The age-old debate of wild versus farm-raised fish is never far from the headlines, and the development of intensive animal management systems has raised consumer awareness and concern about the welfare of farmed animals, including in aquaculture. These issues are becoming increasingly important in both the public and legislative frameworks. The subject of animal welfare has also been identified as a sustainability matter by the U.N. in relation to their Sustainable Development Goals. Public discourse aside, we know that prioritizing animal welfare ultimately benefits farmers by promoting optimal survival, healthy fish stocks and good performance. So, how exactly do we measure welfare in aquaculture?

Fortunately, a more developed understanding of natural habitats, animal nutrition and husbandry has resulted in a greater ability to identify and quantify what optimal animal welfare means. The “Five Freedoms,” developed by Britain’s Farm Animal Welfare Council, are good guidelines:

1. Freedom from hunger and thirst
2. Freedom from discomfort
3. Freedom from pain, injury or disease
4. Freedom to express normal behavior
5. Freedom from fear and distress

The impact of stress on farmed fish

The five areas of welfare mentioned above are all tightly interlinked. “Freedom from hunger and thirst” and “freedom from discomfort” are two areas in which farmers are likely to have more operational control. If both can be guaranteed for the animals, the rest should follow. Optimal nutrition in fish farming results in a better welfare status, since maintaining a healthy gut through a well-formulated diet helps to prevent disease and reduce stress. Minimizing discomfort by providing an appropriate environment allows the fish to express normal behavior, decreases the risk of injury or disease, and again, reduces stress.

Most aquatic pathogens are opportunistic, meaning that disease outbreaks are more likely to occur when the fish are subjected to one or more stressors. Just like humans, fish release a hormone called cortisol when they are under stress. Cortisol increases blood pressure and induces a cascade of biochemical pathways designed to protect the animal. This process draws on tissue reserves of minerals and vitamins that are required to protect individual cells from damage. The interruption of the critical functions these cells provide, such as oxygen uptake, nutrient absorption, and immune defense, provides ideal conditions for harmful pathogens to gain access to the animal. This cycle is called oxidative stress, and it results in poor health and performance in the fish.

Environment

Approximately 200 fish species are cultured commercially around the world. To assess fish welfare, we must consider each species’ natural environment as well as the environmental conditions of the culture system in which it is farmed (e.g., RAS, ponds, net cages). Given their aqueous habitat, optimal water quality is imperative for fish, as their vital tissues such as skin, gills and guts are constantly in direct contact with it.

Water temperature: Initial site selection is critical to ensuring optimal culture conditions. Fish cannot regulate their body temperature, and each species has an optimal temperature range in which it grows and performs better. Therefore, the environment directly determines all the important processes, including feed intake, digestion, growth, and responses to stress and infection. The water temperature in open environments such as ponds or raceways — unlike in RAS, for example — cannot be controlled and therefore must be carefully considered.

Dissolved oxygen: Fish take in dissolved oxygen (DO) from the water through the gills. As a rule, oxygen saturation should be maintained as high as possible within a culture facility. If it falls below 80%, stress conditions can set in. If oxygen conditions deteriorate, fish will often move to the inflow or to the water surface to get access to as much oxygen as possible in order to survive. For farmers, this behavior is a sure sign that extra oxygen must be provided as quickly as possible. It is vital to regularly check the DO levels and make sure they are always optimal. Note that the oxygen content of water decreases with increasing water temperatures, as warmer water can hold less oxygen. Thus, in warmer water, there is a higher risk of oxygen deficits.

Acidity and alkalinity (pH): The pH level of the water is a crucial parameter that needs to be monitored and controlled in intensive culture systems to maintain good water quality. CO2 from fish excretion in the culture system forms a weak acid and can impact the pH level. The acceptable pH range for most species is between 6.5 and 7.5, although some species do well at levels as low as 5.5. Fish can also become stressed with sudden pH swings; therefore, these swings should be prevented during both the culture and transportation of fish.

Gas bubble trauma: System design and operation can also inadvertently cause stress. It is important to measure the total gas pressure (TGP) and oxygen from time to time to check whether nitrogen supersaturation is a problem. If the value is too high, degassing the water is essential. Water pumps often suck air at the impeller, resulting in air being pressurized and then supersaturating the water delivered to tanks. This can lead to small gas bubbles in the fish’s blood that eventually block its bloodstream and lead to necrosis.

Other things to monitor and test for when assessing welfare status include nitrite and nitrate levels, CO2 levels, and ammonia (NH3). When not at ideal levels, these conditions can be detrimental to the health of fish stocks.

Nutrition

While taking the necessary steps to manage environmental stressors can help significantly, the risk of disease and stress will never be fully eliminated through this alone. Applying targeted nutrition from the beginning is paramount.

Specialized nutrition is often used to provide an additional defense strategy to limit or prevent the development of a particular disease. It can also combat the negative effects of the outcome of a disease without the need for therapeutic intervention. These strategies are referred to as functional feeds. Functional feed often focuses on strengthening and supporting the natural immunological defenses of the animal. This boosts the animal’s ability to control biological and physiological responses to stressors and reinforces physical barrier interfaces with the environment.

Deeper insights

Understanding the causes of and responses to the daily challenges fish encounter can help us provide the necessary conditions for their utmost well-being. It also rewards farmers with greater commercial success. “Inside/Out: The Essential Guide to the Skin, Gills and Guts of Fish” provides a much deeper insight into how nutritional and environmental conditions can impact the function and integrity of the skin, gills and guts by compromising fish welfare. Written by aquaculture specialists John Sweetman and Gijs Rutjes, this book is an educational tool for anyone in the aquaculture industry and includes detailed instructions on how to calculate and test the variables of water quality as outlined above. Get your copy at https://go.alltech.com/aqua-inside-out.

I want to learn more about aquaculture nutrition. 

There’s really nothing quite like the warm and happy welcome we receive from our family pets when we return home, whether we’ve been gone all day or for just 15 minutes. For many people, pets are more than just animals; they’re part of the family.

In the United States, 94% of pet owners consider their pets to be valued members of the family, according to a survey by the American Pet Products Association (APPA). Our pet spending reflects that sentiment. In 2022, Americans spent more than $136 billion on pet food, supplies, veterinary care and other pet-related services, the APPA said.

