World Pork Expo panel led by Dr. Mark Lyons explores strategies for using technology to transform challenges into opportunities

Sustainability, animal health and technology took center stage last week at World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa, the largest pork-specific trade show in the world. Hosted by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), World Pork Expo is a hub for groundbreaking innovations in pork production, unique networking opportunities and immersive education.

Free educational seminars covering all aspects of the pork industry are a cornerstone of the three-day event, which typically attracts up to 10,000 pork producers and agriculture professionals each year. The seminars are designed to help “attendees take their operations to the next level,” said NPPC board president Scott Hays.

A panel discussion led by Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, explored strategies for transforming obstacles into opportunities.

In “Turning Agriculture’s Toughest Challenges Into Our Biggest Opportunities,” Dr. Lyons and his guests highlighted the role of digital technology in animal agriculture — including sensors, artificial intelligence and cloud-based programs — and identified approaches for creating environmental and economic sustainability amid labor shortages and profitability and pig health challenges.

The current landscape of digital technology in agriculture

Artificial intelligence (AI) and on-farm sensors are increasingly being used in the field to monitor animal health and productivity. They can provide real-time access to crucial livestock insights and allow proactive management practices and the early detection of potential health issues, which can lead to enhanced efficiency on the farm. There is a gap, however, in the infrastructure required to fully implement these technologies and bring these advantages to the producer, said B.J. Brugman, co-founder and CEO of a precision livestock farming company called Distynct.

When he founded the company, he wanted to identify and count animals on-farm so producers could get real-time visibility of their facilities.

“What we found was a complete lack of infrastructure when we got out to the market,” Brugman said. “That forced our business to change. I think the reality of the pork business hit us in the face, where you can win pitch competitions, but when you get it out to the farm, there’s no internet [access].”

New technology must not only get everyone in the room excited, but it also needs to have a practical application. Starting with infrastructure improvements will ease the friction of adopting new technologies, he said.

In cases where infrastructure and connectivity are available, digital technology can make a big difference in monitoring animal health and eradicating diseases. That only works, however, if most farmers are OK with sharing their on-farm data, said Dale Stevermer, co-owner of Trails End Farm in Minnesota and a member of the board of directors for the National Pork Board.

“The National Pork Board really didn't go in this to be a software company at all, but we ended up developing a very powerful piece of software that all producers can use to be able to record movements of animals, site to site and then site to market,” Stevermer said. “And the most important reason for this is in case of a foreign animal disease outbreak — that data will be able to be submitted right to the appropriate animal health organization at your state.”

Livestock producers have a lot to deal with when it comes to a disease outbreak. Monitoring and reporting software can help facilitate the essential next steps.

“If the state veterinarians have the information at their fingertips, and the combination of all the farms at that point and all the movements in that area, they get a lot better sense of what has happened,” Stevermer said.

A vision for the future of on-farm technology

Over the next five years, “I envision [that] we’ll be able to take data from the farm all the way through processing and report it regionally,” said Jamie Burr, chief sustainability officer of the National Pork Board.

Then, consumers will know in which region of the country their pork originated, as well as its social and environmental footprint, he said.

Brad Priest, wean-to-finish manager at TriOak Foods, a pork production, feed manufacturer and grain marketer that serves Iowa and Illinois, said he thinks the use of GPS to track movement will have a tremendous impact on livestock performance.

Brugman envisions a future where everything on-farm is connected digitally.

“I think it’s so exciting to think about laying that groundwork, like laying the infrastructure right now to rapidly scale and deploy precision technology,” he said.

Microsoft’s recently released Azure Data Manager for Agriculture collects and combines data from various sources on-farm, allowing producers to analyze the information more effectively and more quickly develop precision agriculture solutions, said panelist Riyaz Pishori, principal program manager at Microsoft.

And perhaps five years from now, he said, this data can be communicated to farmers via AI in a conversational way, similar to ChatGPT.

“If a farmer’s knowledge could be augmented with some of the other data [from AI] so that he or she can make a better judgment, it’s probably where we will go,” Pishori said.

Confidence in data privacy — the assurance that an individual farm’s data will not be seen or passed on to others — will motivate and inspire farmers to adopt technology, Burr said.

Farm information is personal, Brugman said, and customers need to be reassured that they are the owners of the data. The role of tech companies is simply to guide their customers in how to use the data to make better decisions, he said.

Balancing technology with user profitability

The ability to make precise decisions on-farm will reduce production costs, Pishori said.

Cost-savings is a driving factor.

Investments in technology are more difficult for smaller producers, Stevermer said, but it is necessary to enhance efficiency, profitability and sustainability.

“I have to do it because every acre of corn that I grow and every acre of soybeans I grow has to produce the most profit possible,” he said. “I have to monitor more closely for that so that I can show that my bottom line, the total dollars, is high enough. It becomes one of those tough balances and it takes it takes a sharp pencil, but it works.”

Pishori acknowledged that some technologies can be expensive and not as accessible right now to smaller farms. However, researchers are finding ways to democratize technology, such as using smart phone applications to determine soil quality or measure carbon in the soil.

Leveraging digital technology for sustainability

Digital technology helps farmers measure their sustainability, both economically and environmentally.

The use of technology has dramatically decreased land-use requirements and decreased water use, Stevermer said.

By harnessing the data captured by We Care, the National Pork Board’s initiative to promote responsible and sustainable pork production, producers have been able to report an 80% reduction in soil erosion, he said. The U.S. pork industry has made significant strides in sustainability over the past 60 years, and the use of technologies has played a major role.

Digital technology can predict sustainability efforts, increase efficiency and allow for continuous improvement.

Pishori and his team are working on creating computer simulation applications for measuring carbon sequestration on-farm that give farmers results from different inputs of activities.

“Our perspective is how do we get that new learning into our hands to apply as fast as possible. And again, it goes back to the digitization of data,” Brugman said.

Streamlining technology is going to be key to getting farmers to take advantage of it, Priest said. Then, we must assist them with scalability.

“There’s still a lot of excitement in the pork industry,” Stevermer said. “We can harness that power now. There is strong potential for what can be done.”

Learn more about technology's potential to transform agriculture. Click here to watch the entire panel discussion.

