We caught up with our president Dr. Pearse Lyons to find out why he is so excited about the acquisition of Keenan, a leading farming solutions manufacturer, in his home country of Ireland:

First of all, we are really delighted to welcome Keenan to the Alltech family. Keenan is joining a family business — a business that is not for sale and will not go public.  This coming together of our two companies is a win for both our teams.

I see this as a coming together of like-minded people. And, what makes it positive for both companies are the synergies that can occur. What makes it positive for both companies is what we can bring to farmers all around the world, with our unique technologies.

The Keenan team is going to get the benefits of our experience from having a presence in more than 120 countries around the world.  We can immediately go to our friends — and Alltech is a company of friends — in 120 countries and share the news about the Keenan “Green Machine.”  Ironically, quite a number of our colleagues not only have experience with Keenan machines, but they have actually worked for and with Keenan in places as far away as China, Australia, Canada and the Middle East.   One of our researchers did his Ph.D. on the Keenan mixer.

Keenan is on-farm and their team provides nutritional solutions direct to the farmer. Keenan and Alltech together can deliver greater value to our global farming customers with a wider variety of technological solutions. Keenan’s manufacturing strength and technological know-how provides us with a winning combination for delivering greater farm efficiency and profitability direct to our farming customers. This is a coming together of like-minded people! I firmly believe that together we are stronger.

When a local company is purchased by a global company, sometimes customers might have concerns that their experience will change.  Yes, there will be change.  We will integrate and realign synergies and get back to full performance once again in Borris, Co. Carlow. Production lines will ramp back up to full speed. Customers will receive a renewed level of support and service. We will bring positive change.

Change in life for most people creates uncertainty.  Buddha once said, “Change is never painful, only the resistance to change is painful.”  In this case, however, there is no resistance, so change will come easily.  Our acquisition of Keenan brings a change that I believe people in Borris will find very positive. Keenan is becoming part of the Alltech family and, in fact, Alltech is becoming part of the Keenan family. This is fantastic and I can’t wait for this positive outcome to play itself out in the marketplace. All I can say is this is positive.  This is just two like-minded groups coming together. We are so excited, and we see this as an opportunity of a lifetime. Welcome to our family, Keenan!

Weaning calves has always been a challenging time for producers. During this period, a calf’s immune system is not yet fully developed, which can lead to a variety of challenges, including increased costs of gain, greater chances for morbidity and higher risks for scours. Any of these individually or in combination can result in decreased profitability.

Traditionally, producers have had limited options for ensuring maximum growth and health for their calves. Some strategies include supplementing calf diets with concentrates or pushing for more intensive diet rations, while others include introducing antibiotics for growth promotion.

So, what will happen when the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) hits?

What is VFD and what changes will come with it?

VFD is the mechanism the FDA will use to apply veterinary oversight to a broad range of products used in animal feed, such as antibiotics. In December of 2016, VFD will be implemented to promote the judicious use of antibiotics and to protect public health by limiting the development of antibiotic resistance. In short, the upcoming directive will restrict the use of antibiotics for growth promotion and feed efficiency. Once the changes are in full effect, it will be illegal to use medically important antibiotics without a veterinary prescription and antibiotics will only be available for use to prevent, control or treat a specifically identified disease.

With these regulations in place, producers will be searching for new, viable alternatives to keep their operations profitable.

New research supports antibiotic-free program

New research from the University of Florida has been released supporting the Alltech Antibiotic-Free program. During a 52-day weaning period, Alltech’s Actigen^® was fed to calves. The focus of the demonstration was to evaluate the effects of these technologies on animal health and performance.

The results of the study demonstrated Actigen, a unique technology from Alltech, to be a cost-effective means of maintaining gut health and integrity to support performance. For producers focused on growth and feed efficiency, Actigen in weaning calves showed profitable returns on investment and overall decreases in cost of gain.

Looking to the future, Actigen and the Alltech Antibiotic-Free program will continue to address key issues for profitability in weaning calves, including developing a healthy gut and stable rumen environment. Particularly during weaning, healthy calves will eat and produce more efficiently, ensuring they can perform at their maximum potential.

The Alltech Antibiotic-Free program, including technologies like Actigen, supports producers looking for solutions to address feed efficiency and to help promote a healthy and profitable future for their operation. Alltech technologies bring together more than 35 years of research and practical application with state-of-the-art support tools and technical expertise. This gives producers a holistic approach to navigate the challenges of antibiotic-free production, and in particular, the upcoming VFD initiative.

For more information, contact your Alltech representative or visit www.alltech.com/beef.

I want to learn more about nutrition for my beef cattle.

As dairy producers begin to steadily feed out their 2015 corn silage, nutritionists might want to take a proactive approach by testing their clients’ feed bunks to see what risks may be present. Since Alltech’s 2015 North America Harvest Analysis, additional testing through the Alltech 37+® mycotoxin analysis is now indicating type A trichothecene mycotoxins are on the rise.

According to Dr. Max Hawkins, Alltech Mycotoxin Management team nutritionist, type A trichothecenes, composed of T-2, HT-2, diacetoxyscirpenol and neosolaniol, have shown an increase in levels present from 33.18 parts per billion (ppb) in September to 86.38 ppb in February (as illustrated by the trend line in Figure 1). Type A trichothecenes are now present in 46 percent of all samples of corn silage.

“The levels are higher than in years past, and exactly why that may be is difficult to identify. There may be many causes,” said Hawkins.

