World Flour Day 2024 - 'Giving Day'

January 30, 2024 - On World Flour Day, 20 March 2024, the worldwide milling community will stand together under the motto 'World Flour Day - Giving Day' to launch a special campaign: Doing good, and getting others to do so as well. Organised by the FlourWorld Museum in Wittenburg, which inaugurated World Flour Day in 2020, this year it brings the social commitment of millers around the world into focus with campaigns for donations to needy children.

The White Gold - More than just a food

Flour, as one of the most important staple foods, has been part of human nutrition and development for millennia. World Flour Day is an occasion to honour the importance of flour and the work of the milling industry. It is a day of recognition, appreciation and hope. This year the FlourWorld Museum is linking this appreciation of the 'White Gold' with a call for social engagement.

With the motto 'Millers meeting social challenges' mills across the world are invited to take an active part. They are encouraged to donate flour to charitable institutions like children's aid foundations and orphanages. This Giving Day campaign not only offers a way to provide practical assistance, but also helps make the invaluable services of millers visible to the public. Every contribution counts, large or small. The FlourWorld Museum will set an example by donating 500kg of flour.

Millers show heart - Join and share

Mills and millers around the world are invited to join this initiative and contribute by donating goods to orphanages and youth foundations. The goal of these joint efforts is to make the world a little bit better.

Peter Steiner, Global Head of Business Unit MC Mühlenchemie, at the initiative of which the museum was founded, underscores the deeper significance of the motto of this year's World Flour Day. "Flour is much more than just a staple food. It symbolises life. With our global charitable initiative we want to strengthen awareness of the outstanding role in the milling industry plays in nutrition. Flour is a staple food and an integral part of cuisines everywhere. It contributes daily to the well-being of billions of people. When we donate flour, we donate life."

The FlourWorld Museum will bundle and present the many initiatives around World Flour Day 2024. On March 20, 2024, World Flour Day will be the kickoff event for these initiatives. On and around that day, www.worldflourday.com will publish photos, videos and stories showing how the global milling community helps children in need. These activities will also be posted on social media under #worldflourday.

The website is tasked not just with highlighting the global importance of flour, but also with presenting a varied picture of flour and its future. Furthermore, it calls attention to the urgent need to help children around the world.

March 20 was chosen for World Flour Day because the date is right in the middle of the solstice. In the Northern Hemisphere this is the beginning of sprint, the time of planting, and in the Southern Hemisphere it marks the autumn and harvest. World Flour Day was initiated three years ago, and has now become a firm date in the calendars of millers everywhere.

The FlourWorld Museum in Wittenburg, near Hamburg, Germany holds the world's largest collection of flour stacks, with over 3900 sacks from 150 countries. Flour, Power, Life is the unifying idea under which the sacks portray the traditions, history and myths of flour. The museum and World Flour Day are dedicated to flour and the millers of the world, who supply humanity with flour every day.

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.

Interview with Brigit Horn on VNU Group's Agrifood Portfolio

January 30, 2024 - In 2023, VNU Group introduced the Horti Agri Next (HAN) concept for the first time in Abu Dhabi, UAE. It was the first launch edition of a new event covering products, innovations, advancements and content on the horticulture and agriculture industries. Together with VIV MEA 2023, the two events gave people a 'peak' of VNU's plans for the future. Birgit Horn, Managing Director of the Agrifood Portfolio at VNU Europe, explains what the company's plans for the industry are, and what to expect in the coming years.

You took over, as Managing Director Agrifood at VNU Europe, a little over a year ago. What are your first impressions and learnings?

"Joining VNU Europe as Managing Director Agrifood has been an amazing experience so far. The existing team was already well established and has proven to be exceptionally skilled and dedicated, successfully managing and running worldwide shows. Upon closer inspection, we identified gaps in our portfolio that presented exciting opportunities for growth and innovation. Our focus now is on addressing these gaps to enhance the value we bring to our audience and stakeholders."

