By Pinelopi Williams

The ability for a plant to reach its highest genetic potential begins before the seed is even planted. Modern seed technology is providing growers with the best and most advanced options to boost their production potential. Growers who combine sustainable management practices and the use of naturally-based solutions rich in nutrients and amino acids can provide an excellent platform for taking full advantage of these “super seeds,” ensuring seed growth and improving plant health.

Planting deep roots

The amount of water and nutrients present in the soil at planting will help provide the foundation for deeper plant rooting. The availability of water below the soil’s surface offers the new roots the ability to push deeper into the soil and expand more widely, unhindered by compaction. Well-nourished soil that is rich in organic matter also aids in deeper rooting. This increased root volume can help a plant during difficult conditions, such as drought or seasons of rapid temperature changes, and aid in maintaining plant productivity.

A well-established root system is essential because it allows for a better stand in the soil and improved water and nutrient absorption from what is present in the soil. The production of plant hormones that are essential in the development of not only the root system, but the entire plant, is another key benefit of improved rooting. 

Providing plants with the right nutrients at the right time

The application of amino acid-based products and critical nutrients throughout the growing season can help plants better react to stressors during key developmental phases when productive potential is being defined. Providing the plant with the right nutrients at the right time and in an easily accessible form promotes a decrease in the effects of environmental and other stressors, as well as an increase in plant vigor. In turn, more of the plant’s energy is put towards production.

The ultimate objective for any grower is to maximize yield potential. Today’s more natural approach to plant management can achieve this while also benefiting plant health and environmental resistance. 

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By Walter Moncayo

In aquaculture, pathological challenges become a learning opportunity for production technicians, helping us to better understand our role and realize that we are mere mediators between science and nature. An aquaculture pond is a diverse habitat populated by countless species that interact with each other to achieve a unique balance, known as symbiosis.

A holistic approach to maintaining aquatic symbiosis

The existing variables in aquaculture are diverse and interrelated. Pathological events are an imbalance of the aquaculture universe; therefore, any techniques and methodologies that incorporate key elements (e.g., water quality, soil, nutrition, biosecurity) must be positive and sustainable over time. Treating these variables separately will not generate permanent results. The aim should be to seek alternative options, such as integrating them into a more holistic concept.

A great example is technology that combines prebiotic concepts with probiotics, which work together to create a symbiotic environment. Eventually, this alternative approach stimulates beneficial microorganisms (e.g., phytoplankton, zooplankton, bacteria, yeast), which stabilize aquaculture ponds and lower the risk of disease.

Becoming part of the symbiosis

Through management programs focused on health, biosecurity, nutrition and immune support, we have integrated ourselves into this symbiosis, effectively becoming the missing link in aquaculture.

For example, in Ecuador, we have been working with industry partners to develop a symbiotic environment for shrimp through the production of bokashi. Bokashi consists of soy cake, a source of soluble and insoluble fibers. Its protein is also considered a functional food source. Soy nutrients are released when combined with enzymes such as Allzyme® SSF and Allzyme® Vegpro, in addition to Lacto-Sacc®, which provides high-performance probiotics.

An interesting fact is that the probiotics in Lacto-Sacc, such as Latobacillus acidophilus and Enterococcus faecium, contribute metabolites (natural organic acids), which acidify the digestive tract. Additionally, enriching bokashi with Bio-Mos® and organic trace minerals like Sel-Plex® and Bioplex® may result in optimal farming conditions and significant cost savings.

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In a recent live webinar, Dr. Kristen Brennan, research manager at Alltech, discussed how the science of nutrigenomics can be applied to pet nutrition. Click here and sign-up to view the recorded webinar and the interactive question-and-answer session.

Precise nutrition: What does it mean?

When we talk about precision nutrition, or target nutrition, we are referring to specific dog/cat foods for specific breeds, age groups or sizes of dogs/cats. We know that certain breeds might be predisposed to joint arthritis (e.g., larger dogs), and other breeds might be more sensitive to gastrointestinal issues. The idea behind precise nutrition is designing the best nutrition for an animal based on its genetics, physical build and lifestyle.

How long has nutrigenomics been around? What drove this technology to the forefront of nutrition?

Nutrigenomics has been around since the evolution of the first living thing, because nutrition has always influenced the genome. We just figured out a way to measure it. Really, the sequencing of genomes is what drove this technology forward. Once we understood what each part of the genome coded for, we could capture that information.

What advantages are there for us to use nutrigenomics studies compared to tradition nutrition studies?

The number one advantage is purely the sheer volume of information we can get. We can profile thousands of genes and their activity in one snapshot versus just a few phenotypic measures like body weight. Another benefit is that these can be relatively non-invasive. We need only small samples of tissue and that can be as simple as bloodwork.

Can we use nutrigenomics to explain why some breeds respond different to the same diets?

Down the road, that is the goal. We are starting to understand changes in the genome’s sequence (called SNPs) and their role in health. Eventually, we hope we can link those changes to how dogs or cats respond to diets. The work being done now is more “big picture.”