Type A trichothecenes are produced by Fusarium molds. Fusarium molds require moisture levels at or above 70 percent humidity as well as oxygen and a temperature range that can include cool days and nights to cool nights and hot days. Corn plants stressed from insect damage or birds, plant disease, wind and hail are always a concern for mold proliferation. Corn silages that are drier, poorly packed and allow greater oxygen penetration are also at a greater risk.

The Alltech 37+ mycotoxin analysis tested 239 corn silage samples from Sept. 1, 2015, to March 8, 2016. The average sample contained 5.28 mycotoxins. The Risk Equivalent Quantity, or the risk represented by all of the mycotoxins present, is at higher risk in 59.1 percent of all corn silage samples with another 17.7 percent at a moderate risk.

“Over 75 percent of corn silage presents an increased risk to dairy cows,” said Hawkins. “This contributes to the complexity of the mycotoxin mixture that is included into total mixed rations (TMRs) and can lead to increased mycotoxin impact on cow health and performance.”

Type B trichothecenes and fusaric acid were present in more than 90 percent of the samples, while fumonisins have been found in over 70 percent of the samples. The levels of these mycotoxin groups have remained relatively constant at a moderate-to-high risk since harvest. Type A trichothecene toxins, however, have shown a steady increase since January.

In the dairy cow, type A trichothecenes first affect the rumen where they are partially metabolized. Rumen adsorption may be increased by rumen acidosis. When cellulolytic bacteria activity decreases, protein synthesis is reduced.

The ingestion of type A trichothecenes can cause reduced feed intake, slower weight gain, decreased milk production, digestive disorders (vomiting and diarrhea), acute hemorrhagic enteritis, reproductive failure, increased mortality, hemorrhages (stomach, heart, intestine, lung, bladder, kidney), edema, dermatitis, immune suppression, abomasal and ruminal ulcers and death. Serum immunoglobulins and complement proteins are lowered in calves receiving T-2 toxin. Also, a reduction in white blood cell and neutrophil counts in calves can be observed after exposure to these types of toxins.

“The increasing level of type A trichothecenes, along with the steadily higher level of type B trichothecenes and fusaric acid, creates a combination of mycotoxins that can easily increase the risk of corn silage that is being included into the TMR,” Hawkins said.

JPW Nutrition recently utilized Alltech’s 37+ mycotoxin analysis program to test corn silage and TMR samples for some of their customers in the Midwest. The results indicated type B trichothecene toxins were most prevalent; however, type A trichothecene mycotoxins were also showing up. Jason Prins, a nutritionist with JPW Nutrition, wasn’t surprised the analysis found type A trichothecenes, as he had observed issues with stomach linings being excreted and gut health challenges on the dairies.

“From a reproduction, immune response and gut health standpoint, we need to know what type of mycotoxins are having an impact. Finding out which types of mycotoxins are present in the feed allows us to make adjustments in the diet accordingly,” said Prins. “For our clients, we have found that it is better to be proactive than reactive with these issues.”

Figure 1 - Type A Trichothecenes Risk in Corn Silage

To excel in their sport, most athletes consume a diet as carefully planned as their training regimen. Vitamins, minerals, proteins and other sports supplements enhance both their mental and physical strength. Plants respond similarly to biostimulants, which can be used to activate their metabolism and influence biological processes within the plant. 

What are biostimulants?

Biotstimulants foster plant development in a number of demonstrated ways throughout the crop lifecycle, from seed germination to plant maturity. They can be applied to plant, seed, soil or other growing media that may enhance the plant’s ability to assimilate nutrients and properly develop.

By fostering complementary soil microbes and improving metabolic efficiency, root development and nutrient delivery, biostimulants can:

• Increase yield in terms of weight, seed and fruit set.
• Enhance quality, affecting sugar content, color and shelf life.
• Improve the efficiency of water usage.
• Strengthen stress tolerance and recovery.

Currently, humic and fulvic acids constitute more than half of the biostimulant market, with seaweed extracts being secondary. Microbial extracts, plant extracts, vitamin B, chitin and chitosan round out the market offerings, according to the 2nd World Congress on the use of Biostimulants in Agriculture in November 2015.

Other names for biostimulants include plant strengtheners and conditioners, phytostimulants, bioactivators and soil, yield, crop and plant growth enhancers. Despite their increasing use, at this point, no country in the world has a regulatory framework that defines specifically what is a biostimulant.

Why are they being used?

The global market for biostimulants is projected to increase 12 percent per year and tip past the $2 billion sales mark by 2018, according to a November 2015 Markets and Markets report. There are multiple contributors to this rise:

• Proven performance and acceptance from NGOs, governmental bodies and academia.
• Increased commercial customization of solutions.
• The need to restore degraded soil.
• Demand from farmers and consumers for environmentally safe and organic products that provide alternatives to synthetic inputs.
• Increasing agronomic production demands.

Presently, Europe represents the lion’s share of the biostimulant market at 42 percent. North America and Asia are estimated to have approximately 20 percent market share each, with Latin America at 13 percent, according to the 2nd World Congress on the use of Biostimulants in Agriculture in November 2015.

Trace minerals, which originate from the earth, ultimately account for a relatively small portion of an animal’s diet, but they represent a critical component in animal nutrition and metabolism. Dietary trace mineral imbalances and deficiencies are commonly corrected by various levels of supplementation from inorganic or organic sources, depending on the animal’s minimum requirement and the trace mineral source bioavailability.

