USDA to begin accepting applications for expanded Emergency Livestock Assistance Program

June 28, 2024 - The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin accepting applications starting on Monday, July 1 through its updated Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP) to provide financial assistance to eligible dairy producers who incur milk losses due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, also known as H5N1 infection in their fairy herds.

USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) expanded ELAP through the rule-making process to assist with a portion of financial losses resulting from reduced milk production when cattle are removed from commercial milking in dairy herds having a confirmed positive H5N1 test. Positive test results must be confirmed through the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL).

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"USDA remains committed to working with producers, state veterinarians, animal health professionals and out federal partners as we continue to detect the presence of H5N1 in dairy herds and take additional measures to contain the spread of the disease," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "When something unexpected, like H5N1m threatens the economic viability of the producers we serve, we are committed to finding ways, where we have the authority to do so, to revisit existing program policies and provide the financial support needed to help producers recover and sustain production."

ELAP provides emergency relief to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish to assist with losses due to disease, adverse weather or other conditions, such as wildfires, that are not covered by other FSA disaster assistance programs.

H5N1 infections have been detected in 12 states including Coronado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming.Dairy producers in all states are reminded to stay vigilant and follow established APHIS biosecurity, detection and testing guidelines. In addition to testing, enhanced biosecurity is critical to containing this virus. USDA works closely with state animal health official, producers and industry organisations to provide guidance and resources for cleaning and disinfection not only on affected farms but for all livestock producers as a part of practicing good biosecurity. APHIS has made available a number of biosecurity documents on its landing page.

ELAP eligibility

Eligible adult dairy cattle must be:

• Proof of herd infection through a confirmed positive H5N1 test (based on USDA's APHIS H5N1 case definition) on individual animal or bulk samples confirmed by NVSL;
• A notice of loss indicating the date when the loss is apparent, which is the sample collection date for the positive H5N1 test; and
• An application for payment certifying the number of eligible adult dairy cows, the month the cows were removed from production, and the producer's share in the milk production.

The final date to file a notice of loss and application for payments for eligible losses is 30 days after the end of the prior calendar year, which is January 30.

Calculating ELAP payments

The per cow milk loss payment due to H5N1 will be determined based on an expected 21-day period of no milk production when a cow is removed from the milking herd, followed by seven days when the cow has returned to milking herd, followed by seven days when the cow has returned to milking but produces 50 percent of the normal amount of production. 

ELAP payments are determined using a per head payment rate calculated based on the monthly all-milk price and national milk production published by the National Agricultural Statistics Service and a standard number of days with reduced or no production - (per head payment rate x number of eligible adult dairy cows x producer's share in milk production x 90 percent)

To apply, producers should contact the FSA at their local USDA Service Center.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

BoMill signs follow-up agreement with Lantmännen worth EUR 475,000

June 28, 2024 - BoMill AB has signed a follow-up agreement worth EUR 475,000 with Swedish agriculture cooperative group Lantmännen. Following an initial project evaluating BoMill InSight during a rental period, Lantmännen Lantbruk has decided to purchase the solution and increase the capacity with additional sorting units.

BoMill Insight

Headquartered in Sweden, Lantmännen is an agricultural cooperative owned by 18,000 farmers, and a leading player in agriculture, machinery, bioenergy and food in Northern Europe. In January 2024, Lantmännen Lantbruk signed an agreement worth EUR 185,000 for the rental of BoMill InSight with the option to purchase the solution at the end of the rental period.

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Following positive feedback on the operation of the equipment and successful use of the solution to upgrade wheat and barley, during the 19-week rental period, Lantmännen Lantbruk has decided to exercise its option to purchase BoMill InSight integrated in a mobile container solution and increase its capacity with two additional sorting units, reaching a total of eight units installed on the BoMill InSight frame. The value of the follow-up agreement is approximately EUR 475,000, making a total value of EUR 660,000 (including the rental cost) for the purchase of the BoMill InSight solution.

"This is great news. It is always exciting to see the performance of our technology recognised, through a follow-up agreement. Lantmännen is a fantastic reference, and we look forward to further collaborating with them." said Andreas Jeppsson, CEO of BoMill AB.

"BoMill InSight has proven to be a very reliable and cost-effective solution to increase the value and quality of grains produced by Swedish farmers. We are thrilled to invest in this solution that gives us more flexibility to fulfil our grain supply contracts. We look forward to exploring further its potential for our business." commented Pontus Sonesson, Head of Supply Chain at Lantmännen Lantbruk.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

Biogas - a key component in the energy transition

June 28, 2024 - "You won't find the word biogas in the German government's power station strategy" - this is how Horst Seide, President of the German Biogas Association, describes the situation in his industry in the run-up to EnergyDecentral 2024, which takes place in Hanover, Germany from November 12-15. In the interview conducted with the DLG (German Agricultural Society), Seide calls for a clear signal in favour of biogas and provides insights into the technologies that will be on show at the exhibition centre in Hanover, Germany.

Horst Seide, President of the German Biogas Association

"Biogas can do everything that fossil LNG (Liquefied natural gas) can do and, compared to hydrogen imports, is available immediately and regionally. Nevertheless, you won't find the word 'biogas' in the German government's power station strategy," says Horst Seide, President of the German Biogas Association, explaining the situation in the biogas industry a few months before EnergyDecentral kicks off in Hanover, Germany, November 12-15. "In the electricity sector, where biogas is the strongest in terms of sales, things are not looking good at the moment. We have a large number of plants here that need follow-up finding," he adds.

