On the heels of two successful previous iterations, the Pearse Lyons Accelerator is now seeking applications for a new cohort of world-class international ag-tech startups to participate in its global mentoring program.

The Pearse Lyons Accelerator was the brainchild of the late Dr. Pearse Lyons, who founded Alltech, an animal nutrition company, in the early 1980s in his garage with just $10,000. The Accelerator, a late-stage, non-equity program, offers startups access to a network of executives who have, collectively, more than 100 years of leadership experience and domain expertise in agriculture. Participants also receive a €15,000 stipend to cover day-to-day expenses, as well as software perks worth over €300,000 from companies such as Google, Facebook, Softlayer and Amazon.

The program culminates with successful startups pitching to more than 4,000 attendees, including some of the premier global thought leaders in agriculture, on the main stage of  ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference (ONE19) in May 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky.

“What other agri-tech startup puts you in front of 4,000 industry leaders and potential investors?” asked Dr. Mark Lyons, CEO and president of Alltech. “If you’re looking for support from industry professionals, mentorship from the best in the agri-business and networking opportunities that have been instrumental in alumni accessing vital funding, then the Pearse Lyons Accelerator is for you.”

Alumni of the Pearse Lyons Accelerator — which is hosted at Dogpatch Labs in Dublin, Ireland, one of Europe’s leading startup hubs — have collectively raised $28 million since.

In its first year, six of the 10 startups at the Accelerator were featured by CB Insights in “Agtech: 100+ Technology Companies Changing The Farm,” illustrating the fact that only the world’s best startups are selected for Alltech’s program. Last year, another disruptive cohort came through the Accelerator, resulting in startup Smartbow GmbH installing more than 1,000 sensors on feed yards in a real-time pilot with Alltech.

More recently, AgriWebb, an Australian-based livestock herd management software company, raised a Series A funding round worth $10.2 million in August from the UK agri-food investor Wheatsheaf Group.

“The Pearse Lyons Accelerator serves as the perfect vehicle to [create] visibility for us and our partners [with] the most disruptive ag-tech startups across the world,” said Aidan Connolly, chief innovation officer at Alltech. “A clear route to market remains a challenge for startups within the ag-tech industry. The program provides accelerated access to the global market with a comprehensive package of support to help them navigate the challenge of scaling their operations to service large corporate customers.”

The Pearse Lyons Accelerator continues to attract the best startups in the world because of its unique approach of focusing on business development rather than equity.

“With this Accelerator, we carry on the legacy and entrepreneurial spirit of my father, Dr. Pearse Lyons; he had the desire and dedication to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs, who will transform the face of agriculture,” Lyons said. “His vision was to support entrepreneurs by providing route to market and accelerating sales.”

Ag-tech startups are encouraged to apply for the Pearse Lyons Accelerator program before Dec. 7, 2018. Visit pearselyonsaccelerator.com to learn more.

Town Branch Distillery is diving into the world of experimental bourbons and barrel finishes with its first limited-release edition of Town Branch^® Bourbon. 

The exclusive new spirit, Town Branch^® Bourbon: Sherry Cask Finished, is a 9-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey from the early days of Town Branch Distillery. Finishing the bourbon in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks gives this new expression an exceptionally smooth finish with a depth of flavor, including notes of roasted pecans with dried plums and raisins.  

“Finishing Town BranchBourbon in the sherry casks for nine months imparted a dry finish that complements the natural caramel and vanilla notes in the whiskey, as well as a rich burgundy color,” said Mark Coffman, master distiller at Alltech Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.  “We selected nine barrels of the best bourbon in our warehouse for this expression.”

Bottled at 100-proof, Town Branch Bourbon: Sherry Cask Finished will go on sale the week of Sept. 24 at select retailers and will also be available at the Town Branch Distillery Visitor’s Center.

In addition to the launch, National Bourbon Month is punctuated by another Town Branch Distillery milestone with the induction of late distillery founder Dr. Pearse Lyons into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame. The prestigious honor recognizes individuals and organizations that have made a significant and transformational impact on the stature, growth and awareness of bourbon.

“At his core, my father was an innovator,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, Pearse’s son and president and CEO of Alltech. “It is fitting that today we celebrate his contributions to the bourbon industry while launching an innovative spirit with Town Branch Bourbon: Sherry Cask Finished.”

