USPOULTRY's 2025 Feed Mill Management Seminar to focus on effective and efficient mill management

February 11, 2025 - Feed manufacturing plays a crucial role in poultry and egg production and processing. As feed mill management becomes increasingly complex each year, costs continue to rise. The USPOULTRY 2025 Feed Mill management Seminar provides a valuable opportunity to stay updated on the latest technologies and techniques to ensure your mill operates efficiently and effectively. The seminar will be held March 20-21 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown in Nashville, Tennessee.

"This year's program planning committee has developed a well-rounded agenda that has something for everyone,"remarked Richard Obermeyer, Director of Feed Production for Aviagen, and Program Committee Chair. "This year's program has topics that range from biosecurity protocols to ingredient quality to artificial intelligence in the feed mill and much more."

Program topics will include the Future of Poultry production and Impact on Ingredient Usage; Feed Mill Biosecurity Protocols; Pellets; Size Study, Quality and Performance, and Particle Size; Regulatory Update; Mill Maintenance: Mill Efficiencies, Steam Trap Survey, and Bag House Operation and Maintenance; Mixers: Uniformity and Profiles and Results Interpretation; Ingredient Quality at Receiving; Cooling Process and Maintenance; and Artificial Intelligence in the Feed Mill for Proficiency.

The 2025 Feed Mill Management Seminar planning committee includes Richard Obermeyer, Aviagen and Program Committee Chair, Larry Hooper, Cobb-Vantress, LLC; and Darrin Poole, Wayne-Sanderson Farms.

To register for the Feed Mill Management Seminary, click 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.

DESMÜD establishes Grain and Grain Products Innovation Centre

February 7, 2025 - The Association of Milling and Sector Machinery Manufacturers (DESMÜD) is realising an important project that will make Türkiye a global leader in the field of grain and food technologies. This project, announced under the name of Grain and Grain Products Innovation Centre, will establish in Sincan district of Ankara and will be the pioneer of a major transformation in the sector.

The centre aims to be a facility that will lead the sector not only in Türkiye but also in the world with its technological infrastructure and the training and R&D opportunities it offers. According to the details announced by DESMÜD President Zeki Demirtaşoğlu, the foundation of the centre is planned to be laid in 2025 and completed within three years. Within the framework of a protocol signed with Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, a 4.5 acre land was allocated by DESMÜD for 25 years for the establishment of the centre.

The total cost of the project is estimated to be approximately five million dollars. This investment aims to create a training, R&D and testing centre that brings advanced technology and innovative solutions to the sector. The centre will be equipped with new generation flour, bread, pasta, biscuit and chocolate production lines. In addition, it is designed to accommodate many functional areas such as modern R&D and quality control laboratories, conference and seminar halls, administrative offices, accommodation areas, hotel and warehouse sections. This comprehensive approach will help Türkiye increase its export targets while training the qualified labour force needed by the sector.

The project aims to make a major contribution to the sector in training qualified labour force. Each year, at least 500 people will receive training at international standards in both Turkish and English by professors and associate professors who are experts in their fields. Training programmes will include theoretical knowledge as well as practical work and participants will have the opportunity to get to know the latest technologies in the sector closely. As Zeki Demirtaşoğlu emphasised, this initiative aims to raise the level of expertise needed in the sector and increase quality standards in production. Currently, the sector employs 300,000 people, but the fact that 65% of the employees are apprentices clearly reveals the qualified workforce deficit. The centre will close this gap and increase Türkiye's competitiveness in world markets.

R&D activities will be one of the most important focal points of the centre. Comprehensive research will be carried out to develop innovative solutions in the sector and ensure the integration of technological developments into production. Quality control laboratories will raise the standards in production processes to the highest level. The conferences and seminars to be held at the centre will pave the way for the sector professionals to increase their knowledge and establish new collaborations. In this context, Türkiye's leadership position in the grain machinery sector will be further consolidated.

This project, led by DESMÜD, also aims to increase international cooperation. The centre will host trainees from Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the Turkic Republics. This will allow Türkiye to share its knowledge and experience in grain processing technologies across the world. In addition, cultural and commercial interactions with sector representatives from different countries will be strengthened. Thus, Türkiye's export capacity will increase and international co-operation opportunities in the sector will expand.