(Editor's note: This is part two of a three-part series on feed efficiency in pigs.)

Feed efficiency refers to the amount of feed consumed by a pig to produce a unit of weight gain, and it can be influenced by multiple factors, including genetics, nutrition, environment and health. A critical metric for pork producers, feed efficiency has a major impact on the profitability of a pig production system.

How does mortality affect feed efficiency?

One of the factors that can significantly affect feed efficiency is mortality. Pig mortality is one of the main challenges the pig industry faces today. It is a complex, multifactorial issue that affects most operations and can greatly affect the overall profitability of an operation. Mortality rates are widely dependent on each individual system but typically range 5–10% within wean-to-finish.

The effects of mortality on pig feed efficiency depend on several factors:

1. The main direct impact is a reduction in the number of pigs marketed, leading to an increased cost of production.

Obviously, when a pig dies before it reaches market weight, the revenue from that animal is completely lost and the cost of producing the pig up to that point cannot be recovered. It is clear, therefore, that mortality events in heavier pigs that were close to marketing have a significantly higher economic impact, as more resources were used and wasted. Additionally, the producer must spend additional funds to properly dispose of the dead animals. The revenue loss and added costs reduce the profitability of the operation.

2. Mortality can also have an indirect effect by affecting the pen’s social structure.

When one or more pigs dies, changes in the social structure of the group can lead to stress and increased aggression among the remaining pigs. This can lead to decreased feed intake, reduced growth rates, and increased susceptibility to disease.

3. Finally, mortality events can alter the performance and feed budgets, and consequently the feed costs, of the remaining pigs.

If a significant number of pigs die, the amount of feed available is now divided by a smaller number of animals. This means that more feed is provided, per pig, for a longer period. This can have both pros and cons. Typically, less-nutrient-dense feeds are provided as pigs get heavier, to account for changes in nutrient requirements and feed intake. Yet when extra feed is available due to mortality, the remaining pigs receive the more nutrient-dense diets for longer. This will typically improve feed efficiency, but feed cost per pig will be increased, which has a direct impact on the economic viability of the operation.

Strategies to tackle pig mortality

Fortunately, some strategies can be used to tackle this issue and promote health in the pork industry:

1. Biosecurity

Improving biosecurity practices is probably the most important aspect of preventing the introduction and spread of diseases in pig herds. These practices include controlled access to barns; cleaning and disinfection protocols; shower-in and shower-out protocols; and adequate quarantine procedures.

2. Vaccination

The implementation of a robust vaccination program that is tailored to the needs of a particular pig herd is also essential. Several options are available to prevent diseases such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), porcine circovirus, and swine influenza. By following appropriate guidelines provided by veterinarians, producers can significantly reduce the mortality associated with preventable diseases.

3. Management

Management practices can have an important impact on pig health. Staff should be trained to conduct regular monitoring of health indicators, such as body condition and fecal quality, to detect early signs of disease. Hygiene practices, ventilation and adequate floor space play important roles in minimizing stress and disease spread. Additionally, it is critical to ensure that all pigs receive adequate nutrition and unlimited access to a clean and easily accessible water supply.

As always, treatment and prevention options are increasing as science advances. Researchers are currently studying the possibilities of genetic selection in producing pigs more resilient to certain diseases. This could be an invaluable tool to reduce mortality rates in the future.

In summary, mortality has profound direct and indirect impacts on feed efficiency and, therefore, on the profitability of any pork production system. Mortality is certainly a complex issue that requires concerted, multidisciplinary efforts, but it must be addressed for a more sustainable and profitable pork industry.

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

Prototheca mastitis, caused by a colorless algae called Prototheca, has become an increasing challenge to dairy cattle and farmers. Prototheca can be found throughout the farm environment, entering the teat end in multiple ways, and it can be transmitted from cow to cow through direct contact or poor sanitary protocols. When Prototheca does take hold, it manifests mostly as subclinical cases of mastitis.

Prototheca mastitis can have a significant economic impact on dairy farms, having both direct and indirect costs. With no effective Prototheca mastitis treatments available, preventing it is of utmost importance in mitigating its economic impact on dairy operations.

In this blog, we will delve into the key strategies for identifying and controlling Prototheca mastitis, including diagnostic techniques, prevention measures, and best practices for managing affected animals within the dairy herd.

What does an infection look like?

While most cases are subclinical, subtle changes in milk quality and persistently high somatic cell counts (SCC) can indicate the presence of Prototheca on your operation. Slight changes in milk may be noticed during your pre-milk protocol. Discoloration, watery consistency, flakes or garget would be typical for this pathogen. Chronically infected cows will continue to decrease milk production and increase SCC, sometimes upward of 1 million SCC.

How are cows coming in contact with Prototheca on my farm?

Prototheca are found in wet areas contaminated with decaying plant matter. Common areas include lagoons, manure storage areas, water troughs and runoff areas. These algae can also be found inside the parlor and holding pens. At a certain point, the prevalence of Prototheca in the environment may get so high that Prototheca mastitis can become contagious, passed from cow to cow through direct contact and also through contaminated equipment, infected teat dips, and other fomites.

How do I know for sure that my cows are infected with Prototheca mastitis?

Isolating the potentially infected quarter is the best way to determine which quarter to sample and send for laboratory diagnosis. This can be done with the California Mastitis Test (CMT) or a desktop SCC device. Proper milk sampling techniques ensure accurate samples for identifying mastitis pathogens. DHIA or other regular periodic milk sampling can also be useful in diagnosing Prototheca mastitis. After the infected cow or quarter is identified, milk culturing is the gold standard for diagnosing Prototheca mastitis.

How can I manage currently infected cows?

Because there is no effective treatment for this type of mastitis, the best option is to cull the infected cows immediately. When culling is not an option, infected cows should be isolated into their own string and milked last. Realize that these cows are still a danger to further contaminate the environment when they leave the parlor. They will also continue to decrease in milk production and increase the overall SCC of the herd.

What can I do to prevent infections?

It would be unrealistic to expect to completely eliminate the risk of cows coming into contact with Prototheca, but with proper on-farm protocols and management, we can reduce the risk. Below are three steps that can be taken today to establish your current risk and be proactive in battling the problem.