Gene expression: What does up- and down-regulating mean? Which is better?

By up-regulating (“turning on”) or down-regulating (“turning off”) genes, the body changes the levels of the proteins that make up structures and functions in the cells. This, in turn, alters physiological processes like energy production or immune response. Nutrigenomics is the field of research we use to study if changes in genes occur with changes in the animal’s diet.

Which is better: up-regulating or down-regulating? The answer is, it depends. For instance, if you have genes that are responsible for cancer cell progression and you see an increase (i.e., the genes turn on, or up-regulate), that is a negative thing, but if you see a decrease (i.e., the genes turn off, or down-regulate), that is a good thing. However, if you have genes that are involved in a different function, such as protein translation or energy, increases (up-regulation) are good.

What do we know about obesity and gene expression?

More than half of all cats and dogs are obese in the U.S. Nutrigenomics helps to identify the molecular markers associated with, or before, body weight gain, potentially offering an opportunity to identify targets for nutritional intervention before a problem becomes bigger, literally.

Nutrients and molecules: What is the impact on gene expression?

What we’ve seen on a molecular level is that the form of the nutrients — for example, organic trace minerals versus inorganic — is extremely influential to how an animal responds. By observing genetic expression, we can determine which form of a trace mineral will have the most beneficial effect.

Nutrients and energy: What is the real benefit of organic selenium?

We like to talk about the mitochondria being the “powerhouse” or “battery” pack of the cell. Every cell in your body has mitochondria, which provide energy. We have found that selenium plays a role in controlling the gene that essentially says, “make more mitochondria.” PGC-1 alpha is a key regulator that says to your body, “We need more capacity for energy, so let’s make more mitochondria.”

Nutrients and inflammation: Omega-3 fatty acids can have an impact

Nutrigenomics is telling us that omega-3 fatty acids can decrease the transcription genes involved in joint inflammation, opening the doors for potential nutritional therapy or alleviation of symptoms.

Nutrients and digestive health: Other applications of nutrigenomics

By using nutrigenomics, we have found that special molecules from yeast-based polysaccharides (prebiotic fibers) can increase goblet cell counts and mucin, protecting the mucous membrane and, ultimately, the intestine from chemical and physical injury.

The bottom line on nutrigenomics and pet nutrition:

• Nutrition and the environment are the two main factors that can affect the health of a pet.
• Nutrigenomics examines the nutrient-gene interactions on a genome-wide scale.
• Better understanding of nutrition is possible through nutrigenomics. If we understand the “why,” we can figure out the “how.”
• Nutrigenomics enables us to design diets to target specific concerns such as obesity and joint inflammation.

The following is an edited transcript of Luther Andal’s interview with Dr. Kyle McKinney, development manager for Alltech Crop Science’s Central America and Caribbean regions.

Luther:                        Dr. Kyle McKinney joins us for a conversation about new ideas in sustainability. Dr. McKinney is now working in Costa Rica as Alltech Crop Science’s development manager for Central America and the Caribbean. Thank you for joining us.

Kyle:                            Thank you for having me.

Luther:                        Kyle, you moved to Costa Rica recently. Why?

Kyle:                            Yes. I moved nearly two years ago. We had a specific project in mind focused on disease in bananas. Bananas are the number one fruit consumed globally and the number four crop grown globally. And there’s a disease that will wipe out 50 percent of bananas worldwide if left untreated.

                                    So, our approach in our crop science — Alltech Crop Science — is to look at using natural alternatives to pesticides or natural alternatives for plant nutrition. So, we develop technology that would complement synthetic chemicals (fungicides and pesticides), allowing us to reduce those chemicals and slow the disease spread in bananas in Costa Rica.

Luther:                        Can you tell us more about what’s going on in Costa Rica?

Kyle:                            Sure. Costa Rica, in general, is the fourth- or fifth-largest producer of bananas and the number one exporter of pineapples. The climate is perfect for disease: disease in the soil, disease in the air. And Costa Rica gets hit hard sometimes on their use of chemical pesticides. But, due to the disease opportunities, they have to fight these diseases to maintain their fruit production and exports. So, they’re looking for help and they’re reaching out.

                                    One of the great things is that Costa Rica’s producers want to look at alternatives and they want to look into the future. They know the use of chemical pesticides as used today and as used in the past will not be part of our future. Producers in Costa Rica are very interested in new technology, what we have to offer and the idea that a company would send someone to help. In addition to myself, we have another colleague who came from Kentucky to Costa Rica to work on his Ph.D. at the University of Costa Rica. We also built a microbiology laboratory.

So, when we talk about this Costa Rica project, there’s often a joke that I packed my suitcases with fermenters and took those down to Costa Rica, but it’s a unique setup that we have. By having that lab there, we can respond quickly to the producers. They appreciate that, and it’s a good working partnership.

Luther:                        You referenced the disease that is endangering the banana crop there. Can you give us a little more information? What its name is, how does it affect the banana crop? Is it a danger to the bananas around the world?