The following is an edited transcript of Tom Martin's interview with Wolfgang Auer, CEO of ag-tech startup Smartbow. Click below to hear the full audio:

Tom:              I'm talking with Wolfgang Auer, CEO of the Austria-based startup Smartbow, one of the startups in the 2018 Pearse Lyons Accelerator program. He is here to talk to us about his company's center technology designed to help the farmer stay well ahead of problems and make reliable decisions. We thank you for being with us, Wolfgang.

Wolfgang:      Thank you very much.

Tom:              What problem does Smartbow intend to solve?

Wolfgang:      Smartbow is addressing the problem of early detection when animals get sick. With our technology — ear tags, real-time positioning and artificial intelligence — we can watch over each animal, like my grandmother did with 10 dairy cows on our farm. We can detect if the animal feels sick earlier. We detect illness in the animal days before they are really sick.

Tom:              What is the technology? How does it work?

Wolfgang:      We have an ear tag on the animal, and that ear tag is measuring the movement of the animal's ear. We know exactly if the animal is eating, resting or ruminating. With our positioning system, we know, every second, where the animal is with an accuracy of three feet. We combine all of that data so we can detect any minor changes in behavior.

Tom:              I was going to ask you: why the ear? You've partially answered that. But do the ears move in a way that can tell you things?

Wolfgang:      Yes. It's very accurate. Our accuracy is about 99 percent because the ear is the most accurate place we can measure everything that the animal is doing.

Tom:              The Smartbow technology detects changes up to five days before the farmer or the veterinarian can see it. How does that early detection impact a farmer's operation and success?

Wolfgang:      The farmer can take the animal out of the herd and can bring it to a separate place, like a hospital. Then the animal can get back into the operation sooner, so the farmers aren't losing as much money. A sick cow doesn't produce milk.

Tom:              So, the farmer has all this data coming into them. Are they trained in how to analyze it, how to make sense of it?

Wolfgang:      The data is analyzed by artificial intelligence. We train this artificial intelligence and the farmer gets only an alert. With the positioning system, he knows in real time where the animal is and can identify the animal very quickly.

Tom:              Tell us about your business model.

Wolfgang:      The business model is very simple: Smartbow is a service business model, and we have an initial payment for the hardware. This is very low; it's about €25 per ear tag. Then we charge the farmer a monthly fee per cow.

Tom:              Have you received funding?

Wolfgang:      We have received funding. I'm also financed by my family. We make plastic products.

Tom:              And have you taken the product to market?

Wolfgang:      Yes. So far, we have sold more than 100,000 ear tags in 40 countries on four continents. We have about 400 clients, who have anywhere from eight dairy cows to 5,000.

Tom:              And how about expansion plans?

Wolfgang:      The plan is to expand into the USA and China.

Tom:              Tell us about the Pearse Lyons Accelerator Program and how it's influenced your business.

Wolfgang:      We work together with nutrition companies, and we are doing some trials with their internal accelerators. We can see that our technology is leveraging their technology. If we combine both, we can save a lot of money.

Tom:              Wolfgang Auer, CEO of the Austria-based startup Smartbow. Thank you for being with us. We appreciate it.

Wolfgang:      Thank you.

Smartbow was one of 10 startup companies participating in the 2018 Pearse Lyons Accelerator program, which provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for disruptive ag-tech startups. The program takes leading innovators from around the world to Dogpatch Labs, a startup hub in Dunboyne, Ireland, for a three-month accelerator that offers workspace, mentorship, networking and potential investment. The experience culminates at ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference in Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.A., where startups are selected to pitch to an international crowd of 4,000 potential investors, journalists and influencers from the agribusiness industry.

Watch the 2018 Pearse Lyons Accelerators pitch at ONE18. Sign up for the Alltech Idea Lab below:

Dr. Pearse Lyons, founder of Alltech, will posthumously receive the prestigious Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for Lifetime Achievement during the sixth annual Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards, held Sept. 20 at the Omni Louisville Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky.

The Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards were created in 2013 to publicly celebrate the greatness of people from around the world. The award recognizes individuals who are driven to become agents of change for the common good.

For Dr. Lyons, making a positive difference in the world was an everyday reality of his personal and professional life.