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Leading biogas plants into a more flexible future

According to Seide, there are currently nearly 10,000 plants with a total output of around six gigawatts, which generate over 33 terawatt hours of electricity annually. This corresponds to around six percent of electricity consumption in Germany and the same amount of heat, which is mainly used in rural areas. "For hundreds of plants, the Renewable Energy Act (EEG) remuneration period will end in the next few years," says the President of the Biogas Association. "And recent tendering rounds for follow-up remuneration have been oversubscribed three times over." Seide is convinced that without a significant increase in tender volumes in what is termed the 'regular segment', it will not be possible to maintain the biogas plant portfolio at its current level.

"At least 1800 megawatts are needed annually in the biomass tender alone to stabilise the existing power plant fleet," says Seide. At the same time, biogas plants need to be led into a more flexible future. In order to incentivise the conversion of biogas plants, the flexibility surcharge should be adjusted to inflation and higher interest rates and increased to at least €120 per kilowatt.

Combined heat and power generation of central importance in the municipal heating transition

The President of the German Biogas Association empathises that biogas plants have storage advantages, as they can store biogas and biomethane for a period of time and on a seasonal basis. This means that the amount of electricity generated by the plants can be distributed much better in flexible operation adapted to the supply of wind and solar power: through additional gas storage and more engines. In 2023, over 14 terawatt hours of heat were generated in Germany using combined heat and power (CHP) directly at the biogas plant. "This means that CHP plays a key role in the municipal heating transition," says Seide. Most of it is converted into district and local heating and electricity in combined heat and power plants. In total, the amount of heat supplied from biogas and biomethane in 2023 covered the needs of 1.8 million households.

REPowerEU: a strategy to transform the European energy system

The aim of the REPowerEU strategy - which was launched by the European Commission two years ago - is to reduce dependence on fossil fuels from Russia and accelerate the transition to climate-neutral energy. An integral part of the strategy is an action plan that aims to increase EU biomethane production to 35 billion cubic metres annually by 2030. "innovation and financial support to increase biogas production plays a key role," says the President of the German Biogas Association. "We need around 5000 new biogas plants to achieve the ambitious EU target." Seide believes this is realistic. "Within the EU, we can see that neighbouring countries such as France are in the process of massively expanding the biogas and biomethane sector. In the same vein, Germany previously managed to build around 6000 biogas plants in less than 10 years after 2006."

Danger of technological dependence on foreign countries

Seide sees a major problem with the number of newly built biogas plants. In 2022, around 30 biogas plants were decommissioned in Germany, compared to just over 100 newly built biogas plants, he reports. According to Seide, too many legal obstacles and slow approval procedures are hindering the necessary expansion of biogas utilisation in Germany.

in the development in Germany continues as before and subsidies remain as restrictive as they are now, Seide believes there is a risk that Germany will also be left behind technologically. "The predominantly medium-sized companies in the industry are among the leading drivers of innovation in Europe. The majority of these companies will be exhibiting at the exhibition grounds in Hanover, Germany. However, there is a risk that this expertise, which has been built up over 20 years, will increasingly shift abroad, as the focus there is still on biogas, unlike in Germany."

To read the full interview, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

Food supply chain calls on next government to secure future of British food

June 27, 2024 - Ahead of the general election, party leaders are being urged by the UK's food and drink supply chain to ensure policies on food security are front and centre of their public campaigns, to set our how they intend to support domestic food and farming sectors, and how they will work to ensure resilient supply chains.

The NFU, British Retail Consortium, UK Hospitality and Food and Drink Federation - representatives of the country's farmers, supermarkets, hospitality, catering and food companies - have joined forces to express frustration at the lack of coverage during the campaigns so far as to how the next government will approach the issue despite widespread agreement that food security is a national security.

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In a letter to the party leaders, the organisations say this omission in public election campaigning needs to be urgently addressed before polling day on July 4.

The letter states: "Our food system has shown itself in recent years to be efficient and resilient, maintaining UK food supply through a series of major challenges, including Covid-19, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and new trading arrangements by leaving the European Union. At times those supply chains have come under severe strain, leading to shortages of some food and drink products and increasing costs at all points of the chain from producer to consumer. It would be foolhardy to assume that our food system will always withstand shocks, especially against the backdrop of increased geopolitical instability and climate change.

"The basic responsibility of any government is to ensure its citizens are safe and properly fed. But while we have heard much about defence and energy security in recent weeks, we have heard very little about food security. The lack of focus on food in the political narrative during the campaigns demonstrates a worrying blind-spot for those that would govern us.

"Getting these policies right has multiple benefits for our country and the public beyond simply guaranteeing our food security. A thriving food and drink sector is an engine for economic growth, one that is spread equitably across all parts of the UK and which provides varied employment at all entry levels. Furthermore, maintaining productive and profitable businesses across the food and drink supply chain not only contributes to our food security, but also means, with over two-thirds of our land used for farming, that our natural environment can be managed sustainably to protect our environment and help meet climate ambitions.

"A well-functioning supply chain also gives consumers access to a wide range of fresh produce and healthy food, is a crucial aspect of improving diets, alleviating pressure on the health service and improving health outcomes for our citizens."

