitors and nearly 3,000 visitors are expected at this new edition of the "Grain & Milling Expo", which will be held over an area of ​​nearly 2,000 m².

For more information 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.

European Union leads a mission of the Food Assistance Convention to Madagascar

From the 7 to 11 of November, the European Union (EU) led a mission of the Food Assistance Convention to Madagascar, attended by representatives from the United States, Finland, Japan and Luxembourg. The EU serves as the chair of the Convention for 2022.  

Image credit: Kalle Gustafsson on Flickr
(CC BY 2.0)

The objective of the visit was to observe the evolution of food security and nutrition in the Grand Sud in recent months, in the context of an ongoing drought, and unprecedented global food insecurity, aggravated by the ripple effects of the Russian invasion in Ukraine. The mission also aimed to draw on lessons learned from recent humanitarian interventions in Madagascar, which helped to avert a famine in the country, and to explore the potential for innovative approaches, such as anticipatory action, and move Madagascar further into the  development space. 

The delegation visited the regions of Anosy and Androy, where they were able to observe many humanitarian and development interventions and meet with technical and financial partners, members of the Administration and people affected by the crisis. 

Back in Antananarivo, the mission presented its observations and recommendations to a representation of members of the Government, including the Minister of Agriculture H.E. Mr Harifidy Ramilison, as well as national and international technical and financial partners, during a debrief meeting chaired by the Ambassador of the European Union, Mrs Isabelle Delattre-Burger. 

"The nutritional and food security situation has improved significantly compared to previous months, but the region remains fragile, and several factors can affect this situation at any time, such as delays in the rains or pest invasions," noted the members of the mission. 

The mission spoke of Madagascar's long-standing commitment to nutrition, and shared its findings on the visited areas, which "gave us a clear example of how an unsustainable use  of natural resources can lead to situations of food and nutritional vulnerability.' The presence or absence of water seems to be the main factor determining the living conditions of populations, with sometimes striking differences from one community to another. 

They highlighted three key elements to reverse this situation of fragility in the Grand Sud: 

1. Support access to water and improve its management, relying on both 'high tech' and 'low-tech' solutions and fully involving communities. 

2. Strengthen the integration and establishment of a multi-sectoral early warning mechanism allowing the implementation of adequate anticipatory actions to mitigate the negative effects of shocks; 

3. Make available agricultural extension services, which remain rather limited, and integrate them into agro-ecological approaches and effective partnerships with the private sector.

Among its recommendations, the mission called for better communication and coordination between the interventions of the different actors, encouraged the government to facilitate the operationalisation of existing strategic documents, and proposed the adoption of nexus approaches to facilitate the sequencing, complementarity, synergy and effectiveness of humanitarian and development actions. The mission also emphasised the need to take into account people with special needs in their interventions, such as persons with disabilities. Furthermore, better listening and accountability to populations affected seems to be necessary to put people and their multiple needs back at the center. 

For more information about the International Grains Council 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.

Agribusiness Conference 2022: Cautious optimism that agri-food supply chain can manage disruptive shocks

At a packed AIC Agribusiness conference 68 percent of delegates agreed or mildly agreed that the agri-supply sector was in a strong position to manage the key shocks and disruptions in the supply chain in the coming years.

Given the significant economic and practical shocks that have taken place since the pandemic this outcome was testament to the resilience of businesses across the supply chain.

But there was no doubt that the feeling among delegates is that there is room for significant improvement both in practical policy and political stability.

Farming Minister Mark Spencer, in one of his first addresses to the sector, reiterated Defra's commitment to rolling out ELMS, emphasising the opportunity that the government believes this transition represented but accepting that change always presents challenge for businesses.

Industry engagement
AIC Chief Executive Robert Sheasby was quick to question the Government's engagement with business.

He suggested the need for an economy wide business task force that would look at the impact on business of proposed legislation and new trade deals and ensure joined up thinking between government departments 'we need DIT to get behind agriculture when it comes to competitiveness and to make sure that when entering into trade agreements that UK agriculture and what it can provide is not overlooked.

We should expect our negotiators led by their political leaders to find the opportunities that will assist growth in competitiveness.'

Tom Bradshaw, NFU Deputy President was pleased that the Minister recognised the need for a food strategy, but needed to see a plan of how to bring this to life.

Both AIC and the NFU called for clarity on carbon which is going to play such a significant role for productivity, competitiveness and the environment – never mind reputation.