• Test milk from the hospital pen and fresh cows — Knowing what mastitis-causing organisms you have is key to knowing how to manage the situation. Starting your testing with the fresh cows and the hospital pen will provide valuable information about the presence of Prototheca and other mastitis pathogens. It also will help to evaluate the sanitation protocols that we are initiating, to see their effectiveness.
• Routinely test cows and make culling decisions — Regular periodic testing allows for informed decisions in real time, helping to prevent further spread. Remember, the best strategy for contagious or untreatable mastitis is to test and cull. When this is not possible, isolating Prototheca-positive cows into a specific pen and allowing for them to be milked last and managed separately from the rest of the herd is a secondary option.
• Establish and follow milk quality protocols — Training milkers on established milk quality protocols helps reduce the introduction of pathogens during the milking process and reduces the potential spread of pathogens from one cow to the next.
  
  Steps to reduce the introduction of pathogens

1. Pre-dip: Use a bactericidal pre-dip to kill any bacteria that may be present on the teats before milking.
2. Strip: Strip each teat to check for abnormalities in the milk, including signs of Prototheca mastitis such as watery milk, discoloration, flakes or garget.
3. Wipe: Use a clean towel to wipe each teat thoroughly. Overall cleanliness of the teat and teat end is of utmost importance when dealing with environmental pathogens.
4. Post-dip: Apply a quality post-dip to each teat immediately after milking is complete to protect the teat from contamination.

If you are interested in more information on designing proper milking procedures, please visit the Alltech On-Farm Support team’s YouTube channel to listen as Jorge Delgado explains the importance of each step in the milking routine.

Prototheca mastitis poses a significant challenge for dairy farmers due to its chronic nature and lack of effective treatments. Identifying and controlling this form of mastitis is crucial to minimize economic losses and maintain the overall health and productivity of the dairy herd.

For additional resources and on-farm support, please reach out to the Alltech On-Farm Support team here.

(Editor's note: This is part one of a three-part series on feed efficiency in pigs.)

There is no question that feed efficiency is a powerful benchmark and a key driver for many decisions. But are we utilizing these metrics to drive profitability?

We know the feeding program for pigs has a profound impact on profitability, as feed cost accounts for up to 75% of total production cost. Within the feeding program, energy alone represents 50% or more of the total cost. Thus, dietary energy is critical in swine diets, and it is essential to understand feed efficiency.

A key question we need to ponder: Is it the best decision to always improve feed efficiency? The answer: it must be economical! Whereas feed efficiency greatly influences financial returns, steps to improve it do not always lead to financial gains. A good example would be increasing dietary energy density; if we consistently increase feed efficiency, it could increase feed cost per pig and lead to financial losses.

Measuring feed efficiency

The classical definition of feed efficiency is simply body weight gain per unit of feed consumed, typically denoted as F/G or G:F. Another way to express feed efficiency is on a dietary energy basis as opposed to feed consumed; this is denoted as caloric F/G. These are simple expressions, yet they can lead to errors.

For example, feed consumed is frequently not measured, and feed disappearance is the actual metric. Feed disappearance and feed consumed can differ by up to 30%, driven by factors such as feed waste. Thus, feed disappearance does not reflect the pig’s actual feed consumed.

Another important factor to consider is weight range. Initial and final weight are major factors affecting feed efficiency. Fat deposition is less efficient than protein deposition, and the rate of fat deposition increases in relation to protein deposition as body weight increases. Thus, when comparing groups of pigs for feed efficiency, we must consider variation due to differences in the body weight at which the various animals are evaluated.

Furthermore, differences in dietary energy density can lead to errors and sometimes inaccurate energy loadings or energy systems utilized. As a rule of thumb, if energy values are accurate, a 1% increase in dietary net energy results in a 1% improvement in feed efficiency. Additionally, a common modification to this calculation is feed efficiency on a carcass gain as opposed to live body weight. This modification is driven primarily by how pigs are sold; thus it is more reflective of the actual financial impact.

Other factors impacting feed efficiency

Additional factors to consider when determining feed efficiency accurately include:

• Mortality: If mortality occurs at midpoint of the finishing phase, for every 1% increase in mortality, F/G could worsen by up to 0.8%.
• Pelleting: This improves F/G by about 4–6% when feeding pelleted diets with less than 20% fines.
• Particle size: Grain particle size improves F/G by up to 1.2% for each 100-micron reduction.
• Sex: Whereas gilts have 1.7% better F/G compared to mixed-sex, barrows have 1.7% poorer F/G compared to mixed-sex.

As described, a plethora of factors can impact feed efficiency. Fortunately, equations that consider these factors and aid with feed efficiency calculations are readily available.

Feed efficiency economics

How do we represent feed efficiency from a financial perspective? The most typically used expressions of feed efficiency in financial terms include feed cost per pig sold, yet this only takes into consideration the cost of the diets on a per-pig basis.

Other metrics, such as feed cost per unit of gain, represent the results of multiplying feed efficiency by feed cost per kilogram. The best application of this method, though, is for comparison between nutritional programs when there is an expected change in feed efficiency alone.

Other methods, such as income over feed cost (IOFC), calculate profit by subtracting feed cost from the revenue on a per-pig basis, most typically on a hot-carcass weight pricing basis. Facility cost can also be incorporated into feed cost to estimate the income over feed and facility cost (IOFFC). IOFC and IOFFC are accurate methods to determine the economic value of a nutritional program, and ultimately, they are good ways to assess the financial implications of manipulating feed efficiency.

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

As responsible pet owners, we must ensure the well-being of our beloved companions while also considering the environmental impact of their care. In recent years, the concept of sustainability has gained significant traction in various industries, including pet food production.

Let’s explore the importance of the concept in pet foods, specifically highlighting the benefits of incorporating Yucca schidigera, a natural ingredient, and shedding light on farming practices that sustainably harvest this powerful plant.

Sustainability in pet foods

Pet food production carries its own unique ecological footprint, from sourcing ingredients to packaging and transportation. Embracing sustainable practices in pet food manufacturing not only reduces environmental impact but ensures the long-term health and vitality of our pets. By opting for sustainably sourced ingredients and employing eco-friendly production methods, we can contribute to a greener future for our furry companions.