The letter sets out six urgent priorities for whichever party forms the next government to ensure British food is available at all price points, in an increasingly uncertain and unstable world. They include:

• A planning system that allows investment in modern buildings and infrastructure
• Work with the food and drink sector to deliver a plan to achieve our net zero ambitions
• A coherent industrial policy that includes a tax framework incentivising investment, fosters research and innovation in the UK, takes a joined-up approach to immigration, skills and employment policies that ensure the sector has access to the labour it needs
• An agricultural budget that enables the delivery of environmental objectives, delivers targets for climate and biodiversity
• An approach to trade that seeks to reduce non-tariff barriers with key trading partners
• A long-term partnership with industry to tackle obesity and health inequalities in communities across the UK.

The letter concludes: "These policies are critical to the future health and prosperity of our nation. We should never take our food security for granted, and whoever forms the next government will need to address these issues as a priority. Taken together, these policies can provide the critical ingredient - confidence - that will allow industry to deliver a resilient food system, investing for the future, driving productivity, leading the way in energy efficiency, continuing the journey of protecting and enhancing the environment, and most of all, ensuring that British food remains on our shelves and available for all."

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

New e-learning module on sampling for the feed industry

June 27, 2024 - The GMP+ Academy is launching an e-learning module on sampling. Every feed company needs to sample its ingredients and products to ensure quality and safety. Proper sampling is crucial because contaminants at any stage of production can make the final product unsafe.

Effective sampling guides decision-making throughout production. This ensures the feed is high-quality and safe for both humans and animals. Given the importance of accurate sampling, expertise is essential. This e-learning course will teach you the basics of correct sampling techniques. The e-learning module is specifically designed for production companies in the feed industry.

What you will learn:

• What sampling is
• Why we take samples
• What sampling equipment is needed
• How to take samples
• How to label, seal and store samples in the right way

The course offers a convenient way for industry professionals to enhance their knowledge and skills at their own pace.

Course details:

• Duration: 45 minutes
• Language: English. You can use the 'translate webpages' in your browser if needed to accommodate your preferred languages, you will find the instructions HERE.
• Accessibility: Available on the GMP+ Academy platform. Registration is available for free.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

USDA proposes new rule to clarify unfair practices in livestock, meat and poultry industries

June 27, 2024 - The US Department of Agriculture announced new action to support the plan for a fairer, more competitive and more resilient meat and poultry supply chain. USDA's Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets proposed rule would tackle longstanding challenges around interpretations of unfairness and competitive injury for the livestock, meat and poultry sectors. This will support farmers and growers, and continues President Biden's work to lower food costs for consumers.

Secretary Vilsack made the announcement during an event at the Center for American Progress showcasing the Administration's agenda to create more affordable and competitive agricultural markets. The event highlighted USDA's wide-ranging progress to enhance the Department's ability to enforce the Packers and Stockyards Act, including previous rule making and an enforcement partnership with the Department of Justice. The event also provided a look back at USDA's successful Investing in America Agenda efforts to enhance independent meat and poultry and other diversified food processing capacity; expand domestic, innovative fertiliser production; create a fairer market for seeds and other agricultural inputs; and support more robust and resilient supply chains. USDA also released a fact sheet highlighting its actions under the Biden-Harris Administration to spur completion in the agriculture sector.

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"Entrenched market power and the abuses that flow from it remain an obstacle to achieving lower prices for consumers and fairer practices for producers," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Today's proposed rule stands for clear, transparent standards so that markets function fairly and competitively for consumers and producers alike. With our whole-of-government approach to competition and resiliency, the Biden-Harris Administration is fighting every day to lower costs for American families and give farmers a fairer shake."

The proposed rule will better protect farmers, ranchers and other covered market participants by making clearer how prohibitions on unfair practices will be enforced under the Packers and Stockyards Act. Specifically, the rule provides clearer tests and frameworks around unfair practices that harm market participants individually and unfair practices that harm markets overall. If finalised, this rule would better enable USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service to carry out its legal obligation to ensure fair and competitive national livestock, meat and poultry markets and ensure livestock producers and poultry growers can secure the full value for their products and services.

"Farmers, ranchers, consumers and smaller processors all depend upon the Packers & Stockyards Act to protect them from bad actors in the marketplace," said USDA's Senior Advisor for Fair and Competitive Markets Andy Green. "It's time to provide the regulatory clarity and simplicity needed to put an end to unfair conduct that harms the market or that harms market participants."

The proposal is based on USDA's extensive administrative case law and builds off to precedent established under other unfair practice laws. The proposal follows well-understood approaches to unfair practices and unfair methods of competition.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

Feed enzymes global leader focused on expanding portfolio at Novus

June 27, 2024 - José Otávio B Sorbara, PhD, is charting the direction of a growing product portfolio at Novus. Sorbara was named the intelligent nutrition company's Feed Enzymes Global Leader following the company's acquisition of BioResource International Inc (BRI), earlier this year.

Dr Sorbara

In this new role, Sorbara owns developing the strategy and managing the innovation pipeline for Novus's enzyme products while supporting the commercial team as it works to grow the feed enzyme business around the world.

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"Enzymes are more important than ever for the animal agriculture industry," Sorbara says. "They play a crucial role in optimising feed formulations, making them more cost-effective for feed millers and farmers. By enhancing the digestibility of nutrients in the feed, our enzymes improve the overall nutritional value of the diet for animals. This not only boosts animal performance but also reduces waste. and environmental impact by minimising nutrient excretion."

He says coupling BRI's products and expertise in fermentation with Novus's own CIBENZA Enzyme Feed Additive not only provides more options to customers it also allows the company to innovate solutions for tomorrow's nutrition and performance challenges. 