Mr Sheasby announced that AIC have been working on a self-assessment criteria whereby businesses will be able to assess how they are progressing towards the statutory target of net zero.

However, both organisations raised the challenge to the Minister of consistency of metrics for carbon measurement both in the UK and on a global scale.

Mr Bradshaw called upon the development of a carbon border mechanism, with an agreed suite of calculators and net zero embedded in ELMS.

The Minister confirmed that Defra was working on carbon credits, looking at the issue from a UK, EU and global perspective, recognising that any system had to work for global supply chains and must not deliver unintended consequences such as big polluters simply buying up land to plant trees.

Tom Bradshaw delivered a list of issues facing his members in particular the crippling impact of input inflation running at more than 30 percent in some sectors and the dire consequences for consumers of supply chains failing, as has been seen with egg availability.

He also challenged the farming sector to put the 'sex' back in farming, to talk up the opportunities the sector provided and be on the front foot in the sustainability debate to better inform retailers and indeed consumers.

There is a huge requirement for practical knowledge transfer if the transition of UK agriculture is going to be successful.

Government support
The Minister recognised the crucial role that on farm advice provided in bringing to life best practice, new research and access to the support provided through ELMS.

Allan Wilkinson, Head of Agrifoods, HSBC also questioned the UK governments support of businesses seeking to export.

'Protein demand is still growing at an insatiable rate, along with the global population. But the UK imports £58bn of food and has the third largest food deficit in the world'.

In his experience the UK government has not engaged, whilst in other export focussed countries there is a deep seated government involvement in trade.

This is particularly galling given that in many circumstances the margins on export are often greater than trading in the UK, a reflection on the hugely competitive nature of our retail sector.

Food chain inflation
There is no easy route forward and he emphasised that it will only be the very best businesses, focussed on customer needs and an understanding of the whole supply chain alongside relentless efficiency that will thrive.

Mr Wilkinson closed his presentation by warning the audience that food chain inflation had another two years to run, so businesses needed to be in good shape to be able to act quickly and repeat.

Judith Evans, Consumer Industries Correspondent for the Financial Times perhaps bluntly spelled out what many in the sector already suspect that agriculture only hits the headlines when something goes wrong.

Surprisingly she also said that in her experience farmers were 'click bait', not always in a positive way but there is a genuine interest from consumers on what they want their food sector to become.

In particular green technology such as vertical farming and regenerative agriculture features high in her feedback.

On closing the conference Chris Guest, AIC Chair was quick to pick up on the need to increase the profile of the sector, not only to be on the front foot with our messaging to build our reputation, but also to show the genuinely interesting and exciting sector agriculture represents, both to retain its workforce and attract new talent and investment.

'There are significant challenges ahead and there is a need for better planning, better policy and a focus on thriving not just surviving but there is much we can be optimistic about and we should grasp our future, it is in our hands.'

For more information about the AIC 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.

New AIC sector chairs elected

Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) – the voice of UK agri-supply businesses – has elected a new-look board with the election of new Chairs to each of its sector committees at a critical time for the industry.

With over 230 agri-supply industry Members, the trade association represents the interests of modern commercial agriculture and horticulture to policy advisers and makers.

The election took place at the AIC's AGM in October, seeing new post holders elected for the Feed, Arable Marketing, Crop Protection & Agronomy, Fertiliser, and Seed Sector Boards.

Collectively, they represent the immense breadth and depth of knowledge and expertise that makes the agri-supply industry so valuable to UK agriculture and horticulture. The newly elected Chairs of each sector are:

Feed Sector Chair – Joanne Gatcliffe, Technical & Quality Director, AB Agri Ltd
Joanne Gatcliffe says, 'It is a pleasure to be Feed Committee Chair at this key time for our industry. I know that our Members are concerned about the far-reaching repercussions of the energy crisis and ongoing market volatility. I will work with the AIC team to ensure that their concerns and requests are heard by key policy makers.'

Arable Marketing Sector Chair – Jonathan Lane, Trading Director, ADM Agriculture Ltd
Jonathan Lane says, 'I'm delighted to be elected as Arable Marketing Committee chair. AIC's knowledge and strong position within the industry gives Members right across the United Kingdom a crucial means to make our voice heard. I want to focus on providing an opportunity for our industry to address its educational requirements, while also promoting better understanding of the arable trading sector with other industry bodies.'