Trace mineral requirement and bioavailability depend on intrinsic factors (e.g., species, genetics, age, sex, criterion of adequacy, metabolic function, nutritional status, intestinal flora and physiological stress) and extrinsic factors (e.g., trace mineral element solubility, binding to other dietary factors, state of oxidation, competitive antagonisms and positive or negative chelation effects).

Trace minerals and poultry nutrition go way back

Trace mineral nutrition discovery and research has a rich history in poultry nutrition. Many of the early nutrient metabolism studies were conducted in chicks during the period between 1960 and 1980, and requirements were established for each poultry species. Based on this research conducted over 40-50 years ago, minimum dietary requirements were established for zinc, manganese, copper, iron, selenium and iodine, and the last official publication of these requirements for poultry was in “Nutrient Requirements of Poultry” (National Research Council, 1994). 

The genetic potential for growth in commercial poultry has changed dramatically during the last five decades, as has the nature and quality of the diet fed to these animals. This is why supplementation of these trace minerals (usually from inorganic sources) in commercial feeds often exceed the National Research Council (NRC) (1994) recommendations by three- or four-fold to compensate for variable bioavailability, yet resulting in public concern about excessive environmental emissions.

Trace mineral programs today

Recent research on organic trace minerals has challenged this paradigm of high dietary inclusion of inorganic trace minerals. Due to their increased bioavailability, organic trace minerals have demonstrated opportunities for improved physiological/metabolic functions and reduced environmental emissions, justifying the establishment of new minimum nutritional requirement recommendations.

Dietary inclusion of organic trace minerals at levels as low as 12.5 percent of typical commercial levels have been shown to result in equal or superior growth performance and tibia ash. Along with phytase supplementation, which is typically used for most commercial poultry, growth performance can be maintained with organic trace minerals at levels well below the NRC recommendations. Future recommendations for dietary trace minerals will depend upon strategic applications in poultry nutrition that affect environmental sustainability, health and welfare, meat and egg quality, and epigenetic programming.

¹NRC = Nutrient Requirements of Poultry, 9^th Revised Edition, 1994. Subcommittee on Poultry Nutrition, Committee on Animal Nutrition Board on Agriculture, National Research Council, National Academy Press, Washington, DC.

²FSM = Ferket, P.R., and S.L. Leeson, 2015. Feedstuffs Magazine 2014 Reference Issue and Buyers Guide, pp 42-51, Feedstuffs, St. Charles, IL.

¹Positive control treatment diet was supplemented with a trace mineral premix to contain 80 ppm Zn as ZnSO4, 100 ppm as MnSO₄·2H₂O, 60 ppm Fe as FeSO4·7H2O, and 12 ppm Cu as CuSO₄·5H₂O.

²OTM = Organic trace mineral supplied as a proteinated complex (BioplexÒ Zn, Mn, Fe, and Cu, Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY)

^a,bParameter Values within a row having different superscripts are different (P<.05).

Figure 1. Broken-line analysis plot of weight gain in broilers as a function of supplemental zinc as BIOPLEX^Ò Zn with or without phytase (from Ao et al., 2007).

Have a question or comment?

As the distance between farmer and consumer closes around the world, we must continually adapt our methods to meet the ever-growing demand for high-quality, safe food. In the webinar, “The Path of Least Resistance,” we took a dive into the world of antibiotics, specifically how they have impacted and will continue to impact the agriculture industry. The key speaker, Dr. Richard Murphy, explained why we should worry about antibiotic resistance, where we are now with restrictions on antibiotics in livestock health and what opportunities exist for your operations.

Our three key takeaways were:

1. Worldwide, scientific evidence indicates an overall decline in the total stock of antibiotic effectiveness; resistance to all first-line and last-resort antibiotics is rising.
2. The livestock and poultry industries are not only facing increasing scrutiny from regulatory bodies such as the FDA and EFSA, but, worldwide, meat processors are starting to demand change.
3. Alternative growth promotion strategies are available that utilize strategic nutritional management practices as part of an antibiotic-free strategy for animal production.

To view the webinar and get the full story behind the takeaways, click on the button below:

When it comes to your animals’ mineral diet, you’ve likely never been thinking about “Star Wars” but just like the characters of the epic movie series, you have a choice to make. Do you go with organic trace minerals, or do you turn to the dark side: inorganics?

It should be an easy choice, but many get led astray by practices that date back over a decade-and-a-half. If you were to look at how many times the human food pyramid has been updated since then, you would see constant improvement. Likewise, how can we keep our animals’ diets in pace with this constant development of nutritional innovation? It starts with choosing a side when it comes to your minerals.

Choose the side with less mineral waste

To examine an animal’s diet, you often have to look at what is coming out the other end. If the animal’s waste has undigested feed in it, that signals two possibilities: One, the diet is over-fortified with an ingredient; or two, the animal is having trouble digesting the ingredient. Recent studies have shown that grow-finish pigs fed a diet with the total replacement of inorganics with organic minerals had reduced fecal manganese, copper and selenium excretion (Alltech-Zhejiang University Animal Nutrition and Feed Science Research Alliance). Another study looking at supplementing organic trace minerals at 0, 50 or 100 percent of the National Research Council (NRC) recommendations showed that nursery pigs and finishing pigs’ trace mineral requirements did not appear to need dietary trace mineral supplementation at the levels recommended by NRC. This research highlights the fact that organic minerals are better absorbed, stored and utilized by the animal. The more that is absorbed by the animal means less waste reaches the environment and less is wasted from the producer’s pocket book.