Can you walk us through a brief overview of VNU Group's Agrifood Portfolio and its significance to the global market?

"VNU Group's Agrifood Portfolio is a comprehensive collection of events focusing in agriculture, including the renowned VIV Worldwide and newly launched HAN events among others. We organise flagship shows in regions of crucial importance to the industry such as Europe (Utrecht), Middle East (Abu Dhabi), Asia (Bangkok) and Africa (Kigali). As our flagship shows run bi-annually, we make sure to serve the industry and our audience, in the years in between with satellite national events that are compact versions of the flagship shows, such as VIV Select Türkiye, VIV Select China, Han Select Vietnam, etc or more niche events, dedicated to specific sectors such as Health & Nutrition Asia. These platforms play a crucial role in connecting global stakeholders within the agricultural industry. The significance lies in our ability to provide a diverse and inclusive platform that addresses the evolving needs of the global market, from animal health and welfare to sustainability in production and alternative proteins, to new technologies and the latest trends."

VNU Group is taking a global strategy approach when it comes to VIV and HAN Worldwide events. What are the key drivers for this international approach?

"The international approach to VIV and HAN Worldwide events stems from our commitment to promoting global collaboration and addressing the challenges of the agrifood industry. This is also where AgriBITs come into play, as it refers to the entire value chain, and the digitalisation and AI solutions that are available. By bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise from different continents, regions and markets, we create a platform ideal for business dealing, discussions and solutions. This global strategy in connection with the very close contact we hold with national and international market and thought leaders ensures that our events are at the forefront of industry trends, innovations and best practices."

VIV Worldwide has evolved tremendously since the first VIV event in the Netherlands. How does it address the diverse needs of the animal protein industry?

"The evolution of VIV Worldwide has been nothing short of remarkable since the inaugural event in the Netherlands. In addressing the diverse needs of the animal protein industry, our commitment is exemplified through a multifaceted approach. Naturally, we recognise that Animal health and welfare stand as a rapidly growing topic and a major concern within the industry. This vital aspect has become one of the largest sectors prominently featured in our shows. Our events always delve into industry standards, sustainability practices, and the latest trends in food production. This holistic approach, ensures that VIV Worldwide remains a comprehensive business to business platform that not only keeps pace with industry advancements but also places a significant focus on the crucial elements of animal well-being and the sustainability of the animal protein sector. All aiming at serving the globally growing food demand incorporating the latest sustainability goals."

What is the vision and the goals behind the launch of Horti Agri Next? What comes next?

"The vision behind the launch of Horti Agri Next is to create a platform that showcases the best of horticulture and agriculture, promoting modern techniques, trends and innovations across both sectors. Moving forward, we aim to expand our reach with HAN Asia (starting in 2025, co-located with VIV Asia) and HAN SELECT (in Vietnam in 2024 and Indonesia in 2025), as well as creating a presence at events like VIV Africa with the dedicated HAN Pavilion. Sustainability remains a key focus, with initiatives aimed at promoting eco-friendly practices, addressing urban and climatic challenges and driving positive change throughout the industry and again - meeting the growing food demand in the world."

You mentioned a completely new concept earlier: the AgriBITs Summit, on digitalisation in the agrifood industry. What are the objectives behind this project? What will this event bring to the Agrifood sector?

"The AgriBITs Summit (5-6 September in Utrecht NL, 2024) aims to explore and accelerate the digitalisation of the agrifood industry. Our objectives include bringing together key players, experts and innovators to share insights, discuss challenges and envision the future of digitalisation in agriculture. This event, will contribute in showcasing future-fit solutions for the entire agrifood industry, including arable, indoor and livestock farming, as well as feed and food processing. AgriBITS will stand as a base for collaboration, presenting technological advancements to enable technology suppliers to meet future demands from farmers and growers in increasing profitability in their operations."