Crop Protection and Agronomy Sector Chair - Richard Hopkins, Managing Director, Fargro
Richard Hopkins says, 'This is a pivotal moment in agriculture and horticulture crop protection, and I'm honoured to be able to represent our industry and work with the superb AIC team. UK farmers and growers face enormous challenges but are fundamental to our nation's food security. To do this, it is imperative that we have access to sustainable and effective plant protection solutions.'

Fertiliser Sector Chair – Max Winkler, Executive Chairman, OMEX Agriculture Ltd
Max Winkler says, 'I am pleased to be elected to the role of Fertiliser Committee chair. As our sector continues to battle the headwinds of an unpredictable market, I will work hard to represent Members' interests and look forward to working closely with the expert team at the AIC in this regard.'

Seeds Sector Chair – Tom Nickerson, Head of Seed, Agrovista
Tom Nickerson says, 'It's a pleasure to represent the seed sector as we navigate major challenges and opportunities. Our Members face significant pressures, with the energy crisis and climate change representing a dual threat to the production and supply of quality seed. I'll be working closely with the AIC's experts to tackle these issues and promote the excellent work of our sector on sustainability and food security.'

Robert Sheasby, Chief Executive of AIC, says 'I welcome each of our new sector board chairs to their roles and look forward to working together to promote the agri-supply industry as a key part of modern sustainable commercial agriculture.

'I would like to thank our outgoing chairs for their hard work and dedication over the past years, helping AIC's team to negotiate the unprecedented challenges of coronavirus and Brexit.

'As our industry faces an increasingly turbulent and complex landscape, AIC is steadfast in its mission to provide Members with dependable insight and represent their interests in discussions with Government, NGOs, and other stakeholders.'

For more information about the AIC 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.

Can agricultural robots reverse the trends of water resource shortage and climate change?

As an important natural resource, water plays an irreplaceable role in people's daily life. Nowadays, water consumption in many regions is under 'high stress'. Many countries are already experiencing water scarcity, and it is expected that more countries will face a reduced availability of surface water resources by 2050. While water scarcity is becoming more and more severe, the overuse of chemicals in the agriculture industry also exacerbates the pollution of water resources, thereby leading to the decline of biodiversity, along with a series of social and environmental problems such as greenhouse gas emissions and eutrophication. As outlined in IDTechEx's recent research 'Agricultural Robots and Drones 2022-2032: Technologies, Markets & Players', agricultural robots can be a potential solution. 

As one of the main users of water resources and chemicals/fertilisers, the agricultural industry has been using more and more pesticides during the past three decades to meet the increasing demand for food. However, as people become more aware of the environmental impacts of pesticides, the regulations around pesticides are getting harsher. To reduce the excessive use of chemicals and their subsequent negative impacts, precision agriculture has become more and more trendy. With improving technology, farming is gradually moving away from the indiscriminate constant rate approach that historically dominated agriculture towards using a variable rate technology approach, where a field is divided into a series of patches, and each patch is treated differently according to what farm analytics dictates. To achieve precision agriculture, the technology used is required to deliver exactly what is needed to individual crops/regions of growing space rather than applying the same input to the entire area. Meanwhile, with the disruption of the supply chain, chemicals and fertilisers have become increasingly pricy, encouraging farmers to maximise their resource use and avoid the overuse of chemicals, for example, through mechanical weeding or precise control of the chemical use of each individual plant. 

Because precision agriculture technology needs a large amount of data collected from plants and crops, it is almost impossible for human beings to collect manually. Meanwhile, the accurate application of chemicals or mechanical weeding also needs precise control, which makes it an ideal use case for automation. Therefore, in order to apply precision agriculture, the use of automation via robots becomes a feasible solution. 

Weed control is one of the most common applications for agricultural robots. Weed removal is a key agricultural task critical for obtaining high yields. In its most basic form, weeding involves a laborer manually eliminating weeds with a hoe or sprayer. Large-scale spraying of herbicides in a constant rate approach is currently the dominant model. The area of the field often determines the rate of spraying, and therefore agrochemicals are often over-applied, leading to unnecessary costs for farmers and accelerating the growth of herbicide resistance. A precision agriculture approach can help overcome these challenges. The first step towards this is a variable rate approach that uses geolocation and farm mapping alongside GPS-enabled variable-rate sprayers to vary the spraying rate/volume according to the needs of a patch/crop. This approach has begun gaining traction in recent years, particularly as technology such as aerial drones and variable rate sprayers become more accessible. Agricultural robotics further enable a precision agriculture approach, using computer vision and weed detection algorithms to identify weeds and remove them either mechanically or chemically. IDTechEx's research shows that the market size of weeding robots was around US$22 million in 2021, and it is expected to have an 11-fold increase in the upcoming five years. 