Zeki Demirtaşoğlu also gave information about Türkiye's export targets within the scope of the project. It is aimed to increase the sector's exports from $3.7 billion to $8 billion in the first 10 years after the centre becomes operational. This growth will not only increase the economic potential of the sector, but will also make Türkiye a leading country in the export of grain machinery. To achieve this success, the Centre plans to create added value in the sector by offering innovative solutions and high standards training programmes.

The contributions of the Grain and Grain Products Innovation Centre to the sector will not be limited to the economic dimension. With its technology-oriented infrastructure, it will modernise production processes in the sector and enable domestic producers to compete at world standards. It will also assume sector leadership in the development of sustainable production models, the use of environmentally friendly technologies and energy efficiency.

This project will enable Türkiye to gain a strong position in the international arena in the field of grain and food technologies. The Centre will offer a great opportunity for all stakeholders in the sector and will further reinforce Türkiye's leadership role in grain machinery exports. This innovation centre, implemented by DESMÜD, has been designed as a facility that will meet not only today's needs but also those of the future. This project, which is expected to make significant contributions to the economic growth and sectoral development of the country, marks the beginning of a new era in grain and food technologies.

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.

Utrix opens subsidiary in Abu Dhabi

January 31, 2025 - Utrix has announced the incorporation of a new subsidiary in Abu Dhabi (Al Ain), Utrix Animal Nutrition for the Trading. This new subsidiary, referred to as Utrix Animal Nutrition, will serve as a platform to disseminate Utrix's feed solutions and technical services across the GCC countries.

Michel Daher, Business Development Director, commented on the announcement: "As a key producer of feed solutions in the Middle East region, opening this subsidiary in the UAE was a natural move for Utrix to better support our customers in the UAE and other GCC countries. We are in the process of successfully registering our key solutions for poultry and ruminant nutrition in the UAE and are now ready to commence sales."

You may also be interested in: 

• Utrix animal solutions receives Halal certification
• Utrix and DMA Group join forces to enter Iraqi market

The new subsidiary, based in Al Ain, will feature both warehouse and office facilities to ensure efficient operations and expert technical support to the local customers. It will be managed by Mr Sameh Al Khouly, Regional Sales Manager, who brings extensive experience in the animal nutrition and health industry and a deep understanding of the regional market dynamics.

The Compound Feed market in the GCC countries is highly consolidated and dynamic, expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% between 2024-2029, with the poultry feed market being the dominant segment. This trend, coupled with increased consumer demand for quality food products, presents significant opportunities for Utrix's innovative solutions designed to enhance productivity as well as food quality and safety.

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.

Brabender presents itself as a brand of Anton Paar at iba

January 30, 2025 - In August 2023, the German traditional company Brabender was acquired by the international measurement technology specialist Anton Paar. At this year's iba in Düsseldorf, the leading world trade fair for bakery, confectionery and snacks, Brabender will present itself as a brand of Anton Paar and showcase innovative solutions.

Brabender ExtensoGraph

The expanded product portfolio includes measurement and testing devices that support various phases of food production and significantly simplifying quality control. It offers solutions for perfecting dough performance, precise particle size analysis for fine-tuning ingredients, monitoring and predicting and shelf life of oils, characterising the flow behaviour of powders to achieve the perfect sweetness level in juices and syrups, to give a few examples.

would you like to optimise your production process and find answers to these or similar challenges?