Laura Munoz, Senior Director of Global Strategic Marketing & Business Development says Sorbara's expertise with enzymes as well as in managing and fostering collaboration of global and regional teams will be an asset to grow the company's market share in the enzyme sector.

"As an exert, José helped expand market opportunities for various enzymes while with DSM. His understanding of the sector is definitely an asset as we work to grow our enzyme portfolio," Munoz says. "We're confident and José's leadership will allow us to meet our goals as well as continue to solidify our commitment as a trusted partner for our customers," Munoz says.

Sorbara spent the last 17 years with dsm-firmenich where he most recently served as the Global Innovation Lead for Poultry. He also previously held technical, marketing and category management roles at the company. He earned his doctorate in poultry nutrition from the State University of Maringá (Universidade Estadual de Maringá) in Brazil.

He is a member of the Poultry Science Association and resides in Brazil.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

INEOS becomes world's first polymer producer for recyclable flexible films

June 26, 2024 - INEOS Olefins & polymers Europe has become the first polymer producer in the world to successfully commission a new pilot line that it will use with customers to co-develop recyclable flexible packaging films. The new multi-million Euro investment could help to prevent around 1 million tonnes of waste from being sent to landfill each year.

The new multilayer, blown film line with Machine Direction Orientation (MDO) has been installed at INEOS' R&D centre in Brussels, Belgium. It enables customers to carry our full-scale tests without losing production capacity on their own lines. The first collaboration projects are already underway, developing new films that can be applied directly to customer production lines.

Flexible films provide lightweight, low emission packaging for transporting goods, increasing the shelf life of food products. However, today's multi-material packaging films combine different polymers, each performing different functions, but which in combination make the film difficult to recycle. Making simpler films with the same performance means the new packaging can be more easily recycled, to meet the requirements of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.

Rob Ingram, CEO, INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe, said: "Flexible packaging films play a valuable role in society, but we recognise and share people's concerns about plastic waste. Every day we work alongside stakeholders across the value chain who share our commitment to a circular economy, developing more sustainable solutions to consumers' needs. Fully recyclable films are a big development and I'm excited about the possibilities created by our investment in this new MDO line."

The state-of-the-art technology, supplied by Hosokawa Alpine, heats and stretches polymer films to improve their physical and barrier properties, enabling them to be used in different product applications.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

Symagas focus on building longterm relationships with customers

June 26, 2024 - The durability of a silo depends on the steel quality and the corrosiveness of the atmosphere where the storage plant is located. Also the durability of customer relationships depends on the quality of product and service that a company provides.

Symaga believes that the recent project with Avicon exemplifies both the durability of the silo and the strength of their business relationships, nurtured by Symaga's partnership and service. Avicon, a feed mill located 35km from its headquarters, built its silo plant, manufactured by Symaga, more than 30 years ago. To improve grain storage, with a better preservation and unloading of cereals, elevated metal cones have been installed inside the existing silos. The inside perforated cone provides ventilation of the floor and allows, without civil works, a 100 percent gravity discharge of its content.

In addition to the assembly of the inside cone, the cylinder has been repaired with the installations of new body sheets, stairs and door inspection have been added to access the silos. Avicon has benefited from Symaga's assembly service on several occasions, consolidating a service that is becoming stronger and making it possible to offer it internationally in the medium term.

The resilience of Symaga's steel and service improves the durability of their silos and customer relationships, the foundation that has contributed to positioning them as one of the worldwide leaders in storage solutions.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

Martin Engineering unveils new secondary conveyor belt cleaner

June 26, 2024 - Martin Engineering has announced the next generation of secondary conveyor belt cleaners engineered to reduce dusty carryback and lower maintenance time. Designed to withstand the stress of heavier loads carried on wider, thicker belts at higher speeds, the Martin SQC2S Orion Secondary Cleaner features individually cushioned tungsten carbide blade cartridges for effective cleaning without risk of the belt or splices. 

Cartridges with individual tensioning improves cleaning efficiency and effectiveness.

The two-tiered tensioning system means minimal adjustments and monitoring throughout the life of the blade. The heavy-duty blades are mounted on a slide-in/slide-out assembly for faster and safer one-worker external servicing. The result is improved belt cleaning with less dust and maintenance for greater workplace safety at a lower cost of operation.

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"We field tested the Orion over several months side-by-side with competitor designs in punishing mining environments and found that the new design significantly outperformed the competition," said Dave Mueller, Conveyor Products Manager for Martin Engineering. "At the end of the testing period, customer participants started the process of replacing all their heavy-duty secondary cleaners with the Orion. We now view this design as the future of our secondary cleaner line moving forward."

Secondary cleaners play an essential role in the belt cleaning process by significantly reducing the volume of dust and fines dropped and carryback on the belt return. Primary cleaners release most of the abrasive material remaining on the belt after discharge.

The Martin SQC2S Orion Secondary Cleaner is appropriate for all bulk handling material applications. The unit is made up of individual six inches (152.5mm) blades mounted on a square steel tube assembly. Not designed for reversing belts, it is suitable for 18-96 inches (457-2438.5mm) belt widths, belt speeds up to 1200fpm (6mps), and temperatures up to 250º F (121º C).

"What sets this unit apart from others on the market is the innovative, dual tensioning system with independent heavy-duty tungsten blades which are game-changing design features," Mueller explained. "The first level of tensioning is supplied to the entire assembly using the heavy-duty SQC2S Tensioner which applies light upward torque evenly across the belt profile for less friction and no wear on splices."