Spraying with drones (UAVs or ground vehicles) is one of the most popular approaches for precise weed control. Autonomous spraying uses machine vision and deep learning. The cameras (usually mounted on the spraying systems) can detect and accurately locate weeds and precisely control the spray amount. Robotic spraying can significantly increase efficiency. Some researchers claim that when using drones, crop spraying can be completed up to five times faster than traditional methods (due to the high autonomous mobility mentioned in the previous section) while also reducing human risk from chemicals, improving precision through variable usage of chemicals throughout a field, and reducing chemical penetration into groundwater sources. 
 

Market size of agricultural drones and weeding robots. Source: IDTechEx

Nevertheless, despite these benefits, agricultural drones also have a series of limitations, including the associated regulations. For instance, in the UK, spraying with drones is prevented from being widely used, as the spraying products are not licensed to be applied in the air. However, this does not indicate that the technology will disappear, as agricultural drones can be used for many other tasks (e.g. watering, inspection, terrain mapping, etc.). Thanks to their capabilities for managing difficult terrain, IDTechEx believes that agricultural drones will have a fast increase in sales. IDTechEx believes that weeding with drones is one of the fastest-growing applications, and we conclude that there is a fast increase in sales, with the demand increasing 8-fold over the next ten years. More details of regulations and drivers of agricultural drones are introduced in IDTechEx's report, 'Agricultural Robots and Drones 2022-2032: Technologies, Markets & Players'.

For more information 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.

Comprehensive replacement program for conveyor belt cleaner blades announced

One of the leading global innovator of conveyor technologies has announced a factory-direct replacement program to deliver freshly-molded polyurethane cleaner blades for conveyor belts. Custom-fitted on-site and installed free of charge, customers pay only for the replacement blades. The program from Martin Engineering assures customers of accurately sized and professionally installed replacement blades that are matched to their specific application, providing optimum cleaning performance and service life to minimise the cost of ownership.

Manufactured in-house for the highest quality assurance, Martin's replacement blades are made with specially formulated, color-coded urethane to suit virtually any application. The blades have up to 53 percent more urethane in the wearable area than competitive designs, extending equipment life and durability. To achieve consistent cleaning throughout all stages of blade life, Martin's patented Constant Angle Radial Pressure ('CARP') technology incorporates a specially engineered curved blade to maintain optimum cleaning performance and efficiency. 

Martin is the only belt cleaner supplier that has designed its own equipment to manufacture molded blades. This innovative system maximises quality control and eliminates shipping and labor costs by having the new blades delivered and installed direct from the factory.  

Martin Replacement Cleaners Reduce Costs
The need for conveyor belt cleaning is well established, delivering long-term benefits in both safety and production. Properly maintained belt cleaners reduce the accumulation of carryback under the conveyor and minimise dust buildup on rollers and other components.  Excessive dust and spillage can foul rolling components and cause abrasion on the belt, reducing the life of equipment by as much as 30 percent. Even though a multiple-cleaner system can be abrasive when in contact with the belt, it contributes less than five percent to the overall belt wear, delivering a significant net benefit.  

The belt is typically the most expensive piece of equipment on a conveyor, so not removing carryback at the discharge will contribute to premature belt failure. Material buildup on the face of idlers and rollers due to inadequate cleaning is one of the primary reasons a belt will mistrack, causing it to drift toward the stringer and damaging its edges. Fouled idlers and rollers can also erode the covers of the belt through abrasion, leading to premature replacement.  

Timing the Replacement of Cleaner Blades 
Bulk handlers commonly have several conveyors carrying different types, sizes or grades of materials. Depending on the number of belts, monitoring belt cleaner wear and effectiveness can be labor intensive and require an experienced eye. Beyond carryback, dust and spillage, allowing a cleaner to go too long can lead to pull-through or detachment from the assembly, resulting in belt damage, potential equipment replacement and unscheduled downtime.