The U.S. has the largest pet industry, followed by Europe and Asia. Over 50% of U.S. consumers purchase premium pet food, 33% give their pets vitamins and supplements, and 21% cook for their pets, the survey found. In 2021, American pet owners spent about $50 billion on pet food and treats.

The global pet industry is worth an estimated $320 billion, and that number is expected to continue to grow, thanks to an increasing number of pet owners, rising pet care costs and higher demand for pet-related products and services.

The tendency to treat pets like humans is driving product innovation, said Kami Grandeen, sales manager of Alltech’s North America Companion Animal Business. Some recent pet innovations and trends include freeze-dried foods, powdered toppers and broths, mealtime enrichment mats, smart feeders, DNA and microbiome test kits, exercise GPS devices and more.

National Pet Month emphasizes proper pet care

In the U.S., the month of May is celebrated as National Pet Month. (It is celebrated in April in the United Kingdom.) The annual observance celebrates the joy and benefits of pet ownership and raises awareness about responsible pet ownership, promotes the welfare of pets, and encourages the adoption of animals from shelters and rescue organizations.

National Pet Month serves as an opportunity to emphasize the importance of proper pet care, including providing a balanced diet, regular exercise and veterinary care for pets. Nearly 90% of U.S. pet owners say their pets’ health is an important as their own, and healthy aging for their pet is a top concern.

Nutrition plays a prominent role in maintaining pet health and vitality. Pet nutrition is deeply connected to the composition and diversity of the microbiome, which plays a significant role in the proper function of the digestive tracts and immune systems of dogs and cats. A healthy microbiome leads to better overall health and well-being for our furry friends.

Alltech pet feed ingredients and supplements improve the gastrointestinal microbiome, maximizing health and longevity. Its diverse platform of core pet technologies can support digestive health and immune system function, help develop healthier skin and coat, and promote joint, heart and brain health.

Those technologies include prebiotics, essential nutrients to feed good bacteria (Bio-Mos®, Actigen® and Deo Pet); probiotics, hand-selected beneficial bacteria strains (Lacto-Sacc®); postbiotics for gut health and immune system regulation (Tynagen™); minerals, building blocks for the whole body (Bioplex® and Sel-Plex®); and boosters, specialized micronutrients for optimal digestion (Nucleo-Sacc™, Acid Balance Pet, and Alltech® Nvgen Pack).

While prebiotics and probiotics have been key additives in the pet food industry for several years now, the innovation of postbiotics is a breakthrough in pet gut health. New research demonstrates that postbiotics can maximize animal health by introducing metabolites directly into the gut unlike ever before. Tynagen™ introduces postbiotics directly into the gut and can help build the animal’s natural defenses, especially during bacterial challenges.

Pets are cherished members of our families. Just as we love and care for them, it is essential to prioritize their well-being by providing them with nourishment that supports their growth, helps them maintain a healthy weight and strengthens their immune systems. Good nutrition is an investment in your pet’s health and vitality — and in their long-term health and happiness. 

I want to learn about pet nutrition. 

Like humans, dogs, pigs and many other species, horses are monogastrics, meaning they have only one simple, single-chambered stomach. However, unlike most of their fellow monogastrics, horses are non-emetic, meaning they lack the ability to vomit.

With digestive systems designed as a one-way street, if horses overeat, have excess gas, or consume something harmful, they have no way to rid themselves of the discomfort other than through defecation or — in severe cases — surgical intervention.

As such, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the symptoms of colic in horses, in addition to the different types and potential causes, so that you can do what you can to prevent this all-too-common condition from causing potentially serious harm.

Signs of colic in horses

• Frequently looking and/or nipping at their side(s)
• Pawing at the ground with a front foot
• Kicking at their belly with their hind legs
• Repeatedly lying down and standing back up and/or rolling
• Obvious abdominal distension/bloating
• Little to no passage of manure, or passing manure that is unusually small or dry
• Lack of interest in eating and/or drinking
• Heart rate over 45–50 beats per minute (normal adult horses should have a heart rate of 28–44 beats per minute)
• Long capillary refill time (normal is one to two seconds) and/or abnormal mucous membrane appearance (pink to pale pink is considered normal; gums should also be shiny and wet in a healthy, well-hydrated horse)
• Elevated respiratory rate (a normal respiratory rate for an adult horse at rest is 10–24 breaths per minute)
• Increased rectal temperature (a normal rectal temperature for an adult horse at rest is 99–101.5°F)
• Profuse sweating, which is often induced by suffering from intense pain
• Appearing depressed or unusually lethargic

Types of digestive colic in horses

• Spasmodic colic: This is considered both the mildest and most common form of colic. Often linked to stress or sudden feed changes, spasmodic colic takes place when normal internal movement within the gut (known as peristalsis) is interrupted. Horses typically exhibit periods of severe pain, followed by periods where they appear more comfortable.
• Gas colic: This type of colic is typically characterized by mild abdominal pain, stemming from excessive gas buildup. This can be caused by a dietary change, low forage consumption, lush spring grass intake, parasitic load or deworming. Horses suffering from gas colic will often exhibit excessive flatulence and may seek relief by holding a strained stretch, as if needing to urinate. Fortunately, this type of colic is typically resolved either on its own or with minimal veterinary intervention.
• Impaction colic: Impaction refers to an obstruction of the GI tract. This can happen when forage, sand or some type of foreign material gets lodged in the colon and prevents the horse from properly passing manure. Dehydration can also play a significant role in contributing to impaction colic. Horses suffering from impaction typically begin to show their discomfort through decreased appetite, decreased manure production, and/or the passage of dry, hard manure, with signs of distress escalating as time goes on.
• Displacement colic: Displacement occurs when the large colon moves to an unusual location; this can be caused by gas buildup inside of the gut that makes the intestines buoyant and thereby subject to movement. The pelvic flexure — an area where the colon narrows and makes a sharp turn — is a common site for displacement. This is a very serious form of colic, and surgery is usually required to save the horse’s life.
• Strangulation colic: Also referred to as torsion or a twisted gut, this is likely the most dangerous form of equine colic, as it can block blood flow and result in tissue death. Horses suffering from strangulation colic are often in acute pain and are extremely restless. This is a lethal type of colic; surgery should be conducted as soon as possible.

