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Global aquaculture production now accounts for 51% of the global supply of aquatic animals, surpassing fisheries for the first time — and this increase is primarily driven by growth in the Asia-Pacific region, which in 2022 produced 83.4 million metric tons (MT) of aquatic animals out of the 94.4 million MT produced worldwide.
The aquaculture industry’s rapid expansion is supported by innovations in aquafeed formulations, with fed aquaculture now representing 73% of total production. With fish meal and fish oil becoming scarcer and more expensive, the industry has turned to alternative protein sources, primarily plant-based ingredients.
Soybean meal is the most common plant protein used in the diets of farmed aquatic species, with inclusion rates varying across species such as Asian sea bass (25%), white-leg shrimp (35%), and pangasius catfish (42%). Other plant-based ingredients — such as wheatmeal, cornmeal and byproducts like dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) — are also widely used.
While plant-based ingredients are essential for sustainability, they bring the risk of mycotoxin contamination.
Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by specific fungi that grow on plants before and after harvest, especially in inadequate storage conditions. Common mycotoxins in aquafeeds include Fusarium-produced toxins (e.g., fumonisins and deoxynivalenol), as well as aflatoxins and ochratoxin A, which are produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium species during storage.
The Alltech 37+® lab offers advanced mycotoxin analysis technology such as liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), which allows for the detection of up to 54 different mycotoxins. To assess the general risk of mycotoxin contamination, we examined the mycotoxin profiles of samples of soybean meal, DDGS, wheat and corn.
The presence of mycotoxins in aquafeeds poses significant risks to aquatic species. Mycotoxins can impair growth, immune response, and overall health in fish and shrimp.
Each aqua species exhibits specific sensitivities to different mycotoxins. For instance, carp are particularly vulnerable to deoxynivalenol, which has been shown to affect organ health and reduce growth performance. T-2 toxin, another common mycotoxin, can decrease feed intake and cause oxidative stress and DNA damage in common carp.
In shrimp, even low concentrations of deoxynivalenol (around 330 ppb) can lead to reduced weight gain and can impact gene expression related to antioxidative defenses. T-2 toxin and fumonisins also significantly affect shrimp health, leading to muscle deterioration, reduced growth and increased mortality. These changes not only affect the animals’ welfare but also reduce the quality and nutritional value of shrimp for consumers.
Geographical regions also vary in their susceptibility to the different mycotoxin types. For instance, storage mycotoxins such as aflatoxin and ochratoxin A are of particular concern in the Asia-Pacific region due to the high temperatures and humidity that favor their growth. These mycotoxins can reduce feed efficiency, damage vital organs like the hepatopancreas, and lower survival rates in aquatic species.
Mycotoxin contamination can occur before and/or after harvest — but preventing fungal growth on crops pre-harvest has become increasingly challenging due to climate change. As a result, feed mills are now more likely to receive feedstuffs that have already been contaminated in the fields.
Fortunately, some preventive and corrective steps can be implemented at this stage to mitigate the risk of exposing fish and shrimp to mycotoxins. In fact, mycotoxin prevention and mitigation strategies along the aquafeed supply chain are primarily implemented at the feed mill level (Figure 1). The implementation of a monitoring plan at feed mills, which screen feedstuffs upon arrival, is an effective option for preventing mycotoxin contamination.
Alltech® RAPIREAD™ technology is another effective option, enabling feed producers to quickly identify and analyze up to seven key mycotoxins on-farm. Producers should also periodically send samples of their feedstuffs and final feeds for a full-spectrum analysis by a certified lab such as the Alltech 37+ lab, which can detect up to 54 different mycotoxins.
Based on the results of those analyses, feed producers can strategically supplement mycotoxin-adsorbing agents — such as those in the Mycosorb® range from Alltech — in their formulas. Some producers may decide to include these agents for prophylactic purposes without necessarily implementing a full mycotoxin-monitoring plan.
Another common feed-formulation strategy is to include mold inhibitors, such as Alltech’s Mold-Zap®, to help inhibit fungal growth and minimize the risk of contamination during storage.
