Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP). In a region where farmland is measured in square feet, fried crickets are a delicacy and roadside markets are more common than supermarkets, we experienced many firsts, and our eyes were opened to the differences in agriculture between Canada and Southeast Asia.

We arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, ironically on the inaugural Canada’s Agriculture Day, and so we shared our #AgMoreThanEver pride from the other side of the world.

Over the next few days, we toured around rural areas, visiting a rubber tree plantation, an agriculture research park where they were growing cabbage, melons and peppers, an earthworm farm and a dairy.

After an eye-opening experience traveling through Vietnam, we flew to Thailand to finish our study tour. We visited the Baan Susan Chamchoen Farm, owned by Mr. Somsak, outside of Bangkok. He toured us through his mixed fruit farm, which he built for agri-tourism, with lodging, a restaurant and a store to purchase many value-added products, including syrups and jams. He grows bananas, coconuts and mangos and raises ducks, chickens and goats. We thanked Mr. Somsak for his hospitality with an Ag More Than Ever t-shirt and a Canadian flag.

Jenn Norrie is the on-farm communications manager for Alltech, based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. You can follow her on Twitter @jennorrie. You can also view posts from the AALP International Study Tour with the hashtag #AALP16.

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – The outlook for aquaculture, the fastest-growing sector in the feed industry, is strong. Yet, challenges loom as aquaculture producers find themselves dealing with pressures on all sides. They face a limited supply of fish oil from overfished oceans. Meanwhile, increasing consumer demand for more sustainable seafood is causing ripples in the supply chain.

It is at this pivotal tipping point where a new collaboration is seeking to provide sustainable aquaculture nutrition solutions.

Coppens International, an innovative Dutch aquatic feed and nutrition company that joined Alltech in 2016, will be collaborating with Guabi, a leading fish feed producer in Brazil. Guabi, a 43-year veteran in the animal feed business, entered into a strategic partnership with Alltech earlier this year, and now Alltech is linking the two leading aquaculture feed producers from opposite sides of the ocean together to accelerate solutions for the aquaculture industry.

“The opportunities between Coppens, Guabi and Alltech are exciting,” said Paulo Rigolin, strategic director for Alltech. “You have leaders in two different regions — Latin America and Europe — combining technology and expertise from more than 20 years of working in aquaculture. This strength is underpinned by Alltech, a leader in numerous agricultural sectors, including aquaculture.”

Guabi and Coppens have already begun discussing new opportunities, and it is expected that algae technology will be a significant focus.

“It’s a great opportunity to further apply new technologies to maximize performance for aquaculture species, but more importantly to bring profitability to producers and the highest quality products to consumers,” said Rigolin.

Guabi has a particular expertise in extruded feeds and unique solutions for a wide variety of aquaculture species, from shrimp to native South America freshwater fish. In addition to a range of feeds incorporating Alltech’s sustainable alternatives to fish oil and inorganic trace minerals, Coppens specializes in nutrition for recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and recently announced a major $1 million expansion of their research center in the Netherlands.

“The new Coppens Research Centre will enable us to do more relevant studies and, more importantly, work with more species than previously whilst also providing a training centre for our staff around the world and customers alike,” said Anno Galema, managing director for Coppens.

Coppens and Guabi will share information on formulations, manufacturing techniques, and raw material and ingredient utilization.

“These are two leading companies in aquaculture feeds, each with unique local expertise,” said Patrick Charlton, CEO of Coppens. “We are very optimistic about what we might deliver to our customers through a collaborative approach to the pressing issues aquaculture faces.”

According to the 2017 Alltech Global Feed Survey, the aquaculture industry experienced a 12 percent increase in feed production in 2016, reaching 39.9 million metric tons.

“We have seen aquaculture as key to our global growth for many years now, and the work with Coppens and Guabi allows us to be able to provide our customers with feeds incorporating the Alltech technologies that we believe are most critical to improving health and performance,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech. “Through these relationships and our shared commitment to innovative research, we believe we are well-equipped to provide our customers with a level of support and expertise that is unrivaled in our industry.”