Common causes of colic in horses

• Stall confinement: It’s commonly known that horses kept for prolonged periods in stalls are more likely to colic than horses kept on pasture. The ability to freely walk around and continuously graze keeps the gut moving, which helps to keep colic at bay. Try to give your horses at least a few hours of turnout each day.
• Meal feeding: Horses were designed to continuously consume large quantities of forage, but modern horses are commonly meal-fed, and all this waiting between meals can seriously slow down a horse’s digestion. The installation of a slow hay feeder can help to provide around-the-clock access to necessary forage.
• High parasitic load: All horses have internal parasites/worms. A low parasitic load will generally have little to no effect on horse health, but a high one can lead to colic. It is important to conduct a fecal exam in both the spring and fall to determine fecal egg count prior to deworming. This can help you determine a proper deworming schedule and make appropriate dewormer choices.
• Dehydration: Horses are very sensitive to the temperature of their drinking water. If it’s too cold or too hot, they won’t drink much. To ensure adequate consumption of at least 10–12 gallons/day for a mature 1,000-pound horse, 45–65°F is considered ideal. The proffered water should also be kept clean and fresh. Adding electrolytes or even plain salt to the horse’s diet can also help to encourage water intake.
• Abrupt feeding changes: A sudden change in a horse’s diet is a leading cause of potentially debilitating ailments like colic and laminitis. Any change in a horse’s diet should be introduced gradually, over the course of 2–4 weeks.
• Stress: Does stress ever make your stomach hurt? The same goes for horses, whose common stressors include transportation, stabling and/or environmental changes, intensive training, and increased stall confinement. Of course, these stressors can sometimes be hard to avoid, but you should do your best to keep stress to a minimum, especially for horses who have a history of suffering from colic.

What to do if your horse colics

If you think your horse may have colic, contact your veterinarian immediately. Typically, the earlier you can act, the better your horse’s chance of recovery.

While waiting for the vet to arrive, you should:

• Monitor your horse’s vital signs, including heart rate and rectal temperature, every 15–20 minutes.
• Remove any potential access to hay, grass, grain and/or water.
• If your vet advises, you may administer Banamine (flunixin meglumine) paste, which is essential for any equine first aid kit.
• Keep your horse moving at a comfortable walk, unless it is simply too painful for them.
• Do your best to keep your horse calm and comfortable.

Dealing with issues like colic is certainly one of the downsides to horse ownership, but being prepared and well informed can make a world of difference. Adding a supplement like Lifeforce™ Digestion may also be an advisable form of prevention, as it is designed with yeast, probiotics and natural enzymes to support the ideal balance of beneficial gut bacteria.

Buck Island project shows that grazing improves carbon cycling

Healthy, sustainable food systems are vital to achieving the world’s development goals and ensuring global economic growth – but climate change threatens these goals. It disrupts every aspect of agriculture and makes it increasingly difficult to ensure that sustainable nutrition is accessible for the growing global population.

The focus on climate change – and the action needed to help mitigate it – has grown increasingly over the past decade. Nations around the world are taking steps to reduce greenhouse gases and limit global warming to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius, which experts say will help us avoid the worst impacts of climate change, including continued extreme weather events, rising sea levels, loss of biodiversity and  food shortages.

Global warming and its consequences remain in the spotlight this week as we celebrate the 53rd anniversary of Earth Day. This year’s theme, “Invest in Our Planet,” calls on businesses, governments and citizens to act boldly to solve the world’s environmental crises. Each year on April 22, more than 1 billion people participate in Earth Day activities, making it the largest civic observation in the world. 

Climate change is widespread, rapid and intensifying – and it is causing a strain on the world’s energy, food, metals and water. While the current pace and scale of climate action are insufficient to tackle the problem, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has said there are clear solutions for securing a livable future for all – and they must be implemented now.

The role of agri-food

As the world looks to implement those solutions, there is a clear opportunity for the agri-food community to lead the way. Agriculture is at the forefront of solutions to nourish and nurture our planet and its people, and consumers expect food producers to step up.

In fact, consumers put the responsibility for improving food sustainability on the food producer above anyone else, according to the 2021 Global Sustainability Insights report by Bord Bia, an Irish state agency that promotes sales of Irish food and horticulture and enables the growth and sustainability of Irish producers.

“Whilst everyone across the value chain has a role to play, food producers are clearly front and center,” said Tara McCarthy, Alltech’s global vice president of ESG. “The proactive role of industry and policymakers in this conversation is absolutely key. Consumers are asking for guidance, for support and for action.”

Implementing sustainability measures can be costly, and the pressures of compliance along the value chain – combined with the current inflationary environment – can jeopardize the economic viability of some primary food producers, farmers and processors, she said. To remain viable, they need solutions that can enhance their businesses' efficiency and enable them to maintain sustainable margins while doing their part for the environment.

The most effective way to ensure that quality nutrition is available to everyone is to improve farmers and producers’ production efficiency, long-term viability and environmental contribution, McCarthy said.

As a leader in the global agriculture industry, Alltech prioritizes the efficient production of nutritious food while working to minimize its own carbon footprint and helping producers worldwide find and implement solutions to their sustainability challenges. Its nutritional solutions help optimize the nutrients in animal feed, thereby supporting the health and efficiency of livestock while reducing the environmental impact of agriculture.

Climate change cannot be solved without agriculture, and agriculture cannot thrive without tackling climate change. We must meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future, said Dr. Vaughn Holder, Alltech’s research project manager for beef nutrition.

“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,” he said.

The world needs the nourishment of protein-rich meat, milk, eggs and seafood and crops that are grown in healthy soil. At the same time, we must work to minimize the harmful effects of agricultural practices on the environment – and on animals and humans. This can be accomplished by improving the health of animals and the soil, maximizing the value of feedstuffs, increasing the efficiency of the farm and reinvesting in innovation.

Reducing GHG emissions in agriculture

Agriculture is one major source of GHG emissions, but it’s also a major source of carbon sequestration – the process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Unlike any other sector, agriculture has the ability to not only reduce our own GHG emissions but capture and sequester emissions released by other industries.

Through the implementation of leading-edge nutrition and pasture management practices, agriculture is in a unique position to provide the food resources that the world population needs while restoring the planet. If we focus on feed and growth efficiency strategies and carbon sequestration management strategies on grazed lands, agriculture could reduce greenhouse gases by over 50%, according to Dr. Holder.