Figure 1. Recommended mycotoxin prevention and mitigation strategies for feed mills
Evaluating the effectiveness of any multi-binding agent is crucial, considering that feedstuffs and aquafeeds are commonly contaminated with multiple mycotoxins.
In the literature, Mycosorb solutions are referred to as yeast cell wall extract (YCWE) and backed by decades of scientific research. Among the various detoxifying agents with multiple-mycotoxin-binding claims tested in vitro, YCWE has demonstrated the greatest efficacy, adsorbing more than 50% of deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, fumonisin B1, ochratoxin A, T-2 toxin and aflatoxin B1. YCWE has also been successfully tested in vivo in several aquatic species.
Mycosorb technology consists of insoluble carbohydrates primarily derived from the glucans in the cell walls of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain of yeast. Mycosorb A+® goes a step further by combining these yeast cell wall components with carbohydrate components from algae. The flexible surfaces of these active yeast cell wall components facilitate the absorption of free mycotoxins. More specifically, β-D-glucans feature spaces that align perfectly with specific mycotoxins, making them optimal binding sites. The algal components of Mycosorb A+ further enhance its binding capacity, allowing it to adsorb a broader range of mycotoxins.
Unlike clay-based mycotoxin binders, the yeast and algae components of this solution do not interact with the essential nutrients, minerals or vitamins included in the diet. Instead, they specifically bind mycotoxins in the gastrointestinal tract, inhibiting the absorption of mycotoxins into the bloodstream and their distribution to target organs. They also promote the excretion of mycotoxins through the feces. As a result, the bioavailability of these mycotoxins is minimized, as is their potential impact on animal health and performance.
For more information on how to manage the mycotoxin threat to your business, please contact our team. You can also find additional resources at knowmycotoxins.com.
About the author:
Dr. Vivi Koletsi is a global technical support specialist within Alltech’s Technology Group. She collaborates with the company’s global Aqua team regarding all technologies on the aquatic species side.
Dr. Koletsi, a native of Ioannina, Greece, first became interested in aquaculture while completing her undergraduate studies in biology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She began focusing on fish nutrition in earnest while pursuing her master’s degree in aquaculture and marine resource management at Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands. This interest led her to complete an internship with Alltech Coppens, during which she established a protocol to help prevent mycotoxin contamination in aqua feeds.
Upon earning her master’s degree, Dr. Koletsi continued her mycotoxin research at the doctoral level with support from Alltech in collaboration with the Aquaculture and Fisheries Group at Wageningen University & Research. While completing her doctoral studies, Dr. Koletsi conducted trials at Alltech Coppens’ facilities while continuing laboratory work at Wageningen. Her focus was on mycotoxins’ impact on rainbow trout.
Dr. Koletsi joined Alltech as a team member upon completion of her Ph.D. in 2023.
Al igual que los humanos, los animales de compañía, al envejecer, se enfrentan a cambios fisiológicos que pueden afectar a su capacidad cognitiva y su metabolismo, entre otros. Y como con las personas, cada vez más investigaciones indican que estimular la función cognitiva durante sus primeras etapas de vida ayudará a prevenir los cambios cerebrales relacionados con el envejecimiento.
Durante el envejecimiento cerebral se producen en las mascotas cambios en la expresión génica que pueden afectar al control de las proteínas anormales, la cantidad de tejido presente e, incluso, la velocidad con la que se crean nuevas vías neuronales.
Afortunadamente es posible mitigar el deterioro cognitivo asociado al envejecimiento a través de nutrientes adecuados y un entorno positivo.
El primer tipo de nutriente a tener en cuenta son los antioxidantes. Más que un término de moda, una suplementación con antioxidantes puede ser muy importante, especialmente para las mascotas ancianas; ya que la capacidad de su cuerpo para neutralizar los radicales libres dañinos disminuye con la edad.
Uno de los antioxidantes naturales más poderosos se encuentra en la forma de un mineral traza: el selenio. Diversas investigaciones indican que el selenio orgánico puede reducir la carga de β-amiloide (como las proteínas anormales en el cerebro), mitigar la oxidación del ADN, y ayudar a prevenir las neuropatologías asociadas con el deterioro cognitivo por el envejecimiento.