• How is the water absorption capacity of flour determined and how are the rheological properties of dough analysed?
  The Brabender FarinoGraph is a measuring device for determining the water absorption capacity of flour and for analysing the rheological properties of dough. It is used in flour mills and industrial bakeries, among other places, to ensure the quality of flour and dough along the entire value chain.
• How can you ensure your dough performs perfectly during processing and baking?
  The new Brabender ExtensoGraph tests dough under real-life conditions, meets global key quality standards and ensures data acceptance along the entire value chain by using the internationally recognised ExtensoGraph/Brabender Units.
• How do you adjust the gelatinisation properties of your flour to meet customer specifications?
  The Brabender ViscoQuick is a compact and reliable digital torque viscometer that's 25% faster than comparable devices. It measures gelatinisation properties of starch-based products and the viscosity of different fluids.
• How can you ensure the perfect flow and consistency for fillings, coatings and bakery ingredients?
  The ViscoQC makes it easy to test the viscosity of a variety of products, from chocolate to honey, syrups, plant-based dairy alternatives, thickening agents, fruit purées and sauces. It ensures optimal texture, quality and performance across your formulations.
• How to innovate with fillings, or characterise the flow of powders?
  The MCR rehometer helps you to characterise and understand the behaviour of liquid fillings and powdered ingredients. With these insights, you can develop smoother and more spreadable fillings or create more stable alternatives to traditional fillings and powders such as flour or milk powder.
• How to control spreadability of margarine and plant-based fats to achieve desired textures?
  The PNR 12 is a gravity penetrometer. It is used to analyse the spreadability. of margarine and vegetable edible fats. Accessories and test kits useable according to the AOCS and Unilever methods are available for this purpose, enabling precise and standardised consistency tests.

Those who are visiting the iba trade fair can find Anton Paar in Hall 10, Booth H50.

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 Education Program highlights expected regulatory changes for animal food industry

January 30, 2025 - The American Feed Industry Assocaition's (AFIA) Production Compliance Committee hosted its annual Feed Education Program recently, covering what the animal food industry can expect from US federal regulators in 2025. Program speakers discussed upcoming priorities for the Environmental Protection Agency, Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Food and Drug Administration, along with the AFIA's 2024 educational program opportunities and a discussion of artificial intelligence (AI) in feed manufacturing.

"With all the regulatory updates and changes, it's more important now than ever for feed manufacturers to stay head of compliance changes. From injury and illness record keeping to heat injury prevention, these regulations directly impact facility operations and worker safety. Our goal is to ensure AFIA members have the resources they need to navigate these changes effectively," stated Gary Huddleston, AFIA's Director of Feed Manufacturing and Regulatory Affairs. "Overall, the AFIA educational program provided a quick overview of what else is coming down the pike this year that may impact manufacturers' ability to do business."

The program featured Christian Richter, Principal at The Policy Group, who discussed what we can expect from a second Donald Trump presidency, from a regulatory freeze of recent Biden administration regulations to the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the implementation of the Department of Government Efficiency. Richter also discussed what those in the animal food industry can expect from the EPA when it comes to the incoming administrator and how the industry can navigate the formaldehyde risk evaluation and meat and poultry products effluent guidelines. Huddleston shared insights from OSHA, including the OSHA Injury and Illness Recordkeeping Rule amendment, the proposed Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Standard and the Worker Walkaround Representative Designation Process rule.

Leah Wilkinson, AFIA's Vice President of public policy and education, shed light on the latest changes with the ingredient review and approval processes, including the loss of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and FDA memorandum of understanding, and the introduction of the FDA's Animal Food Ingredient Consultation process and the AAFCO and Kansas State University Olathe ingredient approval partnership.

Paul Davis, PhD, spoke on the exciting education and training opportunities that the AFIA will offer in 2025. George Obeng-Akrofi, PhD, Instructor of Feed Technology at Iowa State University (ISU) and Assistant Operations Manager at the Iowa State University Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex, shared an insightful presentation on AI in feed manufacturing, which included an overview of feed technology, the rise of AI and the backbone of AI data.

The 2026 AFIA Feed Education Program will take place again at IPPE next year in Atlanta, Ga, during the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE).

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.

Cade elected 2025 US Poultry & Egg Association Chair

January 28, 2025 - Jonathan Cade, President of Hy-Line International, Des Moines, Iowa, was elected Chair of the Board of Directors of US Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY). The board meeting was held during the International Poultry Expo, part of the 2025 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE). Cade previously served as Vice Chair.

The 2025 U.S. Poultry & Egg Association Executive Committee includes (from left): Mikell Fries, Claxton Poultry Farms, immediate past chair; Jonathan Cade, Hy-Line International, chair; Bill Griffith, Peco Foods Inc., vice chair; Dr. Alice Johnson, Butterball LLC, treasurer; and Kevin McDaniel, Wayne-Sanderson Farms, secretary.

Cade has a degree from Harper Adams University in the United Kingdom (UK). Before becoming President of Hy-Line International, he served as Managing Director of Hy-Line UK International.