Improving the performance and productivity of livestock means it takes fewer animals to produce the same amount of food, which reduces the overall environmental footprint of livestock, including GHG emissions.

Grazing animals on land actually benefits the environment and improves carbon cycling, an exciting research project at a beef ranch in Florida has shown. Through an alliance with Archbold Expeditions at Buck Island Ranch, Alltech is measuring the carbon emissions of beef production and evaluating the effects of pasture management, grazing strategies, mineral supplementation and other nutritional strategies. The results have confirmed that carbon-neutral – and even net-positive – beef production is possible at Buck Island, and that same potential likely extends to environments around the world.

Take a tour of Buck Island Ranch.

The Buck Island project has also helped researchers gain a better understanding of the full carbon cycle on a beef ranch, one that is not solely focused on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the animal, but also natural GHG emissions from the land, the photosynthesis of GHGs and the sequestration of carbon in the soil.

“What Buck Island shows us is that with animals on the land, we capture more carbon than without them,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, Alltech president and CEO. “That is profoundly powerful.”

Animal emissions are not the full story

Discussions around GHGs and global warming often center around agriculture emissions, but we need to think beyond emissions and look at the full cycle, Dr. Holder said.

Ice core data shows that methane and carbon dioxide have risen rapidly to unprecedented levels in the last 70 years. While methane is often the most talked about, carbon dioxide contributes more to global warming. Carbon dioxide is a stock gas with no natural removal cycle and a long lifespan. Stock gases accumulate over time because they stay in the environment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 65% of global GHG emissions are carbon dioxide from fossil fuel use and industrial processes.

In contrast, methane is a flow gas that has a natural removal cycle through chemical reactions that occur in the atmosphere – and it can be absorbed by soil and vegetation.

As the Buck Island project has shown, agriculture systems have the potential to be net positive in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and carbon cycles, not just neutral, Dr. Holder said. At Buck Island, having cattle grazing the land has resulted in less GHG flux from the land. More emissions were produced, but the amount sequestered offset the difference.

Focusing only on emissions misses the bigger picture, however. The soil’s ability to sequester carbon is a critical part of the story. Alltech Crop Science and one of the newest members of the Alltech family, Ideagro, have a wealth of information and technologies for nourishing the soil through its microbial population. Alltech’s teams continue to investigate how these microbes boost soil chemistry and nutrient density, helping to sequester more carbon in the soil.

Researchers at Buck Island are also working with Alltech E-CO₂ and others to develop precision tools to measure methane yields and intensity. The next step is the inclusion of advanced sequestering measurements that will evaluate how grazing, pasture management, nutrition and other strategies affect the carbon cycle and make it possible for beef operations to sequester carbon.

The potential to capture carbon in the soil presents an amazing opportunity for the agri-food community to embrace our critical role in solving climate change, but also to improve soil health, increase crop productivity and promote biodiversity.

“We have to continue to think beyond emissions and beyond methane,” Dr. Holder said.

If you’ve ever scanned social media, you’ve seen pets do some crazy things! Just like us, each has a unique personality that’s influenced by its “second brain” – the enteric nervous system (ENS) within the walls of the digestive system. While the mechanisms by which the intestinal microbiome and ENS impact behavior are not fully understood, a growing body of evidence is revealing that gut health plays an important role in mental health. Supporting pet brain health is a new frontier, offering surprising health benefits.

Crosstalk between the gut and brain

For decades, it was believed that the brain-gut relationship was unidirectional with the brain affecting the gut but not the other way around. Now we know it's a matter of crosstalk at the neuronal, endocrinal and immunological levels. While the nervous system, including the brain, comprises an intricate network that controls and regulates the body overall, many of this network’s pathways are under the influence of the gut microbiome as well. Since what animals eat has a profound effect on gut microbiota composition and metabolic byproducts, your pet’s diet should be carefully considered from early life through adulthood.

The gut microbiota ecosystem is unique to each individual – human or animal – and is affected by a variety of factors including diet, antibiotic use, gastrointestinal disease, age, genetics and environment. It is primarily composed of bacteria but also includes archaea, viruses and protozoa. Imbalances in gut microbiota, sometimes referred to as dysbiosis, can lead to chronic low-grade inflammation and have been linked not only to gastrointestinal disorders such as leaky gut syndrome but also to neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Improving your pet’s health

Good nutrition, though, can benefit brain health by preventing or reducing the occurrence of dysbiosis. Prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics and antioxidants, in particular, play roles in protecting pet gut health.

Prebiotics are compounds in food that stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria and promote microbial diversity. Recent research has indicated that some prebiotics can boost cognition and positive behavior through the modulation of neuroinflammation.

Probiotics comprise live and/or deactivated bacteria that improve gut health by reducing the population of pathogenic bacteria in the GI tract. They work by competitive exclusion, producing antimicrobial compounds, cultivating beneficial endogenous microorganisms, and/or altering the microbial metabolism.

While there are a variety of probiotic strains, some improve mental health by affecting brain neurotransmitters and proteins, cortisol levels, and serum cytokine levels. These are known as psychobiotics. Many bacteria, such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, have already been shown to improve memory and reduce chronic stress-induced anxiety and depressive behavior in mice.

The breakdown of prebiotics by probiotics forms postbiotics, bioactive compounds that confer health benefits to their host. Recent evidence has supported the use of postbiotics as antidepressive agents, and they may provide additional benefits in animals prone to anxiety or stress disorders.

Antioxidants help to alleviate oxidative stress, which occurs when there’s an imbalance between the production and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the body’s ability to detoxify these reactive products. When oxidative stress occurs at high levels, it results in biomolecular damage and can potentially lead to intestinal injuries and disorders such as colorectal cancers, enteric infections, and inflammatory bowel diseases.

Recently, it’s been shown that food-derived antioxidant compounds may protect the host from intestinal oxidative stress by modulating the composition of beneficial microbial species in the gut. Since oxidative stress plays a role in causing many disorders, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, antioxidants are incredibly important to overall health. The dietary antioxidant selenium, especially in an organic form such as Sel-Plex® offers, can reduce oxidative stress and balance microbial flora as well, reducing the incidence of dysbiosis. Additionally, organic selenium has been shown to reduce the prevalence of beta amyloid plaques, which are abnormal proteins in the brain. This may assist in preventing age-related neuropathologies associated with cognitive decline.