Choose the side you can trust

Not all minerals are made the same. Inorganics have an added level of contamination risk for both feed and food. This comes in the form of dioxins, PCBs and heavy metals. In the 2015 Asia-Pacific Heavy Metal Survey, where 498 mineral samples were tested, the trend for heavy metal contamination over the past five years showed an average of 19.4 percent. This contamination figure should be scary for producers, as that leads to an increased risk of immune suppression, liver/kidney damage, decreased growth and even contamination of the tissue. It is important to know where your minerals are coming from and that they are being tested to ensure safety for your animals and the food chain. Alltech’s Q+ (Quality Plus) process is a positive release program that guarantees all incoming batches of raw material sources and final product batches are tested for dioxins, PCBs and heavy metals prior to sale, providing a safe and traceable product that producers can trust.

Choose the side that’s better for your pigs’ health and performance

Minerals are an important part of the pig’s diet, but they are not meant to be just another ingredient. Effective mineral nutrition can have a very significant on health and performance. Organic trace minerals have shown to support the number of pigs born (The Ohio State University). That means a lot for producers looking to reduce overall production costs per pig. In addition to reducing costs, another major concern is the health of the pig. Additional studies have shown that trace minerals supplementation supports healthy antioxidant status. This allows the pigs that the producer has invested in to be healthier and more likely to make it to market (Alltech-Zhejiang University Animal Nutrition and Feed Science Research Alliance).

Don’t be lured to the dark side. Learn more about the Alltech^® Mineral Management program at alltech.com/pig.

I want to learn more about nutrition for my pig herd.

Today’s consumers expect very specific product information, pictures, customer reviews and ratings, all accessible within a few taps on their smartphone. More recently, they’ve come to expect the same immediacy and transparency when it comes to knowing where their food comes from, who produced it and where, as well as what went into production.

What’s in my food and is it good for me?

In recent years, many consumers have become generally uncertain about the safety and quality of their food, and their risk perception differs largely from that of those within the agriculture and food industries. Consumers sometimes display misguided and inconsistent behavior with respect to food safety and risk information. But, with widespread coverage of foodborne illness outbreaks from national chain restaurants and an abundance of seemingly credible misinformation,  it’s easy to empathize with consumers and their lacking confidence in food safety and quality.

The more consumers feel they know about food production practices, the greater the level of trust consumers have in the food production practices. In a survey conducted by Sullivan Higdon & Sink Advertising and Marketing Agency, 69% of consumers reported that that they think it’s important to know how their food was produced.¹

67% want more information on the meat packaging.

60% want to know if the animal was given growth hormones.

42% want to know what medicine the animal was given during its lifetime.

34% want to know what the animal’s living conditions were like.

34% want to know where the animal was raised.¹

Unfortunately, less than two-thirds (63%) of global consumers trust the information they receive on food packaging.² Consumers view food with a skeptical eye. In the food production industry, product quality, safety, nutritional value and consumer trust are vitally important to the success of the producer.

In the wake of this consumer doubt lies an opportunity for producers to be more transparent about the contents and source of the food they put on the market.  

What are the solutions for rebuilding consumer confidence in food safety?

1.  As industry professionals, it’s our responsibility to help consumers establish food system connections and help bridge the gap between lay and expert opinions regarding food risks, including traceability. Food producers should be the leading voice for food, giving consumers the information they crave, straight from a credible source—the person who’s growing the food to bring to their table.
2. Actively show commitment to quality, safety and traceability. It is vitally important to show your consumers that you are committed to providing them food free from bacteria that causes foodborne illness and free from contaminants like mycotoxins, heavy metals, dioxins and PCBs.
3. Be proactive with your on-farm practices to create a healthier animal and more nutritious crops, and in turn, a healthier consumer product. In food production, quality is as much about safety as it is about nutritional value.

Bottom line: Most consumers view food quality, safety and traceability as interlinked concepts. 

Reputable Resources: 

• IFT’s Global Food Traceability Center: http://www.ift.org/gftc.aspx
• Learn more about traceability as a consumer: http://globalfoodsafetyresource.com/food-safety-risk-management/food-traceability
• Of interest to those, especially producers, who’d like to read more on the topic: http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2013/05/putting-food-traceability-at-consumers-fingertips/#.VwKRYPkrKM8
• EU Traceability Resource (also a great example of what will likely become common in other regions as well): http://ec.europa.eu/food/safety/docs/gfl_req_factsheet_traceability_2007_en.pdf

References:

1.)Building Trust in What We Eat: Consumers’ knowledge of and trust in food production and how food marketers can improve it.” Sullivan Higdon & Sink Advertising and Marketing Agency, 2012

2.)Nielsen Global Health and Wellness Survey 2014

Following our annual Global Feed Survey, we decided to dive a little deeper into aquaculture this year and produce our first Aquaculture Feed Survey.

What did we find?

Similar to the overall Global Feed Survey, China ranks number one in aquaculture, producing more than 17.3 million tonnes of fish feed, far outpacing the second most productive country, Vietnam at 2.8 million tonnes.

Click here to download the chart of the top 12 aqua feed-producing countries, as well as additional survey details.

Sixty-two percent of China’s aqua feed production is for carp. For shrimp, the greatest shares of the countries’ aqua feed production were in India (66 percent), Thailand (42 percent) and Indonesia (33 percent). Perhaps unsurprisingly, the greatest shares of salmon feed production were in Norway (94 percent), Canada (86 percent) and Chile (85 percent).

How do shrimp and salmon compare overall?

Shrimp accounts for 21 percent of global aqua feed production, 82 percent of which occurs in Asia. Salmon, meanwhile, accounts for 11 percent globally, with Europe as the center of production (52 percent of global salmon feed).