Kyle:                            Sure. It’s called black sigatoka. It’s a fungal disease. It’s spread in the air. The climate of Costa Rica keeps cultivating this fungus and it spreads. It gets onto the leaves and causes the leaves to rot away — cell death of the leaves. When you buy the banana, a third of that cost is coming from the treatment of this disease. It’s made it difficult for small banana producers to stay in business because of the cost of keeping the disease away. We would lose 50 percent of the plants if we did not have the constant application of these chemicals to keep the disease from spreading.

                                    So, it can be maintained, but the question is: How do we maintain it in a more naturalway using alternatives? That’s really the goal — not just in Costa Rica, but across the world: utilizing more natural resources. Microbes, for example. That’s a big part of what we do in crop science: utilizing microbes in the soil and microbes being applied to plants to stimulate growth, for example.

                                    Costa Rica has been fighting this particular banana disease for 30 to 40 years, and they do the job of maintaining and holding the disease from spreading. They do that by monitoring constant application —

Luther:                        Given the fact that black sigatoka is costly to maintain — meaning, to hold back — because of pesticides, what are you researching that could offer hope for the future?

Kyle:                            We’re looking at some of our technologies that have favorable enzymes produced from a bacteria fermentation. So, these enzymes, once applied to the soil or applied to the leaves, will attack the fungi from the disease and break that fungi cell wall down, and we see a reduction of the disease.

                                    It’s working in the same sense that pesticides work. Pesticides have been engineered to break down the cell wall of the fungi. We also see opportunities to induce this plant to produce its own self-defenses. For example, when the plant has the fungi on it, it’s releasing compounds as it tries to remove the disease. What if we look at ways to cause these compounds to be released prior to this disease arriving or the fungi arriving?

We know we’re not at a point where we can eliminate pesticide usage completely. One day it will happen with technology, and we’re not there yet, but we can reduce it, and we’re showing that currently in Costa Rica.

Luther:                        Given the fact that you are reducing pesticide use through using these new treatments, one of the terms I’ve seen is “induced resistance.” How is that being used, and what is the result of using induced resistance?

Kyle:                            When we induce resistance, for example, we’re causing that plant to produce compounds that fight off disease. These are enzymes, a lot of times. So, when we induce resistance in that plant, we cause the plant to produce these enzymes and begin fighting before the disease hits. It’s really like a vaccine when taken to prevent disease: You create resistance inside your body for when it may hit. So, it’s the same idea in crops as well.

Luther:                        What kind of results are we seeing from the application of induced resistance?

Kyle:                            What we’ve seen so far — and we’re very happy with this — is nearly a 20 percent reduction in the use of pesticides with the producers who were applying our technology.

Luther:                        When you say a 20 percent reduction, do you mean a 20 percent reduction of the disease or 20 percent reduction of pesticides?

Kyle:                            We’re talking 20 percent reduction of the pesticides. So, it’s a big deal, and it’s something we’re happy about. It’s something that the producers are happy about because they’re selling the bananas to people who want a clean, healthy crop, whether it’s a fruit or any other food source. So, we’re all working together to fight this disease using the expertise, from the growers/producers to our people in microbiology on the fermentation side. It’s a partnership that’s come together to solve a problem in bananas.

Luther:                        So, that’s a 20 percent reduction when they’re applying those pesticides sometimes two to three times a month, you said, to be able to hold back the sigatoka disease.

Kyle:                            Correct. Exactly.

Luther:                        Would you say that the biggest challenge for the future of food production is crop protection — or one of the biggest challenges?

Kyle:                            Absolutely, it’s one of the biggest challenges, if not the biggest. It’s what we’ve seen over the years: The application of pesticides, whether that’s a fungicide, herbicide or others, has increased each decade since the `50s, `60s. That’s also allowed us to double food production along with other parameters of agriculture. But, the continued growth of pesticides in our crops is not going to be sustainable.

                                    People don’t want that in their food. No one does. As people become more aware, it puts pressure on growers worldwide to reduce pesticides. It puts pressure on grocery stores not to stock fruits with high chemical levels. So, it’s a major concern. What we’re happy to see is that producers want alternatives, and that has allowed for a nice partnership, to work together and to find solutions to crop protection.

Luther:                        So, we have this kind of dichotomy going on where you have diseases like sigatoka that are decimating the crop if not treated with pesticides two to three times a month. On the other side, we also need to increase the production to meet the world demand — using a term we talked about yesterday: “rising billions.” China, India, Africa and other parts of Asia all coming into a middle class, needing and demanding more food variety. We have this challenge that we’re talking about of protecting a crop but at the same time having to increase that production. So, it sounds like this is a huge need in terms of the future. Would you agree with that, that the crop protection is to protect what we have, but as we increase production, using more and more pesticides is not a viable option?

Kyle:                            You’re correct. Crop protection is number one. We understand more about plant genetics. We understand more about microbials. And as we move forward, we’re going to see combinations of natural solutions, whether it’s microbes or it’s the compounds that microbes produce. Those combinations are going to give us alternatives for crop protection. We’ll see a drastic reduction in the use of pesticides over the next decade. There’s no question. That’s the direction the industry is moving.