Supporting pet brain health

Pet owners know that good nutrition, physical activity, and preventive care are key to a healthy and happy life for any animal, and an increasing body of research is demonstrating that body and brain health – both so important to quality of life – are intricately connected as well. The more we learn about this, the better we can make optimal health choices for our animal companions.

I want to learn about pet nutrition.

Obtaining profitable, productive and sustainable crops depends on soil health. A balanced soil assists plants in being more resistant to soil and crop diseases, growing more vigorously and using nutrients better. Worldwide, farmers are waking up to the benefits of disease-suppressive soils – soils in which a wealth of beneficial microorganisms and an adequate balance of organic matter and minerals improve plant growth and inhibit pathogens’ action. But how can we achieve them? And what is their contribution to sustainable agriculture?

This article will assess how plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) work in suppressive soils to stimulate crop growth and development while acting as biocontrol agents inhibiting pathogenic microorganisms' activity.

Many farmers have seen their soils become poorer and lose fertility because of using only mineral fertilizers and chemical disease control strategies. In such situations, the soils’ organic dimension and microbiology have been overlooked, generating conductive soils in which soil and crop diseases are able to spread more easily.

What benefits do suppressive soils offer?

On the other hand, soils presenting a rich and dynamic microbiome favor plant-beneficial interactions with a balance between the mineral, organic and microbiological components, and they are notable for their ability to hinder or suppress pathogenic progression and activity. These soils, called disease-suppressive soils, were initially defined by Cook and Baker in 1983 as “soils in which the pathogen is not able to establish or persist, the pathogen establishes but causes no damage, or the pathogen causes some damage, but the disease becomes progressively less severe, even though the pathogen persists in soil.”

That is, the pathogen either does not establish itself or, once established, it does not cause damage, due to the antagonistic action of other beneficial microorganisms. Such soil presents unfavorable conditions for the pathogen, which sees its growth and development capacity reduced and its harmful activity neutralized.

How do we get to soils with these conditions? Although the quest for balanced soil will entail different cultural practices, the starting point should always be to conduct an analysis to assess soil health, including data on soil stability, pathogen incidence and nutrient availability.

Ultimately, the goal is to establish healthy microbiota that promote the optimal space for developing more sustainable and environmentally friendly crops, where the biological control of diseases such as Fusarium sp., Pythium sp., Rhizoctonia sp. and Phytophthora sp. is achieved.

Microorganisms that balance the rhizosphere

The rhizosphere, the region of soil surrounding living roots influenced by plant root exudates, is an ecosystem in which various relationships of interest are established, particularly those of a symbiotic nature between microorganisms and plant roots and between the microorganisms themselves.

The plant-microbe interaction is responsible for nutrient recycling and energy flow, resulting in the availability of previously inaccessible and insoluble forms of rhizospheric nutrients, which are critical for key plant functions. Beneficial microorganisms integrate the rhizosphere microbiome and play an important role in plant health and growth, facilitating nutrient acquisition, assisting plants in coping with abiotic stresses, and participating in various processes critical to crop development, such as the carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur cycles.

As we attain a state of disease suppressiveness in the soil, we find a high concentration of fungi (Trichoderma, Penicillium, Gliocladium) and bacteria (Pseudomonas, Burkholderia, Bacillus, Serratia, and Actinomyces) that promote growth and provide protective components against fungi, bacteriosis, viruses or harmful insects.

Allies for a suppressive soil

One of the most interesting options for achieving healthy and productive crops involves the use of PGPR in rhizosphere colonization. In addition to acting to stimulate and improve plant growth, PGPR act as biocontrol agents for fungal and bacterial diseases by displacing pathogenic microorganisms.

Essential functions of PGPR

• Stimulating the production of phytohormones (auxins, gibberellinghs and cytokinins) through chemical signals that facilitate cell communication and stimulate plant growth.

• Increasing nutrient availability through nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization and iron chelation.

• Protecting the plant against phytopathogens that may compete for space and nutrients; the rhizobacteria produce metabolites, antibiotics and siderophores and increase the plant’s systemic response capacity against an aggressor.

Among the most common PGPR for controlling plant diseases are Pseudomonas (putida, aeruginosa and fluorescens) and Burkholderia, which stand out for their ability to solubilize inorganic phosphates present in the soil. The genera Azospirillum, Azotobacter and Rhizobium are of particular interest for their ability to facilitate the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into a form assimilable for plants.

In comparison to any other genus, Pseudomonas is the most favored bioinoculant due to its significant properties in both plant growth and phytopathogen control during its synergistic association with the host plant.

Pseudomonas putida is an extraordinarily versatile bacteria capable of thriving in hostile environments and resisting physicochemical stress; it is a great ally in improving crop production and quality.

Among its multiple applications in agriculture, it stands out for its effectiveness in promoting plant growth (through auxin production or phosphate solubilization) and improving plant health. It can also act as an antagonist against pathogens and play a role as a bioremediation agent in contaminated environments.

Recovering soil biological activity

The use of chemical control techniques, especially the application of broad-spectrum fungicides, has been the principal strategy used for many decades for controlling phytopathogens. In addition to having negative impacts on the health of humans and the environment, this approach was responsible for a rise in the number of treatment-resistant strains.

Microbiota in the soil were affected by these applications and by the excessive use of mineral fertilizers, which threw off the natural balance of disease-suppressive soils and made way for more illness-susceptible soils.

The time has come to revive healthy biological life in the soil by inoculating the plant roots with microorganisms beneficial to the plants' well-being, therefore reestablishing its biological activity. In doing so, we support the development of the root system, enhancing nutrient absorption. Plants will be able to better withstand environmental challenges, strengthen their defenses and experience increased growth and productivity.

Are you looking to recover your soil’s natural microbial balance and improve its disease-suppressing capability, optimizing crop productivity? Contact our technical team to further discuss how beneficial microorganisms and healthy plant-microbe interactions can favor profitable and sustainable crop production.

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Mycotoxin contamination is a growing concern for animal feed producers worldwide. According to the 2023 Alltech Agri-Food Outlook, Asian feed production has been steadily increasing, from 350 million tons in 2012 to 465 million tons in 2022, leading to a greater reliance on imported grains. As reported by the USDA, this trend is expected to continue, which means it's now more important than ever to have a good understanding of the potential mycotoxin risk in imported raw materials.