This expertise is reinforced through a series of research alliances with several universities and a research institute, all of which have focused on examining the impact of Alltech’s algae solutions in a variety of species:

Alltech-Kochi University Research Alliance (Japan) in Japanese yellowtail

Alltech-Ocean University of China Research Alliance (China) in turbot and shrimp

Alltech-Federal University of Santa Catarina Research Alliance (Brazil) in tilapia

Alltech-Kentucky State University Research Alliance (U.S.) in largemouth bass and shrimp

Alltech-Nofima Research Alliance (Norway) in Atlantic salmon

The research alliances’ findings to date have observed that Alltech’s All-G Rich™ could replace fish oil in the diets of marine, freshwater and salmonid species while maintaining performance and DHA levels in the fillet.

According to Dr. Lyons, the aquaculture industry should expect a long-term commitment from Alltech.

“We are already looking to add one or two more complementary partners to our aquaculture program,” said Dr. Lyons.

For information on Alltech’s innovative and sustainable solutions for aquaculture nutrition, visit www.alltech.com/aquaculture.

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] — George Blankenship, former executive at Tesla Motors, Apple Computer and GAP Inc., uses uniquely innovative processes to transform status quo organizations into forward-thinking and dynamic players of the future. And now, Blankenship will use his experience to provide the audience at ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference with unmatched insight into building and creating brand loyalty and awareness, competitive positioning in the market and what it takes to deliver superior customer care.

Jack Bobo, senior vice president and chief communications officer for Intrexon, is constantly assessing the relationship between science and agriculture. Bobo, who was named one of the 100 most influential people in biotechnology by Scientific American, will offer his unique perspective on global trends in agriculture, consumer perceptions and science communication.

International pioneer in innovation and New York Times best-selling author Dr. Peter Diamandis will share his insight and strategies for making big impacts on the future. Diamandis, founder and executive chairman of the XPRIZE Foundation and co-founder and vice-chairman of Human Longevity Inc., was named one of “The World’s 50 Greatest Leaders” by Fortune magazine.

“This year’s audience should prepare for truly disruptive ideas when they hear from these influential leaders,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech’s founder and president. “From changing the car-buying experience to serving as the architect of Apple’s brand-building retail methodology, George Blankenship has disrupted the status quo in several industries. Peter Diamandis taught us how to go big, create wealth and impact the world through his book ‘Abundance.’ And Jack Bobo is a name synonymous with biotechnology and consumer perceptions.”

Dr. Lyons will deliver an inspiring message on “Realizing Your Dreams Through Disruption.” Through personal stories of perseverance and ambition, he will encourage business leaders to explore goals and define a roadmap to success.

Nothing will feed your hunger for making a difference more than pursuing your dreams,” said Dr. Lyons.

Other headliners for ONE17 include Lisa Bodell, founder and CEO of futurethink, and Damien McLoughlin, Anthony C. Cunningham professor of marketing and associate dean at the University College Dublin Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School in Ireland. In her “Why Simple Wins” discussion, Bodell — whose time-management skills border on an art form — will help agribusiness leaders escape complexity traps and focus on the work that matters. McLoughlin will share what can be expected from the new leadership landscape in Washington, D.C., and how the food chain and global trade could be disrupted in the future, as he discusses “Disruption in Washington.”

Attendees will also have the opportunity to hear from Aidan Connolly, Alltech’s chief innovation officer, and Dr. Mark Lyons, global vice president and head of Greater China for Alltech. Connolly will focus on how organizations and individuals can maintain lasting disruption, and Dr. Mark Lyons will discuss the changing consumer landscape and meeting the demands of the “rising billion.”

Contributing to the uniqueness and “real-life solutions” approach of ONE17, this year’s conference will include various track sessions. Breakouts on crop science, beef, dairy, swine, poultry and aquaculture — as well as topical sessions on finance, food issues and emerging markets — provide an opportunity for every corner of production agriculture to engage disruption at the ONE17 conference.

For the full list of sessions and topics to be featured at ONE17, visit one.alltech.com. Register before April 1 to save $300.

Join the conversation on Twitter with #ONE17.

“Raising kids isn’t that hard…right?” says someone who has clearly never parented a child before. But is parenting harder than raising healthy calves?

Try having that argument with a producer who has 400 individual cow-calf pairs — not just one or two kids — in the middle of calving season. From the stress to the unpredictability to the effect on his or her bottom line, calving is undoubtedly tough. But the reality is that it’s not fair to compare the two. Parenting children and raising calves are incredible gifts and incredible challenges.

But why do some calves and some kids turn out well while others do not? Is it luck? Or is it something else?