Por otro lado, los ácidos grasos omega-3 (como el DHA y el EPA) tienen propiedades neuroprotectoras y antiinflamatorias que apoyan la salud cerebral.
Finalmente, nutrientes funcionales específicos (como los aminoácidos o las vitaminas B) pueden mejorar la llegada del flujo sanguíneo al cerebro; y tienen un papel importante en el desarrollo y la función cognitiva general.
Las mascotas que sufren deterioro cognitivo debido al envejecimiento pueden mostrar:
3 medidas para apoyar la salud cerebral de tu mascota:
Respaldado por más de 19 años de investigación, Sel-Plex® es la forma de levadura enriquecida con selenio más investigada y probada. Sel-Plex optimiza el desempeño y promueve la retención de minerales.
Working with the Laboratory Coordinators to maintain the function of the Chemistry, GMO and Microbiology laboratories at Woolfox. This applies to the maintenance of the laboratory management system, regular and on-request testing, necessary equipment and required laboratory consumables. Providing support for other quality functions, when necessary.
Qualifications:
Degree in Science, preferably Microbiology, Chemistry or Biology.
Laboratory Management Systems
Safety in the lab
Experience:
Minimum 3 years of working in laboratory environment, obtained either form University or work experience.
Experience in biochemical and microbiological testing.
Experience of working with laboratory management systems.
Competencies:
Analytical thinking.
Ability to collect, communicate and report scientific data in a clear manner.
Ability to develop and maintain a positive rapport with colleagues.
Ability to read scientific literature and apply the knowledge in the lab.
Eagerness to achieve and maintain high standards.
Flexibility.
Ability to develop a good rapport with colleagues.
Must own a driving license and own vehicle to travel to site.
For further information or to apply for this role, please email:
Joanne Mart, People Department Manager UK, jmart@alltech.com
Processing orders from Alltech offices and their customers. Serves customers by providing information in response to a wide range of queries. Initiates and/or implements corrective action as needed in order to ensure that an excellent standard of service and a high level of customer satisfaction is maintained.
Receives, processes and confirms orders from customers in a timely and accurate manner.
Liaises with production regarding specific requirements.
Issuing of paperwork for shipments to non-EU countries.
Ensures and provides quality service to both internal and external customers.
UK-based, part of an international team.
Excellent customer service skills.
Excellent communication skills and telephone technique.
Excellent time management and organisational skills.
Ability to multitask and prioritise.
Competent in Microsoft Programmes (Word, Excel, Outlook).
Experience with AX / Dynamics 365 is desirable but not essential.
Ability to build excellent rapport with customers to ensure customer satisfaction.
Experience with customs documentation such as Certificate of Origin, Eur 1 and ATR preferable.
Experience in Logistics is an advantage, but not essential.
Business English – written and oral.
Knowledge of another European language (i.e. Dutch, German or Hungarian) is desirable but not essential.
Excellent team player.
A positive attitude, cooperative, willing to comply with company policies and procedures and work constructively with colleagues.
Good time-keeping and reliable.
For further information or to apply for this role, please email:
Joanne Mart, People Department Manager UK, jmart@alltech.com
Over the past two generations, the Bryson family has farmed Town Head Farm in a multitude of ways.
Starting out with 50 dairy cows, the Ayrshire farm peaked to 120 head in the 1980s on a grazing-based system with a milk round. The dairy ceased production in 2010, when milk prices plummeted, coinciding with farm investments needed to continue production. From the 1970s through to the early 2020s, the Bryson family also grew tomatoes commercially, up until inflated costs during COVID-19 took them out of production. The farm now finishes around 300 store cattle a year and continues to rear 34,000 free-range laying hens every year.
Jim Bryson leads the charge on the cattle unit, working to an average daily liveweight gain of around 1.14 kg.