The high cost of finisher feeds

The survey also examined the average cost of finisher diets. Interestingly, the top three most expensive were all within the Asia-Pacific region: Korea at $1,800; Japan at $1,700 and Vietnam at $1,333. However, nearly 50 percent of survey responses indicated average prices over $1,000.

Have a question or comment?

With the 2016 Central Plains Dairy Expo kicking off this week in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, we are gearing up for a unique educational experience. Dr. Roger Scaletti, Alltech North America Mineral Management team technical sales and support, and Tom Lorenzen, Alltech on-farm specialist, will be teaming up for an udder health workshop, helping producers take an inside look at udder health and milk quality. 

Scaletti and Lorenzen plan to give producers four key practical approaches to managing udder health and combating mastitis:

Environment

The environment that your cattle are housed in can play a major role in poor milk quality. Are your cows housed in a mastitis-infected yard, or are they in a well-ventilated dry area, with minimal contact to some of the key mastitis-causing bacteria? While udder health management is important in preventing cases of mastitis, it is also important to understand how the disease travels through the udder. According to Scaletti, it’s a process beginning with the bacteria first entering the gland, multiplying, evading host defenses and finally damaging the host. Cases of mastitis can be both clinical or subclinical and contagious or environmental.

Know your enemy

“If you cannot measure it, you cannot control it. If you cannot control it, you cannot manage it.”

These words of advice from Lorenzen ring true. Whether culturing quarters individually or utilizing a California Mastitis Test (CMT), getting an understanding of what bacteria or what quarters you are dealing with is key. To find out what type of mastitis cows are infected with, Scaletti suggests culturing milk or using a DNA test. This quick test, which only takes four hours, can examine the bulk tank or individual cows, and producers can use the same sample as collected for somatic cell count (SCC). The test can be customized to report only contagious pathogens, or you can request the full panel of pathogens that can be detected. Running a culture on infected quarters can be beneficial in understanding what specific bacteria you are fighting, and what specific treatment to which that particular bacteria will respond.

Feeding program

Nutrition and the use of organic trace minerals can play a key role in milk quality as well as managing infections before they even occur. Nutrition has been linked to improving immune function and reducing mastitis. Selenium for strong antioxidant phagocytic cells, zinc for the integrity of skin and copper for neutrophil production and antibody development are a few of the more important trace minerals involved in immune function.  Alltech has committed over 30 years to research in mineral nutrition as well as formulating technologies that meet herds’ needs while safeguarding them from potential risks.

Minerals: Form vs. function

While some might argue for more inorganic minerals in the ration, Scaletti said it is important to consider bioavailability, mineral interactions and environmental concerns. A trace mineral chelated to amino acids or peptides offers higher bioavailability and supports the animal’s natural defense system. In addition to organic mineral research, Scaletti also highlighted the importance of keeping the cow’s selenium status in check. In one recent Florida study, researchers found cows fed organic selenium had 100,000+ lower SCC than those fed sodium selenite.

There’s been a lot of discussion these days about the qualities of the most marketable eggs. We’ve gone beyond fundamental safety and nutrition to a growing retail movement that seeks cage-free produced eggs and value-added product, such as omega-3 eggs.

Yet we actually do not discuss enough the most basic aspect of quality that matters to everyone: eggshell strength. Simply put, cracked eggs do not sell; without eggshell quality, no other egg characteristic matters.

Similar to prenatal vitamins for a pregnant woman, the quality of an egg can be greatly impacted by the nutrition of the layer hen. By changing a bird’s diet, everything from chick development to shell condition can be affected. For this post, we are going to focus on the effect minerals can have on shell strength, specifically in regard to the form those minerals are given in.

On the farm, up to 90% of total losses can come as a result of poor eggshell quality. Shell strength is important to eggs for withstanding the sometimes turbulent shipping process or to protect developing chicks from external world. A strong shell is the difference in making sure eggs make it safely from the farm to your plate, or your child’s paint brush in the case of Easter painting traditions.

Even though eggshells are composed of 94 percent calcium carbonate and 1.4 percent magnesium carbonate, many new studies are now revealing the critical role of trace minerals in eggshell formation. A 2012 study from the Institute of Biodiversity, Glasgow, United Kingdom, found that strength is reduced by the inclusion of abnormal forms of minerals in the diet. Conversely, in bioplexed form, selenium, manganese, zinc, copper, and iron are absorbed more readily. These elements are essential nutrients to shell strength and are crucial to a number of enzymatic processes that lead to optimal shell formation.

As clean drinking water becomes an increasingly scarce commodity in the face of climate change and rapid global population growth, the relationship between Earth’s life-sustaining liquid and work will take on greater significance. With its “Jobs and Water” theme, United Nations’ (U.N.) World Water Day 2016 aims to address water sanitation and workers’ rights issues to forge solutions that benefit both individual workers and the global economy.

In the coming decades, the agriculture industry, the world’s largest employer and consumer of water, will play vital roles both in feeding a projected global population of 9 billion in 2050 and developing ways to reduce groundwater and runoff water contamination connected to food production. Between now and 2050, the World Bank projects that required food production will increase 60 percent and water withdrawal will increase 15 percent. 

Today, clean drinking water remains unavailable for almost 700 million people worldwide for various reasons, from lead in the pipes in Flint, Mich., to extreme desert conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa. By 2025, the U.N. predicts 1.8 billion people will live in areas of high water stress, potentially leading to the displacement of millions. Lack of clean water, in addition to raising risks of famine, disease and refugee crises, also causes serious detriment to a nation’s GDP, the World Bank noted in a 2015 report that labeled water security as the number one global threat in terms of development impact.  

