Alltech predicts a contraction in global feed production in 2013

Speaking at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, in Rome, Alltech vice president Aidan Connolly, presented the results of the 2011 Alltech Feed Tonnage Survey, along with results from previous surveys, showing a steady increase in feed production year on year.

The 2011 survey, covering 128 countries, put the total feed at 873 million tonnes. The 2012 survey, due to be published soon and covering more than 130 countries, is expected to show a further increase. For 2013 however, Connolly, presenting at the IFIF-FAO joint meeting, predicted a contraction in the region of 3 – 5%, driven by the following three factors:

Continued global recession affecting protein consumption.
The conversion of large amounts of feed stocks and materials into biofuels.
Reduced feed supply due to a global drought, specifically in the US.

In addition, a mycotoxin survey, also carried out by Alltech, indicates that the surviving US harvest will be highly contaminated with up to 37 different mycotoxins, due to crop vulnerability from adverse weather conditions. The resulting percentage contraction in feed production will then be determined by the ability of integrated food producers, farmers and food companies to pass on the increased feed material cost to consumers, without any loss in overall consumption levels.

“We are facing into a completely new era for the agriculture industry where, for the first time in history, feed production for 2013 will be lower than for 2012, and it is clear that efficiency in converting feed into food will be more critical to food companies than ever,” said Connolly. 

More information... 

28/08/12: UK wheat's fusarium risk; Norel's new distributor; human capital and agriculture

Welcome back!  We've had a Bank Holiday weekend here in the UK but are now back at Global Miller HQ and ready to go.  Here's the news:

• Alltech teams up with IFAMA to find solutions to addressing the development of human capital in agriculture:

Recognising a need to provide a global discussion on the topic of human capital in agriculture, the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IFAMA) announced the release of a special issue of the journal, International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, devoted to human capital in food and agribusiness. “Global Networks, Global Perspectives and Global Talent” contains 23 essays from top industry executives and leading academics who discuss different approaches to the challenges and solutions in filling the current global talent gap.

Featured authors include Hugh Grant, President and CEO of Monsanto; Hans Jöhr, Corporate Head of Agriculture for Nestlé; Pearse Lyons, President and Founder of Alltech; Vikram Puri, CEO of Mahindra ShubhLabh Services, and many more. The special issue is designed to raise awareness of the importance of human capital to a wide audience, share innovative ideas and identify areas for further study. It is available for free on the IFAMA website, www.ifama.org.

• NOREL appoints new distributor in South Africa:

Bupo Animal Health (Pty) Ltd, based in Pretoria, South Africa has started distributing Norel Animal Nutrition products for the poultry, dairy, and cattle markets. Mr Oscar Humberto Bupo, CEO of Bupo Animal Health has stated that the company is a very dynamic and growing company with innovative products and solutions for the African markets, with established branches in Mozambique, Kenya, Egypt, and Morocco.  Bupo Animal Health has established itself as a reliable company in the animal health industry for the last 25 years. During a technical training event presented by Mr Mathieu Cortyl at Bupo Animal Health’s Head Office in Pretoria last May, Mr Oscar Bupo said: “The Company will venture into the field of nutritional products for most commercial animal species and will explore new markets in the African continent and beyond its borders. The Company has the size, strength, and diversity to ensure the continued top quality of our products and services, the cornerstone of our international branding”.  More information...

Wheat? (Photo credit: « Jonny Boy »)

• UK wheat at risk from fusariam:

Analysis by CropMonitor found that 97% of UK winter wheat showed symptoms of fusarium head blight.  Read more...

Alltech Symposium: Pearse Lyons

Almost 3,000 delegates descended on Lexington, Kentucky to attend the 28th Annual International Symposium.

Pearse Lyons, Alltech founder and president, hosted the Monday Plenary session, giving delegates an insight into Alltech's nine initiatives:

1. Creating an Alltech Academy

2.  Crop Science

3. Lyons Farm

4. Building a new bottling plant to keep up with increased demand for beer

5.  Work with the Sanders-Brown Centre on Aging - branching into the pharmaceutical industry

6. Algae factory - working with scientists to make a replacement for fish oil

7. Alltech will be the title sponsor of the 2014 Equestrian Games in Normandy, France

8. New plants across the USA including, Kentucky, Georgia and Florida.  New plants in Canada and Brazil

9. Graduate Program launched in Ireland will take 20 graduate at a time into the Alltech house

Watch the Alltech Symposium live here

The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine and the International Milling Directory from Perendale Publishers. And blogs are written by the staff of Grain & Feed Milling Technology daily. Get your copy of 'PPLAPP', our mobile web application which will allow you to view this blog and other useful information while on the move.

Second Alltech's Global Beef 500 set for December

With the success of the first Global Beef 500 in 2010, Alltech have announced the Second Global Beef 500 taking place in Lexington, Kentucky, USA on  December 6 -8. The world leaders in the beef industry will gather once again to discuss their collective futures and how to brand beef better. “We are faced with a world that is now more demanding than ever. There is a higher demand for food, fuel and other commodities, as well as a demand for transparency and sustainability. Because of this, it is now necessary to adopt new technologies and increase the focus on communication, or risk falling behind,” said Dr Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech. 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.