To address this concern, Alltech prepared the 2023 Alltech Asia Import Risk Analysis, a comprehensive report designed to inform the Asian feed sector and livestock producers of the potential mycotoxin contamination patterns in the grains that they import for their business in 2023.

The Alltech Asia Import Risk Analysis report draws on data from Alltech’s harvest analysis programs carried out across 2022. Depending on the region and the ingredient being assessed, the test method varied between Alltech 37+, RAPIREAD and SGS.

The analysis assessed the mycotoxin risks in grains — such as corn, wheat, barley and byproducts — sourced from Europe, North America, Latin America, India and Australia for feed and livestock producers in the Asia-Pacific region.

Europe

Throughout 2022, the persistence of drought conditions in Europe resulted in reduced crop yields and increased levels of mycotoxins. In countries such as Hungary, Serbia and Romania, many corn samples displayed levels of mycotoxins that exceeded the EU's regulatory limit of 20 ppb for animal feed.

• Corn samples showed an average of 3.8 mycotoxins per sample, and over 50% contained aflatoxin at an average concentration of 16 ppb. More than 27% of samples contained fumonisin at an average concentration of 1,455 ppb.
• Almost all wheat and barley samples were contaminated with at least one mycotoxin, with an average of 3.7 mycotoxins per sample.
• New emerging classes of mycotoxins were found in all wheat and barley samples, with an average concentration of 152 ppb.

U.S.

The weather conditions in the United States had a significant impact on the mycotoxin profile of corn samples collected for analysis. As the weather conditions got wetter moving from the West to the East, the mycotoxin levels increased. Additionally, crops harvested later in the season tended to have significantly higher toxin loads than those harvested earlier.

• All corn samples had at least one mycotoxin present and had an average of 6.7 mycotoxins per sample.
• Fusarium mycotoxins (DON, fumonisin and zearalenone) and emerging mycotoxins were more prevalent and were present in higher concentrations in most samples.
• The Alltech risk equivalent quantity (REQ*) system indicates that the combined impact of these mycotoxins poses a significant risk to animals and could lead to significant production losses.

_{*REQ: A measurement of the cumulative impact of mycotoxins in reference to aflatoxin B1}

Canada

Canada improved notably in terms of its yields as compared to the previous year. As part of our ongoing monitoring efforts, we tested approximately 250 samples of wheat and barley from Canada using the Alltech RAPIREAD system.

• DON was the most commonly detected mycotoxin in the samples analysed from Canada.
• More than 50% of the samples tested displayed levels of DON that were higher than the level of quantification.
• T-2/HT-2 and zearalenone were also detected in a smaller number of samples.
• Although Canada's harvest was impressive, producers should still remain vigilant about the threat of mycotoxin contamination.

Latin America

Brazil and Argentina displayed significant reductions in yields in 2022. In Brazil, the overall yield was 5% lower than the five-year average, while Argentina saw even worse reductions in yields due to drought.

• The majority of the samples were found to have significant amounts of Fusarium mycotoxins.
• DON was the main toxin of concern in corn from this region, with average levels reaching almost 2,000 ppb.
• Fumonisin, T-2/HT-2 and zearalenone mycotoxins were also found in the samples.
• The combined effect of these mycotoxins can lead to significant losses in animal production, as well as health problems.

India

Limited access to fertilizers impacted the quality and yield of crops from this country. Along with the limited supply of fertilizer, both the Rabi and Kharif corn crops were heavily impacted by large amounts of rainfall, leading to a high mould count and the presence of mycotoxins.

• Fumonisin and aflatoxin were the most significant mycotoxins detected, with levels of up to 1,600 ppb and 40 ppb, respectively. Other mycotoxins were also present in the samples.
• The presence of these mycotoxins can have a significant impact on the performance, health and productivity of livestock.

Australia

This year's wheat and barley harvest delivered the second-highest yields on record in Australia, which is positive news for the industry. However, in the Eastern states, late rains and floods led to significant crop losses and quality issues. This has resulted in high-moisture grains, which will present storage challenges and require producers to practice continuous monitoring to maintain quality.

• Significant levels of DON mycotoxins were detected, reaching up to 3,200 ppb.

High concentrations of DON can negatively impact animal health and performance. Therefore, it is essential for producers and animal nutritionists in Australia to remain vigilant and incorporate appropriate mitigation strategies to ensure the safety and health of their animals.

Corn byproducts

As the cost of raw materials that are commonly used in animal feed has continued to rise in recent years, the use of byproducts has also become increasingly popular. However, this trend poses a significant challenge when it comes to mycotoxin contamination, as corn byproducts are significantly more likely to be contaminated at higher levels compared to parent grains.

To gain a better understanding of the level of mycotoxin contamination in the byproducts commonly used in animal feed, Alltech analyzed corn gluten meal and DDGS samples from North America, China and Europe using the Alltech 37+ analysis method.

• All samples tested were shown to have at least two mycotoxins present, with an average of 10 mycotoxins per sample.
• Fusarium mycotoxins (DON, fumonisin, zearalenone and fusaric acid) were the most common and significant mycotoxins detected.
• Emerging mycotoxins were also present.
• DON was found at levels of approximately 12,000 ppb and fumonisin at 19,000 ppb.
• High levels of mycotoxins and multiple contamination present a serious challenge for animals consuming feed that includes these byproducts.

The key to mycotoxin risk management

The findings outlined above highlight the need for more rigorous testing and quality-control measures in the use of byproducts in animal feed.

Achieving successful mycotoxin management requires taking a holistic approach, and the only accurate way to understand the true risk presented by the feeds that animals are consuming is to use a routine mycotoxin testing program when purchasing feed ingredients and establishing nutrition plans.

Conclusion

1. Mycotoxin contamination is widespread and multifaceted, affecting a range of grains and byproducts from different regions. Mycotoxins are a critical issue for animal feed producers globally.
2. The 2023 Alltech Asia Import Risk Analysis provides valuable insights into the potential mycotoxin risk in grains imported into the Asia-Pacific region in 2023.
   • The report highlights the impact of environmental factors on the prevalence and amounts of mycotoxins in crops.
   • The majority of the raw materials imported into the Asia-Pacific region are contaminated with Fusarium-related mycotoxins (DON, fumonisin, zearalenone, T-2 and fusaric acid).
3. Implementing effective mycotoxin management strategies can reduce the risk of mycotoxin contamination, ensuring the safety and well-being of animals and the profitability of the operation — but it all comes down to reducing the mycotoxin contamination of the feed supply.