What is Yucca schidigera?

Yucca schidigera, also known as Mojave yucca, is a plant native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico that has gained recognition for its numerous health benefits in pet food. The plant contains natural saponins, which possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Incorporating Yucca schidigera into pet food has been found to alleviate joint pain, promote healthy digestion, reduce fecal odor, and support overall well-being.

It’s important, though, to recognize that not all yucca products are the same. How yucca is farmed and harvested can vary. Sustainability starts at the source, and regenerative agricultural practices are needed to ensure that yucca production is both environmentally and socially responsible. Working with trusted suppliers assures pet food producers that their ingredients are from safe, reliable and sustainable sources.

Companies such as Alltech understand the importance of regenerative agriculture. Alltech’s state-of-the-art production facility in Serdán, Mexico — where Deo-Pet®, a yucca-based pet food ingredient, is produced — is leading the way.

A responsible harvest

Alltech’s yucca harvest management system enables us to ensure the long-term continuity of the species. The planting area, harvesting methods and cutting plans are determined following the regulations established by the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) of Mexico.

Alltech Serdán, located about 120 miles southeast of Mexico City, supports and advises potential suppliers, mostly local families, as they learn to harvest the yucca responsibly. These suppliers only cut plants that are at least 15 years old, and they cut carefully to ensure rapid regrowth.

Alltech also trains them to collect, store and remove the yucca in a way that avoids environmental damage to surrounding flora and fauna.

Reforestation and beyond

According to the reforestation rules of SEMARNAT, for every yucca tree harvested, one yucca seedling must be planted. Alltech goes above this requirement: for every yucca tree harvested, three trees are planted by local farmers. Alltech supplies the seedlings and provides training and annual programs to review these reforestation efforts. In 2022, the Serdán facility planted 80,046 seedlings in its nursery and reforested 61,113 seedlings.

Alltech Serdán also uses Yucca waste to produce compost and improve yucca seedlings growing in the nursery, reducing the total waste taken to the landfill by a full 88% from 2019 to 2022. The facility as a whole uses compressed natural gas, which reduces its CO₂ emissions by 17% annually. It’s also home to Alltech’s first global renewable energy project, a photovoltaic solar energy system that further reduces the plant’s carbon footprint.

Commitment to the community

At Alltech Serdán, our commitment to a better world goes well beyond responsible yucca production. We also plant seeds of hope and connection.

Alltech Serdán has been certified by Empresa Socialmente Responsable (ESR) as a socially responsible company. This prestigious endorsement is given to businesses in Mexico that are committed to policies, programs, decision-making and actions that benefit the business and have a positive impact on people, the environment and the communities in which they operate.

The ESR certification requires companies to meet expectations in five pillars: quality of life for employees, business ethics, community involvement, environmental awareness and corporate management.

The Serdán production facility, which started with 15 employees, now has 200, making it the only significant employer in the town. It also generates employment for the 50–70 local families who supply yucca plants.

Alltech Serdán participates in numerous social projects that benefit local children, including its support of a primary school, a special-needs school, the Casa Hogar orphanage, and several other local organizations.

Nourishing pets and protecting the planet

Sustainability means taking positive action today for the success of tomorrow, and supporting companies and suppliers that prioritize responsible farming practices encourages the future adoption of sustainable approaches throughout the pet food industry.

As we move forward, there’s always room for innovation and improvement. New ideas in pet food production, like Alltech’s incorporation of sustainably sourced Yucca schidigera, are a vital step toward a greener and healthier future for our pets, our communities and our planet.

How can businesses in the agriculture industry remain profitable and efficient while also actively improving their sustainability and fostering a world of abundance for all? It’s a difficult proposition — but it can be done, as Graham Atkinson, the agriculture director at Noble Foods, illustrated during his presentation at Alltech ONE Budapest, the first stop on the Alltech ONE World Tour.

Noble Foods is the largest egg producer in the U.K. and the third-largest egg producer in all of Europe, with 7.2 million layers across 400 farms, 240 of which are owned by contracted producers. The company has its own logistics fleet, milling business unit, egg-packing centers, and liquid-egg, boiled-egg and hen-processing facilities. 

RELATED CONTENT: Graham Atkinson was featured recently in an episode of our Ag Future podcast. Click here to listen now.

Such a successful and far-reaching agricultural business has the potential to have a major impact on the environment — either positively or negatively. As Atkinson explained in his presentation, Noble Foods is committed to making sure its impact on the world is for the better.

“Our vision, our strategy,” he said, “is to better nourish people, animals and the planet.”

Tangible steps toward sustainability

Noble Foods is working hard to make its vision of a more sustainable world a reality. Some of the steps the company has taken to make both itself and the agriculture industry at large more environmentally friendly include: 

• Investing in renewable energy, such as solar power
• Switching to low-carbon alternatives like LED lighting and more efficient boilers
• Committing to achieving 100% cage-free production by 2025
• Complying with the Water Roadmap and joining the Wye Agri-Food Partnership to help prevent waterway contamination
• Launching Purely, the first organic egg brand in the U.K., which has been certified carbon-neutral by the Carbon Trust

Noble Foods also established its company-wide Environmental Sustainability Programme (ESP) in 2018, which strives to include everyone on the journey to improved sustainability.

“If we want to move the dial on our sustainability journey, engaging people … is absolutely critical in getting them on board,” Atkinson said. “Every single person on every one of our sites is involved in the work that goes on from an ESP perspective.”

This idea of collaborating on the common goal of protecting the Earth aligns perfectly with Alltech’s vision of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™, which is what led Noble Foods to become a Planet of Plenty™ partner with Alltech.   

Through this partnership, Alltech and Noble Foods are working together to determine how to improve the performance of poultry flocks and increase the profitability of poultry production in ways that are good for the planet. Toward that end, Noble Foods has conducted several trials studying various ways that the poultry industry could become more sustainable. These trials have included:

• A study with EnviroPak, which combines multiple Alltech Gut Health technologies into one solution
• An assessment of the efficacy of soya-free rations
• A comparison of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of white and brown chickens

Improved efficiency and quality with EnviroPak

The main goal of the EnviroPak trial was to determine whether providing birds with solutions that support their gut health, like those from Alltech, can lead to more efficient production — or even better-quality eggs.