After moving with his young family — wife, Deirdre; daughter, Aoife; and son, Mark — to the U.S. from Ireland, Dr. Lyons founded Alltech in 1980 with the mission of improving the health and performance of animals, crops and people. The company’s endeavours are guided by the “ACE principle” — a commitment to having a positive impact on the Animal, the Consumer and the Environment.

The Alltech ACE Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was established by Dr. and Mrs. Lyons to put their philanthropic passion into action. One endeavor funded by the ACE Foundation is the Alltech Sustainable Haiti Project, which supports two Haitian primary schools through the sale of Alltech^® Café Citadelle.

In Kentucky and Ireland, more than a dozen state-of-the-art science laboratories have been built at primary schools, inspiring students to have greater curiosity about the world around them.

The Lyonses’ passion for education and the arts is reflected in the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition, which shines a spotlight on the hopes of young vocalists by awarding top performers with scholarship funds to join the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre.

As an entrepreneur who started Alltech in his home garage and built it into a multibillion-dollar company, Dr. Lyons recognized drive and passion in others and encouraged them to dream big. The Alltech Innovation Competition emboldens young entrepreneurs to create businesses that help solve local issues. Winners are awarded $10,000 — the same amount with which Dr. Lyons founded Alltech in his garage.

Whether through small acts of kindness or far-reaching scientific achievement, Dr. Lyons was committed to empowering others, inspiring lifelong learning and making a difference in the world — a mission he shared with the Muhammad Ali Foundation, of which Dr. Lyons was a long-time supporter.

Dr. Lyons passed away on March 8, 2018. Mrs. Lyons, director of corporate image and design at Alltech, and their son, Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, will accept the award on his behalf during the ceremony.

“Like Muhammad, by their example, these awardees serve as role models to all of us, and they help to ensure that the legacy Muhammad left on this world continues to inspire, transform and ignite positive change for the betterment of individuals and the whole of humanity,” said Lonnie Ali, co-founder of the Muhammad Ali Center and widow of Muhammad Ali. “If there was a time for the power of his example to be heeded, it is now.”

[PIKEVILLE, Ky.] – The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce (SEKC) bestowed its 2018 Business Person of the Year award on Mrs. Deirdre Lyons, co-founder of Alltech, during its annual awards night, held Aug. 9 at the East Kentucky Expo Center. The award is given to an individual who has demonstrated support for the advancement and development of business in Eastern Kentucky.

Mrs. Lyons and the late Dr. Pearse Lyons initiated the development of Dueling Barrels Brewery & Distillery in Pikeville with an eye toward promoting tourism to the region and creating jobs for its residents. Mrs. Lyons, director of corporate image and design at Alltech, applied her impeccable attention to detail to the facility, overseeing its design and construction, and worked tirelessly to ensure that Dueling Barrels provides an unforgettable visitor experience.

Surrounded by community and state leaders, Mrs. Lyons cut the ribbon on Eastern Kentucky’s first combined beer, bourbon and moonshine operation on June 27, 2018. The nearly 30,000-square-foot facility currently employs 13 full-time staff members, all of whom hail from the region, including “storytellers” who share Appalachia’s history and culture with visitors.

Dueling Barrels is expected to join the Kentucky Bourbon Trail^® experience in January 2019, extending the famed trail 142 miles east into Pikeville. The additional tourism could help boost the economy in Pikeville, which has undergone a revitalization in recent years, particularly in the downtown area.  

“SEKC is proud to have Mrs. Lyons as an advocate for the region,” said the SEKC in a statement. “The effects of her dedication to advancement and progress resonate throughout the state.”

Mrs. Lyons will discuss boosting economic growth, tourism and international publicity in Eastern Kentucky and share the story of Dueling Barrels at the upcoming Alltech Idea Pub: News & Brews event. The public is invited to enjoy thought-provoking conversation, light bites and Dueling Barrels™ Pikeville Ale for guests ages 21 and older. The event is free and will be held at 6 p.m. on Aug. 21 at Town Branch Distillery in Lexington, Kentucky. For more information, visit https://go.alltech.com/newsandbrews or the Alltech News & Brews Facebook event page.

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Contact: Lauren Dozier, Alltech PR

press@alltech.com; 859-351-8892

Download image: https://photos.alltech.com/pf.tlx/tit8YtUwSIge

Mrs. Deirdre Lyons, co-founder of Alltech, is joined by former Kentucky Governor Paul Patton and Dr. Mark Lyons, president of Alltech, after receiving the 2018 Business Person of the Year award from the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.  