Almost half the world’s current workforce—an estimated 1.5 billion people—participate in water-related industries. Many laborers, like the Sub-Saharan African women who walk miles to deliver their families clean water, are unpaid and are unable to develop other work skills because no clear alternative exists. Basic labor rights also remain elusive for large numbers of water-related workers, as suggested by the 340,000 workplace deaths annually attributable to water sanitation issues, according to the U.N.

Yet, amid these dark clouds, there is also cause for optimism, according to Guy Ryder, International Labor Organization (ILO) director-general and chair of UN-Water. ILO coordinated this year’s World Water Day on the U.N.’s behalf.

“Water can contribute to a greener economy and to sustainable development, but for this to happen we need more workers qualified to realize the potential of new, green technologies,” said Ryder in his official World Water Day video message last week. “The fact is that water is work.”

Across the world, the water Ryder referred to is agriculture-related.

Agriculture accounts for 80 percent of all water consumed in the United States and as much as 90 percent in some Western states, reports the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Globally, 70 percent of withdrawals are for agriculture, an industry that employs 1.3 billion people, according to French agriculture think tank Momagri.

Water scarcity, given its impact on agriculture, can threaten even the world’s strongest economies. Case in point: India.

India’s agriculture industry employs almost half of its 1.3 billion residents and accounts for 18 percent of its $2 trillion GDP. However, a third straight lackluster monsoon season due to the weather pattern El Nino, coupled with significantly below-average reservoir levels, could lead to low crop yields, increased food prices and an economic downturn, according to a recent Bloomberg Business article.

“Water security is India’s biggest challenge,” Shashi Shekhar, secretary of India’s Ministry of Water Resources, told Bloomberg.

“What has happened in India is a warning and a lesson for the world,” Seth M. Siegel, author of New York Times bestseller “Let There Be Water,” said during a recent edition of his podcast of the same name, highlighting the juxtaposition between the country’s abundant amounts of water and enormous water problems. Siegel chronicled Israel’s rise as water innovators in his best-selling book and will share solutions to the world’s water crises during ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference, to be held in Lexington, Ky. from May 22-25.  

As Siegel alluded, India is not alone. Even in South America, home to 28 percent of the world’s freshwater, according to the Global Water Partnership, rising global temperatures are creating water-related issues. The continent’s largest city, Sao Paolo, Brazil, faced a critical water shortage last year due to its worst drought in 80 years, resulting in government officials imposing water rations.

Extreme drought in the American West also led California, the most populous state in the U.S., to implement water rationing in 2015 for its 38 million residents.

Managing rising water demand and costs depends upon efficient irrigation systems and improved on-farm water management, according to the USDA’s study on water and irrigation use.

Conserved water rights programs, water banks, water markets and regulated irrigation withdrawals* are examples of institutional measures that could improve watershed-scale water-management, reduce the impact of irrigated production on offshore water quality and conserve water for nonagricultural demands, the USDA noted. However, the type, size and location of irrigated farms, along with legal and institutional measures governing water use, will determine such conservation programs’ effectiveness.

Animal diets can also have a significant effect on water usage and groundwater contamination.

Alltech creates products that maximize overall efficiency by lowering agricultural production time required and the amount of animal feed excreted back into the environment. The latter results in less water used in production and less water contamination respectively.

Alltech’s Bioplex^® range of organic trace minerals meets the higher nutrient demands of modern livestock for rapid growth, maximum reproductive performance and optimal animal health. Alltech’s Allzyme SSF^® works in synergy with the animal’s digestive system to break down layers of the feed that were previously inaccessible through digestion.

Alltech takes very seriously the challenges of improving nitrogen and mineral utilization to protect groundwater and surface water, said Dr. Kate Jacques, the company’s director of nutrition.

As the world’s greater user of water and top employer, agriculture has an unparalleled opportunity to impact the sustainability of the world’s new “oil.”

Glossary:

Conserved water rights programs and water banks: State water management programs that either “bank” conserved agricultural water for future use, or share, lease or even sell conserved water (ers.usda.gov; oregon.gov).  

Water Markets: A mechanism to improve the allocation and redistribution of water as a publicly managed resource (ecy.wa.gov).

Recent graduates from nine different countries have traveled all the way to Lexington, Kentucky, to join the 4^th Annual Alltech Corporate Career Development Program (CCDP). They have varied educational backgrounds ranging from a bachelor’s degree in economics to a double master’s in animal nutrition and agrobiology. Alltech’s 2016 CCDP members are a prestigious group of 11 recent graduates from the United States, Chile, Kazakhstan, Brazil, Indonesia, the Philippines, Chile, Vietnam and Ireland. They were selected from 2123 applicants!

This program, designed to recruit future leaders within global agribusiness, kicked off with an intensive orientation and training period at Alltech’s Global Headquarters in Nicholasville, Kentucky. Their first three months at Alltech will be devoted to supporting ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference, the company’s flagship annual international conference. The ONE delivers three days of inspiration and engagement with some of the most innovative thinkers, leaders and ideas of our time. The involvement of the 2016 CCDP members in the conference plan reflects Alltech’s commitment to education and professional development, and its passion for bringing fresh ideas to the table.

Dr. Aoife Lyons, director of educational initiatives at Alltech and a licensed clinical psychologist leads the CCDP. She has conducted psychometric testing worldwide for hiring and training at Alltech for the past 10 years.