The results of the trial, which was conducted on one of Noble Foods’ major hen operations, were overwhelmingly positive. Thanks to the improved bioavailability and absorption of the solutions included in EnviroPak, hens in the trial group exhibited a dramatic decrease in mineral excretion and an increase in efficiency. The hens being provided with EnviroPak were also able to produce more eggs than the control group over the same period of time — and the eggs were of a higher quality, with better weight and shell strength. This was particularly notable, as being able to sell more class-A eggs shows producers that sustainability is not only achievable but profitable.

“Nothing’s more engaging than telling someone that they’re going to make money,” Atkinson noted wryly.

Assessing soya-free rations

While soya has traditionally been a prominent ingredient in poultry rations, there’s a marked difference in the GHG emissions of rations that include soya and those that don’t. With that in mind, Noble Foods wanted to show producers that they can still remain profitable and produce high-quality eggs and meat while feeding soya-free diets.

The trial studying soya-free rations was completed on the farms of Noble Foods’ contracted producers. The results were overwhelmingly positive: No major difference was detected in the egg production of birds who received soya and those who did not, and the number of eggs produced was also much the same. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, a reduction in the carbon footprint per kilogram of egg produced was observed in the soya-free group.

Through its Planet of Plenty partnership with Alltech, after the completion of the trial, Noble Foods worked with Alltech E-CO₂ to analyze all of the data collected and compile it in a form that will be most useful for producers looking to implement soya-free rations in their own operations.  

Comparing white and brown hens

Noble Foods also partnered with Alltech E-CO₂ to explore the data captured through a trial that studied the differences between white and brown chickens — of which, perhaps surprisingly, there are many. White hens have longer laying cycles (meaning fewer hens are required to produce the same amount of eggs) and are more docile than brown hens, leading to improved performance and manageability — and, as a result, a lower environmental impact.

While many other countries have already begun favoring white hens in egg production, the U.K. is still holding fast with its beloved brown birds.

“The U.K. consumer is in a deep love affair with brown eggs, and we’ve been in that love affair for decades,” Atkinson said.  

The results of Noble Foods’ trial of egg production in white vs. brown birds might convince some U.K. producers to make the switch, as the carbon footprint of white birds per kilogram of egg produced was lower than that of brown birds.

“At every metric, white birds are a winner,” Atkinson said.

Working Together for a Planet of Plenty

As Atkinson noted at ONE Budapest, 95% of households in the U.K. eat eggs. With such widespread popularity, the poultry industry will likely only keep growing — making it more imperative than ever to boost the sustainability of poultry production. Noble Foods is dedicated to making sustainable operations the norm for poultry producers and, in turn, fostering a world of abundance for all.

“That’s our ultimate goal: improving the health and longevity of our planet,” Atkinson said.

Related ONE content

Alltech ONE Budapest explored the strategies for remaining resilient amid the significant challenges facing our industry. It offered captivating insights from industry experts on topics of production efficiency, risk management, the power of data, and partnerships — all through the lens of sustainability.

Explore our other content, including photos and videos, from Alltech ONE Budapest at one.alltech.com/Budapest and the links below.

Opening keynote: Turning agricultural challenges into global opportunities

Blog: Harnessing data for sustainable profitability in agriculture

Podcast: Sustainability in the poultry business

Key dairy industry trends to watch in 2023

The following blog is a summary of the Ag Future podcast episode with Muzaffar Yunusov hosted by Tom Martin. Click below to hear the full audio or listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts.

To explore strategies for success in 2023 for the dairy industry, we invited Muzaffar Yunusov, lead of key account management at the IFCN Dairy Research Network, to speak at Alltech ONE Budapest.

Globally, almost 970 million tons of milk was produced in 2022, 55% of it processed for further dairy commodity production. The other 45% is “informal market,” which means consumed by households or sold to traders. During the past 10 years, milk production has grown 2% annually, Yunusov said.

Milk consumption is also on the rise. The average person consumes 123 kilograms of milk per year. In richer economies, the average is 300 kilograms, he said.

From the economics of dairy farming to the labeling dilemma of alternatives to cow milk, here are six trends dairy producers should keep an eye on right now:

1. The impact of macroeconomic developments on the industry

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries with slowed GDP growth experienced high inflation rates, leading to a decline in global purchasing power that also affected the dairy sector. 

These fluctuating macroeconomic trends have had implications for farmgate milk prices, which are weighted averages of cheese and butter, skim milk powder, whole milk powder, and whey. A price increase of 30% to 60% was observed during 2021 and 2022, creating a mixed outlook for the industry.

Additionally, the Russian invasion of Ukraine emphasized the necessity for strategic adjustments in macroeconomic policies, especially in a globally integrated industry like dairy. 

2. The influence of inflation on milk pricing

From 2017 to 2020, the average farmgate milk price stood at around US$40 for 100 kg of milk. However, as demand surged in 2020, the milk price underwent a significant surge as well, reaching an all-time high in mid-2022. Consumers found it challenging to sustain their purchasing power, and this ultimately led to a decline in milk prices.

“If you are trading a lot in the global market, it means that your national farmgate milk prices are also declining quicker if you are not in this global trade,” Yunusov commented on the role of global trade in shaping national farmgate milk prices. “You may have this downgrading effect after eight to nine months.” 

These intricate dynamics highlight the complex relationship between inflation, demand and affordability, all of which hold substantial implications for the dairy industry and its stakeholders.

3. High input costs and their effect on investments

Yunusov highlighted the shock situation triggered by factors such as increased energy and fertilizer costs, along with supply chain disruptions, which have led to higher farm input expenses. This escalation in costs, coupled with a temporary reduction in milk production in several net exporting countries, has imposed significant pressure on farmers. 

It is important to reassess margin calculations, considering not only feed costs but also energy and fertilizer expenses. Results of such assessments have revealed that farmers' margins have been strained due to these elevated input costs. While many farms were able to generate satisfactory profits through efficiency and good management, smaller-scale farms with lower efficiency faced the risk of profit losses. 