The second level of tensioning is on the individual blade assembly. Each Orion blade assembly is attached to a steel square tube assembly which is secured a mounting plate. The square tube houses a rubber tensioner with a torsion arm bolted to each side. A specialised tungsten blade is attached to the arm. The whole system is mounted at a 90-degree angle then tensioned so each blade is vertical and perpendicular to the belt. As the belt runs, each blade assembly adjusts independently to precisely match the belt's profile, permitting them to compensate for camber, flaws/blemishes and stubborn material stuck to the belt's face. To accommodate belt cupping and other uneven surfaces, the blade assemblies can be individually adjusted to match the belt profile.

The blades are specially designed for heavy-duty abrasive applications in both dry and wet environments. Tested on hard rock and slurry belts, the Orion blades offered superior cleaning results with a longer equipment life. This is due to the rugged tungsten carbide core surrounded by mild steel. Blades are also available in stainless-steel for specific corrosive materials.

The blade design features an attached deflector shield made for polypropene or rugged nylon for high temperature applications. Mounted directly to the blade in an outward scoop design, the shield users loosened material away from the mainframe and toward the discharge chute. This mitigates buildup on the assembly, extending the blade's effectiveness and reducing the amount of maintenance. 

Safety and ease of maintenance is a key feature and a core priority for all Martin Engineering designs. The slide-in/slide-out design allows a single worker to perform maintenance with easy access outside of the conveyor structure, eliminating the need to crawl underneath or awkwardly reach inside. This greatly improves workplace safety and reduces the amount of time and labour required for maintenance, significantly lowering the cost of operation.

"Every bulk handling operation is unique and requires equipment that is versatile and adaptable, and I think we've achieved that with the Orion," said Mueller. "Martin Engineering products are developed to improve efficiency and safety, without compromising belt health. This design gives customers more options and superior results, regardless of the material or the process."

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

AGI supplies equipment to new malting plant in Brazil

June 26, 2024 - Ag Growth International (AGI) joined Cooperativa Agrária Agroindustrial (Agrária) and its cooperative partners - Bom Jesus, Capal, Castrolanda, Coopagrícola and Frísia - to celebrate the commissioning of the newly-minted barley malting plant in Ponta Grossa, Brazil. Hailed as an example of industry inter-cooperation, the Maltaria Campos Gerais (MCG) is an innovative, large-scale Greenfield facility capable of producing 240,000 tonnes of brewer's malt per year.

MCG is strategically located in an agricultural region known for grain production and conductive to the cultivation of barley. Malted barley is the main source for fermentable sugars used by yeasts in the traditional brewing of beer.

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"AGI had the privilege of being on-site for the inauguration of this state-of-the-art malt production facility to the industry and local community," says Paul Householder, AGI President and CEO, who attended the event. "Our pride stems from AGI's contribution in supplying the grain handling and storage system to this massive MCG plant. This facility plays a crucial socio-economic role within the region and broader value chain."

According to Agrária and its cooperative partners, the facility investment will provide farm-to-market benefits for the region by building demand for locally grown barley, expanding markets for malted barley, fostering local jobs and leveraging the relationships forged with two of the biggest players in the national beer market.

AGI provided a turnkey solution with a customised grain storage, material handling and conveying equipment, including 52 chain conveyors, 19 bucket elevators, 14 AGI Hi Roller enclosed belt conveyors, 13 bulk flows, 26 screw conveyors, 18 square hopper bins and two hopper bins including full engineering, installation and commissioning.

MCG is a one-of-a-kind installation built to support the processing of 240,000 tonnes of brewing malt per year and storage of 90,000 tonnes of barley and 80,000 tonnes of malt.

With a focus on safety, quality and energy and water efficiency, the project began in 2022 with design and engineering followed by two years of installation and assembly. The facility, which completed construction in March, was commissioned June 6 during a special event attended by the cooperative partners, suppliers and federal, state and local authorities.

To learn more, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

AFIA celebrates 73 graduates at feed industry institute

June 26, 2024 - The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) acknowledged 73 graduates from its biennial Feed Industry Institute (FII) in Minneapolis, Minn, last Thursday. Attendees took part in a four-day, intensive educational forum to learn about the feed, petfood and feed ingredient industry from those who know it best - industry experts. In addition to the educational program, attendees mingled with colleagues from across the industry and stepped out of the classroom to attend a Minneapolis Twins baseball game.

FII attendees gathered in Minneapolis, Minn., to gain valuable animal food industry insights.

"We are thrilled that FII returned to an in-person format this year, which allowed for more engaging and interactive sessions," said Paul David, PhD, AFIA's Director of Quality, Animal Food Safety and Education. "The excitement of reconnecting face-to-face and the dynamic exchange of knowledge truly enhanced the overall experience, marking a successful and memorable event for all involved."

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• AFIA receives federal funding under USDA’s Regional Agricultural Promotion Program

During the weeklong educational program, attendees heard from 24 expert speakers, or 'professors', from various segments of the industry, providing a complete overview of the animal food industry. Topics included physiology and nutrition in monogastirc ruminant and companion animals; the role of proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals in animal diets; various feed ingredients and additives; processing and formulation; customer service and communications; and feed industry regulations. FII also covered related industry activities, such as sourcing, logistics and grains trading.