 “These young people are chosen not just for their educational backgrounds, intelligence and experience, but perhaps more importantly for their curiosity, enthusiasm and sense of adventure.” said Dr. Aoife Lyons. “We look forward to seeing them grow professionally during the year and beyond.” 

The CCDP offers members the opportunity to work on projects in research, information systems, marketing, sales, finance, operations, regulatory and more. They will be integral in supporting Alltech’s business in animal nutrition, crop science, algae, aquaculture, life sciences and the beverage industry.

Tien Le of Vietnam said, “The CCDP has been an amazing experience for me so far. It is a world-class, fast-paced and innovative program with a focus on entrepreneurial skills – just what I was looking for.”

Following their work on ONE, CCDP members will be assigned to one of Alltech’s international offices. There, they will work with a mentor to learn how a global market leader operates. On completion of the program, members will be ready to play a key role in their field of expertise, share their acquired knowledge and take on even greater responsibilities.

“One of the very first things that struck me at Alltech was the incredible amount of effort people make to help me succeed,” said Farkhat Kassymov of Kazakhstan. “From the very first day, I knew that I am part of a team here, and I am very happy to be on board!”

The 2016 Alltech Corporate Career Development Program members are:

• Andy Montgomery, Ireland, M.A. Communications
• Andy Juhadi, Indonesia, B.A. Business and Management
• Bailey Mack, United States, B.A. International Affairs, B.A. Spanish
• Farkhat Kassymov, Kazakhstan, B.A. Economics
• Katherine Reed Calvert, Brazil, B. Sc. Business: General Management
• Kate Taylor, United Kingdom, M.Sc. Agrobiology, M.Sc. Animal Nutrition
• Macie Mattmiller, United States, B.Sc. Agricultural Economics
• Rachel Weber, United States, B.Sc. Animal Science and Biological Sciences
• Rafael Burayag, Philippines, B.A. Economics
• Tanja Marincich, Chile, B. Sc. Mathematics and Economics
• Tien Le, Vietnam, B.A. Advertising and Marketing Communications

Click to learn more about the Corporate Career Development Program.

Like anything new or different, antibiotic-free production comes with its own challenges. And, these challenges make up many of the reasons why a lot of farmers currently don’t produce animals fully antibiotic-free. On top of this, today’s producer has the difficult proposition of producing more with less to meet the demands of a growing global population. How then can they reach that goal without the enhanced  production available through antibiotic use? 

Typical antibiotic-free livestock production challenges

Although they may vary by the environment, management methods and location, below are just some of the risks pig and poultry producers have to prepare for in antibiotic-free production  systems:

Pig challenges

• Poor gut integrity, leading to increased vulnerability to feed contaminants.

• Increased variability and days to market.

• Reduced water intake.

• Reduced feed consumption.

• Susceptibility to stress.

• Increased risk of exposure to bacteria/pathogens.

• Increased treatment costs.

• Increased post-weaning diarrhea.

• Increased post-weaning mortality.

Poultry challenges

• Day-old chick health.

• Bacterial load in the gastrointestinal tract and the litter.

• 7-10 day-old mortality.

• Uniformity.

• Coccidiosis control.

• Therapeutic interventions.

• Feed passage and weight gain.

Ultimately, all these potential issues can add up to extra costs for the producer. To avoid this, it is important to focus on a couple key areas: biosecurity and nutrition.

Biosecurity in antibiotic-free production

Effective biosecurity can not only help producers manage disease challenges, but also prevent the increased risks of many of the issues listed above. Required measures may include  changes to animal flow, increased focus on housing and transportation cleanliness, as well as heightened securities on those entering the facilities, whether that be a worker from another farm or a small rodent visitor; it is important protect the animals from the risk of exposure.

Nutrition in antibiotic-free production

To be truly effective, it can’t be a silver bullet approach. With antibiotics reduced or removed, the front line of defense may be nutrition, but that is just the start. A combination of strategies has to be put into effect. By powering nutrition with technologies designed to support the animals’ immune and digestive systems, and by implementing a full program focused on maintaining proper health, producers give their operations the best chance for a sustainable and profitable future.

Some producers have been ahead of the trend, and have been practicing antibiotic-free production for many years.

“When we accepted the challenge to go antibiotic-free from birth to market a few years ago, it proved to be a real challenge,” said Everett Forkner of Forkner Family Farms in Richards, Missouri. “But with the addition of nutritional innovations, we have not only been able to meet the challenge, we are producing more efficiently than when we began.”

Each farm is different, requiring each nutritional program to be tailored to meet the needs of the animals and their environment for a truly effective antibiotic-free approach.

When asked what some of the keys were to making the transition, Forkner said, “Establishing the right nutritional platform takes time. You have to allow some time for adjustments in order to really see what is best for the animals. And for us as a livestock breeder, it has also been about selecting superior animals and genetic lines that have more natural health and stronger immune systems. On top of this, a major component for us has been building this into a comprehensive immunization program while enhancing our management procedures. This combination has been what has helped us go multiple years and generations of genetic selection with no antibiotic support.”

Due to the Veterinary Feed Directive, we will see more and more U.S. producers focusing on antibiotic-free production. And with nearly 50 countries having some form of antibiotic restrictions, it is a global trend that will continue to grow. Alltech has been helping producers nourish the world for more than 35 years, while striving to ensure they remain sustainable and profitable.

To learn how Alltech is helping producers become profitable even without antibiotics or to see what program would be right for you, call your local representative or visit us at Alltech.com/antibiotic-free.