“We finish around 6 cattle a week, buying them at 100–120 kg and selling at 340 kg deadweight,” Jim said. “We get 90 percent of the cattle out of Lanark market and sell everything into AK Stoddart every week, so we still have the cash flow like we did when we had the milk cheque. We have a lot of Anguses, Limousines, Charolais, Salers, Simmentals. On average, they are on farm for 5 to 8 months.
“They are all fattened inside, and we are pretty self-sufficient on feeding. The chickens and cattle complement each other, and my brother and I help each other out. I get a lot of the muck out of the chicken houses to put on the 120 acres of wheat that is dedicated to producing feed for the cattle. We don’t need much fertiliser, which is a big saving. All we buy is a little soya just to keep protein levels depending on grass.
“Depending on circumstances, we put some of the cattle out on grass for a spell if they are a bit lighter, as it’s cheaper to grow them on grass. We still do three-cut silage like we did when we had the dairy; we try and get the best out of grass we can. The finishing ration is just straw, silage, wheat, and soya as needed. InTouch sorts it all out for us.”
Jim also discussed his farm’s recent performance challenge.
“For a while we didn’t know we had a problem,” he explained. “The cattle just started to slow up eating their ration. They were just not ‘doing’, taking too long to fatten. Matt McClymont from Alltech InTouch came in to take normal silage samples, and everything was as it should be. He put his thinking cap on and started to consider the risk of mycotoxins. We tested for it, and sure enough, they were present. We put Mycosorb (A+) in with the ration, and within one week the cattle were back to normal. We carried on feeding that for a few months until that block of silage was finished and the next block of silage had been tested alright.
“Matt keeps a close eye on what we’re doing, so he’ll pick up on anything I might have missed. If there are any issues, he likes to know about them or to find them out. Matt is always encouraging me to do more in the way of monitoring cattle better and going into finer detail with how we feed them,” Jim concluded.
“Mycotoxins are toxic compounds naturally produced by moulds that can grow on numerous feedstuffs, such as cereals, maize, grass. Mould growth can happen at any part of the feed production cycle – growth, harvest or storage – and is driven by weather conditions. Mycotoxins will tend to thrive in warm, damp and humid conditions,” Matt explained.
“The impact of mycotoxins can be lethal,” he added. “In ruminants, feed intake and nutrient absorption will be compromised. Often, the immune system and fertility are also impacted. Finally, microbial growth can be altered, leading to adverse effects on rumen function and digestive capabilities.”
“Alltech’s mycotoxin research facility, namely the Alltech 37+® lab, samples and tests various crops for over 50 varieties of mycotoxins. Most feedstuffs tested usually show more than one mycotoxin present. In recent sample data, 91.5% of feedstuffs had two or more mycotoxins present, with the average showing up 4.9 mycotoxins per sample,” Matt said. “Given this enormous risk that mycotoxins pose to production profitability, the threat simply cannot be ignored. Once the challenge of mycotoxins is known – which I must stress can change from field to field, clamp to clamp and year to year – we can establish a suitable mitigation plan.
“In the case of Jim, intakes were suppressed, and we tried various dietary tweaks to no avail. I took a silage sample as part of the Alltech 2023 European Harvest Analysis for mycotoxins, and it showed extremely high levels of penicillic acid. We got the Mycosorb A+ into the ration, and the cattle were back to normal, cleaning up their feed pretty much straightaway.”
If you notice any of the above symptoms in your herd, consult your vet or get in touch with the Alltech InTouch team to help identify and mitigate potential mycotoxin issues.
Diet feeders can seem big money, but feed costs are bigger. Fact. Having a diet feeder in good working condition and fit-for-purpose undoubtedly impacts on feed cost per litre and per kilo of weight gain. To help keep tabs on your feed efficiency, here are some signs to look out for.
“There’s usually an extra litre of milk or extra DLWG to be had from servicing or upgrading a machine if it needs it.”
These are wise words from Michael French who has been in the business of making diet feeders make money for farmers for 31 years.
The reason Michael has been in the game for so long is that he especially likes to sell a diet feeder if he knows that it can make a positive financial impact.