Luther:                        Would those then be what we referred to as biopesticides that you’re talking about?

Kyle:                            These would be referred to as biopesticides.

Luther:                        Okay. Can you give us a little more detail on what a “biopesticide” is? I think you probably have talked about it a little bit. But now that we have it, quantify what the term is.

Kyle:                            Sure. “Biopesticide” essentially encompasses this natural solution versus a synthetically produced chemical.

Luther:                        So, sometimes it may be used to make the plant healthier and stronger, and other times to combat the disease itself or the effects of the disease?

Kyle:                            That’s a good question. Our approach is to focus on the plant. Let’s make the plant healthier and the plant can then fight these diseases. Then, let’s also attack the disease as well. When you strengthen the root system of the plant by removing pathogens in the soil, it’s an interesting discussion point.

                                    If you take 1 acre of soil, there are nearly 15 tons of microbes in that soil, and we only understand about 2 percent of those microbes. We have no idea what the other 98 percent will allow us to do to improve plant health, plant nutrition and reduce disease. That’s a big component, a big focus of what we’re doing in Alltech Crop Science.

Luther:                        So, it sounds like there’s a tremendous opportunity as we research the 98 percent to find other biological organisms that can stimulate growth, increase health and combat disease.

Kyle:                            Absolutely. There’s no question the future of crop protection and the future of improving crop plant nutrition will be utilizing microbes in the soil.

Luther:                        It sounds like it’s very similar to humans in that we are using our biological antibiotic system to fight disease. So, we’re making ourselves healthy, and at the same time, we also have other biological elements that fight the disease. So, it equates well to a diet for a human being: not necessarily using antibiotics that are artificially created in a lab, but using foods that maybe have natural built-in compounds that fight disease. That’s kind of equivalent to what you’re attempting to do with crop protection.

Kyle:                            Exactly. We’re allowing that plant to fight the disease, which is what it was designed to do. We’re encouraging that plant to start fighting the disease maybe before the disease arrives. But when the disease arrives, it can maintain and sustain itself much better. We’re not changing any genetics. We’re just promoting what that plant has already been designed to be able to do for itself.

Luther:                        There is a lot of discussion on the human use of biostimulants — natural substances that help the development of the human body from birth through adulthood and maintaining healthy bones, vision and mental aptitude. Can you tell us what biostimulants are and how they apply to a plant? It sounds like there are some similarities in what you’re trying to achieve.

Kyle:                            Right.

                                    When we promote using a biostimulant, we’re promoting the plant to grow better and grow faster. A lot of times, we see better quality fruits and we see more uniform fruits. When consumers are buying from a visual standpoint, it’s a benefit for the producer.

Luther:                        I know that you’ve been working with pineapple in Costa Rica, with some biostimulants. What are the results of that?

Kyle:                            Correct. We’re focused on pineapple as well as banana. What we’ve seen in pineapple is a stronger root development. When the root develops in a pineapple, the uptake of nutrients changes, so we see a faster rate of growth and we see more uniformity of the pineapples, which is important for export. We’re quite excited about what we’re seeing in pineapple. We really started in the banana and now we’re shifting to this pineapple area, and we’re seeing some opportunities that make us excited.

Luther:                        What about corn? I believe in Iowa you’ve been working with corn.

Kyle:                            Exactly. So, when we look at our biostimulant work, we’ve really focused on corn as we worked and developed this program. In corn, we see increased root base, and that leads to a faster development, to more uniform corn kernels. The biostimulant aspect in corn is something we’ve been working on for a decade or more.

Luther:                        What do you see on the horizon for biological technologies?

Kyle:                            I think we’re going see a dramatic change over the next five to 10 years in this area of biologicals. Many people are taking notice. Universities are doing research. It’s in a lot of discussions on harnessing the power of microbes.

                                    We’ve seen a dramatic shift over the last five years. The biopesticide biological market is expected to go from about $2 billion in global sales currently to $8 billion in four years. So, you’re going to see a tripling of this market. I think the biopesticide market is currently growing at about 15 percent per year compared to 3 percent for synthetic chemicals. So, you’re seeing this change. As we understand more about soil microbes and how they can be beneficial, you’re going to see a dramatic growth over the next five years to a decade.

Luther:                        That’s substantial. What about for microalgae? What specifically do you see for the future?

Kyle:                            Microalgae are something we’ve taken notice of, and we know that there are biostimulant aspects of microalgae. Seaweed, for example, has been utilized for many years to promote growth as a biostimulant. It’s one of our expertise areas — growing microalgae. So, we’re really going to start pushing into that area for biostimulants.

Luther:                        What about in the area of solid state fermentation? Are some advancements being made there?

