08/10/2013: Monsanto to acquire Climate Corporation; world food prices lowest in three years; professor of animal production

Chemical and agricultural biotechnology corporation, Monsanto has announced its agreement to acquire weather data company The Climate Corporation for approximately US$930 million. 

The acquisition will combine The Climate Corporation’s expertise in agriculture analytics and risk-management with Monsanto’s R&D capabilities, providing farmers with access to more information about the many factors that affect the success of their crops. 

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World food prices fell for a fifth month this September, the lowest level in three years.

According to the FAO, the decline in food prices was due to a 6.1 percent grain drop, while all other components of the index rose. The International Grains Council has forecast a 943.2 million metric ton production in the 2013/14 period, a jump from 862.9 million tons in the previous period.

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Hanne Damgaard Poulsen from the Department of Animal Science at Aarhus University, Denmark has been appointed professor with special responsibilities (mso) in environmental impacts of animal production.

Poulsen has been employed at the Department of Animal Science since 1984, first as a research assistant then as a senior scientist. 

Aarhus added that with Hanne as a professor, the department’s expertise in reducing the environmental impact of livestock production will become more visible.

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Aarhus Universitet Aarhus, Denmark (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

17/10/12: aflatoxins in milk; eco-friendly feed ingredients; amino acids and pig mortality

Hello, 

• At the Global Miller we usually talk about aflatoxins in relation to the grain industry. This article on Engormix takes a different slant, focusing on discusses the mycotoxin further the down the food chain in milk.  Read more...

• The International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF) and the EU Association of Specialty Feed Ingredients and their Mixtures (FEFANA) have launched the Specialty Feed Ingredients Sustainability (SFIS) project designed to measure and establish the role of specialty feed ingredients on the environmental impact of livestock production. The project brings together for the first time a consortium of international companies and associations dedicated to reducing the environmental impact of livestock through innovative specialty feed ingredients.  Read more...

• Adding bioactive amino acids to the feed of pregnant sows may save the lives of many newborn piglets. A new research project looks at the feasibility.  Researchers from Aarhus University, Denmark have started a new project that can save the lives of many piglets. The researchers will study whether a small change to the feed for pregnant sows can have a positive effect on piglet mortality.  The bioactive amino acid is a non-essential amino acid, which means that it is not vital. Via certain processes it can, however, boost the growth in utero  and likely increase the production of colostrum and milk, resulting in larger and more robust piglets at birth and a higher perinatal nutrition with better daily postnatal weight gain.  Read more...

Sow with piglet 1 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Airtight grain storage Increases nutrient digestibility in finisher pigs

Scientists from Aarhus University have carried out studies showing that airtight stored grain has a higher phosphorus and protein digestibility than traditionally stored grain. Their research showed that phosphorus and protein in airtight stored grain have a higher digestibility in finisher pigs compared to grain stored under traditional conditions. This is good news for pigs and the environment. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine and the International Milling Directory from Perendale Publishers.

New study shows some wheat is more resistant to fusarium

New research from Aarhus University shows that various wheat varieties have shown resistance to the fungi belonging to the fusarium complex. About 30 wheat varieties were studied by scientists from Aarhus and the date showed there is significant difference between the varieties of wheat. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine and the International Milling Directory from Perendale Publishers.

Global organic farming study launched in Denmark

Denmark's Aarhus University has embarked on an extensive research project to determine whether organic farming is sustainable in developing countries and in a world that is increasingly urbanized. The overall aim of the project is to clarify to what extent and under which conditions organic farming can reduce local and global negative environmental effects and concurrently improve the standard of living for small farmers.

The leader of the project is John Hermansen from the Department of Agroecology and Environment at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences. The project is being carried out in collaboration with University of Copenhagen and the Danish Institute for International Studies.

Organic farming has positive environmental and health effects, but it is more expensive than industrial farming and may not be applicable in all societies. The study aims to clarify many of these issues, such as land use, financing and production quantities. In recent years Egypt, Brazil and China have witnessed considerable urban growth, and with it has come an explosion of need for locally produced organic products.

This has favoured large volume and chain operations to the detriment of individual farmers who have limited resources and produce fewer products. Brazil gives wide support to organic farming, including support for research and development, while China has focused more on ways to quickly feed the earth's largest national population and export grains and other products. Read more...

This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.