Many beef producers attribute a good batch of calves to favorable weather, a strong market or a list of other factors. Parents, meanwhile, spare no detail (or expense) in attempting to raise healthy and successful kids.

Is it possible for us to pull some truths from parenting that apply to raising calves?

Parenting truths that (wildly enough) also apply to cattle

1) Kids (and calves) need a nurturing environment.

From the moment a mom-to-be learns that a baby is on the way, everything in her life begins to change as plans are made for the newest addition to the family. A bedroom is prepared, a crib is set up and everything the mom eats and drinks is taken into account to prepare for the baby. Parents do all that they can to protect their child and establish a good foundation so he or she can be as healthy and strong as possible.

The same logic can and should be applied to calving. First, from a management standpoint, everything needs to be done to assure the comfort and safety of the cow. This means providing sufficient bedding, creating a clean, bad bacteria-limiting environment and reducing external stresses at all costs for the sake of the new calf.

Nutrition is a second critical component of any healthy calving program. Similar to how many moms-to-be take prenatal vitamins, a quality mineral and nutritional program — especially in the final four to six weeks of pregnancy — is key to delivering quality calves. Technologies such as Bioplex®, Sel-Plex®, Bio-Mos® and Actigen® can all play a central role in a healthy cow-calf management program. Bioplex and Sel-Plex are organic trace minerals formulated to promote the optimal mineral status for cows, which is critical for ensuring immunity and the adequate transfer of nutrients to the calf. Additionally, Bio-Mos and Actigen are industry-leading technologies used to optimize gut health and promote good bacteria both in cows and their calves.

A healthy gut in the cow leads to improved colostrum quality, the all-important first drink for calves that can jumpstart their natural health defense and support overall immunity. Particularly during the first 24–72 hours of a calf’s life, when it must absorb whole proteins, reinforcing nutrient status through technologies like Bio-Mos and Actigen can promote life-long health, which is good news for both the cow and the calf.

2) Even when times are tough, parents (and producers) must trust the process.

There’s a reason they call it the “terrible twos,” and most parents vividly remember their kid’s first out-of-control public temper tantrum. The kicking, the screaming, the unwanted stares from other parents — those moments are intense (especially for a first-time parent), but they can provide insight for cow-calf producers. Parents know this behavior is all part of growing up and requires dedicated, steady and loving parenting.

Every few years, it seems the market for cattle hits a peak high or an all-time low. In both the high and low moments (like when a kid is screaming in public), it is important to remember the impact of tried-and-tested methods, not just the latest fad or quick fix, to drive long-term profitability.

One factor for success in cattle production is using comprehensively researched feed ingredients like Bio-Mos and Actigen. Reviewed in over 734 accredited studies in all production animal species, Bio-Mos and Actigen have more than 20 years of market presence to back their ability to promote both health and profitable returns. By being proactive and utilizing nutrition as a management tool, much like good parenting strategies, an overall platform for success can be created.

3) Kids don’t magically turn into adults at age 18. Calves aren’t automatically ready for the feed yard.

Every parent’s “special little guy or girl” doesn’t simply wake up as a healthy, smart, successful adult on his or her 18th birthday. Every successful adult was molded and nurtured every day for 18 years by those around him or her, especially their parents, before being sent off into the world.

Interestingly, the world of cattle production can and should function the same way. The goal of cow-calf production is to generate healthy, strong calves that can perform well when they are sent off for feedlot production, much as young adults are prepped in school to enter the workforce.

For cattle about to enter the feed yard, this may take shape in a few different ways. Nutritionally, it can be reinforced by developing a strong mineral program throughout the calf’s life, especially during the weaning and backgrounding stages, with technologies like Bioplex and Sel-Plex. A strong mineral base prepares cattle for the new feedlot environment and ensures that they produce profitably. Furthermore, management issues, such as shipping stress, can be accounted for by supplementing the diet with electrolytes to reinforce receiving status.

The connection between calves and kids/producer and parent is closer than we think. As producers, we provide some of the healthiest, best-tasting beef we can for our communities, friends and families. We also desire to feed and nurture children in such a way that they can grow up to become healthy, productive adult members of society.

Let’s continue to raise our cattle and kids with the kind of care that benefits us both today and for generations to come.

For more information on our full range of nutritional solutions, please visit www.alltech.com or contact us directly by messaging beef@alltech.com.

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – Nine agricultural journalists will soon dive into hands-on training featuring professional development, leadership and global networking as winners of the 2017 IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism Award.