To download a copy of the 2023 Alltech Asia Import Risk Analysis, visit go.alltech.com/asia-import-risk-analysis. Learn more about mycotoxin management at knowmycotoxins.com.

With the spring horse shows just around the corner, it's time to prepare your horse for success in the show ring. Whether you are an experienced rider or are new to the sport, there are a few key steps you can take to ensure that your horse is ready to perform at its best in the horse show ring.

 One of the most important steps you can take while preparing for horse shows is to follow a comprehensive equestrian training program. This should include a combination of riding knowledge and techniques, as well as physical fitness and mental preparation. Riders and horses must be able to perform a straight and organized working trot for at least twenty minutes without a break before they even consider horse showing. Many horses do not build up enough forward momentum and balance in their training to engage and build musculature their hind-end, core and topline.

Additionally, when horse showing, excitement and nerves can take over — and those feelings can be transferred to your horse. Working with a mental skills coach along with your riding trainer can help you develop a training plan that is tailored to your horse's strengths and abilities, allowing you to focus on specific areas for improvement.

Equestrian training develops a rider’s mental acuity, both in and out of the saddle. Through equestrian training, riders learn discipline, perseverance, grit and hard work. They cultivate a feel for what is correct while learning to be brave and in control of their emotions and challenging themselves. They also learn how to accept feedback and gain physical and emotional strength through showing horses. Show horse training allows riders to learn to cooperate with their animal to achieve great success.

Another important aspect of preparation is to ensure that your horse is healthy enough for show horse training and is in top physical condition. One way to support your horse's health and performance is by providing the proper nutrition. Lifeforce Elite can help. Lifeforce Elite is a performance supplement specifically designed for horses, providing them with the essential trace minerals they need to maintain healthy cartilage and synovial fluid in their joints. By providing them with these essential nutrients, Lifeforce Elite can help support your horse's health and performance, allowing them to perform at their best in the ring.

In addition to proper nutrition, it is also important to ensure that your horse is well-rested and hydrated leading up to the show season. This may involve adjusting your horse's exercise routine or providing them with additional time to rest and recover between show horse training sessions.

Finally, it is important to have a plan in place for the day of the show. This may involve coordinating with your coach or trainer to ensure that you and your showing horses arrive on time, have a clear understanding of the schedule and are prepared for any unexpected events. Learn the proper warm-up ring etiquette, and have a plan established before you get on your horse. By having a plan in place, you can help minimize stress for both you and your horse and ensure a smooth and successful showing experience.

Here are 10 steps you can take to help ensure that you will have a successful show:

• Minimize stress by packing early and being organized.
• Eat a nutritious breakfast (and also lunch, if you show late).
• Learn your course or pattern early so that you have time to visualize and consider the training questions being asked.
• Breathe throughout the day as you get nervous, and make a list of the places where you will have time to breathe on the course.
• Help out your barn-mates, teammates and fellow competitors. If you see opportunities to be a good member of our community, take them.
• Maintain a positive attitude no matter what happens in competition or on the day of the event.
• Express gratitude to every horse and person who spends their day with you at the horse show.
• Make sure to determine what you are going to wear the week before the event and that everything you have is clean, polished and ironed, as needed.
• Pass left shoulder to left shoulder in the schooling ring.
• Focus on your horse and on achieving correct and straight riding, and the ribbons will follow! Proper horsemanship and sportsmanship are the keys to success.

The horse show season is an exciting time and serves as a great opportunity to showcase your horse's skills and abilities. With the right training, support and preparation, you can help your horse perform at its best at horse shows. Lifeforce Elite can also help, as it is dedicated to supporting your horse's health and performance.

Horse show season is right around the corner. You’ve probably been taking weekly lessons and doing some hacking about, but what do you really need to do to be ready when the horse shows start?

I show an Off-the-Track Thoroughbred (OFTT) in the show hunters division because I love the camaraderie that the breed shows and classes offer. We also foxhunt in the off season. But it doesn’t matter what breed or discipline you show; much of the preparation will be the same for both you and your horse. 

For the rider:

1. Try on your show clothes to make sure they fit and are show-ready. They may have sustained some damage or a stain that you forgot about. After all, our shapes can change with age and varying fitness levels, and it would be no fun to wake up the morning of a show and find that you really need new breeches. If you’re not sure about what you should wear, ask your trainer. There are plenty of consignment stores, and you may be able to sell some of your clothes for store credit to buy new — or new-to-you — items.
2. Hopefully, you have been riding all winter. If you haven’t, you may need to work on your fitness a bit! Since I hunt, I keep my stamina up pretty well, but my conditioning for riding in the ring and using my body and legs can suffer. Make sure that you get back into a regular practice for the specific discipline in which you’ll be competing.
3. Eat right! When you maintain a good diet, you sleep better, and when you sleep better, you have more stamina to get through the day. That applies to riding as well. I know that, when I eat a bunch of junk — especially at the overnight shows — my body pays the price in the show ring.
4. Have your rig checked out. I use mine year-round, so I do regular checks. Lots of trucks and trailers that are used for showing sit for most of the winter, so take yours to the local shop, and make sure that you’ve got a good floor on your trailer, good tires, good brakes and working electric.
5. How old is your helmet? Helmets should be replaced every 2 to 3 years, as well as after any fall during which you hit your head. Do you need a new helmet? Check it out now!
6. Map out your show plans. Will you go to every show that your barn attends? Are you aiming for one or two a month? Will you show locally or travel far and stay overnight? Maybe a bit of both? What are your goals?