Kyle:                            I like solid state fermentation because I did my Ph.D. in that area. Solid state fermentation has been around for a thousand years. You see it often, like when you see fungi growing on a log, for example. What it’s doing is breaking down fibers, releasing nutrients. Solid state fermentation offers the same idea of producing beneficial fungi, which will help break down nutrients, which will help develop the root base and resist disease in the soil. It helps increase water uptake as an extension of the roots. So, solid state fermentation offers a lot of promise moving forward on production of beneficial fungi and bacteria.

Luther:                        Overall, how do you think farmers are doing, and growers, in terms of sustainability?

Kyle:                            I think sustainability is starting to take off. In the past five to 10 years, people started to understand the idea of sustainability. As consumers become aware that crops and animals can be raised without the use of heavy levels of pesticides, chemicals or other inputs, sustainability is going to be the future of crop protection. It’s going come quicker than most people think.

                                    Many farmers want alternatives. They’re excited about the future of alternatives. They seek out companies like Alltech and say, “Hey, can you help us? What can we work on together?” So, the future of sustainable agriculture, and this whole new technology wave we’re seeing in agriculture is really going to change. We have to change in order to produce the food to feed another 2 to 3 billion people over the next 15, 20, 30 years. So, all this technology is going to come together, which includes microbes to produce the food that we require.

Luther:                        So, how does this affect the average consumer’s kitchen table? I’ve heard you talk about how much cost goes into pesticide use, for instance. Beyond that, what other ways will it affect an average consumer?

Kyle:                            Maybe at the moment the idea and the understanding that they’re eating healthy food is more significant than the financial impact on consumers. We can incorporate programs using alternatives such as biopesticides and not impact the cost for the producer. I think when consumers can sit down to eat and not fear that what they’re eating is unhealthy or may have some chemical inputs, I think that this leads to a better understanding and people are more excited about the area of agriculture.

Luther:                        Well, that leads right into what you enjoy most about your job.  

Kyle:                            You know, Alltech, in general, is always changing. There are always new opportunities. There are always new paths to take. If you’re bored in this company, then you’re not seeking out the opportunities that come around the corner.

                                    I’m excited every day to get up and look at the challenges that we’re facing in Costa Rica and work with producers to offer them alternatives. They’re seeking these alternatives, and we have the technologies and expertise to work together and make a difference.

Luther:                        Dr. McKinney is Alltech Crop Science’s development manager for Central America and the Caribbean. Thank you very much for joining us.

Kyle:                            Thank you for having me.

Dr. Kyle McKinney spoke at ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference (ONE17). To hear more talks from the conference, sign up for the Alltech Idea Lab.

When faced with the challenge of quickly showing product efficacy to a new dealer, Alltech Crop Science (ACS) U.S. technical sales manager Brian Springer decided to take an innovative approach. 

“We didn’t have time or space for a traditional demo,” says Springer, who searched for a way that would highlight how ACS products help crops under stressful situations. 

The answer would take the form of a 79-day, head-to-head barrel trial using two control and two separately treated barrels of tender sweet corn. Soil-Set® was applied to both of the treated barrels at planting and resulted in a greater initial take-off during the first week  —  when compared to the two control barrels — and were later treated with Grain-Set® and Liqui-Plex®Zn. 

“The plants in the treated barrels were uniform in size and larger than those in either of the control barrels,” says Springer. “We also saw 100 percent emergence in the ACS barrels, whereas one of the control barrels only reached 67 percent emergence. This is a trend we continued to see throughout the trial.”   

Drought conditions soon set in, with 10 days of no water and temperatures of 100°F (37°C), and the ACS-treated barrels stood out significantly.

“The treated plants stood back up after the drought stress and produced corn,” says Springer.  “We also found that the root systems in the treated plants were significantly larger and resulted in greater yield than the control plants.

“Not only was the dealer surprised, but so were all the customers who visited the dealership everyday to buy feed or other farm needs," continues Springer. "They understand that fields produce differently, but now they see it’s possible to improve their soils in a cost-effective way, to compete with anyone.” 

Barrel trial using two control and two separately treated barrels of tender sweet corn. 

To learn more about what measures you can take to improve your soil, contact cropscience@alltech.com. 

7^th annual survey features expanded data from 144 countries and more than 30,000 feed mills

China and the U.S. produce one-third of the global feed supply

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – The 2018 Alltech Global Feed Survey, released today, estimates that international feed tonnage has exceeded 1 billion metric tons for the second consecutive year, with a total of 1.07 billion metric tons of feed produced in 2017. The growth seen in 2017 was strong at 2.57 percent over last year. The feed industry, valued at $430 billion, has seen 13 percent growth over the past five years, equating to an average of 2.49 percent per annum. This substantial growth is supported by the higher reported consumption of meat, milk and eggs.

The seventh edition of the annual survey is the most comprehensive ever, now covering 144 countries and more than 30,000 feed mills. The results show that China and the U.S. remain the top two countries, producing one-third of all animal feed, and that predominant growth came from the pig, broiler and dairy feed sectors as well as the European and Asia-Pacific regions.