The winners chosen for this year’s 12th annual award are:

• Tom Bicknell, Australia
• Kizito Cudjoe, Ghana
• Melanie Jenkins, United Kingdom
• Philip Keitany, Kenya
• Rachel Martin, Northern Ireland
• Matthias Schulze Steinmann, Germany
• Jessie Scott, United States of America
• Maria Törner, Sweden
• Eva Zitz, Austria

The award supports the winners’ participation in the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) Congress and an intensive boot camp-style workshop. This year’s boot camp will take place from March 31 to April 1, prior to the IFAJ Congress in Gauteng, South Africa.

“Each year, we continue to see the best and brightest minds in agricultural journalism from around the world receive this award,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech. “Congratulations to these nine outstanding candidates. They exemplify the leadership, skills and dedication needed to communicate and connect the agricultural industry to a wider audience.”

The IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism Award selection process involved a written submission, a critique of the candidate’s leadership potential, a demonstration of leadership abilities and a narrative explaining his/her desire in being involved in the program.

Bicknell has worked in a variety of communication and extension roles in agriculture since 2008. His media career has had a particular focus on horticulture and has included roles as the inaugural editor of horticulture business magazine Produce Plus, writer for Asiafruit Magazine, organizer and judge for the first PMA-Produce Plus Marketer of the Year Award and editorial consultant with agricultural publisher Coretext, which included writing for and managing a number of titles and communications campaigns.

Cudjoe has more than six years of experience reporting for one of the most reputable newspapers in Ghana, the Business & Financial Times. Cudjoe was honored as the 2016 Tourism Correspondent of the Year by the Ghana Tourism Authority for his contribution toward the development of the local tourism industry.

Jenkins, an agricultural journalist and public relations consultant at Agri-Hub since 2015, writes for numerous publications in the U.K., including Farmers Weekly, Farmers Guardian and Crop Production Magazine. She was awarded the British Guild of Agricultural Journalists John Deere Training Award in 2015.

Keitany is a business journalist with Kenya’s leading media house, Kenya Television Network. In January 2016, Keitany got the green light to produce and report on a weekly agribusiness feature segment named “The Next Frontier,” which has shared the stories of over 100 stakeholders in the agriculture sector across Kenya and East Africa.

Martin writes for the Belfast Telegraph, Northern Ireland’s largest daily newspaper. She has reported on the agriculture industry from Italy, Switzerland and Scotland. Her articles and photographs have been published in the Belfast Telegraph, Irish Independent, FarmWeek and Farming Life, among others.

Schulze Steinmann is deputy-editor-in-chief for Wochenblatt für Landwirtschaft & Landleben, an agriculture paper with a focus on the economy, markets and politics. In 2013, he was recognized as a specialist journalist of the year with the Karl Theodor Vogel Prize.

Scott is a digital content manager for Meredith Agrimedia. During the past four years, Scott has covered equipment trends for Successful Farming Magazine as well as its website and television show. In addition to creating content, she also works with the editorial team to coordinate news coverage on Agriculture.com and manages the distribution of content through newsletters and social media.

Törner writes for an agricultural magazine called Land Lantbruk, which is part of LRF Media, one of Sweden’s largest publishing houses. In 2014, she was awarded the Gunnar Ernest scholarship for ambitious students within the food and agriculture sector.

Zitz writes for Oesterreichische BauernZeitung, an Austrian newspaper. In 2014, she was awarded the Young Journalist Prize from the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission and the European Network of Agricultural Journalists. In 2015, Zitz also received the Josef Steiniger Award from the Austrian Guild of Agricultural Journalists.

“IFAJ appreciates Alltech’s commitment to global agricultural journalism and, in particular, to helping talented young journalists become leaders in their national agricultural journalism guilds,” said Owen Roberts, IFAJ president. “There are many examples of how recipients of the Alltech-sponsored Young Leaders award, who go on to participate in the boot camp program, are strengthening IFAJ and agricultural journalism. Alltech is helping develop and encourage a great pool of talent around the world.”

More than 100 young journalists have received the award and strengthened their communication skills and leadership in the agricultural journalism sector since the program first began in 2005.