Available technology includes Martin's N2® remote monitoring system to track tension and wear on all cleaners without having to physically visit the equipment. This technology offers the ability to monitor primary belt cleaner blades in real time and minimises the need for manual inspections. Customers have immediate access to details on the mounting assembly, tensioner and blade wear, along with total annual cost information for budgeting purposes. The intuitive system notifies technicians and plant operations personnel before re-tensioning or replacement is required and/or when abnormal conditions occur. This critical intelligence reduces the need to expose personnel to moving conveyors, improving both efficiency and safety while lowering costs. It allows service personnel to deliver and install replacement wear parts during scheduled outages.  

Martin offers the components and monitoring service free of charge for qualifying customers. The company also supports the components with factory-direct service and provides customer alerts without cost. The factory-direct replacement program is just one element of the company's decades-long push to develop new and evolving technologies, improve bulk material handling efficiency and reduce safety hazards.

For more information about Martin Engineering 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.

Cargill appoints Brian Sikes as President and Chief Executive Officer, and Dave MacLennan as Executive Chair of the Board

Cargill has announced Brian Sikes has been elected President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective Jan. 1, 2023. With this transition, Dave MacLennan will assume the role of Executive Chair of Cargill's Board of Directors.

Mr Sikes will be the 10th CEO in Cargill's 157-year history and brings a strong track record of business operational rigor to the role, having grown the company's global Protein and Salt enterprise into an industry leader. Mr Sikes currently serves as Cargill's Chief Operating Officer (COO), where he has been instrumental in constructing the company's long-term strategy. With broad experience across multiple businesses, cycles and geographies, Mr Sikes held leadership roles in the U.S., Canada and Europe, and served as the head of the company's Talent Center of Expertise. His relentless focus on people and culture, customers, and proven expertise in leading growth and transformation have earned him the trust and respect of Cargill's customers, employees and the Board. 

'As Cargill continues to navigate dynamic global markets, both operational excellence and a clearly articulated vision driven by purpose and values will define the company's success, and there is no better person than Brian to lead Cargill,' says Mr MacLennan. 'He's a person of action and results, with a relentless passion for serving our customers and our people. Brian has the qualities we value in a strong leader—integrity, empathy, resilience and authenticity. Under his leadership, I am confident the best days for Cargill, and its greatest contributions, lie ahead.'

A Transformational Leader
Mr Sikes will succeed Mr MacLennan, who joined the company in 1991 and served in multiple executive roles, including CFO and COO, before becoming the company's Chairman and CEO in 2013. During his nine years at the company's helm, Mr MacLennan helped achieve outstanding financial results while feeding millions of families and building community resilience in more than 125 countries worldwide. His long-term strategic vision and willingness to disrupt are exemplified by his leadership on the largest acquisitions in the company's history, including Croda (bioindustrials), EWOS (aquaculture), Diamond V (animal nutrition), and Sanderson and Wayne Farms (poultry). In addition, the company built expertise in alternative proteins and has developed technologies and digital solutions to transform farming, supply chains and food delivery during his tenure.

Mr MacLennan is passionate about employee well-being, never compromising worker health and safety for production. He created Cargill's sustainability office and built a culture that prioritises and celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion. Under his leadership, the company is on a path to achieve gender parity by 2030 and the representation of women on the Executive Team has increased to 46 percent. In addition, he has been an industry leader in sustainability, particularly around climate change. He prioritised action, not just making commitments, with programs like RegenConnect™, which has advanced regenerative agriculture practices on 158,000 acres of North American farmland, and BeefUp Sustainability, which has reduced 1.7 million metric tons of CO2. 

'I am honoured to succeed Dave as Cargill's President and CEO,' says Mr Sikes. 'Under his visionary leadership, Cargill has a solid foundation, business model and culture that positions us for long-term success. Our 160,000 employees across Cargill are the best in the industry. Together, we will grow with customers, strengthen our core and thoughtfully target new markets to ensure we are a reliable, sustainable partner for our customers –today and in the future.'

In his role as Executive Chair of the Board, Mr MacLennan will ensure a smooth leadership transition, serve as a trusted strategic advisor to Mr Sikes, the company and the Board and support Cargill's long-term strategic plan.

For more information about Cargill 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.

Wynnstay Group Plc acquires feed manufacturer and supplier, Tamar Milling Limited

Wynnstay, the agricultural supplies group, is pleased to announce that it has acquired the entire share capital of Tamar Milling Limited ('Tamar'), a manufacturer and supplier of blended feed products, for an initial consideration of £1.4m, with a deferred consideration of up to £0.1m payable dependent on performance. The acquisition is expected to be immediately earnings enhancing.