4. Food insecurity and unmet demand

According to Yunusov:

• One billion people are living in net exporting countries of dairy.
• Three billion people are living in net importing areas of dairy.
• Four billion people cannot afford to buy dairy.

For example, in Western Europe, people consume one liter of milk per day on average, whereas in China that number is less than one glass of milk per day.

When considering the future of net exporting countries, we must consider the unintended consequences faced by those unable to afford dairy products. Addressing the decline in affordability, and effectively tackling food insecurity, are emerging as critical tasks within the dairy industry.

IFCN predicts that by 2030, over 14% more milk will be produced and consumed, Yunusov said — reaching about 1.1 billion tons. Milk production will grow mainly outside the current top exporting countries, he said, and unsatisfied demand is expected to increase.

5. Enhancing efficiency through strategic actions

A key efficiency indicator highlighted by Yunusov was milk yield per cow, and he emphasized the need to adapt farming systems to suit the specific requirements of different countries and regions. 

In low-income countries with small-scale farming operations and a limited number of cows, improving efficiency in feeding becomes crucial not only for providing nutrition to families but also for generating an income source.

Conversely, high-income countries with larger economies of scale need larger herd sizes and advanced farming systems to optimize efficiency.

“Optimization and robotization are extremely important, because at the end, once you have this high-income situation in the neighborhood, you definitely automatically will have an issue of this labor shortage,” Yunusov said.

6. Labeling dilemma: Nut- and plant-based milks in the dairy industry

Yunusov contended that non-dairy liquids, like soy milk, should not be bestowed with the term “milk,” as they do not originate from mammals. Notably, legislation in Europe has already implemented restrictions on the usage of terms such as “soya milk,” mandating designations such as “soya drink” instead. 

Yunusov noted the significance of offering consumers, particularly the younger generation, an accurate perspective by educating them about the nutritional merits of dairy products.

“Dairy alternatives are there, but we should not forget that the dairy business has a tremendous opportunity to grow,” he said. “It's important to review all of your strategies until 2030, because we are in a fast-changing world. You need to learn fast; you need to adapt fast.”

Related ONE content

Alltech ONE Budapest explored the strategies for remaining resilient amid the significant challenges facing our industry. It offered captivating insights from industry experts on topics of production efficiency, risk management, the power of data, and partnerships — all through the lens of sustainability.

Explore our other content, including photos and videos, from Alltech ONE Budapest at one.alltech.com/Budapest and the links below.

Opening keynote: Turning agricultural challenges into global opportunities

Blog: Harnessing data for sustainable profitability in agriculture

Podcast: Sustainability in the poultry business

Biotechnology is helping to combat the effects of climate change and extreme weather events on crop production

Climate change is a pressing concern for farmers, as crop production and climate are interconnected. The extent to which climate change affects crop production could disrupt our global food system and compromise food security.

Biotechnology-based solutions can help farmers nourish plant defense mechanisms in dealing with the impacts of climate variability.

Adverse weather conditions affect agricultural systems globally — repeated heat waves, droughts or rainfall pattern variations put added pressure on plants as they try to overcome recurring environmental stressors.

Weather-related disruption of plants’ natural growth and production cycles, along with pests and diseases, compromise crop yields, all aggravated by the high concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere due to greenhouse gas emissions.

Agricultural systems must become more resilient in anticipating and adapting to the impacts of this changing weather scenario.

The growing frequency and intensity of disasters, along with the systemic nature of risk, are jeopardizing our entire food system. —FAO. 2021. The impact of disasters and crises on agriculture and food security: 2021. Rome.

Plants are already facing extreme weather conditions

Multiple studies attest to the impact of fast-paced climate change on crop production.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the United States anticipates that corn yields may decrease by 24% in 2030 as a result of the increasing difficulties in growing this crop in tropical regions. On the flip side, by expanding its area of influence, wheat could grow by 17%.

According to a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) analysis of 78 post-disaster cases in developing countries from 2003 to 2013, agriculture accounted for 25% of all economic losses and damages caused by medium- and large-scale climatic hazards in those nations.

A 2ºC (35.6ºF) increase in the global temperature of the planet would lead to a reduction in both quantity and quality of crop production. Controlling global warming below 2ºC will only be achieved by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors, including agriculture, according to a special report by the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

A reality that forces us to redouble the efforts of this decisive sector, as stated by Dr. Vaughn Holder, Alltech’s ruminant research director: “Agriculture has gone from having the most important job in the world to having the two most important jobs in the world: feeding the world and reversing climate change.”

Resilient agriculture in the face of climate change

Farmers can improve production systems’ resilience with balanced crop management practices that support their crops in the face of unfavorable weather and environmental stressors. 

With increasingly frequent extreme weather events, soil-applied biotechnology using beneficial microorganisms becomes an essential ally to activate effective climate resistance.

Improving soil health allows us to increase organic matter to make more nutrients available to the plant, enhances soil structure favoring water and nutrient retention, improves fertility and reduces soil erosion.

Crop diversification and rotation, low- to no-tillage techniques, and the use of plant covers that increase soil moisture and reduce thermal stress conditions are just some of the sustainable practices that favor biodiversity and increase agricultural production.

Restoring soil health and fertility brings more immediate benefits not only to farmers but to the ecosystem as a whole, because healthy soil has a greater capacity to retain greenhouse gases, thus helping to mitigate climate change.

Climate resilience under our feet

Many of the biological and physical processes between the atmosphere and the lithosphere are mediated by soil, making soil health integral to agricultural sustainability against the backdrop of climate change.

Carbon management within the soil system plays a major role in addressing global warming and the pressure it poses to agriculture production. Soil microbes are an active part of the carbon cycle, decomposing organic matter and breaking it down to dissolved organic carbon (DOC) molecules that can bind to soil particles, thus originating long-term carbon sequestration or releasing carbon back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.

The rise of global temperature is accelerating the decomposition rate of organic matter in the soil, affecting its water storage capacity, nutrient balance and aggregate stability, all important factors for good soil structure and fertility, which enhance productivity and sustainability.