[BEIJING] – Leaders from nearly 300 agricultural companies gathered at the Greening of Chinese Agriculture Environmental Conference, held by Alltech in Beijing from March 8–9, to discuss and commit to energy conservation, production optimization, improved management practices, and agriculture laws and regulations. To solidify their commitment to more sustainable agriculture in China, 10 agriculture companies signed a proposal promising to optimize their production processes and work together to realize China’s green agriculture. Additionally, the Soil and Fertilizer Alliance of China signed a memorandum of cooperation with Alltech, aiming to jointly promote regional farming, breeding integration and the sustainable development of animal husbandry.

China’s “No.1 Central Document” for 2017 highlighted agriculture, setting goals for the country’s sustainable development and environmental protection. The agriculture sector in China has faced increasing attention and governmental pressure in recent years, as more stringent laws and regulations have been implemented to address concerns regarding the security and safety of food supply, as well as the environmental impact of farming on land, water and air.

“Since 1989, Alltech has adhered to what we call the ACE principle, a promise that in doing business we have a positive impact on the Animal, the Consumer and the Environment,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, global vice president and head of Greater China for Alltech. “We share China’s vision, and we also understand the challenges being faced in the field and on the farm by farmers. It is our intention that this week’s conference lights a spark that will enable China’s agriculture sector to join together in working toward practical solutions for sustainable farming.”

Alltech’s Greening of Chinese Agriculture Environmental Conference covered a diverse range of topics, including the economic impact of the environment in agriculture, pig farming environmental control through advanced nutritional technology, understanding the new regulations and an outlook to possible future regulations, and more.

According to the State of Food and Agriculture 2016 issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, approximately one-fifth of the world's greenhouse gases come from agriculture, including forestry, fisheries and livestock production.

To address this, China has introduced the “Ten Measures for Prevention and Control of Air Pollution”, creating a more stringent air pollution control law. For example, the government encourages the development of slow release fertilizer and the reduction of ammonia emissions. Additionally, the Law of Air Pollution Prevention 2016 regulates that the emissions of ammonia and volatile organic matter should be reduced, and livestock breeding companies should reduce the discharge of malodorous gases.

According to Dr. Richard Murphy, the research director of Alltech’s European Bioscience Centre, ruminants like cattle and sheep produce most of the greenhouse gas, methane, and the whole industry is currently working to reduce the methane content produced per liter of milk.

“Alltech’s in vitro fermentation model can evaluate methane emissions by simulating the rumen,” said Murphy. “Through routine analysis and in vitro fermentation evaluation, the artificial rumen model helps the farmer to monitor day ration gunk, improve fodder digestibility, optimize rumen fermentation of the animal and therefore reduce waste emissions effectively.”

At the conference, the ruminant animal forum gathered internationally well-known experts who addressed how to further develop the dairy industry whilst safeguarding the environment. For example, improving feed digestibility to optimize rumen fermentation is an effective way to reduce emissions, and selecting the proper form and feeding level of minerals can reduce heavy metal emissions in feces. Through the experiences and data shared by these global experts, protection of the environment could be seen as more practical and economical.

As animal husbandry in China is becoming more intensive and large-scale, the excessive amount of heavy metals in the soil has become an urgent environmental problem. Based on the statistics of the “National Soil Pollution Condition Investigation Communique” published by China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Land and Resources, 19.4 percent of the soil in China has exceeded the standard, and the main pollutants are cadmium, nickel, copper, arsenic, mercury and lead. A significant amount of heavy metal pollution, such as arsenic and copper, is produced by feed and feces.

“For this issue, Alltech has a complete quality control system to regulate the heavy metal contamination of feed additive products,” said Steve Elliott, the global director of Alltech’s Mineral Management Division. “Our organic trace minerals and our unique Total Replacement Technology program can have a tremendous impact on reducing heavy metal pollutants in the environment.”

In China, the largest source of ammonia pollution is the extensive use of nitrogen fertilizer in agriculture. The overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has led to serious soil degradation, pest resistance and other issues. Accordingly, this was also addressed by the state’s more stringent air pollution controls in “Ten Measures for Prevention and Control of Air Pollution.”

To address these challenges, Alltech Crop Science focuses on the health of a hidden ally: soil microbes.

“We believe that the natural life has its own mystery, and the vitality of soil derives from the diversity of microbes,” said Weimin Ma, Alltech Crop Science director for China. “Alltech will use its own unique advantages in microbiology, enzymes and nutrigenomics to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and promote soil health and natural nutrient cycling in China.”