There are a lot of discussions currently on sustainability in the Agrifood Industry. Are there any initiatives being taken from your side in this regard?

"Sustainability is a top priority for VNU Group and for Jaarbeurs as a whole. We have initiated related content programs within our events, featuring key experts and partners who are actively championing sustainable practices. By providing a platform for these discussions and initiatives, we aim to contribute to the global effort in creating a more sustainable and resilient agrifood industry. Of course in practice, we also try to reduce our own CO2 footprint, whether that is arranging collective shuttles for our events, reducing paper use when it comes to promotional documents, or even by more and more using eco-friendly and renewable materials in stand construction."

VNU Group has a presence in different continents right now. Are there any upcoming markets or regions of focus?

"While we continue to strengthen our presence in existing markets, we are actively exploring opportunities in emerging regions that show significant potential for growth. Our strategic focus includes identifying markets where our expertise can make a substantial impact, and where our exhibitors and visitors want us to be. VNU Europe stands for a personal approach and taking the customers opinions as a bass for our decisions."

Finally, what do you think lies behind the success of the current events and what gives you confidence on the company's future plans?

"The success of the VNU events is rooted in our ability to adapt to the industry's needs, collaborate very closely with key stakeholders and industry drivers, and consistently aim to deliver highest value to our participants. We are confident in our future plans because they are grounded in innovation, inclusivity, and a commitment to addressing the evolving needs of the agrifood industry. With a dedicated team, strategic vision, and a pulse on industry dynamics, we believe we are well-positioned for continued success and growth."

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.

Upgraded grain processing plant from McArthur BDC already delivering return on investment

January 30, 2024 - Pete Olds and his father, Len, grow 300 acres of combinable crops and run an arable contracting business at Cornhill Farm in Cornwall. With their grain processing plant struggling to cope with handling up to 4000t of wheat and barley each year, the Olds worked with McArthur BDC to install an upgraded plant in time for harvest 2023.

Cornhill Farm

"Due to the improved efficiency of the new plant, it is already delivering a return on investment," said Pete Olds. "Our previous 25t drier, even in the hot summer of 2022 was averaging just 6.5tph, whilst our new Svegma 15tph SV3/3 continuous flow drier, manufactured by Akron, delivers a significant increase in productivity. It has been hitting 20tph when the crop has been drier, which we're very pleased with."

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The Olds had considered various new and second-hand drier options but issues around dismantling and then installing used driers were not viable options. Plus, the new drier had to operate within the confines of an existing shed and a maximum electricity supply of 100amps. As well as providing additional drying capability, the Svegma crucially did not require an increase in the electrical power supply.

Having decided on the Svegma drier, discussions then took place between the Olds, and McArthur BDC, who the Olds knew well as it had supplied their previous drier, around the handling kit to be installed in the new plant.

The handling equipment installed to match the drier throughput includes: 2x40tph Skandia Elevator I-Line chain and flight trench intake pits, 6 x Skandia L-Line chain and flight conveyors, 2 x Skandia L-Line belt and bucket elevators, 1 x Skandia dust & chaff remover, 1 x moisture monitoring system (MMS) and a PLC control panel to enable remote management of the plant.

"The combined McArthur BDC team presented us with a 3D CAD drawing which provided great insight into exactly how the different elements of the plant fitted together. We could see exactly what they were putting together for us," explained Pete Olds.

The grain enters the plant via the two Skandia trench intakes. The twin pits allow two wet intakes so two crops can be stored, or they can double the storage of one crop, ensuring flexibility and a quick turnaround of tractors and trailers during harvest.

From the intake, a series of Skandia conveyors take the grain to the dust and chaff extractor from where it is transported via conveyors and elevators to either the Svegma drier, or one of two storage sheds.

Using predefined levels, the MMS monitors the moisture content of the crop going into and out of the drier. With different customers delivering grain into the farm the moisture content varies constantly.