Vice Chair

Bill Griffith, Peco Foods, Tuscaloosa, Alaska, was named Vice Chair. Griffith is a graduate of Virginia Tech where he obtained degrees in biology and chemistry. Before joining Peco Foods, he served as President for Keystone Foods, US. He also had a successful tenure at Perdue Foods where he oversaw food safety, quality and regulatory compliance, in addition to serving as a Microbiologist for Tyson Foods. He has served the poultry industry in various capacities, including participating on the USPOULTRY Foundation Research Advisory Committee, as well as remaining active with the National Chicken Council. He is Chief Operations Officer for Peco Foods.

Treasurer

Alice Johnson, DVM, Butterball, Garner, North Carolina, was named Treasurer. Johnson earned her bachelor's degree in biology from Pfeiffer College and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee Institute. Before her work with Butterball, Johnson served as President and CEO of the National Turkey Federation. She has also held multiple leadership positions with organisations like the National Food Processors Association and the American Meat Institute. She currently serves as Senior Vice President of Food Safety, Regulatory and Animal Well-Being for Butterball. Johnson's role encompasses multiple responsibilities, including the development, implementation and oversight of food safety, quality and animal well-being. In addition, since joining the company in 2006, Johnson has worked alongside federal and state regulatory agencies to implement and manage government regulations within the company.

Secretary

Kevin McDaniel, Wayne-Sanderson Farms, Oakwood, Georgia, was named Secretary. He earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from Stephen F Austin State University. With more than 34 years of industry experience, he recently served as President of Aviagen North America, as well as held senior roles with OK Foods and Pilgrim's. In addition to USPOULTRY, McDaniel currently sits on the Board of Directors for the National Chicken Council and Southern Hens and previously held several key positions with The Poultry Federation. He is Chief Operating Officer for Wayne-Sanderson Farms, where he oversees the fresh, retail and prepared foods business units in addition to leading the engineering and marketing functions.

Immediate Past Chair

Mikell Fries, Claxton Poultry Farms, Claxton, Georgia, is Immediate Past Chair. Fries is a graduate of Georgia Southern University where he obtained a degree in business management. Before assuming Claxton's Head Operational role, he spent several years in senior positions overseeing sales and marketing. He has served the poultry industry in various capacities, including serving on the Boards of Directors for the Georgia Poultry Federation and Norman W Fries. He is President for Claxton Poultry Farms.

"With the experience and guidance these officers bring to our organisation, the future of USPOULTRY is in excellent hands. I look forward to their leadership in helping to shape our organisation over the next year," remarked Nath Morris, President of USPOULTRY.

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.

FEFAC's key recommendations on the new EU Vision for Agriculture and Food

January 24, 2025 - FEFAC shared its initial reflection and sectoral recommendations regarding the role and contribution of the EU compound and premix manufacturers to the New Vision on Agriculture and Food with Mr Christophe Hansen, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, and with the and Mr Czeslaw Siekierski President of the EU AGRIFISH Council, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Poland.

FEFAC President Pedro Cordero considers that the "Focus on enhancing food security for EU citizens and at global level through increased resilience of EU agricultural and food production systems, should be at the core of announced new EU 'Vision on Agriculture and Food' in times of growing geopolitical tensions and escalating trade disputes".

FEFAC's key sectoral recommendations take into account direct references to the crucial role of the EU feed sector for the integration of the livestock sector contributions to increase the circularity while mitigating climate impacts of EU Agri-food systems, laid down in the Strategic Dialogue on the future of EU agriculture.

Competitiveness of the EU livestock and feed sector:

• FEFAC calls for the promotion of advanced feeding techniques which can strengthen competitiveness of livestock production through increased efficiencies of feeding systems.
• FEFAC underlines the need to set realistic objectives for the supply of home-grown feed proteins

Contribution of the EU feed and livestock sector to Sustainable agricultural production systems:

• FEFAC calls for the prioritisation of innovation in low emission circular feed solutions requiring a further adaption of the EU legislative framework.
• FEFAC highlights the need for the development of a comprehensive biomass balance sheet to enhance the efficiency of its circular bioeconomy.

Simplification measures to enhance the green transition of the livestock and feed sector:

• FEFAC calls for simplified eco-schemes supporting the take-up of sustainable feed solutions in livestock production systems.

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.