At the conference, the Soil and Fertilizer Alliance of China and Alltech signed a memorandum. The parties agreed to work closely together to explore the agro-ecological possibilities for soil and crop health. With the strength of Alltech’s microbial fermentation-based solutions, the two parties have a vision to develop healthy farm ecosystems and reduce pesticide usage in accordance with the Chinese Department of Agriculture’s goal of ending the growth of pesticide usage by 2020.

Alltech organized a conference regarding the “Greening of Chinese Agriculture” from March 8-9, 2017 in Beijing. More than 300 agricultural entrepreneurs attended the event and signed a proposal to work together toward sustainable agriculture in China. Global vice president and head of Greater China for Alltech Dr. Mark Lyons spoke at the conference.

At Alltech’s Greening of Chinese Agriculture Environment Conference, Dr. Mark Lyons, global vice president and head of Greater China for Alltech, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Xu Wang, secretary general of the Soil and Fertilizer Alliance of China, to jointly promote regional farming, breeding integration and the sustainable development of animal husbandry.

[PARIS] – At the SIMA trade show in France’s capital, KEENAN proudly showcased the latest in a string of innovations since its acquisition by Alltech in April 2016. The introduction of the KEENAN MechFiber345SP, the first self-propelled machine in the KEENAN range, marks a new path for the company and one that has been long-awaited.

KEENAN customers have been requesting a self-propelled MechFiber machine, and KEENAN has spent time perfecting its design, committed to delivering the very best machine possible. Long synonymous with excellence in nutrition and driving animal performance through optimising rumen health, KEENAN focused on researching the loading and chopping mechanisms available on the market to ensure the best fit. Of highest importance was identifying a solution consistent with the core KEENAN ethos of retaining forage structure. In Italian firm Storti, they identified a partner that can deliver this much sought-after, self-loading technology.

“When we announced our collaboration with Storti, some thought it was all about introducing a KEENAN vertical auger to our range — that couldn’t be further from the reality,” said KEENAN CEO Robbie Walker. “KEENAN and Storti had been in talks for quite some time about this exciting development: a self-propelled machine with a loading mechanism that does not destruct fibre and delivers the quality MechFiber mix that is so important to KEENAN.”

With class-leading cutter head technology, the KEENAN MechFiberSP range has been engineered to deliver rapid loading of a vast array of products, leaving a clean, uniform face for optimum pit face management. The tungsten-coated blades feature a unique crossed arrangement, performing clean cuts without damaging the structure of the fibre, even with very compact silages. Engineered with a focus on speed, precision and versatility, the special placement of the blades and configuration of the loading channel allows the cutter to load in both directions and easily run in reverse if needed, while a high-speed loading belt drastically reduces mix preparation time.

Producing the noted KEENAN MechFiber mix in 16 and 20 cubic meter outputs for the 2017 and 2018 seasons, the KEENAN MechFiberSP range offers left or right front discharge via an adjustable conveyor for homogeneous distribution of total mixed rations.

Available in both 25 kilometres per hour or high-speed “Plus” 40 kilometres per hour models, the operating system of the KEENAN MechFiberSP range has been cleverly designed for ease of maintenance and features a mechanical drive to the six-paddle reel. This exclusive engineering system, by means of a specially designed gearbox and PTO shaft, transfers all the power from the engine to the mixing system, thus reducing fuel consumption by up to 25 percent as well as reducing maintenance costs.

Fitted with the KEENAN InTouch controller as standard, the KEENAN MechFiberSP range is connected to the KEENAN InTouch service, which provides real-time feed advice and ration formulation through a dedicated team of skilled nutritionists. KEENAN InTouch is proven to deliver consistency in both feed and mixing to ensure improved milk yields and milk solids and better herd health in conjunction with monitoring and control of feed costs.

“KEENAN now offers the complete range of feeding solutions: Farmers can choose from the MechFiber-producing horizontal paddle machine in both trailed and self-propelled options as well as twin and triple auger vertical trailed units,” said Walker. “Testament to the level of excitement about this launch of the KEENAN self-propelled range is that a number of self-propelled machines have been pre-sold in continental Europe despite only being unveiled at SIMA. That demonstrates the trust our customers have in our attention to detail and commitment to delivering the very best quality machine and mix.”

For further information, visit www.keenansystem.com.