The PLC control panel and MMS automatically sends alerts if the moisture content is outside the predefined levels, there is a blockage, the intake pits are empty, or there are any other issues. This avoids the constant monitoring of the drier, and the associated waste of valuable resource during harvest. The Olds are made aware of any problem as soon as it occurs and can quickly resolve it.

"Speed of throughput and ease of use have been critical factors for us. It was a challenging wetter harvest and as good a year as any to upgrade our drying capabilities," continued Pete Olds. "We used to have to stockpile wet corn temporarily outside before it got to our previous drier. Sometimes we have four combines harvesting and sending corn into us, so the previous drier had become a real pinch point for us."

"The intake pits are ideal and provide a buffer for us to operate the drier. In fact, the drier is so swift, we need to get a decent amount of grain in before we start up the plant! we haven't used any outside storage this year."

As the Olds' were extending part of the plant's building infrastructure themselves it was important that they liaised closely with McArthur BDC.

"We were doing all the groundworks and shed installation ourselves. McArthur BDC was very flexible around what we needed to do and once the drier and the handling equipment was installed, we were able to complete the works at our own pace. The install went very well and was commissioned just as the first harvested grain arrived," added Pete Olds.

"The new plant, which we see as having a 20 plus years lifespan, is working really well for us and has certainly made harvesting easier. We had been used to drying grain around the clock for days on end to keep up with the combines, but for harvest '23 we only had to dry past midnight a handful of times. We were able to get some much-needed sleep!"concluded Pete Olds.

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.

Bioiberica to celebrate 25 years in global animal health market

January 29, 2024 - Bioiberica, a global life science company committed to improving the health and well-being of people, animals and plants, is gearing up to commemorate its 25th year in the global animal health and nutrient sector. The company will kick off its year-long anniversary celebrations at International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE).

A legacy of excellence spanning a quarter-century

Through customer and trade events, including IPPE in Atlanta, plus Interzoo and Eurotier in Germany, Bioiberica will acknowledge 25 years of impactful advancements in the animal health arena - highlighting how its technical expertise and significant contributions to scientific research have pushed the boundaries of progress. Victor Beneito, Animal Nutrition Business Unit Director at Bioiberica, reflects: "We take immense pride in the contributions we've made to support our partners in animal health and nutrition. Through substantial investments in research, ingredient developments and strategic collaborations with some of the world's leading brands, we go beyond providing nutritional support to unlock functional health benefits in livestock, companion animals and aquaculture. In the last five years alone, we've published more than 50 scientific papers, abstracts and presentations and collaborated with 30-plus research centres worldwide. One highlight has been the discovery of bioactive peptides in our Palbio proteins - which promote intestinal cell proliferation and positively modulate microbiome composition; explaining the direct impact this product has on animal health and performance."

The company's flagship solutions, Palbio hydrolysed proteins and Nucleoforce free nucleotides, both demonstrate a commitment to animal wellness beyond nutrition. Palbio is a source of high-quality protein that supports intestinal and immune health in young livestock; improving production parameters. Nucleoforce targets immunity and intestinal health by delivering a high concentration of nucleotides, specifically balanced and designed for each animal species. Bioiberica also offers functional pet food ingredients for joint health, immunity and skin health - Mobilee, Collavant n2, CSbioactive, Nucleoforce Pets and Dermial Vet.

Bright future ahead

As Bioiberica looks to the future of animal nutrition and wider world of life sciences, sustainability is top of the agenda. Demonstrating its pledge to innovate within the realms of One Health - a philosophy that seeks to advance health while protecting the world we live in - Bioiberica has set a series of ambitious targets. They include reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30 emissions by 30 percent before 2030 and achieving climate neutrality by 2050; initiatives that will be supported by the company's circular economy model and ability to monitor (and adjust) its sustainability KPIs.