About Deirdre Lyons:

Deirdre Lyons was born in Dublin, Ireland, and graduated from St. Mary’s College, University College Dublin, in 1970. In 1977, Deirdre moved to Kentucky with her husband, Dr. Pearse Lyons, and their two small children, Aoife and Mark. Their daughter, Aoife, now holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and works at Alltech’s European Headquarters in Dunboyne, Ireland. Their son, Mark, has a Ph.D. in solid state fermentation and is now president of Alltech, having served as executive vice president and head of Greater China since 2011.

Deirdre co-founded Alltech with her husband, Pearse, in 1980 to help farmers feed the world, raise healthy animals and protect the environment through natural, nutritional innovation. Today, Alltech is a more than $2 billion company with more than 6,000 employees supporting its business presence in over 120 countries. Deirdre is Alltech’s director of corporate image and design, which has involved carefully architecting, designing and outfitting Alltech’s facilities in nearly 100 countries to ensure a consistent brand image.

She has achieved national and international accolades on behalf of Kentucky through her work on the historic Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2010; various art initiatives, including the annual Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition and Celebration of Song; humanitarian endeavors as far away as Haiti and as close as local primary schools’ laboratories; and numerous leadership boards in Kentucky, including the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, the Kentucky Equine Humane Center and the University of Kentucky Sanders-Brown Center on Aging.

About Alltech:

Founded in 1980 by Irish entrepreneur and scientist Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech discovers and delivers solutions for the sustainable nutrition of plants, animals and people. With expertise in yeast fermentation, solid state fermentation and the science of nutrigenomics, Alltech is a leading producer and processor of yeast additives, organic trace minerals, feed ingredients, premix and feed.

Our guiding ACE principle seeks to develop solutions that are safe for the Animal, Consumer and the Environment. Our more than 6,000 talented team members worldwide put this purpose to work every day for our customers.

Alltech is a family-owned company, which allows us to adapt quickly to emerging customer needs and to stay focused on advanced innovation. Headquartered just outside of Lexington, Kentucky, USA, Alltech has a strong presence in all regions of the world. For further information, visit www.alltech.com/news. Join us in conversation on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.                

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – Big ideas, powerful messages and heartfelt memories were shared this year at ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference (ONE18) as more than 3,500 people from 76 countries came together on May 20–22 in Lexington, Kentucky, USA. The 34^th annual symposium included 100 speakers and 153 presentations, which are now available on the Alltech Idea Lab.  

For those who missed the discussions or want to replay their favorite presentations, the Alltech Idea Lab offers the chance to hear talks from the inspiring leaders and future thinkers featured at ONE18. Access is free upon signup.

Available presentations from the 34^th international conference include:

• Dr. Rodolphe Barrangou, CRISPR Technology on the Rise

• Dr. Majid Fotuhi, The Memory Cure

• Pitches from The Pearse Lyons Accelerator program for agri-tech and food startups

• Special breakout sessions on beef, dairy, poultry, pig, aquaculture, crop and equine topics of interest, in addition to business and finance, health and nutrition, and food and beverage

ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference (ONE19) will return to Lexington, Kentucky, USA, from May 19–21, 2019. Visit one.alltech.com for more information and to lock in our lowest ONE19 rate of $550 by registering before July 7 for the 35^th international conference.

[DUNBOYNE, Ireland] – Alltech’s founder, the late Dr. Pearse Lyons, has been honored with the Kennedy-Lemass Medal by the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland.

During Fourth of July celebrations, Barry O'Sullivan, president of the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland, announced that Irish-American entrepreneur and scientist Dr. Lyons is this year’s recipient of the Kennedy-Lemass Medal. The award honors U.S. leaders of Irish heritage who have helped strengthen the Irish-U.S. relationship.

Speaking on Dr. Lyons’ achievements, O'Sullivan described him as someone who “truly lived the American dream.” He said that “we will continue to be inspired by the legacy of individuals such as Dr. Lyons, who had the courage and skills to turn a vision into a reality.”