“Now in its seventh year of analysis, the Alltech Global Feed Survey continues to serve as a valuable report on the state of the global feed industry,” said Aidan Connolly, chief innovation officer and vice president of corporate accounts at Alltech. “In addition to its insights into the feed industry, it serves as a barometer for agriculture as a whole and oftentimes demonstrates the economic strength of the countries included in the survey.”

The Alltech Global Feed Survey assesses compound feed production and prices through information collected by Alltech’s global sales team and in partnership with local feed associations in the last quarter of 2017. It is intended to serve as an information resource for policymakers, decision-makers and industry stakeholders.

The top seven feed-producing countries in 2017, in order of production output importance, were China, the U.S., Brazil, Russia, Mexico, India and Spain. These countries contain approximately 54 percent of the world’s feed mills and account for 53 percent of total production. These countries can be viewed as an indicator of the trends in agriculture.

Regional results from the 2018 Alltech Global Feed Survey

·       North America: The U.S. remains the second-largest feed-producing country globally, behind China. North America produces a third of the beef feed, five times that of the next-largest producer. The U.S. and Canada are two of the top horse feed producing countries. Feed prices in North America are lower than when compared to other regions.

·       Latin America: Brazil remained the leader in feed production for the region and third overall globally. Brazil, Mexico and Argentina account for almost 75 percent of regional feed production. Mexico leads the region in beef and layer feed production. Latin America as a region has had the third-highest growth rate over five years, seen primarily in aqua, horses and pets.

·       Europe: Tied with Asia-Pacific for the fastest-growing regions, Europe saw a 3 percent feed tonnage growth, resulting from increases in pig, boiler and aqua feed production. The region was led by Russia with 37.6 million tons produced in 2017, moving up in the country rankings from number seven to number four. Russia increased its estimated pig feed, including more private production. Russian broiler feed production also increased by 3 percent, while Ukraine, Romania, the U.K. and Belgium also reported higher numbers, supporting growth in the European region. Europe is the top pet food producing region.

·       Asia-Pacific: The Asia-Pacific region accounts for more than 35 percent of the world’s feed tonnage. China remained the top feed-producing country in the world with 186.86 million metric tons, a slight decline in overall feed production compared to last year. Asia-Pacific increased by 3 percent over the 2017 survey results, primarily due to increases in pig and pet food production. Increased production for Asia-Pacific also came from India with 7 percent and Thailand with 8 percent growth. Vietnam grew 4 percent over the past year and is the second-highest producer of pig and aqua feed in the Asia-Pacific region. Seventy percent of all aqua feed and 44 percent of all layer feed is produced in Asia-Pacific countries.

·       Africa: Africa remains the fastest growing region in the world for dairy and broiler feeds.  With a regional average growth rate of nearly 30 percent over the last five years, it did not show growth in 2017. Pig, dairy, layer and boiler feed production increased, while decreases occurred in beef and aquaculture. Also, on average, Africa is the most expensive region for feeding pigs, layers and broilers. Smaller countries such as Botswana and Mozambique led the growth for pig, dairy, layer and broiler feeds. Beef feed production decreases were reflected in countries such as Zambia and Morocco. While many African nations showed a small increase in aquaculture feed production, the region as a whole was down primarily because of lower reported feed production in Egypt, which has now been surpassed by Nigeria.

Notable species results from the 2018 Alltech Global Feed Survey

·       In the poultry industry, broiler feed production increased across all regions, with the largest growth found in Africa with 10 percent and Europe with 7 percent. Romania, Russia and Ukraine all reported steady growth, contributing to Europe’s overall production, while Africa’s growth came primarily from Egypt, Uganda and Mozambique.

·       Global leaders in pork production, China and Russia, led the way in pig feed production in 2017. Many smaller African countries, particularly Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Uganda and Namibia, also showed increases. 

·       Global dairy feed production saw growth across all regions. Europe, a global leader in dairy production, grew on average by approximately 2 percent. Africa as a region saw the largest dairy feed production increase by 10 percent, with countries such as South Africa, Morocco and Zimbabwe showing significant increases from their reported 2017 dairy feed production.

·       Beef feed production reported an overall global decline of approximately 1 percent, primarily in regions such as Latin America, Africa and Europe. This global downward trend has generally been felt by the industry for some time as more consumers turn to “white” meats such as chicken, pork and fish.

·       Overall aquaculture feeds showed a slight increase, particularly in the European region. China reported a decline of 5 percent this year and in 2016, which could be linked to government controls on feeding practices and food safety, such as the administration of antibiotics. Brazil, Chile and Peru led the increase in production in Latin America, as did in the Middle East. Carp leads the production of aquaculture feed, followed by shrimp/prawn and tilapia. Catfish, salmon and trout also ranked on the species feed indicator, though to lesser degrees.

·       The pet food sector had a strong year across all regions. Asia-Pacific’s pet food production increased by 13 percent, with China, Thailand and Taiwan as the primary contributors to the increase. Europe increased by 17 percent with Russia, the Czech Republic, Romania, Poland and Hungary producing over 580,000 metric tons of additional pet food. Uruguay, Ecuador, El Salvador, Chile and Argentina represent almost all of the pet food production growth in Latin America, combining for 725,000 more tons.