Here’s how diet feeders are so influential on the bottom line of farm businesses:
Nutrition is also hugely influential on cow health and longevity. CowSignals® have quoted that one in three cows don’t make it to five lactations due to causes such as lameness, milk fever, mastitis and acidosis. And with numerous research bodies citing the clear link between metabolism and immunity, the physical structure of a ration plays a key role in resisting and recovering from challenge
Michael estimates that sixty percent of machines in the field are overloaded. That simply means putting in more feed than the machine can effectively handle. It is understandable that farmers overload to save precious time and labour. However, the cost can be huge – it can be anything in the region of one and four litres per cow per day.
There’s no hard and fast rule for how many cows can be fed in each load. A higher-yielding herd will likely be on more feed than a lower yielding herd, for example.
In any case, overloading is mainly signalled by the mix that comes from it.
This is quite a quick and easy one to check out as soon as the ration is fed-out.
*Aim for shorter fibres if feeding smaller animals (young cows or sheep, for example).
Do this on the daily or at least on the weekly as things can change quite quickly.
As we all know, it’s really ALL about the cow signals! Even if the signs are subtle and require a trained eye to spot, cows will always tell you if they’re content (and therefore productive) or not.
This could mean that your cows are faced with a suboptimal rumen environment, sub-acute acidosis, or worse, acute acidosis. With acidosis, the precursor to many health challenges - mastitis, lameness, fertility - this is probably the most important aspect to tune into.
Now this is one of the most eye-opening signs. It’s ultimately going to validate whether you’re making money from the most vital cost on farm - feed!
Similarly to cows, data doesn’t lie. Data can either give you reassurance or an alert. Target FCE / FCR is dependent on a number of factors. In any case, close monitoring is a must.
Here’s how you can quickly and simply work out feed conversion efficiency (FCE) for dairy, or feed conversion ratio (FCR) for beef:
The InTouch Dairy Efficiency League Table for June 2024 showed an FCE variance of 0.61. The lowest performer was making 1.11 litres of milk for every kilo of dry matter, whereas the highest was making 1.78 litres of milk for every kilo of matter. Feed cost per litre difference.
The margin between those two is about £2.50 per cow per day, across 100 cows that’s £250 a day or £7,000 per month. This is a huge impact on feed cost per litre - the higher the FCE, the lower your feed cost per litre. JUST THE SAME AS MORE MILES TO THE GALLON!
A quick assessment of your diet feeder will soon tell you whether it’s in need of some therapy or replacing. Even small issues can make a big impact on the ration.
With these assessed, we now need to contemplate a repair vs replace. This will depend on the extent of the wear, along with the size of the machine being adequate for the number of cows currently and planned (i.e. if expansion is planned).
The most important thing is that you don’t do nothing! Not taking it further is like not going to the doctors when something isn’t right.
· Service your diet feeder, using the KEENAN-Approved service agents.
· Upsize or upgrade your machine, speaking to the KEENAN regional managers.
· Add InTouch to your machine, contacting a local InTouch Feeding Specialist.
Not sure what to do? Leave us an enquiry - email:keenaninfo@alltech.com
A soja é uma das principais forças produtivas do agronegócio brasileiro. Entretanto, produzir o grão exige que o sojicultor supere desafios durante o ciclo, desde o plantio até a colheita.
Entre os desafios estão os nematoides, que já geraram mais de R$ 65 bilhões de prejuízos na cultura da soja, apenas para exemplificar uma situação.
Por isso, é necessário que os produtores saibam identificar a presença de nematoides na soja, as espécies do parasita e como mitigar seus efeitos.
Uma vez que os produtores identificam que sua área enfrenta problemas com nematoides, ele deve incluir técnicas de manejos integrado em sua lavoura.
O manejo integrado de nematoides consiste na associação de diferentes técnicas de manuseio, o que inclui estratégias de ordem genética, cultural, química e biológica.
O conjunto de duas ou mais técnicas é imprescindível, visto que diminuem a população de nematoides nas áreas, bem como protegem o sistema radicular da infecção, afetando a reprodução nas plantas hospedeiras.