Higher temperatures can alter microbial populations, creating stress and setting off soil ecosystem imbalances. Fostering a thriving and vibrant soil microbiome to overcome the negative effects of global warming is an essential step toward significant resilience under adverse weather conditions.

I want to learn more about crop biologicals.

Does data hold the key to unlocking profitability in sustainable agriculture? How can we work together to harness its potential? Speakers at Alltech ONE Budapest answered these questions and more this week as they explored the ways in which data can unlock new levels of growth in agri-food.

Three Alltech executives — Robert Walker, European growth officer; Tara McCarthy, global vice president for ESG; and Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO — examined the transformative role of data science in agriculture, as well as the future of sustainability in agri-food and the science of sustainability.

Data science in agriculture paves the way for growth

Customized data can provide food producers with a deeper understanding of their business, allowing them to optimize operations, identify inefficiencies, minimize waste and maximize their resources. Data-driven insights can help producers find sustainability strategies that also enhance profitability.  

Food producers can leverage regulations such as the European Green Deal to design digital strategies that not only avoid green penalties from government, but also focus on creating branded, unique products, Walker said.

European feed production is declining, according to the 2023 Alltech Agri-Food Outlook, and yet, the value of European food production is on the rise. This calls for integration among the supply chain.

“Businesses that are most resilient and future-ready are those that are integrated, with clear linkages between agriculture and food production,” he said. “Integrated businesses are better able to deliver on consumer expectations for food that is nutritious, tasty, produced sustainably, and ensures the welfare of animals.”

While sustainability, consumer trends, pandemic and geopolitics are the main drivers of agri-food integration, ag-tech is the enabler of value capturing. Sustainability claims on food packaging, for example, can greatly boost the value of food products. These claims rely on verifiable production information.

Data also enables advisory services to give effective guidance, and it validates the impact of management changes, Walker said.

Digital platforms can connect members of the supply chain and allow businesses to be virtually integrated, Walker said. It also allows the transfer of value across the supply chain, from retailer to processor to farmer.

For example, Alltech’s three-step process — measure, advise, partner — demonstrates the power of data-driven decision-making. By gathering farm-specific data, food producers can better understand their systems, set goals and identify opportunities for improvement. Advisors equipped with this data, such as veterinarians and independent consultants, can provide valuable insights and guidance to farmers, feedmillers, food processors and other stakeholders in the value chain.

Walker referred to the advisory services of Alltech E-CO₂, whose certified environmental assessments provide a wealth of in-depth data on animal production, health, feed, fertilizer, nitrogen balance, water, energy and resource use. The data collected is used to deliver practical on-farm and online programs, as well as benchmark reporting, with clear and concise consultancy advice to lower the producer’s carbon emissions.

Alltech also uses its InTouch system to bring together farm insights and results from on-farm measurement tools. Its advisors help farmers interpret data and set goals.

“By sharing data and insights, we empower advisors to solve agri-food-system challenges and drive the transfer of value, from the consumer to the processor to the farmer,” Walker said.

What’s next for sustainability in agriculture?

The sustainability agenda has quickly accelerated over the past five years, McCarthy said.

Before 2015, the topic of sustainability was more popular among the academic world than the public. Terms like “ESG reporting” were not as integrated into businesses as they are today. The tipping point occurred between 2015 and 2020, driven by initiatives such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement, as well as popular influences, such as David Attenborough’s climate change documentaries.

Now, sustainability is being integrated throughout the agri-food industry. A key driver of progress today is policy changes, such as the European Green Deal, McCarthy said. The Green Deal aims to transform the European Union’s economy into a sustainable and climate-neutral one by 2050, and legislative framework has been introduced to ensure that all sectors meet its goals. The United States has committed to a 40% reduction in carbon emissions 2030. It has announced a net-zero target for 2050.

What’s next?

Increased regulation, climate-change activism, media attention and consumer demand are driving sustainability discussions. Consumers expect food producers to step up, McCarthy said. While everyone across the value chain has a role to play, food producers are front and center, followed by governments and policymakers, farmers and shoppers themselves.

How can the agriculture industry create a more sustainable food system? It starts with data.

McCarthy encouraged the audience to take the Alltech Sustainability Insights Survey to share their perspective on the issues that matter most to the value chain.

“Even if we’re 10% more informed as an industry, we’ll make better decisions,” she said.

As part of Alltech’s insights survey project, the company has spoken with 26 industry leaders to better understand the complexity of the food industry and identify issues that affect the value chain.

The initial key insights from these conversations are related to:

• External forces: Food is a complex industry influenced by policy, politics and nutrition.
• Understanding sustainability: There is much more to sustainability than reducing emissions.
• Cost: Consumers want food that is sustainably produced, but very few are willing to pay the price for it.
• Proof: How do we make sure sustainability models have the flexibility to adapt and the reliability to be repeated?
• The role of technology: Can technological solutions be financially viable at the scale we need it to operate?

“We have the opportunity to shape the future,” McCarthy said. “Ultimately, what all of us are looking for is better food with fewer resources from our planet.”

McCarthy encouraged conference attendees to embrace the power of data to help the agri-food industry fulfill its essential role of both nourishing and replenishing the planet.

“Data is our friend,” she said. “It’s almost like an insurance policy to show what we have done to consistently prove the improvement we are making.”

As we look for answers to today’s challenges, science gives us a sense of optimism, Dr. Lyons told attendees. Innovation and collaboration are vital.  

“We are coming out of a time of chaos,” Dr. Lyons said. “A lot of old rules are being thrown out. This is the time to adapt and think in new ways.”

The Alltech Sustainability Insights report will offer an in-depth look at how our industry is responding to today’s challenges and help us develop a collaboration strategy for delivering a Planet of Plenty™. Take our survey today!

Alltech ONE World Tour kicks off in Budapest with a focus on resilience and sustainability

Nourishing the world and preserving the planet is a huge responsibility — and opportunity — for agriculture.

As the agri-food community endeavors to create a healthy and sustainable food system, it is challenged by geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties, changing consumer trends and, of course, climate change. But these obstacles also represent a global opportunity for agriculture to tap into its history of innovation and science to find collaborative solutions that will keep the industry at the forefront of change.