On Monday, Adam Fahrenholz, PhD, post-doctoral research scholar at North Carolina State Univeristy's Prestage Department of Poultry Science, emphasised the importance of the topics covered at FII during his session, 'Effects of Processing on Quality and Efficiency'. He highlighted how decisions made at every stage of the feed industry, from ingredient selection to processing and production methods, can significantly affect other downstream aspects, including nutrition, quality and customer satisfaction.

"Everything that we do in feed manufacturing will have an impact, and those impacts have to be considered," said Fahrenholz.

The FII concluded with a graduation ceremony, where all attendees received a certificate of completion.

The AFIA thanks its FII sponsors: gold sponsors Bentonite Performance Minerals LLC and Huvepharma Inc and silver sponsors Bill Bar and Company Inc, Datacor, Hutchinson Salt Company Inc and Olsson Frank Weeda Law. The AFIA also thanks its nutrition committee for its role in planning the event.

The next FII is slated for 2026.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

EuroTier 2024: Trade fair's topics attract great visitor interest

June 25, 2024 - Five months before kick-off, interest in the EuroTier/EnergyDecentral 2024 trade fairs is already high among visitors. In a survey of potential professional farming visitors to the world's leading trade fair for professional animal husbandry and livestock management, 60 percent of respondents stated that they have already made firm plans to visit EuroTier in Hanover, Germany. Some 30 percent responded that they will be making a decision in the coming weeks.

The exhibition areas of housing and feeding technology as well as feed input and operating resources were particularly highly rated. When it comes to current industry topics, visitors from both Germany and abroad ranked as most interesting animal welfare, sustainability, automation, robotics and digitalisation. 1250 respondents from both Germany and abroad took part in the online survey. EuroTier, the world's leading trade fair for professional animal husbandry and livestock management, will take place alongside EnergyDecentral, the leading international trade fair for decentralised energy supply, from November 12-15, 2024, in Hanover, Germany.

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"We innovate animal farming - the guiding theme of this year's EuroTier hits the nerve of the industry. The theme addresses the challenges facing the international livestock sector by placing the current topics of animal welfare, sustainability, automation, robotics and digitalisation at the heart of the exhibition and technical program at the world's leading trade fair for livestock management. The high level of visitor interest five months before the start of the trade fair shows that the industry is focusing on innovation and development," says Ines Rathke, EuroTier Project Manager, who is very satisfied with the survey results. "The high level of interest in new trends and innovations also shows the importance of EuroTier as a leading trade fair for investments," she added.

Visitors intend to spend several days at the trade fair

When asked about the duration of their visit to the trade fair, around 60 percent said they intend to spend at least two or more days at the world's leading exhibition for livestock management. The survey included livestock farmers with 58 percent engaged in cattle and dairy farming and 25 percent in pig production. Some 21 percent of respondents are poultry producers, 14 percent horse owners and 11 percent manage sheep or goats. Insects are also mentioned as an on-farm production activity, a sector that appears to be increasing among livestock farmers. "The investment intentions over the next two years are encouraging. Currently, 50 percent of those surveyed are already planning to invest in new technology and equipment within the next 24 months," emphasises Ines Rathke.

EnergyDecentral: High demand for solar energy, agrivoltaics and biogas

The current debate on sustainable energy concepts are reflected in the results of the online survey: "In addition to the topics of wind energy, biogas and biomethane, there is growing interest in solar energy and, in particular, in agrivolataics. As many as 32 percent of those surveyed are explicitly interested in the potential of this relatively new and emerging energy alternative," says Marcus Vagt, Project Manager of EnergyDecentral, which takes in parallel with EuroTier. The survey also shows that professional visitors continue to need updates on conventional solutions such as biogas, still a growing sector, as well as solutions for energy distribution and storage.

Farmers' Voices - Voices of the visitors

"I farm in North Yorkshire, managing 2000 sows, I have already visited EuroTier twice and plan to come again this autumn. It is a chance to see different technical solutions from mainland Europe that we do not see in the UK." Matthew Wilkin, New Yorks, UK.

"I have been visiting EuroTier for more than a decade, accompanying livestock producers and technicians. EuroTier stands out for its global reach, comprehensive coverage and focus on innovation." António Ferreira, Engineer and Secretary General, ABLN (Associação Para O Apoio À Bovinicultura Leiteira Norte / Association for the Support of Northern Dairy Farming), Portugal.

"This year, I am planning to visit EuroTier for the first time. I am looking to have a good time with other dairy farmers just to exchange views. As EuroTier also covers biogas plants I will be looking for mixers, pumps and any upgrades."Mark Kelly, Dungannon Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland, Uk.

"Each visit to EuroTier has been a source of inspiration, introducing us to new innovations and technologies. This is very valuable in our role as Dutch research and demonstration dairy farm Erve Mentink. EuroTier's international character provides a valuable perspective on Dutch developments and innovations within a global context, and helps us recognise the strength and potential of our own company on the international stage." Els & Gerard Uijterlinde, Eigentümer in der 4. Generation von Erve Mentink, einem Forschungs- und Demonstrationsmilchviehbetrieb in Deurningen, Region Twente, Niederlande.

"I want to see new technologies for the barn and solutions that can reduce manual labour. Three years ago, we built a barn with new equipment for our pigs. I want to use EuroTier to see what Big Dutchman has to offer in terms of new concepts and updates." Henrik Mortensen, a Danish pig producer with 1000 sows and on-farm 30,000 slaughter pigs annually.