In the late 1970s, Dundalk-born Dr. Lyons immigrated to Kentucky with his young family and established Alltech in his garage with an initial investment of $10,000. Today, Alltech has a global team of more than 6,000 people in over 120 countries. The company is focused on improving animal, crop and human health and performance, and stays true to Dr. Lyons’ distilling roots. In Ireland, Alltech has its European Bioscience Centre in Dunboyne, County Meath, the Pearse Lyons Distillery at St. James in the Liberties, County Dublin, and Station Works Brewery in Dr. Lyons’ hometown of Dundalk, County Louth. In the U.S., Kentucky is home to Alltech’s headquarters in Nicholasville, the Alltech Center for Animal Nutrigenomics and Applied Animal Nutrition, and seven production facilities, including Alltech Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co., which produces Town Branch^® Bourbon and the Kentucky Ale^® line of craft beers, and the newly opened Dueling Barrels Brewery & Distillery in Pikeville, which celebrates Eastern Kentucky’s connection to Ireland. In 2015, Pikeville and Dundalk signed a historic sister-city agreement at the suggestion of Dr. Lyons. 

“My father was passionate about Ireland and the United States, and he spent his life promoting both countries around the world,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president of Alltech. “He had an extraordinary ability to bring people from all walks of life together to make a difference in the world. This was especially true when it came to cultivating and supporting scientific, ag-tech and agricultural endeavors between the U.S. and Ireland.”

During his lifetime, Dr. Lyons was awarded many honors, including the Ireland-U.S. Council Award for Outstanding Achievement and the 2017 St. Patrick’s Day Science Medal in recognition of the creation of a global business based on scientific research. Dr. Lyons also received the RDS Gold Medal Award for Enterprise for his contribution to Irish business.

“Pearse was passionate about his heritage and making a difference in the world,” said Mrs. Deirdre Lyons, Alltech co-founder and director of corporate image and design. “He used his boundless philanthropic spirit to inspire those around him. For Pearse and me, making a difference in the world by empowering others has been an everyday reality of our personal and professional lives.”

Image download: https://photos.alltech.com/pf.tlx/P-6PQkP-1Xf4l

The late Irish-American entrepreneur and scientist Dr. Pearse Lyons was this year’s recipient of the Kennedy-Lemass Medal. The award honors U.S. leaders of Irish heritage who have helped to strengthen the Irish-U.S. relationship. Pictured with the Kennedy-Lemass Medal are the wife and son of Dr. Pearse Lyons, Mrs. Deirdre Lyons and Dr. Mark Lyons. Photo credit: Conor McCabe Photography.

[PIKEVILLE, Ky.] – The clouds parted and the sun shone just as crowds gathered in front of Dueling Barrels Brewery & Distillery for a look at Eastern Kentucky’s first combined beer, bourbon and moonshine operation. Gleaming copper pot stills towered in the background as Alltech officials and community leaders cut the ribbon on the highly anticipated project, which will open for public tours on June 28.

Dueling Barrels was a personal passion project for Alltech co-founders Dr. Pearse and Mrs. Deirdre Lyons, who have long felt that the rolling landscape, hardworking people and craftsmanship of Eastern Kentucky reminded them of their home in Ireland. Ever the visionary, Dr. Lyons had a keen sense of potential, and he saw it in abundance in Eastern Kentucky. He initiated the development of Dueling Barrels with an eye toward promoting tourism to the region.

“He believed in something he spoke of often, and that is the power of one,” said Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin about Dr. Lyons. “One person. One idea. One mission. These are the things that change the world.”

Though Dr. Lyons passed away in March, Mrs. Lyons, director of corporate image and design at Alltech, and their son, Dr. Mark Lyons, president of Alltech, remain focused on the success of Dueling Barrels.

“Today, my team completes three years of work,” said Mrs. Lyons. “But this is only the beginning of the dream, which we hope leads to increased tourism in Eastern Kentucky.”

The nearly 30,000-square-foot facility houses three copper pot stills and 19 fermenters, and it has the capacity to produce 40,000 brewer’s barrels annually. Dueling Barrels is expected to join the famed Kentucky Bourbon Trail^® experience in January 2019, extending the experience 142 miles east into Pikeville. The additional tourism could help boost the economy in Pikeville, which has undergone a revitalization in recent years, particularly in the downtown area.   