Photo by Chandler Willet

For the horse:

1. Check your horse’s body condition. How did they fare through the colder weather? Since I have OTTBs, I work hard to keep weight on them through the winter. There are times when we must look fancy to hunt, so maintaining turnout and keeping them in good health is important. I want to optimize their digestive environment, and if you do, too, this is something that you need to do now — not a few days before the show. To help foster a positive digestive environment, try Lifeforce Elite Performance. Its comprehensive formula, which includes chondroitin sulfate and yeast culture, supports complete wellness in performance horses. Additionally, one bag offers a 40-day supply.
2. Have your vet examine your horse. While my horse gets regular chiropractic treatments year-round, I just had mine looked at last week. He gets tired toward the end of hunt season as we go into show season, and I want to make sure that I’m not overlooking anything that might help us to be as successful as possible in our pursuits. Lifeforce Elite Performance helps here, too. It’s made in a drug-free facility, includes 100% organic trace minerals, and helps maintain healthy cartilage and synovial fluid in horses.
3. Give your tack a good once-over. Take it home and deep-clean and oil it. Take your bridle apart and pull the leathers off your saddle. Not only will this allow you to get to and clean the hard-to-reach spots; it will also allow you to check everything for damage and proper safety.
4. Start schooling one level above the level that you’ll compete at, assuming that doing so is safe for you and your horse.
5. Do you need to body-clip as part of your preparations for the equestrian season? Make sure that you do this at least 10 to 14 days before you head to the show ring. That will give the coat time to recover.
6. Load up! Has your horse been on the trailer since the last show season? It’s the worst feeling when you go to load and leave and your horse doesn’t want to get on the trailer, creating stress for both you and your horse. Load your horse up and take him on a little ride. If you have trouble loading your horse, now is the time to remedy the problem. Call a professional for help.

That’s it. You are now ready to go. Have a great season — and GOOD LUCK!

The three-pronged approach to beef sustainability — environmental, economic and social — often focuses most on the pillar of environmental stewardship. In the beef industry, much attention is given to the environmental impacts associated with beef production practices. However, highlighting the benefits that beef production can impart to the ecosystem can help the industry develop a more complete picture of beef’s environmental footprint.

Many companies have set environmental sustainability goals that project a targeted reduction in their carbon emissions. In order to reach these goals, the practice of purchasing carbon credits from suppliers to help offset emissions through a carbon marketplace is becoming more common and popular.

What are carbon credits?

Carbon credits are permits that each represent 1 metric ton of carbon dioxide (CO2) or the equivalent amount (CO2-eq) of a different greenhouse gas (GHG) that is removed from the atmosphere.

The term “carbon offset” is commonly interchanged with the phrase “carbon credit,” but they vary slightly in meaning. Carbon offsetting is the purchase of carbon credits to compensate for emissions that have been created by a business or lifestyle. A carbon offset is a reduction in GHG emissions that compensates for emissions occurring elsewhere in the supply chain.

Each GHG has a different global warming potential (GWP), which allows for comparisons to be made between the global warming impacts of various gases relative to CO2. The GWP measures how much energy the emissions of 1 ton of a GHG will absorb over a given time frame (i.e., 100 years) in relation to 1 ton of CO2 (EPA, 2022).

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC; 2021):

• Methane (CH4) has a GWP of 27–30 times higher than CO2 over a 100-year timescale
• Nitrous oxide (N2O) has a GWP 273 times higher than CO2 over a 100-year timescale

The average American generates 16 metric tons of CO2-eq annually, which is enough to fill more than three and a half Olympic-sized swimming pools (Tso, 2020). These emissions come from driving cars, utilizing electricity and gas in homes, food systems and other day-to-day activities.

What are carbon markets?

Carbon markets are economic trading systems that support the buying and selling of carbon credits. Carbon markets provide monetary incentives for credit producers to adopt approved carbon-reducing practices, while credit purchasers utilize the offsets to reach their carbon emission goals.

Carbon markets can be split into two categories: compliance and voluntary.

Compliance markets 

Carbon markets are created as the result of regulatory requirements or national, regional or international policies.

Cap-and-trade systems are traditional examples of mandatory programs in which regulated businesses are issued GHG emission allowances or permits that add up to a total maximum, or a capped amount. Companies that exceed their permitted emissions allowance must buy permits from others with available permits for sale, or they will face penalties (UNDP, 2022). Carbon offsets may be used as a compliance option for some regulated entities (Stubbs et al., 2021).

In the U.S., California is the only state with a cap-and-trade market, which was established in 2013 and which targets the state’s electric power plants, industrial plants and fuel distributors. The state has a goal of lowering its emissions below the levels seen in 1990 by 2030. Entities that are required to comply with California’s program can use offsets to satisfy 4% of their obligation, which includes agricultural offsets from livestock manure management projects, rice cultivation projects and forest management projects (Stubbs et al., 2021).

The European Union launched the first international cap-and-trade or emissions trading system (ETS) in 2005, and in 2021, China launched the world’s largest ETS, leading the way for the development of other national and subnational ETS (UNDP, 2022).

Voluntary markets

Currently, most carbon market programs are voluntary markets, which includes the buying and selling of carbon credits on a voluntary basis outside of a regulatory framework (e.g., corporate sustainability reporting).

Transactions involving credits can occur directly between participants and buyers or can be mediated by other parties or programs. Sellers of carbon credits are typically farmers and ranchers, and they are paid for generating carbon credits by adopting management practices that meet specific criteria for carbon emissions reduction or sequestration (e.g., no-till, cover crops, crop rotation, anaerobic digesters, grazing management, manure management, reforestation, etc.). Sellers are usually paid on a per-acre or per-ton basis of carbon sequestered (Shockley and Snell, 2021). The monetary compensation for carbon credits varies widely based on the practice and program, averaging between $10–20 per credit (Stubbs et al., 2021).

There are a handful of voluntary carbon markets in operation, including programs established by Bayer, Ecosystem Services Market Consortium, Nori, Verra, Gold Standard and several others. Since voluntary markets remain unchecked by regulators and do not have caps on how many tons of emissions can be offset, there are several organizations that set standards and that validate carbon credits based on those standards. Verra, for example, has set a widely used carbon-credit validation standard — called Verified Carbon Standard — that is based on accounting methodologies specific to the project type, independent auditing and a registry system (Thompson and Miranda, 2021). Other programs, such as Nori, follow a similar process using practices that qualify under their methodology and a third-party verifier. The eligibility for voluntary programs, approved practices, verification processes and compensation of these voluntary markets differ widely.

The voluntary carbon market options for agriculture continue to emerge and evolve, and pilot projects and reduction practices continue to be assessed. There is much to learn about carbon sequestration, monetizing production practices based on GHG emissions reductions and accurately measuring carbon emissions from different industry sectors. As many programs currently focus on crop and forest production practices, there is room for beef production practices to enter the market.