“The Alltech Global Feed Survey provides valuable data and insights on the health of the feed industry and agriculture as a whole,” said Connolly. “As such, we will continue to offer the findings of the feed survey freely in an effort to demonstrate the significance of the animal feed industry in feeding a growing global population, sustainably and affordably.”

The Alltech Global Feed Survey has illuminated some intriguing points that can play a role in analyzing the economies of agribusiness and indeed of the world. To discover more data from the 2018 Alltech Global Feed Survey, including the results booklet, an interactive global map and a presentation of the results, please fill out the form on this page for access.

In recent years, there has been growing public concern about the welfare of livestock. Dairy farmers are, and should be, chief among those concerned about the well-being of their animals. Uncomfortable animals are not productive animals.

The first and best way to care for your herd is to reduce discomfort and stress caused by husbandry procedures, and this requires early recognition of any pain. Since cows do not communicate verbally, veterinarians and dairy producers have to pay close attention to changes in cow behavior. Teeth grinding, vocalizing, head pressing or, less frequently, colic behavior are clear signs of severe discomfort. Earlier identification of less severe behavioral changes in the cow will help detect illness, leading to better treatment options and improved health outcomes, including milk yield.         

In this video, Dr. Silivo Miranda explains his 5-minute facial assessment. To hear it in Spanish, click here.

Understanding cow discomfort by facial expression

We are developing new guides to facial expression to help farmers detect if their cows are experiencing pain. This program is based on identifying and recognizing specific features on the cow’s face. Cows change their facial expression when stressed, and this spontaneous facial expression is considered an innate response, which is very difficult to suppress.

With a little practice, this evaluation can be done quickly in five minutes, and the farmer, with help from his veterinarian, can decide if the cow needs treatment or not.

Nose: It is a good sign if she lets you get close to the nose. If the facial muscles are relaxed, it means she isn’t in pain.

Strained nostrils dilated with lines above the nostrils and tension of the facial muscle suggest pain. Also, an increase of tonus of the lips could indicate pain.

Eyes: A cow has incredible peripheral vision and relies on vision for many things, from navigating the barn to finding feed. That is why bright, clear eyes, free of any crusting, are important for a healthy cow. A stare/withdrawn appearance and tension of the muscles above the eyes that may be seen as “furrow lines” indicate pain.

Ears: Should be forward. If the ears are tense and backward or low, also called “lambs ears,” this might indicate discomfort or pain.

Pain evaluation is an essential tool to ensure animal welfare in the modern dairy industry. Remember, happy, pain-free cows mean more milk and better reproductive health.  

As growers look to the next season and plan their spring planting, they will be watching for the first signals of how their crops will succeed throughout the spring and summer and into harvest.

Crop emergence is the first predictor of crop success. The number of seeds that germinate and grow has a direct correlation to the total yield and quality. Therefore, it is important to take steps not only during the pre-emergence, but also in the previous growing and harvest periods, that will benefit the plants throughout the growing season.

Soil preparation

Preparing your soil begins during the previous season. The use of practices that promote the improvement and biological balance in the soil, such as cover crops, crop rotation and natural fertilizers, improves the soil. Optimal soil quality will help plants reach their full genetic potential and better face environmental stressors. 

The amount of crop residue can also affect emergence since it can keep the temperature of the soil significantly lower. Growers should take the time to break down the material, which will also provide additional nutrients to the soil. 

Field preparation

After improving soil health, it is time to properly prepare the field itself for planting. A soil test is recommended to check what nutrients — both macro and micro — may be low.

During the pre-emergence period, it is also time to begin scouting the fields for early signs of weeds. Growers should not only look for weeds that are beginning to break through, but also dig for weed seeds as well. Field borders can be a good place to check for signs of potential weed problems.

Seed selection

To make sure the crop emerges properly and in a timely fashion, the right variety of seed should be used. The chosen variety should work well for the soil type, the growing environment and the grower’s end market goals. For example, if the area is prone to stressors like temperature fluctuations, a seed that is rated for emergence stressors should be used. 

Timing

Timing is integral to ensure that the crop emerges correctly. Planting too early or too late can be detrimental to the overall yield and crop quality. Some crops, such as soybeans, perform better if they are planted a bit early.

Temperature

Keeping an eye on soil temperature will ensure a better emergence of your plants. Cold temperatures will stress the seeds and decrease the number of plants that will reach maturity. Growers should monitor the temperature at planting depth, and if it is a cold and wet period, planting should be stopped, if possible, until more favorable conditions are present. 

The attention in preparing the soil and field, finding the right seeds and ensuring correct timing and weather conditions will help growers get a leg up in ensuring that their seeds emerge into viable plants. To learn about more ways to improve soil and provide a strong start for your crops, contact Cropscience@alltech.com.  

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The brooding period is a critical time of development for many systems within a bird, and it occurs from the time of placement — even beforehand as the farm prepares for the new flock — to around two weeks of life for the young chicken (chick) or turkey (poult).