"As the operator of a biogas plant, I visited EuroTier 2024 primarily because of EnergyDecentral, which takes place at the same time. Otherwise, I like to stroll through the halls with an open mind and stop by small, inconspicuous stands in particular. In my experience, young and innovative companies exhibit there that can give me food for thought on topics that I wasn't previously aware of." Felix Hollmann, pig farmer and biogas plant operator, Ense-Bittingen, Germany.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

Report highlights growth in regenerative agriculture

June 25, 2024 - In a year marked by escalating climate emergencies and global calls for sustainable solutions, Regenagri, a global leader in regenerative agriculture, has announced impressive performance in its Impact Report, launched today.

The report reveals the significant adoption and impact of regenerative farming worldwide.

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Commenting on impressive business performance, Franco Costantini, Regenagri CEO, says: "As extreme weather events become more frequent and the urgency of climate action intensifies, Regenagri's work in promoting regenerative agriculture is more critical than ever."

He references the 2023 IPCC report highlighting the need for sustainable land management practices to mitigate climate change impacts, making Regenagri's achievements timely and relevant in the global sustainability discourse.

"2023 was a year of remarkable progress for Regenagri, with the area of land under its certification tripling from 487,000 hectares in 2022, to over 1.46 million hectares in 2023," says Mr Costantini.

He adds that the programme now supports more than 230,000 farms and 855 supply chain operators globally.

"Regenagri's standards are fast becoming the industry benchmark, especially within the textiles and food sectors," says Mr Costantini.

"We've continued to see growth in the textiles sector with brands such as J Crew Group, GAP, PVH, and we've expanded further into food supply chains with brands such as illycaffé"

He states the environmental and economic benefits of the Regenagri's framework are impressive.

"Regenagri certified farms have achieved a remarkable positive impact. Representative examples are the annual greenhouse gas reduction of 5.55 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per hectare for cotton farms and 5.34 for coffee farms," says Mr Costantini.

The increase of soil carbon sequestration (about five million tonnes of carbon) and the reduction in water use have been other important achievements.

"Certified farms in Brazil have also made significant strides in resource efficiency, reducing water use by 95,410 litres per hectare," he adds.

Looking ahead, Mr Costantini says that Regenagri aims to double its impact in 2024 by expanding its programme to cover two million hectares of land, supporting 500,000 farms globally.

He adds that Regenagri is committed to evolving its programme to meet future challenges.

"As the Regenagri initiative grows, we keep learning; from understanding the needs of farms and supply chains, to technologies and systems that support the integrity and scalability of the programme.

"I'm excited about how much more we can achieve in the coming years. We have ambitious goals to keep moving at pace towards our vision of a world in which regenerative farming is the norm."

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

New online video series highlights the importance of flour milling

June 25, 2024 - UK Flour Millers started releasing videos on their social media channels that highlight the importance of the flour milling industry. The videos also feature the dedicated employees who have diverse careers within the sector.

The trade organisation that represents the flour milling industry, UK Flour Millers collates and shares the collective view and position of their members. They also share information about the importance of flour and flour milling to the public, including through the new video series.

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Flour millers across the United Kingdom (UK) work around the clock to provide this essential ingredient that nourishes the nation. The video series, found on UK Flour Millers' social media channels, provides an overview of flour milling from what happens when wheat arrives at the mill to the milling process, sustainability to food security, and more.

"These videos will help people better understand modern flour milling and its importance to our nation," UK Flour Millers' Chief Executive Officer, Alistair Gale said. "they're valuable because they bring the key aspects into bite sized chunks, ideal for everyone in our time-poor world, be they students, food supply chain players, or politicians - even people already in flour milling can learn more."

Each video is between two- to five-minutes in length. They are being shared progressively on UK Flour Millers' LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook pages throughout the summer and into the beginning of harvest season. Viewers can expect a new video to be posted approximately fortnightly or can view all videos at once on their YouTube channel.

Communications manager for UK Flour Millers, Liliane Baines, shared: "With a variety of topics covered in the video series, viewers can get a sense of how the flour milling industry operates. They're also a great way to show how dedicated employees are within the sector. Everyone really cares about what they do, and that shines through in these videos."

At the heart of this social media video 'drip' campaign are the employees who work in the flour milling sector - from flour millers to Human Resources (HR) representatives, engineers to marketeers, hauliers to apprentices, and more. Flour milling is an industry by people, for people.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

MC Mühlenchemie expands its Alphamalt Fresh product line

June 24, 2024 - Flour treatment specialist MC Mühlenchemie has boosted its Alphamalt Fresh product line with two new versions that significantly extend the freshness of industrially produced bread. The new Alphamalt Fresh & Soft and Fresh & Spring products offer different approaches to meeting the individual desires of bakeries and consumers for freshness attributes like crumb moisture, softness and elasticity. Depending on requirements, mills can offer bakeries added value in the form of flour with functional properties that help products stay fresh longer. This reduces food waste and makes production more economical and sustainable.

Rising quality expectations of retailers and consumers

Consumers want fresh foods; manufacturers and retailers must meet this demand with long shelf life and consistent quality. In baked goods, this quality is defined by characteristics like appearance, flavour, aroma, crispiness and crust. The elasticity and softness of the crumb are further key quality criteria. Baked good structure changes over time, becoming progressively harder during transportation and storage. The Amin reason for this is the retrogradation or partial recrystallisation of the amylopectin component of the starch gelatinised during baking.