Xavier Garcia Director - Animal Health and Plant Health Business Units at Bioiberica, says: "We're really excited about the future of animal health and our part in it. Aside from the aspiring sustainability goals we've set ourselves; we continue to invest heavily in research and product development to break down barriers to progress and elevate our offering to the market. We already have some interesting scientific studies underway that are set to complete this year, and plans to expand our Nucleoforce portfolio and petfood line - so watch this space for updates!"

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.

João Marcelo Gomes named President of Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health - EMENA

January 29, 2024 - Kemin Industries, a global ingredient manufacturer, has appointed João Marcelo Gomes as President of Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health - EMENA (Europe, Middle East, and North Africa) following the promotion of Dr Stefaan Van Duck to Group President.

 

Gomes joined Kemin in 2019 as President of Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health - South America. In 2023, he was named President of Kemin Food Technologies - EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa). A business developer at heart, Gomes has held various executive positions throughout his nearly three-decade career, focusing on sales, marketing and business and people development in animal nutrition and health companies.

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In his new role, Gomes succeeds Dr Van Dyck, who spent the past six years as head of the business unit. Dr Van Dyck now oversees all of Kemin's animal nutrition and health business units around the world. He replaces G S Ramesh, who is now focused on two of the company's newer business units, Kemin AquaScience and Kemin Biologics, which serve the aquaculture and animal vaccine industries, respectively.

"I'm eager to join the EMENA region and work together to continue the team's success, execute Kemin's growth strategy, and take the business to the next level," said Gomes. "Over the past few years, Kemin has invested significantly in the EMENA region with new production sites, innovative technologies, and local experts supporting customers. In the upcoming years, we will continue to focus our efforts on feed efficiency, feed protection, animal productivity and cost reduction - all while investing in efficiency and progress toward net zero greenhouse gas emissions."

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 announces Martin Tracker HD

January 26, 2024 - Martin Engineering has launched the next generation of tracking technology for a global marketplace. Martin Engineering designed the highly responsive Martin Tracker HD (heavy -duty) belt conveyor alignment systems with widely available plate steel to increase availability and affordability across all six continents it serves.

A mistracking belt produces excessive spillage which increases labour costs for cleanup and may cause contact with the mainframe. This seriously damages both the belt and the structure and increases the potential for a friction fire. he Martin Tracker HD upper and Lowe units provide immediate, continuous and precise adjustment of the mistracking belt. The result is greater productivity with less unscheduled downtime from both equipment replacement and spillage cleanup for a lower cost of operation.

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"Since most OEM mistracking devices are only designed to prevent contact with the stringer and don't actually realign the belt, operators can spend a lot of time monitoring the system and adjusting idlers to achieve consistent alignment,"explained Dave Mueller, Product Manager for Martin Engineering. "With enough manual adjusting, operators find that idlers must be re-centred if there's a change in cargo characteristics or to install a new belt. The Tracker HD automates the alignment process, eliminating the need for constant monitoring and manual adjustments, reducing the labour and downtime for maintenance."

How it works

The Martin Tracker HD's unrivalled precision comes from sensing rollers that ride either side of the belt edge and are attached to the end of an arm assembly. As the rollers detect slight variations in the belt path, the force of the wandering belt causes the arms to automatically position a pivoting idler in the opposite direction of the misalignment. The lever action requires less force to initiate the correction and only slight adjustments mean the consistent contact between the belt and idlers reduces the energy needed to bring the belt back into alignment.

"Certain countries can't buy the square tubing, so we're now manufacturing the equipment from readily available plate steel without any changes to the performance or life of the unit," Mueller pointed out. "This allows the Tracker HD to be produced and supplied across all global business units."

Compatible with most belt conveyor systems

Easy to install and designed to withstand the stress associated with wider, thicker belts moving at higher speeds and carrying heavier loads, the Martin Tracker HD is suitable for a belt thickness up to 1.125in and speeds of up to 800fpm. Both the upper and lower units accommodate belt widths of 36-72in with an effective tracking distance of 150ft.