In addition to bourbon, Dueling Barrels will produce a variety of craft styles, beginning with Dueling Barrels Pikeville Ale, an American Pale Ale, and Dueling Barrels Hopfield & McCoy IPA. Dueling Barrels Pikeville Ale will be bottled and available in stores regionally. Additional brews will be made available exclusively in the Pearse’s Place taproom, which is expected to open in the fall on the second floor of the facility. 

Moonshining has a long history in Eastern Kentucky, where early settlers drew upon generations of distilling experience to use surplus corn to make unaged whiskey, or “moonshine,” as it came to be known. Dueling Barrels celebrates this mountain tradition with four flavors: Dueling Barrels Original Kentucky Moonshine, a smooth blend of corn, malted barley and a pinch of rye; Dueling Barrels Apple Orchard Kentucky Moonshine, with notes of apples, caramel, vanilla and cinnamon; Dueling Barrels Bonfire Kentucky Moonshine, which has a spicy but smooth cinnamon finish; and Dueling Barrels Mountain Flower Kentucky Moonshine, infused with elderberry for a fruity and floral twist.  

Visitors to Dueling Barrels will explore the rich history and culture of the Eastern Kentucky mountains, including the legendary Hatfields and McCoys feud, the dawn of Bluegrass music and starry nights spent making moonshine. Tours will be guided by knowledgeable “storytellers” who will walk visitors through the art of brewing and distilling while sharing the legendary stories that have shaped Appalachia.

Dueling Barrels joins Alltech’s family of breweries and distilleries, which includes Alltech Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co., producing Town Branch^® Bourbon, Town Branch^® Gin and Kentucky Ale^® beers; and Pearse Lyons Distillery at St. James in Dublin, Ireland, which produces Pearse Irish Whiskey. The company hopes to use its resources and craft beverage expertise to shine a spotlight on Eastern Kentucky.

“There is a massive population on the East Coast,” said Mark Lyons. “Now they just have to come across the mountains. I think this can be the start of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, not the end.”

Tours will be offered every hour, on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.  

For more information on Dueling Barrels Brewery & Distillery, visit duelingbarrels.com. Join the conversation and watch for updates via @duelingbarrels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Image download: https://photos.alltech.com/pf.tlx/f8fMvfV4LTj

Pikeville Mayor Jimmy Carter, Jay Million, Ag Commissioner Ryan Quarles, Governor Matt Bevin, Mrs.  Deirdre Lyons, Dr. Mark Lyons, Brandi Ore, Former First Lady Judi Patton, Buford Burchfield and Randy Thomas cut the ribbon on Dueling Barrels Brewery & Distillery in Pikeville, Kentucky.

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Contact: Lauren Dozier, Alltech PR

press@alltech.com; 859-351-8892

Contact: Pete Weiss, Alltech Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.

pweiss@Alltech.com; 859-221-7703

[GUELPH, Canada] – Colleagues, friends and dignitaries recently gathered in Guelph at Alltech’s Canadian headquarters to celebrate the global animal nutrition company’s 30th anniversary operating in Canada. Founded in 1988 by Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech Canada has offices and representatives strategically located across the country. In 2016, Alltech acquired Masterfeeds and added a strong network of farm-focused dealers to accommodate and service farmers and ranchers nationwide.

“Canada is one of the largest agricultural producers and exporters in the world,” said Stuart McGregor, general manager of Alltech Canada. “We are proud to celebrate 30 years in Canada and look forward to many more supporting our farm and ranch customers across the country.”

Coinciding with the Alltech Canada 30th anniversary celebration, the World Trade Center Kentucky and Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles visited the Guelph area on an agriculture and agribusiness-focused trade mission. Canada is Kentucky’s top agriculture and agri-food export market, and in 2016, Kentucky’s agriculture and related industries exported US$230 million to Canada.

“Kentucky agriculture needs international trade, but more importantly, the rest of the world needs Kentucky agriculture,” said Quarles. “The goal of this agriculture-focused trade mission is to generate export opportunities by connecting our farm community to new international markets.”

While in Canada, the trade mission delegates visited a grain farm, toured the University of Guelph Livestock Research and Innovation Centre, participated in roundtable discussions and attended an Agriculture and Agribusiness Symposium, business-to-business meetings and business networking receptions. The mission was sponsored by Kentucky Farm Bureau, Masterfeeds/Alltech, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association.

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – Of 300 applicants, 26 undergraduate and graduate students representing four countries took the stage at the 13^th annual Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition to sing for their chance to win scholarships and prizes that will jump-start their operatic careers.