[DUBLIN, Ireland] – Out of the 370 craft beers competing in The Dublin Craft Beer Cup, it was Saison Witbier from Horizont of Hungary that took home the top prize at the Alltech Craft Brews & Food Fair. The saison wheat beer, with its refreshing citrus aroma, was an overwhelming favourite with the 28 independent judges. The Classic Pear Cider from McCashin’s Brewery of New Zealand also struck a chord with judges, particularly its perfect balance of sweetness and acidity and its impressive pear top notes, to win The Dublin Craft Cider Cup. The Alltech Craft Brews & Food Fair, Ireland’s largest craft brews fair, opened its doors for the three-day festival at The Convention Centre Dublin this evening.

“In the past, stout beers have reigned supreme in The Dublin Craft Beer Cup; we are now seeing the highest quality challenges from other beer types,” said Dr. Gearóid Cahill, head judge of The Dublin Craft Beer Cup and director of brewing science at Alltech. “It was nice to see a new, refreshing wheat beer take top prize this year.”

There was an impressive range of ciders as well, spanning sweet, dry and even barrel-aged varieties.

“We also had some complex ciders with a range of fruit ingredients,” said Cahill. “The Irish cider producers impressed the independent judges with their overall quality; however, New Zealand swept the board with the only two gold medals, both awarded to McCashin’s Brewery.”

Gold medals were awarded to outstanding brews from Ireland, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Spain and Hungary. A full list of gold, silver and bronze medal winners for The Dublin Craft Beer Cup and The Dublin Craft Cider Cup can be found here.

“Our three-day festival is about celebrating the craft brews industry, and it gives us an opportunity to showcase what Ireland has to offer,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, founder and president of Alltech. “It is more than just a craft beer festival; with craft cider, craft spirits and craft wine, there’s something here to tempt all taste buds.”

This year’s live entertainment is set to delight, with Hermitage Green headlining Friday and The Camembert Quartet closing out the festival on Saturday night.

Tickets are available to purchase from EventBrite. For more information, visit www.alltechbrews.ie, follow @alltechbrews and join the conversation by using #alltechbrews.

[DUBLIN, Ireland] – A total of 183 startups from 38 countries applied to be a part of The Pearse Lyons Accelerator, a late-stage, agri-tech accelerator run by Alltech and Dogpatch Labs. The accelerator will commence with 10 startups that have been chosen to take part in a mentorship program for agri-business innovators with a proven technology that is ready for market. The 10 successful applicants will work with Alltech and Dogpatch Labs to accelerate their business development through Alltech and its global network. The startups hail from Australia, Canada, China, Ireland and the U.S. and have already collectively raised more than $30 million in funding. Participants include MagGrow from Ireland, AgriWebb from Australia and Tevatronic. Full details on the selected startups are below.

The accelerator is a 15-week, mentorship-driven program aimed at collaborative learning and seeking new business and/or partnership opportunities. The program will culminate with the startups presenting on the main stage at ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference in Lexington, Kentucky, USA, May 21–24, 2017, where more than 3,000 attendees from nearly 80 countries around the world will converge. This high-profile showcase will afford the startups the opportunity to present to future customers as well as investors and potential collaborators.

Startup participants will receive access to Dr. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech, and the senior management of Alltech, a global animal health and nutrition company with a presence in more than 120 countries. In addition, participants will receive free space for three months in Ireland’s leading startup hub, Dogpatch Labs, located in the heart of the Dublin Docklands, a €15,000 cash fund and mentoring covering a range of areas, from product development to strategy and international expansion. At the end of the program, the startups will pitch to the accelerator for business partners and investors. Additional benefits include software perks worth more than €300,000 from companies such as Google, Facebook, Softlayer and Amazon.

“We had a great selection week in Dublin, and I’m really impressed with the startups’ ideas, their engagement and the talent,” said Aidan Connolly, chief innovation officer at Alltech. “We were especially looking for emerging technologies in agri-tech, such as drones, sensors, the internet of things and artificial intelligence, and I’m excited to see those are all represented within the 10 companies that were chosen.”

The majority of the startup applicants are late-stage startups that have raised initial investment (known as the “seed round”) and would now benefit from advice and support from Alltech to expand internationally. Startups were especially attracted to this accelerator due to the fact that Alltech is one of the few truly global agricultural companies positioned to assist in opening doors and advising on routes to market and global market access in the more than 120 countries where it is present.