Available in 20,35 and 45 degree trough angles, there are options for the addition of a Martin Trac-Mount Idler, which allows the entire troughed idler unit to be slid away from the mainframe and safely serviced from outside of the system by a single worker. This important safety element can considerably reduce the amount of labour and maintenance time for the replacement of broken or frozen idlers. Also available are rubber-lagged rollers on the lower tracker and a grease kit for both the upper and lower assemblies. The unit is not suitable for reversing conveyors, belts with substantial rollback, or paddle or chevron belts.

Proper placement is the key

It is recommended operators install the product after the load zone on belts wider than 24in with additional units placed down the system to keep the belt centred and tracking. By placing an upper unit before the discharge, operators ensure the belt is centred on the head pulley allowing for optimal belt cleaning with maximum cargo discharge.

The lower tracker has been redesigned to include an extra safety feature not found in competitor units. Regardless of the conveyor, return rollers have been known to detach and drop, creating a serious safety issue, so the Martin Tracker HD has been equipped with safety guarding on the steering roll to prevent the roller from coming off or putting workers in harm's way. On the return, it is recommended to place a tracker after the discharge zone or take-up pulley, as well as periodically down the system depending on length. To ensure centred loading, the belt must enter the loading zone aligned, so installing a lower unit approximately five times the belt's width in distance from the tail pulley will support an efficient loading process.

Field tested and approved

Since the basic design of the Martin Tracker HD is similar to that of its predecessors with square tube construction, the testing focused on performance, durability and installation time. Tested in bulk handling operations including mining and cement where mistracking leading to spillage had historically been a concern, the unit performed up to Martin Engineering's high standards.

"Martin Engineering believes safety should be a core function in any conveyor accessory we design, and the Tracker HD is no different," Mueller said. "By automating consistent belt tracking, this solution reduces equipment wear, maintenance time, and downtime. These factors lower the cost of operation offering the best return on investment of any tracker on the market."

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.

Alltech names E. Michael Castle as chief operating and finance officer

January 26, 2024 - E Michael Castle II has been appointed chief operations and financial officer at Alltech.

E. Michael Castle has been appointed chief operations and financial officer at Alltech.

Castle has been with Alltech for 19 years, most recently serving as chief operating officer and CEO of the Alltech Feed Division. He has deep experience in the business globally, having also served as chief administrative and legal officer, among other roles.

Castle began his career at Alltech as an engineering intern. He went on to earn a Juris Doctor from Washington University St Louis School of Law and then returned to Alltech.

"Having worked with Alltech for almost two decades. Mike has Alltech DNA through and through. He worked closely with our leadership team and my father on many of the most important deals in our history. Since the passing of Dr Pearse Lyons in 2018, Mike and I have worked hand in globe to lead the business," said Dr Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. "In all his endeavours, Mike has demonstrated unparalleled dedication, exemplary leadership and passion for excellence. He is an invaluable asset to Alltech - and a trusted friend and colleague to me. There is no one better prepared - and no one I'd rather work alongside - to lead Alltech into the future."

Castle is supported in leadership of Alltech's financial strategy by:

• May Xu, deputy CFO, audit and reporting
• Flora Djojo, chief tax officer
• AnaLucia Medrano, who has been promoted to director of financial planning and analysis (FP&A). Medrano most recently served as finance director of Alltech Crop Science.
• Hemant Gandhi, vice president of finance, global treasury

Alric Blake, former CFO and CEO of Alltech who served as interim CFO over 2023 Q3-Q4, will remain a senior advisor to the business.

"Alltech has an exciting future built on its strong foundation of helping farmers, ranchers and producers nourish the world and nurture the planet," said Castle. "I am pleased to continue working alongside Dr Mark Lyons to help Alltech capitalise on opportunities to provide solutions that improve the health of animals and the soil, maximise the value of feed, increase on-farm efficiency and help lower environmental impact."

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.