Alltech’s founder and president, the late Dr. Pearse Lyons, who passed away March 8, was an avid supporter of the arts and initiated what has become Kentucky’s largest vocal competition in 2006.

“Today we will mourn, but we will also celebrate his and his wife Deirdre’s contribution to the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition,” said Dr. Everett McCorvey, director of the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre.

Winners of the 2018 Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition are:

• First Place Alltech Undergraduate Winner: Casey Mayo, Hunstville, Alabama
• Second Place Bryant's Rent-All and Alltech Crop Science Undergraduate Winner: Samuel Powless, Paducah, Kentucky
• Third Place Alltech Lexington Brewing and Distilling Undergraduate Winner: Ethan Mooney, Lexington, Kentucky
• Barbara Rouse Kentucky Award: Casteel Fullen, Louisville, Kentucky
• Kayfield Academy Encouragement Award: Faith Craven, Fairdale, Kentucky
• Addington and Mills Encouragement Award: Lucy Dever, Wilmore, Kentucky
• Alltech Encouragement Award: Katie Copeland, Lexington, Kentucky
• First Place Alltech Transfer Student Winner: Marquita Richardson, Pottstown, Pennsylvania
• Second Place Alltech Crop Science Transfer Student Winner: Nathaniel Thompson, Mount Vernon, New York
• First Place Alltech Graduate Winner: Jeremy Kelly, Bowling Green, Kentucky
• Second Place Alltech Graduate Winner: Taylor Comstock, Independence, Kentucky
• Third Place Gail Robinson Graduate Winner: Tanyaradza Tawengwa, Harare, Zimbabwe
• Dr. Pearse and Mrs. Deirdre Lyons Performance Encouragement Award: Emily Weaver, La Crosse, Wisconsin
• J. Alexander's Restaurant Encouragement Award: Kendra Beasley, Madison, Georgia
• ALTOUR Encouragement Award: Gabrielle Fuqua, Florence, Alabama
• The Webb Companies Encouragement Award: Hunter Shaner, Salisbury, Maryland
• McCauley's Encouragement Award: Tianxi Wang, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China

Finalists were scored on voice, technical skill, interpretation, accuracy and appearance by five judges: Marcus Küchle, the director of artistic operations at the Cincinnati Opera; Ian Derrer, the general director of the Kentucky Opera; Dr. Thomas King, a tenor who has sung in five world premier operas; Susanne Marsee, one of the New York City Opera’s leading mezzos for over 20 years; and Michael Spierman, founder of the Bronx Opera Company.

The competition, held March 11 at the University of Kentucky Singletary Center for the Arts, featured a pool of $500,000 in prizes. Launched in 2006, the annual competition at the University of Kentucky marks a continued partnership between Alltech and the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre department. Since its start, over 150 students have received over $1.3 million in cash prizes and over $5.6 million in scholarships and assistantships. This totals nearly $7 million in collaborative investment into the lives of students who want to pursue a career in the arts at UK. The partnership has also positioned UK Opera Theatre as a Richard Tucker Music Foundation top recommended opera program.

In a tribute video shown prior to the competition, Dr. Lyons was seen delivering a speech in which he told his audience to “do what makes your heart sing.” Dr. Lyons always sought to empower people to achieve their potential and purpose in life. The Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition is a testament to that, enabling young performers to sing the song in their soul and achieve their dreams.

Lyons’ son, Dr. Mark Lyons, said his father’s legacy is the belief that every individual can make a difference, a belief that he shared with his friend Everett.

“That now is the challenge for all of us,” said Lyons, “to carry on his legacy and make a difference. That’s why he encouraged so many to dream and supported the fulfillment of those dreams.”

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Link to download image: https://photos.alltech.com/pf.tlx/YKYmaYl-UMp

Photo Caption: Dr. Everett McCorvey and Dr. Mark Lyons present the First Place Undergraduate Award to Casey Mayo at the 2018 Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition, where 26 young vocalists competed for more than $500,000 in scholarships and prizes.

Link to download image: https://photos.alltech.com/pf.tlx/ui2u5Yuibr34t

Photo Caption: Jeremy Kelly was the First Place Graduate Winner at the 2018 Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition, where 26 young vocalists competed for more than $500,000 in scholarships and prizes.