Stop. Wait a minute. It’s 2016 on the farm, isn’t it?

Yes, we are in fact storming through winter farming with the latest batches of rain and snow causing a hectic start to 2016 for many feedlot owners in the Northern Hemisphere. Yet before we leap into spring, let’s circle back to some of our New Year’s resolutions and take a look at six things we can replace to help promote a profitable feed yard this year:

Resolution #1 — Replace bad news sources

Knowing the latest trends and industry changes is key to getting ahead of an evolving market. Yet, in a world where the average person encounters as many 5,000 messages per day, how do you cut through the Times Square effect to what’s really relevant and credible?

For 2016, stay informed and dig into some new news sources. There are many farmers and agvocates addressing tough questions and writing about agriculture every day. Don’t have time to read? Podcasts are a readily available source of information as well. Do some searching and find your favorites, but in the meantime, here are just a few favorite blogs and podcasts to get you started:

• Agriculture Proud is an excellent blog started by Ryan Goodman. He has even created a helpful list of great ag blogs.
• Another favorite for those working in the feedlot industry is Feed Yard Foodie done by Anne Burkholder.
• Ask the Farmers is also a great one. It was created by farmers, ranchers, farm wives and others to offer an honest dialogue with today’s more urban consumers about any and all questions they have regarding food production.
• For those of you interested in podcasts, Agriculture Today done by the Red River Farm Network gives a daily report of local and global ag news.
• And, then, of course, we hope it’s already a given that you have this blog bookmarked.

Resolution #2 — Replace assuming for knowing

From Fitbits to Facebook likes, we have ways to track almost everything – the farm shouldn’t be any different. So for this year, make a resolution to replace assuming what’s happening on your farm for knowing. Take inventory, and do a personal farm audit to see what hazards may be present and how you can improve the overall profitability of your operation.

Alltech has developed many tools that help farmers know exactly what is going on at their farm. Specifically, one of these tools is the ALLTECH 37+® mycotoxin analysis test. Utilizing the most advanced mycotoxin detection technology available, 37+, provides producers with a more accurate picture of mycotoxin contamination in their feed by testing samples for more than 37 different mycotoxins. The analysis includes a tailored risk assessment (called the REQ) of the expected impact on cattle performance based on the mycotoxins found. This gives producers the ability to accurately review the threat of mycotoxins and evaluate what feeding alternatives might best suit their unique situation.

Resolution #3 — Replace pessimism with optimism

A rally could be on the horizon with 12 member countries signing the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) on February 4^th. The trade agreement could be a major opportunity to turn around a sliding cattle market. Understandably, this agreement still needs to be signed by a divided U.S. Congress (so some woeful optimism is sensible), but regardless, let’s make a general resolution to replace pessimism with optimism in 2016. The Japanese market alone accounted for $1.6 billion in beef export sales during 2014. This is a market opportunity for U.S. beef producers to see premiums.

Furthermore, the real reason for optimism is the continued increasing demand for protein products. Rabobank reports that by 2020 and into 2030 we will need 18-20% continued growth to meet global market demand. This is reason enough for beef producers to stay optimistic.

Resolution #4 — Replace inputs that don’t benefit your operation long term

Thinking and planning for the long-term success of your operation is critical to its viability. This includes considering potential environmental hazards, changes in genetics, production patterns and a whole list of possible nutritional inputs. This year, re-evaluate what you are investing in and the types of additives in your ration—and replace the inputs items that don’t benefit your operation long term. Carefully weigh the cost of the input versus the expected return.

In 2015, Alltech produced large pen research data at OT Feed Yard that challenged the conventional model that extensive inorganic mineral supplementation is most beneficial to cattle health and profitability. Through testing over 800 lightweight, high-risk feedlot cattle fed Alltech’s BIOPLEX® organic trace minerals against a control diet fed inorganic trace minerals at NRC levels, BIOPLEX showed statistically significant improvements in health and specifically, an increase in overall carcass weight by an average of 19.1 lbs. Given the value of extra carcass weight alone, it is worth considering how changes in mineral form can benefit the health of feed yard cattle.

Additionally, the overall Alltech® Mineral Management program including BIOPLEX guarantees organic minerals that are better absorbed, stored and utilized by cattle, and thus able to meet the higher nutrient needs of modern livestock for rapid growth, performance and optimal health.

Resolution #5 — Replace yourself

Dear farmers and ranchers, this is not a call to stop working or retire (please no!), but it is time to start thinking about the future of our industry.

The median age for the current U.S. farmer or rancher is 55.9 years old. This is the oldest median working age for any occupation except for truck drivers (Source: USA Today). It’s not just that farmers are among America’s oldest workers—their average age has been climbing for about 30 years and is showing no sign of dipping back the other direction. So, this year, make a resolution to invest in the next generation of farmers, ranchers and feedlot managers.

Resolution #6 — Steer clear of stagnation; replace ordinary for extraordinary

Lastly, for 2016, replace the ordinary for extraordinary. Today’s world is one of constant change. We are highly connected, but are we using our connections to innovate? To challenge the status quo? To improve our careers, our businesses and ourselves?

This year, Alltech is challenging itself and the entire agribusiness industry to find ONE idea or ONE action to transform their operations, and perhaps even the world, at ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference. ONE will feature speakers including Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Inc. and Alan Mulally, the former CEO of Ford Motor Company.

For more information and to register for the ONE, visit one.alltech.com.  

Here’s to making 2016 the best year on the books yet for your feed yard!