Enzymes as the key to fresh keeping

The products in the Alphamalt Fresh range prevent recrystallisation of the starch gelatinised during baking, keeping the crumb soft longer. While the smaller amylose molecules move from the starch grains into their surroundings and recrystallise after baking, the larger amylopectin molecules remain in their non-crystalline form at first. Favoured by low temperatures, the amylopectin crystallises as the helical components of the molecule 'coil' back up. The hardening of the crumb results from the firm binding of water by the crystallising amylopectin.

The Alphamalt Fresh series enzyme preparations reduce the amount of amylopectin that can crystallise. The resulting short-chain dextrins also interact with the remaining helical structures of the starch to prevent them from crystallising. If Alphamalt Fresh is combined with emulsifiers or enzymes that improve the bread volume and the structure attainable immediately after baking, freshness preservation can be extended to up to three weeks.

Varied freshness attribute requirements

Freshness preservation can mean different things to different bakers and consumers, but all exceptions involve the crumb properties. For some, freshness has to do with crumb softness or elasticity, for others it involves a certain crumb moisture. 

With this Alphamalt Fresh line extension, MC Mühlenchemie supplies solutions for the individual needs of bakers and consumers. Alphamalt Fresh & Soft combines crumb softness and moistness to give a moist chewing sensation that makes a fresh impression even days after baking. Alphamalt Fresh & Spring primarily enhances the elasticity of the crumb, providing a very good mouthfeel combined with crumb stability. 'Hard on the outside, soft on the inside' is how consumers would describe these advantages.

Both products are suitable for yeast-raised baked goods such as sandwich bread, hamburger buns and the like, and can be dosed according to the desired level of freshness preservation. MC Mühlenchemie also offers enzyme-based solutions for extended fresh-keeping for special applications like tortillas, flatbread and cake flours.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

USPOULTRY accepting applications for Industry Education Recruitment Funding

June 24, 2024 - The USPOULTRY Foundation is now accepting applications from colleges and universities for the Industry Education Recruitment Funding program. The funding supports student recruitment at colleges and universities that cultivate careers in the poultry and egg industry.

Any institution of higher education in the United States that does not have a Poultry Science Department or degree but demonstrates ways of connecting students with the poultry and egg industry is eligible to apply for a recruitment grant of us to US$7000. Schools that offer a poultry science minor may be eligible for up to US$3000 in additional funding, pending USPOULTRY Foundation Board approval.

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"Part of the USPOULTRY Foundation's mission is to help foster student recruitment and future industry leaders. For the 2023-2024 year, the USPOULTRY Foundation provided US$297,580 in student recruiting grants to the six US universities with Poultry Science Departments and 20 other institutions with industry-related programs," commented Jarod Morrison, Farbest Foods, and USPOULTRY Foundation chair.

"As we strive to meet the increasing demand for young talent in the industry, we urge colleges and universities nationwide to take advantage of this valuable opportunity. Apply today for funding to support your institution in attracting students to your poultry-related programs. Our industry requires a diverse range of majors to function effectively, including poultry and animal science, business, marketing, accounting, information technology and more," said Barbara Jenkins, USPOULTRY Foundation Executive Director and USPOULTRY Vice President of Education and Student Programs.

A committee of university and industry professionals will review funding requests and make recommendations to the USPOULTRY Foundation board of directors. Institutions may apply for a grant by completing the funding application and submitting it via email to Barbara Jenkins at  bjenkins@uspoultry.org or via regular mail by August 15. The application can be accessed by clicking 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.

19th session of the Food Assistance Committee takes place

June 24, 2024 - The 19th Session of the Food Assistance Committee was held in London on June 21, 2024, under the Chairpersonship of Mr Jürgen Drexler, Senior Expert (FOA, OECD, Food Assistance), Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management, Austria.

Parties of the Convention, namely, Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, European Union, France, Japan, Korea (Rep), Luxembourg, Russian Federation, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and the United States of America participated in the session.

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• Food Assistance Committee gathering

The Committee reviewed the global situation regarding hunger and malnutrition and current food emergencies against the backdrop of recent developments including the outlook for world markets for grains, rice and oilseeds.

The IGC Secretariat gave members an update on the latest situation in grains, rice and pulses markets, including recent price movements and prospects for supply and demand in 2024/25, when world grains production is projected to expand by 15 metric tonnes (mt) y/y, to 2312mt. With consumption also seen advancing, by 9mt y/y to 2320 mt, as food, feed and industrial uses reach new peaks, end-season stocks may tighten by one percent y/y to a ten-year low of 580mt, led by declines for wheat and maize. World rice output is projected to increase by one percent y/y to a record 523mt, with modest gains in both consumption and stocks anticipated, while stronger import demand from sub-Saharan Africa is forecast to offset weaker purchasing from Asian markets. The Secretariat also included prospects for world supply of pulses, as well as updates on ongoing logistical disruptions in dry bulk freight shipping.

Members also provided information on responses to food emergencies in the most vulnerable regions and on planned operations and recent policy developments, with particular emphasis on food security. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP) provided written statements for the session.

The Chair updated members on the draft 2024 Narrative report. The final report will again highlight the contributions of all Parties to the Convention, with a particular emphasis on their cash based assistance activities.

A seminar titled 'Innovation in humanitarian and food assistance using the example of WFP Innovation Accelerator' was held in conjunction with the session which highlighted the importance of technologies, and innovations at scale to deliver new ideas and approaches to tackle global food insecurity and humanitarian crises.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.