“We’re excited about working with these world-class accelerator applicants from across the world and assisting them on their internationalisation strategy,” said Patrick Walsh, managing director of Dogpatch Labs. “This program will provide a unique environment for the accelerator applicants to drive sales and secure investment, and it underlines Dogpatch Lab’s ability to provide mentoring and resources for founders due to our unique connection to the startup ecosystem.”

The agriculture industry is beginning to be disrupted by new technologies. Agri-tech investment is growing at an exponential rate, with $9.65 billion invested in agri-tech startups since 2013 and $2 billion invested in the first half of 2016 alone. A clear route to market remains a challenge in the industry, and this program seeks to accelerate startups’ access to this global market, with a comprehensive package of supports that helps them navigate the challenge of scaling their operations to service large corporate customers.

The accelerator applicants will arrive for their first core phase in Dublin on Feb. 20, 2017, and will fly in for various core phases throughout the program. They will wrap up the program with a European demo day at Dogpatch Labs in Dublin and later will fly out to Kentucky to pitch their ideas at ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference.

For more information on The Pearse Lyons Accelerator, please visit Alltech.com/Accelerator or dogpatchlabs.com/alltech-accelerator, and stay connected through Twitter and Facebook.

Please find a full list of the successful 2017 applicants below:

MagGrow (Ireland)

Using a magnetic spraying system reduces drift by more than 80 percent and delivers superior coverage by enabling a spray of finer droplets, a key challenge for conventional spraying systems.

Moocall (Ireland)

A wearable technology that accurately predicts when a cow will give birth and communicates to the farmer via text message.

eFishery (Indonesia)

A fish feeder that automatically senses the appetite of fish and adjusts the amount of feed accordingly.

SkySquirrel (Canada)

A crop-analytics company that develops drone-based technology for monitoring crop health, with a primary focus on improving crop yields and reducing costs at commercial vineyards.

Agriwebb (Australia)

A mobile herd and farm management application developed for cattle, sheep and wool producers, with an online trading platform.

Greengage (UK)

Greengage provides market leading LED lamps to serve the farming industry with a simple and highly effective solution you can rely on.

Hargol FoodTech

An optimized method and technology that enables producers to grow large quantities of grasshoppers quickly in captivity.

Tevatronic

A technological solution enabling crops to be grown autonomously from an irrigation and a fertilisation aspect. The system is capable of deciding when and how much to irrigate, and it executes the irrigation decisions autonomously.

Agrilyst (USA)

Helping greenhouse operators run their operations more efficiently by pulling in data from sensors in the greenhouse and information about crop yields and other metrics.

Alesca Life (China)

A concept called farming-as-a-service was developed that allows scalable, localised food production for commercial and retail customers.

Feb. 16, 2017, marks the inaugural Canada’s Agriculture Day, with events and social media conversations taking place all day, across the country and around the globe, as we celebrate the food that we love and the people who work hard every day in all sectors of the Canadian agriculture industry.

Get involved online, on-farm and more

You can participate in many ways, from coast to coast in Canada as well as internationally, to connect with other agvocates and show that you are #AgProud. Check out Canada’s Agriculture Day website for suggestions on everything from social media posts to community events to ag challenges. The Agriculture More Than Ever website also includes great resources for every agvocate.

A daylong celebration will take place in Ottawa, but if you are not able to attend in person, you can view the live stream of the “Future of Agriculture is Bright” session. Also, join in the celebrations on social media by using and following #CdnAgDay posts.

Make your #AgProud voice heard

Personally, I will be celebrating Canada’s Agriculture Day in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with my Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP) classmates as part of our International Study Tour, during which we will share knowledge and support Canadian agriculture with our American counterparts from LEAD New York and Rural Leadership North Dakota.

I encourage everyone to get involved and celebrate Canada’s Agriculture Day in your own way! Most importantly, use the day as an opportunity to speak up and share your stories about Canadian agriculture.

As a proud partner of Agriculture More Than Ever, Alltech wishes our Canadian customers, employees and friends the best on Canada’s Agriculture Day!

Did you know:

• 1 in 8 Canadian jobs are in agriculture and agri-food
• Agriculture employs over 2.1 million Canadians
• Canada is the world’s largest producer of canola and durum wheat
• 98% of Canadian farms are family owned and operated
• Canada is the world’s leading exporter of lentils and mustard

You can find more facts about Canadian agriculture by following Agriculture More Than Ever on Facebook and on Twitter (@AgMoreThanEver).