Established in 1994, Tamar is based in Whitstone, Cornwall, and manufactures and supplies a range of blended and coarse mix feed rations for dairy cows, cattle, and sheep to approximately 250 farmers, mainly in the south-west of England. Approximately 25,000 tonnes of feed is supplied annually. Tamar also operates a successful 'on-farm' grain milling service for farmers wanting to use home-grown or purchased grain in their livestock rations. Following its acquisition, Tamar's founder, Nick Furse, will join Wynnstay in a senior commercial feed role and continue to lead Tamar's operations.

In the year ended 30 September 2021, Tamar generated revenues of £6.40m, and a profit before tax of £0.42m. Net assets at 30 September 2021 were £0.92m.

The acquisition of Tamar is in line with the Group's strategy of acquiring businesses that complement its existing activities and bring further benefits. Tamar significantly strengthens the Company's presence in the south-west of England, adds a new farming customer base, additional supply chain relationships and significant cross-selling opportunities. It also establishes Wynnstay with its first feed manufacturing facility in the region, enabling it to provide its own bulk feed offering in the area.

The initial consideration of £1.4m paid on completion is subject to a net asset adjustment to be calculated based on completion accounts. The deferred consideration of up to £0.1m is payable dependent on product volumes transacted in the first twelve months following completion. The Group is funding the acquisition from its existing resources.

The acquisition of Tamar is the potential acquisition referred to in the Company's announcement of 17 August. The second larger potential acquisition referred to in the same announcement is no longer under consideration as commercially acceptable terms were not reached. The Company continues to review a number of acquisition opportunities that meet its strategic priorities.

Gareth Davies, Chief Executive Officer of Wynnstay Group plc, comments, 'Tamar is a long-established, high-quality manufacturer and supplier of blended animal feed and 'on-farm' grain milling services to farmers in the south-west of England. Like Wynnstay, it places a strong emphasis on customer service, and has a significant customer base.

'Tamar is highly complementary and will be immediately earnings enhancing. It fulfills multiple acquisition criteria. It increases our presence in the south-west, adds new farmer customers and provides us with our first feed manufacturing facility in the area. We look forward to working with our new colleagues and to continuing Tamar's successful growth.'

For more information about Wynnstay 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.

Strong performance of EuroTier and EnergyDecentral: Pioneering innovations enable transformation of livestock and energy

Strong performance for the EuroTier and EnergyDecentral 2022 trade fairs in Hanover, Germany. After four years, the world's leading trade fair animal farming and livestock management, as well as the leading trade fair for decentralised energy supply impressively showcased the innovative strength of both sectors. Over 1,800 exhibitors from 57 countries and more than 106,000 visitors from 141 countries travelled to Hanover from 15-18 November, 2022. With more than 400 professional events and conferences, the trade fair duo confirmed its leading position. Exhibitors and visitors expressed high satisfaction.

In challenging times, EuroTier was able to set important trends for the future development of the national and international animal husbandry industry. Organiser DLG (German Agricultural Society), together with its partners, presented an exhibition and technical program with the guiding theme "Transforming Animal Farming". Focusing on a successful future for the animal husbandry industry, the theme showed how, with technical innovations, increased productivity alongside an increase in animal welfare and sustainability can be achieved – in particular applying new solutions in the areas of digitisation, automation and robotics.

'Productivity, climate change, animal welfare – animal production is changing worldwide. Farms must become sustainable and stable in all areas for the future - whether it is animal housing construction and technology, digitisation, breeding, feeding or marketing. This requires innovations, which the EuroTier exhibitors have delivered, showing the potential of future animal husbandry,' says Freya von Czettritz, CEO, DLG Holding GmbH, adding that feedback from the industry was positive. "Our exhibitors were very satisfied with the quality of the international professional visitors," she added.

Top ten exhibitor countries
The majority of exhibitors came from Germany, followed by the Netherlands, Italy, France, Spain, Denmark, Belgium, Austria, Turkey and the UK. China, Ireland and the USA followed in the other places. Exhibitors from Arab countries such as Egypt, Morocco and Algeria were also represented. The proportion of international exhibitors was around 60 percent.