This exciting potential ­to shape the future was explored in-depth this week when hundreds of European agri-food leaders helped kick off the first-ever Alltech ONE World Tour in Budapest, Hungary. The event offered opportunities to engage with leading experts on global, regional and local market trends in agriculture, business, health and nutrition.

Alltech ONE Budapest emphasized the vital role of Central European agriculture producers in addressing climate and food-supply challenges around the world and highlighted the importance of collaboration and innovation in the pursuit of sustainable solutions.

Geopolitical conflict in the region has caused supply-chain disruptions and rising energy and food costs. Amid these uncertainties, the region’s abundant land and strong agricultural heritage are sparks of hope that can ignite and transform the agri-food community, said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, in his opening keynote address.

“This is a time of not just peril, but of potential. Central Europe is going to play an outsized role in the future of this challenge — of making sure that we can provide enough food for our growing populations." —Dr. Mark Lyons, Alltech President and CEO

Because of its agricultural connectivity, Central Europe has the potential to chart its own course to a sustainable and profitable agricultural system. There is also a great capacity for agricultural integration, as well as export opportunities that do not exist in many other geographies.

The region’s agri-food industry could also leverage regulatory pressure to develop innovative solutions for carbon capture crediting and other sustainability measures, Lyons said.

“These opportunities are exciting, and that’s one of the reasons we wanted to kick off our Alltech ONE World Tour here,” he continued.

The annual Alltech ONE Conference has been held in Lexington, Ky., home of Alltech’s global headquarters, for nearly 40 years. In 2023, however, Alltech is bringing the ideas and inspiration of the conference to its customers and partners around the world.

A holistic approach

Alltech believes agriculture has the greatest potential to positively shape the future of our planet. In 2019, it announced its purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™ and its vision of creating a world of abundance where people, animals and plants can flourish.

Alltech’s Planet of Plenty purpose has fueled its growth, Lyons said. Since the beginning of 2023, it has announced three new acquisitions that are strategically focused on developing and enhancing microbiological capabilities, strengthening Alltech’s sustainability promises and further developing the aquaculture industry.

In the past decade, Alltech has acquired 25 companies. This acquisition strategy has transformed Alltech’s business and allowed it to connect on more and deeper levels with its customers, Lyons said. Alltech produces specialty ingredients, premix supplements, feed and biologicals and offers a platform of services that includes on-farm support, mycotoxin mitigation, ingredient certifications, environmental analyses, feed-ration analyses, consultations and more.

Alltech is the only global partner with expertise from the ground up. From soil to crops and from animal nutrition to analytics and services, the company shares a holistic view of entire ecosystems. Its acquisition of Ideagro, a leader in agri-food research and development, added 20 microbiologists to its team and expanded its understanding of soil health and the impact of the microbiome on soils and in animals.

“We’re leveraging the capabilities that Alltech has as we serve 120 different countries, and we’re doubling down on how to connect what we’re doing in the soil to the crop to the animal and using analytics to bring things full-cycle,” Lyons said. “This is the future of agriculture. It’s a holistic view of the challenges we face.”

This holistic view is crucial to creating sustainability solutions, he continued.

“This is an interconnected system, and when we think about greenhouse gas emissions, we must also think about carbon capture, which is a tremendous opportunity for our industry to play a huge role in reducing climate change. And it's this type of science that is going to be the key to overcoming that challenge,” Lyons said.

Nutrition also plays a vital role in sustainability. Food is the single-strongest lever to optimize human health and environmental sustainability on Earth, the EAT-Lancet Commission said in 2019. In fact, if the agriculture industry focused on feed and growth efficiency strategies and carbon sequestration management strategies on grazed lands, it could reduce greenhouse gases by over 50%.

“We can reverse the negative impacts of agriculture and generate planet-positive benefits for people, animals, crops, and land, air and water,” Lyons said.

Alltech has always been committed to seeking the safety and well-being of the animal, consumer and environment — as outlined in the company’s ACE principle, the precursor to its Planet of Plenty purpose. In our pursuit of restoring the environment, we cannot lose sight of the importance of protecting human and animal nutrition, Lyons explained.

While sustainability challenges can vary slightly from region to region, the goal of improving plant and animal performance while reducing the environmental impact is a central theme.

Alltech has pioneered many technologies that improve performance, productivity and profitability and promote sustainability. Its recent majority interest acquisition of Agolin, for example, presents exciting sustainability benefits for producers, as well as improvements in milk production and feed efficiency. Technologies that boost performance and sustainability outcomes will be most successful in the industry, Lyons said.

The science of sustainability

Alltech’s researchers are creating leading-edge solutions that harness the power of science to nourish people and the planet. From reducing antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance to lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving soil health and more, its scientists are seeking answers to some of the biggest questions facing the agriculture industry and the world.

Alltech is making advancements in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), one of the largest and most urgent threats to global health, food security and socioeconomic development today. Alltech’s scientists have been able to create microbes that are more sensitive to antibiotics — an exciting development in the quest to reverse antimicrobial resistance and its effects.

“This can help reduce resistance but also enhance food safety,” Lyons said.

Alltech researchers are also creating solutions to remediate water and soil pollution caused by nutrient excretion.

“We want to be thinking of this as one system,” Lyons explained. “We want to be thinking about how, ultimately, the future of farming won't just be the production of meat, milk and eggs. It will also be energy production. It will also be carbon capture. And this is already happening here in Central Europe.”

Alltech has also gained a new understanding of the carbon cycle of grazing cattle, thanks to the company’s research at Buck Island Ranch in Florida. The work being done there has shown that, contrary to the popular narrative, we can capture more carbon with cows grazing the land than we can without them.

“Our animals will help us overcome the sustainability challenge. We can capture the carbon that we want to,” Lyons said. “This will allow us to produce more efficiently, improve profitability and help us answer the sustainability challenge to deliver on our promise and commitment to our Planet of Plenty purpose.”

The next stop on the Alltech ONE World Tour is in Ireland. Alltech ONE Dublin, set for June 19–20 at Croke Park Stadium, will focus on the “4 Cs” impacting global agriculture: climate, conflict, consumer and cost. Additional stops are planned in Calgary, Canada, as well as the United States, Asia, South America and the Middle East. Learn more at one.alltech.com.