Getting the flock off to the right start during brooding can help to positively impact health and performance throughout the flock’s life. There are five areas that must be monitored carefully during the brooding period:

1. Regulation of body temperature

Chicks and poults are unable to regulate their internal body temperature during the first four to six days post-hatch (poults: 39.4–40°C or 103–104°F; chicks: 40–41°C or 104–106°F).

While environmental temperature control is important for the entire flock, it is particularly critical during brooding, as it is important to not overheat nor overcool birds, which can greatly impact performance. Management guidelines for the breed will include the appropriate temperatures for the flock, and these temperatures may differ depending on whether the flock is from younger or older breeder hens. The producer must also consider the temperature of the floor and litter so that the entire environment, and not just the air, is at the correct temperature. 

2. Skeletal and muscle system

During their first week of life, poults and chicks gain around four times their original body weight. This significant increase in weight suggests rapid growth of the bird. A large part of this growth is aided by the first feeding phases given to the bird, which focus on nutrients to help with growth, as opposed to the end of the flock, when nutrients are focused on body maintenance. Nutrients such as protein, calcium, phosphorus and various minerals are required to help with this growth. Using minerals that are more bioavailable to the bird (e.g., Bioplex^® and Sel-Plex^®) and highly digestible proteins (e.g., NuPro^®) can optimize growth during this time and the life of the flock.  

3. Immune system

Some breeder hen antibodies are passed on to the offspring through the yolk. These maternal antibodies help to protect the chick/poult during their first two to three weeks of age. However, these maternal antibodies do not complete the immune system of the young bird. Immune organs and immune tissue start developing in the embryo and the hatched bird. Additionally, active immunity is developing in the young bird from in ovo to the field through vaccinations and exposure to pathogens. If there is any stress on the bird, the immune system can be suppressed, negatively impacting health and performance. Depending on the situation, supporting the immune system during this period with various feed additives, such as Actigen^®, Natustat^®, Bioplex and Sel-Plex, can be beneficial to encourage the building of natural defenses.

4. Gastrointestinal system

The gastrointestinal tract has many purposes, including barrier and immune function for disease protection, as well as the breakdown, digestion and absorption of feed and water that can be translated into production parameters. The small intestine is the main area where most of the feed is digested and absorbed. To efficiently absorb feed, there must be a large surface area in the intestinal tract. Increased villi numbers and villi height help to increase the surface area for absorption. The small intestine has rapid development from 17 days of incubation to about 10 days post-placement. During this critical time, the bird’s ability to efficiently digest and absorb nutrients, in addition to mounting strong disease defenses, is developed.

5. Microbiome

Different areas of the bird have different microbiomes, such as the skin and intestinal tract. The intestinal tract microbiome is a part of the barrier function of the intestine. The stability of the microbiome involves a balancing act between the beneficial and opportunistic microbes, the latter of which are disease-causing under stress. Within a few hours of hatching, the small intestine is colonized by different bacterial groups. As the bird ages, the intestinal microflora population changes from immature to mature, reaching a stable balance within two to three weeks in the small intestine and up to six weeks in the ceca. Supporting the early establishment of a beneficial microflora community will allow villi to flourish, absorption to be maximized and the presence of pathogenic bacteria to be minimized. The diet of the bird, including nutrients and feed additives (such as Actigen, All-Lac^® XCL and Acid-Pak 4-Way^® 2X), as well as the water the bird drinks, can have an impact on the intestinal microflora. The poultry barn, especially the litter, has its own microflora that is highly influenced by the gut microflora, and vice versa. It may take several flock cycles to positively change the populations and profile of the poultry barn microflora.

When the birds are first placed in the barn, it is critical that they gain immediate access to feed and water. Supplemental feed and water are generally used to allow for easy transition to the permanent feeding and water system.

Many factors must be taken into consideration to help the birds get off to the right start during brooding, including best management practices, with particular attention to biosecurity, nutrition and health status.  

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2017 was an extremely hot and dry year in Portugal, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Fahrenheit above average and summer temperatures extending through the end of October. Precipitation levels were 70 percent below previous years. These climatic conditions led to weak pollination, which predicted substantial production losses.

In the south of Portugal, an already hot and dry region, Rui Barros, a producer of corn for popcorn, was looking for solutions to help him keep his farm productivity at a normal level.

Vasco Stubner, sales representative for Alltech Portugal, proposed a simple program aimed at helping plants maintain their vital functions so production isn't lost. Grain-Set^® was applied through fertigation on June 15, and the corn was harvested three months later at the end of September.

The harvest numbers tell the story of Barros’ success:

• Increased cob weight

• Yield increased by 793 kg/ha (12.7 bu/acre) versus the control, which represented a return of investment around 5 to 1 

“We have only intervened on a small parcel of this farm,” said Stubner. “With productivity results that exceeded all the farmer’s best expectations, we are definitely looking into broadening the area of application for next season.”  

Beringel Farm, where the program was applied, has a total area of over 200 acres.

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