The exhibitors and partners were very satisfied with the result of the two trade fairs:

"It was great to be able to experience EuroTier as an in-person trade fair again after four long years. We arrived in Hanover with mixed feelings, but can now say that our expectations were exceeded! The DLG has once again succeeded in bringing many future-oriented livestock farmers together in Hanover, thus creating a positive atmosphere. Particularly pleasing: there were more visitors from European countries at our stand than we expected," says Bernd Meerpohl, CEO, Big Dutchman AG.

"EuroTier 2022 was a high-quality industry venue with many professional discussions. GEA Farm Technologies was able to present its many innovations to milk producers from Germany and abroad," says Ulrich Rassenhövel, Senior Director Representative Farm Technologies Division Country Germany, GEA Farm Technologies.

"Siloking's trade fair participation in the EuroTier trade fair was a complete success. The interest in our company and our product presentations exceeded our expectations. Above all, the high quality of the visitors and the many quality discussions show how important EuroTier is for the international livestock industry," adds Margit Mayer, Managing Director, Siloking.

"Our member are highly satisfied with the successful result of EuroTier 2022 . A significant number of member companies, despite some mixed feelings, absolutely wanted to participate in the most important international trade fair for animal breeding and livestock. This decision was rewarded. The response was better than we had expected. One thing is certain: nowhere else do you come into contact with so many agricultural organisations as at EuroTier. It's nice that this important industry venue has successfully returned," says Nora Hammer, Managing Director, The German Livestock Association.

"EuroTier plays an important role in our global trade show presence. It has confirmed its good reputation again in 2022, as we once again met many international customers in Hanover." Yama Olumi, Head of Market Communications Animal Nutrition, Evonik Industries.

"Our members are satisfied with the way EnergyDecentral has gone, which has been beyond expectations. After the long Corona break, the demand for personal exchanges on the many issues of decentralised energy production is very high. Moreover, in the context of the current energy crisis, the importance of decentralised energy systems for resilience and flexibility has come into even sharper focus." Gerd Krieger, Deputy Managing Director, VDMA Power Systems.

Visitors impressed by the range of exhibits and specialist information
Visitors were highly satisfied with the offering at the exhibition (94.3 percent). In addition to feed and operating resources, interest was particularly high in the topics of breeding, milking and cooling technology, animal housing, hall construction as well as feeding technology. Around 39 percent of the visitors came from outside Germany. Some 450 journalists from 32 countries used EuroTier and EnergyDecentral to gain an overview of current innovations and trends.

The leading platform for the future and ideas network in livestock
The technical program at EuroTier was supported by DLG and numerous partners from industry, science and consulting. More than 400 events, such as spotlights, conferences and forums, primarily showcased perspectives and concepts that focused on the topics of animal welfare, sustainability and climate protection, while at the same time ensuring production efficiency. The congress of the German Association of Practicing Veterinarians (bpt), which took place in parallel, offered additional opportunities for cross-industry exchange. The winners of the EuroTier Innovation Awards reflected the innovative strength of the exhibiting companies which worked like an 'ideas network'. The Young Farmers Day with its concluding Young Farmers Party was once again the venue for young farmers and students. This year, the focus was on networking, career planning and discussions about sustainable animal husbandry.

EnergyDecentral: Marketplace for the future of energy supply
Due to the crisis in energy supply caused by the war, the search for alternative and renewable energy sources has become more important. The industry venue, marketplace and innovation showcase of a future-oriented energy industry, EnergyDecentral presented a range of new ideas for decentralised energy supply. The focus was on the extensive range of decentralised energy sources, such as photovoltaics, agri-photovoltaics, floating PV systems, complete solutions for the anaerobic digestion of biomass and biogas production and processing.

Convincing new formats 

• The "DLG-Agrifuture Concept Winner" was awarded for the first time at EuroTier and EnergyDecentral. With this award, DLG honors concepts and visions that have not yet reached market maturity, but have potential for the future.
• Celebrating its premiere, the "Women in Ag Awards International" will in future be awarded annually to women who serve as role models for international agriculture.
• With the new "DLG Agri Influencer Award", DLG draws attention to agricultural blogs and profiles with high-quality content on social media and presents these to a broader public.
• Start-ups and creatives developed their forward-looking ideas in the DLG.Prototype.Club.

Digital technical program on www.DLG-Connect.com

A selection of the trade show's technical program is now available at www.DLG-Connect.com.

The next EuroTier, including EnergyDecentral and the World Poultry Show, will take place in Hanover, Germany, from 12 to 15 November, 2024.

For more information 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.