Dentre os principais recursos para controlar o parasita estão a rotação de culturas, escolha de cultivares resistentes, uso de plantas de coberturas, além da aplicação de soluções químicas e biológicas.
Quando falamos sobre as soluções, o uso de nematicida microbiológico se destaca pela alta performance em campo.
A utilização de soluções biotecnológicas na proteção dos cultivos auxilia não apenas na dinâmica de crescimento e desenvolvimento do parasita, mas também em plantas mais saudáveis e produtivas.
Em síntese, o benefício do biológico está na introdução de bactérias benéficas na rizosfera. Um exemplo é a bactéria Bacillus spp, que além de atuar diretamente no equilíbrio do solo, reduzindo o número de nematoides, atua na disponibilidade de nutrientes. Além disso, pode ser utilizada no sulco de plantio e no plante-aplique.
No IV Encontro da Soja Produtiva, realizado em Abelardo Luz (SC), alguns produtores detalharam os desafios enfrentados na cultura da soja.
O sojicultor Alexandre da Silva, da região de Caxias do Sul (RS), que utiliza as soluções Alltech Crop Science, busca a construção de um solo supressivo e naturalmente mais resistente.
Já o produtor Eduardo Cezar Junges, da região de Paulo Frontin (PR), não enfrenta essa adversidade em sua produção. No entanto, isso não o isenta da necessidade de investir em soluções biotecnológicas, para manter uma média produtiva de 70 a 80 sacas por hectare.
São muitas as espécies de nematoides na soja, porém, os sojicultores, recorrentemente, estão expostos às seguintes espécies do fitoparasita: Meloidogyne, Pratylenchus e Helicotylenchus.
O Meloidogyne spp. é conhecido como o nematoide das galhas, pois causa um engrossamento no sistema radicular para sua alimentação, o que ocasiona a obstrução dos vasos condutores. Isso limita a absorção de água e nutrientes e resulta em uma cultivar murcha, com nanismo e redução na produção.
Este nematoide causa lesões radiculares, ao penetrar e se movimentar, rompe as células, facilita a entrada de bactérias e fungos, que, associados ao nematoide, provocam necrose, podridão e depauperação do sistema radicular.
O Helicotylenchus é um parasita emergente. Da mesma forma que o Pratylenchus, o fitoparasita adentra no sistema radicular, o que ocasiona infecções causadas por fungos e bactérias.
Além de auxiliar os produtores no manejo dos nematoides, as soluções biológicas da Alltech Crop Science melhoram os níveis de sustentabilidade das lavouras, bem como otimizam os resultados produtivos e qualitativos. Visando desenvolver a saúde do solo, a Alltech investe em novas tecnologias nutricionais voltadas a assegurar a proteção das plantas e promover uma produção que minimiza os impactos no ambiente.
The Alltech® On-farm Support program partners with producers around the world to help them reach their goals, troubleshoot issues and lay a foundation for a profitable and sustainable future. Bringing together almost four decades of research and field-proven products with a team of committed experts, the Alltech On-farm Support program can help you increase your efficiency, productivity and profitability.
Through our innovative study of nutrigenomics, our nutritional technologies help animals maximize the nutrients in their feed for optimal well-being and performance.
We work with producers across the globe to address the issues most important to them, including feed efficiency, antibiotic-free production, food enrichment and the management of mycotoxins, gut health, protein, enzymes and minerals.
Our gut health technologies, for example, are backed by extensive research, including more than 730 trials. As antibiotic regulations tighten globally, we are positioned to provide field-proven solutions for the intestinal integrity and overall well-being of animals.
Ask your feed provider how you can take advantage of Alltech technologies in your operation.
Finding experienced workers continues to be a challenge for farmers across the world. The Alltech On-farm Support program can provide customized, bilingual workshops for your team, helping you ensure that all employees are following the same protocols and routines, and understand the reasons behind them.
From heat stress to rumen health, our nutritional technologies help beef producers overcome challenges to support cattle health and producer profitability.
We can help you with:
From rumen health to fertility, our nutritional technologies help dairy producers overcome challenges to support cow health and profitability.
We can help you with:
