[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – Alltech has released its annual Sustainability Report, which demonstrates the actions the company is taking to align its business with its purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty^®, reducing its environmental impact and advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Alltech is committed to prioritizing the efficient and profitable production of nutritious food while helping producers worldwide implement solutions to their sustainability and productivity challenges. The Alltech Sustainability Report highlights how Working Together for a Planet of Plenty shapes Alltech’s business — and its future.

“Everything we do is centered on helping us advance our purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty,” said Tara McCarthy, global vice president for ESG at Alltech. “We have made great progress toward our ESG goals, but we know that there is always more work to be done. Alltech team members around the world have shown unwavering commitment to sustainable and ethical business practices. We continue to strive for ambitious ESG targets, find areas for improvement and innovation, and nurture a culture of sustainability.”

Guided by its Planet of Plenty purpose, Alltech is committed to:

• Delivering measurable impact via nutritional technologies and services that maximize producer profitability, production efficiency and sustainability.
• Connecting with global partners to solve high-impact issues and advance sustainable agricultural practices.
• Advocating for the agri-food industry, sharing the sustainable power of science in agri-food via its Planet of Plenty website and through projects like the upcoming documentary World Without Cows.
• Investing in education and research to address issues such as soil health, greenhouse gases, carbon sequestration, methane mitigation, antimicrobial resistance — and more.
• Sharpening its ESG strategy by continually reducing its environmental impact, prioritizing social responsibility and adopting governance practices that ensure transparency and accountability.

Through data and stories from Alltech team members around the world, the 2023 Alltech Sustainability Report emphasizes the role of agriculture in combatting climate change and creating healthy, sustainable food systems. It also includes information about Alltech’s emissions reduction goals and highlights its efforts to improve energy usage, reduce waste, and advance environmental actions in the industry. Additionally, the report outlines the steps Alltech has taken to promote a diverse and inclusive work environment and demonstrates its team members’ efforts to make a difference in the communities in which they live and work.

2023 highlights include:

• Alltech has reduced its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 19.8% from its 2021 base year. It aims to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% by 2030 (from its 2021 base year) and its Scope 3 emissions by 25% by 2030 (from its 2023 base year).
• Alltech completed 19 energy efficiency projects. It conducted 31 energy efficiency project feasibility studies and six renewable energy project feasibility studies. The company invested $3.85 million in efficiency projects in 2023, resulting in the reduction of 8,990 metric tons of CO₂e.
• Alltech completed 74 core product life-cycle analyses across its top seven specialty ingredients and 17 production facilities.
• Alltech was awarded three EcoVadis sustainability medals in 2023.
• Alltech Serdán was recertified in 2023 as Empresa Socialmente Responsible (ESR).
• Alltech was accredited by the Pet Sustainability Coalition for the third year in a row.
• Sixty team members participated in the Women in Food & Agriculture Mentorship Program.

“2023 was another milestone year for Alltech as we advanced our mission and vision of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “In the five years since it was launched at the Alltech ONE Conference in Kentucky, Planet of Plenty has become a strategic driver of our business and an accelerator of what is even more important: our impact. Through new partnerships and ongoing collaboration with trusted allies we’ve worked alongside for decades, we continue to drive progress toward our shared goal of a world of abundance for future generations.”

Alltech continues to serve as a voice for the industry, advancing agri-food innovation and highlighting agriculture’s role in nourishing the world and nurturing the planet. Through publications like the Alltech Sustainability Insights Report, the Alltech Sustainability Report, Agri-Food Outlook, Harvest Analysis, Import Risk Analysis and others, the company serves as an industry thought leader and helps to address some of the most pressing issues facing the agri-food community.

Alltech shares the sustainable power of science in agri-food through stories, podcasts, blogs and videos on its Planet of Plenty website. This year, Alltech is promoting Planet of Plenty’s first feature-length documentary, World Without Cows, a three-year exploration of the true impact of cattle on our world.

The film takes viewers to more than 40 locations around the world to hear insights from leading scientists, farmers, economists and other experts about the cultural and economic significance of cattle, their role in nourishing the world and their impact on climate. It aims to broaden the conversation about the role of cattle and to inspire deeper reflection about their role in the vitality of our planet. Learn more at worldwithoutcows.com.

For more information and to download the 2023 Alltech Sustainability Report in full, visit alltech.com/sustainability.

Asia-Pacific’s dominance in aquaculture

Global aquaculture production now accounts for 51% of the global supply of aquatic animals, surpassing fisheries for the first time — and this increase is primarily driven by growth in the Asia-Pacific region, which in 2022 produced 83.4 million metric tons (MT) of aquatic animals out of the 94.4 million MT produced worldwide.

Innovations in aquafeed formulations

The aquaculture industry’s rapid expansion is supported by innovations in aquafeed formulations, with fed aquaculture now representing 73% of total production. With fish meal and fish oil becoming scarcer and more expensive, the industry has turned to alternative protein sources, primarily plant-based ingredients.

Soybean meal is the most common plant protein used in the diets of farmed aquatic species, with inclusion rates varying across species such as Asian sea bass (25%), white-leg shrimp (35%), and pangasius catfish (42%). Other plant-based ingredients — such as wheatmeal, cornmeal and byproducts like dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) — are also widely used.

Risks of mycotoxin contamination

While plant-based ingredients are essential for sustainability, they bring the risk of mycotoxin contamination.

Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by specific fungi that grow on plants before and after harvest, especially in inadequate storage conditions. Common mycotoxins in aquafeeds include Fusarium-produced toxins (e.g., fumonisins and deoxynivalenol), as well as aflatoxins and ochratoxin A, which are produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium species during storage.

The Alltech 37+® lab offers advanced mycotoxin analysis technology such as liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), which allows for the detection of up to 54 different mycotoxins. To assess the general risk of mycotoxin contamination, we examined the mycotoxin profiles of samples of soybean meal, DDGS, wheat and corn.

• Over 90% of DDGS samples contained Fusarium-produced mycotoxins such as fumonisins, and around 13% of these samples also contained aflatoxin B1.
• Soybean meal samples were found to contain fusaric acid, while wheat and corn samples showed high levels of type B trichothecenes (e.g., deoxynivalenol).
• Notably, emerging mycotoxins — toxins that are not yet regulated — were found in over 70% of all samples tested, highlighting the rising risk and the necessity of proper mycotoxin management.

Effects of mycotoxins on aquatic species

The presence of mycotoxins in aquafeeds poses significant risks to aquatic species. Mycotoxins can impair growth, immune response, and overall health in fish and shrimp.

Each aqua species exhibits specific sensitivities to different mycotoxins. For instance, carp are particularly vulnerable to deoxynivalenol, which has been shown to affect organ health and reduce growth performance. T-2 toxin, another common mycotoxin, can decrease feed intake and cause oxidative stress and DNA damage in common carp.

In shrimp, even low concentrations of deoxynivalenol (around 330 ppb) can lead to reduced weight gain and can impact gene expression related to antioxidative defenses. T-2 toxin and fumonisins also significantly affect shrimp health, leading to muscle deterioration, reduced growth and increased mortality. These changes not only affect the animals’ welfare but also reduce the quality and nutritional value of shrimp for consumers.

Geographical regions also vary in their susceptibility to the different mycotoxin types. For instance, storage mycotoxins such as aflatoxin and ochratoxin A are of particular concern in the Asia-Pacific region due to the high temperatures and humidity that favor their growth. These mycotoxins can reduce feed efficiency, damage vital organs like the hepatopancreas, and lower survival rates in aquatic species.

Mycotoxin prevention and mitigation strategies

Mycotoxin contamination can occur before and/or after harvest — but preventing fungal growth on crops pre-harvest has become increasingly challenging due to climate change. As a result, feed mills are now more likely to receive feedstuffs that have already been contaminated in the fields.

Fortunately, some preventive and corrective steps can be implemented at this stage to mitigate the risk of exposing fish and shrimp to mycotoxins. In fact, mycotoxin prevention and mitigation strategies along the aquafeed supply chain are primarily implemented at the feed mill level (Figure 1). The implementation of a monitoring plan at feed mills, which screen feedstuffs upon arrival, is an effective option for preventing mycotoxin contamination.

Alltech® RAPIREAD™ technology is another effective option, enabling feed producers to quickly identify and analyze up to seven key mycotoxins on-farm. Producers should also periodically send samples of their feedstuffs and final feeds for a full-spectrum analysis by a certified lab such as the Alltech 37+ lab, which can detect up to 54 different mycotoxins.

Based on the results of those analyses, feed producers can strategically supplement mycotoxin-adsorbing agents — such as those in the Mycosorb® range from Alltech — in their formulas. Some producers may decide to include these agents for prophylactic purposes without necessarily implementing a full mycotoxin-monitoring plan.

Another common feed-formulation strategy is to include mold inhibitors, such as Alltech’s Mold-Zap®, to help inhibit fungal growth and minimize the risk of contamination during storage. 

Figure 1. Recommended mycotoxin prevention and mitigation strategies for feed mills

The role of yeast cell wall extract (YCWE)

Evaluating the effectiveness of any multi-binding agent is crucial, considering that feedstuffs and aquafeeds are commonly contaminated with multiple mycotoxins.

In the literature, Mycosorb solutions are referred to as yeast cell wall extract (YCWE) and backed by decades of scientific research. Among the various detoxifying agents with multiple-mycotoxin-binding claims tested in vitro, YCWE has demonstrated the greatest efficacy, adsorbing more than 50% of deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, fumonisin B1, ochratoxin A, T-2 toxin and aflatoxin B1. YCWE has also been successfully tested in vivo in several aquatic species.

Mycosorb technology consists of insoluble carbohydrates primarily derived from the glucans in the cell walls of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain of yeast. Mycosorb A+® goes a step further by combining these yeast cell wall components with carbohydrate components from algae. The flexible surfaces of these active yeast cell wall components facilitate the absorption of free mycotoxins. More specifically, β-D-glucans feature spaces that align perfectly with specific mycotoxins, making them optimal binding sites. The algal components of Mycosorb A+ further enhance its binding capacity, allowing it to adsorb a broader range of mycotoxins.

Unlike clay-based mycotoxin binders, the yeast and algae components of this solution do not interact with the essential nutrients, minerals or vitamins included in the diet. Instead, they specifically bind mycotoxins in the gastrointestinal tract, inhibiting the absorption of mycotoxins into the bloodstream and their distribution to target organs. They also promote the excretion of mycotoxins through the feces. As a result, the bioavailability of these mycotoxins is minimized, as is their potential impact on animal health and performance.

For more information on how to manage the mycotoxin threat to your business, please contact our team. You can also find additional resources at knowmycotoxins.com.

About the author:

Dr. Vivi Koletsi is a global technical support specialist within Alltech’s Technology Group. She collaborates with the company’s global Aqua team regarding all technologies on the aquatic species side.   

Dr. Koletsi, a native of Ioannina, Greece, first became interested in aquaculture while completing her undergraduate studies in biology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She began focusing on fish nutrition in earnest while pursuing her master’s degree in aquaculture and marine resource management at Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands. This interest led her to complete an internship with Alltech Coppens, during which she established a protocol to help prevent mycotoxin contamination in aqua feeds. 

Upon earning her master’s degree, Dr. Koletsi continued her mycotoxin research at the doctoral level with support from Alltech in collaboration with the Aquaculture and Fisheries Group at Wageningen University & Research. While completing her doctoral studies, Dr. Koletsi conducted trials at Alltech Coppens’ facilities while continuing laboratory work at Wageningen. Her focus was on mycotoxins’ impact on rainbow trout.  

Dr. Koletsi joined Alltech as a team member upon completion of her Ph.D. in 2023. 

I want to learn more about nutrition for aquaculture. 

In aquaculture, maintaining proper fish health is crucial to avoid incurring significant economic losses. While gut health often takes center stage, the skin and gills are also critical first lines of defense. This blog explores the potential of functional feed materials — particularly the refined form of mannan oligosaccharides, the mannan-rich fraction (MRF) — to enhance those defenses. Discover the science behind these innovations and their practical benefits for a more sustainable aquaculture industry.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are generally included in aquafeed formulations as functional feed materials to help support normal immune functions and enhance nutrient absorption, digestion and, ultimately, the animal’s performance. Gibson and Roberfroid (1995) defined a prebiotic as “an indigestible fiber that can enhance the growth and activity of health-promoting bacteria in the intestine and beneficially affect the host.” Along with their ability to effectively outcompete pathogenic bacteria and discourage adhesion, these health-promoting bacteria can also ferment prebiotic substrates, resulting in the production of short-chain fatty acids, which helps boost intestinal functions by increasing mucus and also affects the immune response (Fatima and Mansell, 2019).

From the gut to skin and gill health

While much research has focused on the effects of prebiotics on fish gut health, other mucosal surfaces — such as the skin and gills — are often overlooked. Nevertheless, skin and gills also act as a critical first line of defense for a fish’s overall health, as these large surface areas are exposed to the aquatic environment and, therefore, serve as primary targets for pathogen attachment and invasion in finfish. The mucus layer covering the epidermal and gill epithelial surfaces is not just a physical barrier; it contains potent immunologically active molecules, underlying mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue elements and microbiota, which facilitate the development and homeostasis of the host fish’s immunity (Cabillon and Lazado, 2019). However, under stressful fish farming conditions (e.g., high stocking densities, fluctuating temperatures in open systems due to climate change), a disruption of the symbiotic host-microbiome relationship can lead to significant changes in the microbiota structure — which favors the growth of opportunistic pathogens (Debnath et al., 2023).

Pathogenic challenges

Disease outbreaks in aquaculture stem from complex interactions between fish hosts, farming conditions and pathogens (Figure 1; adapted from Moreira et al., 2021). These outbreaks can lead to welfare challenges for animals and financial losses for producers. Bacterial and parasitic agents cause severe, unpredictable and difficult-to-treat infections on the skin and gill surfaces. For example, the parasitic copepod Lepeophtheirus salmonis, which is responsible for sea lice infestations in salmon farms that cause skin wounds and secondary infections, significantly impacted revenues and led to financial losses estimated at US$436 million for the Norwegian industry in 2011 (Abolofia et al., 2017). As aquaculture evolves, sustainable disease management strategies will be required to protect animal welfare, health, the environment and the producer’s profitability (Lieke et al., 2020)

Figure 1. The main factors influencing the interactions between pathogens, hosts and the farming environment in fish disease outbreaks.

Mannan-rich fraction (MRF)

According to Bondad‐Reantaso et al. (2023), since the European ban on subtherapeutic antibiotics in animals, including fish, mannan oligosaccharides have become a primary alternative strategy for disease management in aquaculture. Mannan-rich fraction (MRF), the refined version of mannan oligosaccharides is characterized by α-(1,2)- and α-(1,3)-D-mannose branches connected to extended α-(1,6)-D-mannose chains (Hu et al., 2024). Alltech’s MRF is derived from the cell wall of a select strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and is among the most-studied functional feed materials in farmed animals (Spring et al., 2015).  Research findings support MRF’s protective role against various health challenges in skin and gills across different fish species, including salmonids (salmon and trout), freshwater species (catfish and tilapia), marine species (greater amberjack) and ornamental fish (goldfish). Some of those key findings are summarized in Table 1.

Protective roles

Feeding trials without pathogenic challenges have already shown the potential of MRF to support normal functions of the mucosal immune barrier. In a study of rainbow trout, skin mucus production increased after 12 weeks of feeding MRF (Rodriguez-Estrada et al., 2013), and in studies in goldfish (Huang et al., 2022; Liu et al., 2024), longer gill lamellae, greater thickness of the dermal dense layer of skin, the number of mucous cells in the tissues of skin and gills, and an upregulated expression of genes related to Mucin-2, mannose receptors, phagocytosis and inflammation were noted after 60 days of feeding MRF.

The results of other trials across different fish host species have confirmed the activation of the necessary mechanisms that support normal functioning of the mucosal immune barriers, discourage the adhesion of pathogenic bacteria and impact the immunological responses of the challenged fish fed with MRF. For instance, the dietary supplementation of MRF in the diets of Atlantic salmon (Dimitroglou et al., 2011) was associated with a reduced total number of the parasitic copepods Lepeophtheirus salmonis and Caligus elongatus attached to the epidermis — which was also reflected in the reduced number of fish infected by sea lice (Figure 2A). In grass carp, supplementation with MRF helped alleviate the skin damage (Figure 2D) caused by the bacterium Aeromonas hydrophila (Lu et al., 2021). A similar observation was noted for greater amberjack challenged by the monogenean flatworm parasite Neobenedenia girellae (Fernández-Montero et al., 2019), which experienced a significantly reduced number of parasites per fish surface and a decreased total length for the parasites associated with feeding MRF (Figure 2B). In goldfish challenged by the parasitic protozoa Ichthyophthirius multifiliis — which causes white spot disease, also known as ich — another research group demonstrated a significantly lower number of white spots and a diminished infection rate after feeding diets that included MRF (Huang et al., 2022; Figure 2C).

The protective influence of MRF has been evaluated not only through demonstrations of lower parasitic counts and clinical symptoms on skin and gill surfaces but also by increased resilience in infected fish. Several studies have reported significantly higher cumulative survival rates — including in rainbow trout fed MRF and challenged by Aeromonas salmonicida (Rodriguez-Estrada et al., 2013), in channel catfish fingerlings fed MRF and challenged by Flavobacterium columnare (Zhao et al., 2015) and in goldfish fed MRF and challenged by ich (Huang et al., 2022). These studies attributed this protection to the positive impact of MRF, which is correlated with the altered expression of inflammatory cytokines and immunoactive substances (e.g., lysozyme and alkaline phosphate activities) that favor resolution and repair processes.

Figure 2. MRF studies in different fish species. A) Salmon: A reduced number of sea lice and number of infected fish (Dimitroglou et al., 2011). B) Greater amberjack: A reduced number of parasites and parasite length (Fernández-Montero et al., 2019). C) Goldfish: Reduced white spot counts, infection rates and mortality (Huang et al., 2022). D) Grass carp: Reduced red-skin morbidity (Lu et al., 2021).

To further increase our understanding of the mode of action of MRF, research was recently conducted in goldfish using ich as a model health challenge (Liu et al., 2024). New insights from the transcriptome data from the study of Liu et al. (2024) suggests that MRF bind to the mannose receptors in fish macrophages, stimulating their phagocytic function, promoting non-specific immunity, and alleviating parasitic infections through the MRF immunomodulatory role.

Conclusion

Diseases cause significant losses to aquaculture operations. As such, investing in control and mitigation techniques is essential for a farm’s economic sustainability — especially considering the unknown impacts of climate change on infectious agents. As the research has shown, natural dietary tools such as MRF technology are cost-effective solutions that can help nutritionists formulate diets that boost physical mucous barriers, discourage the adhesion of pathogenic bacteria and support normal immune responses. This extensive research demonstrates the holistic protection of MRF beyond gut health, highlighting additional protective effects on the skin and gill surfaces across various species.

Table 1. Summary of studies in various fish species that investigated the potential role of MRF in protecting skin and gill health during common health challenges in aquaculture.

About the author:

Dr. Vivi Koletsi is a global technical support specialist within Alltech’s Technology Group. She collaborates with the company’s global Aqua team regarding all technologies on the aquatic species side.   

Dr. Koletsi, a native of Ioannina, Greece, first became interested in aquaculture while completing her undergraduate studies in biology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She began focusing on fish nutrition in earnest while pursuing her master’s degree in aquaculture and marine resource management at Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands. This interest led her to complete an internship with Alltech Coppens, during which she established a protocol to help prevent mycotoxin contamination in aqua feeds. 

Upon earning her master’s degree, Dr. Koletsi continued her mycotoxin research at the doctoral level with support from Alltech in collaboration with the Aquaculture and Fisheries Group at Wageningen University & Research. While completing her doctoral studies, Dr. Koletsi conducted trials at Alltech Coppens’ facilities while continuing laboratory work at Wageningen. Her focus was on mycotoxins’ impact on rainbow trout.  

Dr. Koletsi joined Alltech as a team member upon completion of her Ph.D. in 2023. 

I want to learn more about nutrition for aquaculture.

The expansion of aquaculture has presented challenges for the aquafeed industry, especially when it comes to meeting increasing demands while also ensuring both environmental sustainability and economic viability for farmers.

A key strategy for addressing these challenges is the utilization of flexible feed formulations, which allows for the inclusion of diverse plant-based raw materials and byproducts. To create effective flexible feed formulations, nutritionists must first overcome potential nutritional challenges, such as the anti-nutritional factors that are typically associated with plant ingredients.

In this blog, we will discuss how multi-enzyme technologies can help improve nutrient utilization, enhance feed efficiency and diminish the cost of aquafeed formulations.

The evolution of aquafeed composition

As the fastest-growing food production sector worldwide, aquaculture plays a crucial role in ensuring food security and in the greater effort to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations, including "Zero Hunger" (Hasegawa et al., 2019). Despite its rapid growth, scientists estimate that aquaculture production will need to expand even more by 2050 to meet the increasing demand for seafood and affordable protein (Boyd et al., 2022).

While limited availability and the prices of traditionally used marine ingredients from wild-caught stocks (i.e., fishmeal and fish oil) could have created a bottleneck for the growth of feed production and aquaculture, respectively (Cottrell et al., 2021), the industry evolved and diversified the composition of its aquafeeds to include alternative terrestrial-based raw materials, helping maintain and support the expansion of aquaculture (Naylor et al., 2021).

These changes have even been reflected in the diets of carnivorous species over the past 30 years, and the inclusion of plant-based ingredients in salmon and rainbow trout diets in Norway climbed to 60% in 2020 (Aas et al., 2022). A typical composition for these diets, including a list of plant-based ingredients, is presented in Figure 1.           

Nutritional challenges of plant-based ingredients

It is important to note, however, that the shift towards more economical and sustainable raw materials has brought with it nutritional challenges that feed producers must solve. These potential challenges include amino acid deficiencies, poor digestibility and palatability, and an increased risk of mycotoxin contamination.

Additionally, almost all plant ingredients contain certain anti-nutritional factors (Hussain et al., 2024). These factors, which are found in the form of natural substances, can interfere with the digestibility/absorption of nutrients. The most common anti-nutritional factors that can negatively impact fish productivity include protease inhibitors, phytates (i.e., phytic acid), glucosinolates, saponins, tannins, lectins, oligosaccharides and non-starch polysaccharides (NSP), phytoestrogens, alkaloids, antigenic compounds and gossypols (Francis et al., 2001). Among these compounds, NSPs and phytates receive the most attention from fish nutritionists and are the primary reasons for restricting the inclusion of plant materials in aquafeed formulations.

NSPs are complex carbohydrates that serve as major structural components of plant cell walls, including cellulose, hemicellulose, pectins and beta-glucans. Wheat — the main carbohydrate source used in aquafeeds — contains 119 g/kg of NSP in its dry matter, while soybean meal, the primary plant protein source, contains 217 g/kg (Sinha et al., 2011). However, most aquatic species lack NSP-degrading digestive enzymes, preventing NSP from serving as an energy source (Kaushik et al., 2022). The negative effects of NSPs are associated with their viscous nature, which leads to the decreased digestibility and absorption of macronutrients (Sinha et al., 2011; Kaushik et al., 2022).

When phytic acid binds with minerals to form phytate salts, it becomes the primary storage form of phosphorus in plants (Shankaran & Kumari, 2024). The phosphorus in commonly used plant-based feedstuffs mostly comes from phytate phosphorous, which can be included in proportions reaching up to 80% (Cao et al., 2007; Kumar et al.,2011). Phosphorus is essential for aquatic organisms, although they have a limited ability to break down phytate. As a result, phosphorus cannot be utilized in the phytate form and is excreted into the environment (Cao et al., 2007). Additionally, in the gastrointestinal tract, phytate binds to minerals (e.g., Zn²⁺ and Fe²⁺) and interacts with nutrients such as fatty acids and protein, leading to reduced bioavailability — which raises further concerns about water pollution and the environmental impact of aquafeeds (Kumar et al., 2011). Since processing treatments are not very efficient in reducing the content of anti-nutritional factors, the best approach to improving carbohydrate utilization is via the supplementation of carbohydrase enzymes and the bioavailability of phosphorus with phytase (Kaushik et al., 2022).

Enzyme technology and its benefits

Enzyme technology is a promising tool to mitigate the adverse effects of the anti-nutritional factors present in the plant feedstuffs used in animal feeds (Steinberg, 2022). According to Liang et al. (2022), the global market size for animal feed enzymes was over US$1.3 billion in 2021 and is projected to expand further by 2028 due to their cost-effectiveness and sustainability considerations.

Comprehensive studies that reviewed the supplementation of exogenous phytases, carbohydrases and proteases in aquafeeds concluded that they have significant potential as functional additives for improving the nutritional value of aquafeeds (Castillo and Gatlin, 2015; Zheng et al., 2020; Liang et al., 2022; Chen et al., 2024). These studies have also illustrated that the efficacy of enzymes depends on the diet composition and application method.

The inclusion of enzymes is recommended in diets with a high content of plant-based materials and byproducts, and post-spraying application is advised to ensure maximum enzyme stability (Liang et al., 2022). Finally, it has been noted that enzyme supplementation is more effective when a cocktail of enzymes is used rather than a single enzyme type (Zheng et al., 2020).

A commercially available multi-enzymatic solution from Alltech is derived from the solid-state fermentation (SSF) of a select strain of non-GMO Aspergillus niger. Extensive research has explored the potential of multi-enzyme complexes to enhance nutrient utilization and growth in economically significant farmed fish species. Some of Alltech’s research footprint can be seen in a flyer (available here), which summarizes trial results across different species, including warm-water fish such as tilapia, catfish and pangasius, as well as key species in marine aquaculture, like seabass and red seabream. Collectively, the results have shown that the application of the multi-enzyme is beneficial for growth and feed utilization, measured as improved weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR), as well as an increased digestibility of phosphorous and nutrients (e.g., protein and amino acids) and reduced nitrogen and phosphorus excretions.

Overall, multi-enzyme technologies can provide flexibility in feed formulations by targeting different substrates and enhancing nutrient utilization. These improvements lead to better fish performance and higher economic returns for producers. Additionally, utilizing these technologies can minimize nutrient discharges, allowing the aquaculture industry to demonstrate its responsibility toward the aquatic environment and sustainably produce food, thereby reducing its environmental impact.

About the author:

Dr. Vivi Koletsi is a global technical support specialist within Alltech’s Technology Group. She collaborates with the company’s global Aqua team regarding all technologies on the aquatic species side.   

Dr. Koletsi, a native of Ioannina, Greece, first became interested in aquaculture while completing her undergraduate studies in biology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She began focusing on fish nutrition in earnest while pursuing her master’s degree in aquaculture and marine resource management at Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands. This interest led her to complete an internship with Alltech Coppens, during which she established a protocol to help prevent mycotoxin contamination in aqua feeds. 

Upon earning her master’s degree, Dr. Koletsi continued her mycotoxin research at the doctoral level with support from Alltech in collaboration with the Aquaculture and Fisheries Group at Wageningen University & Research. While completing her doctoral studies, Dr. Koletsi conducted trials at Alltech Coppens’ facilities while continuing laboratory work at Wageningen. Her focus was on mycotoxins’ impact on rainbow trout.  

Dr. Koletsi joined Alltech as a team member upon completion of her Ph.D. in 2023. 

I want to learn more about nutrition for aquaculture.

[DUNBOYNE, Ireland] – Alltech has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting gender diversity, equality and inclusion across the global meat and food supply chain by signing a two-year strategic partnership with Meat Business Women.

Meat Business Women and Alltech will work together to develop and empower team members through access to masterclasses and mentoring development resources. They will also collaborate to attract new talent into the agri-food sector. As a strategic partner, Alltech will provide expertise and input into the group’s strategic direction and support its wider mission of raising the profile of women in the meat industry.

The organisations will also collaborate on two regional “Community Connect” events which will facilitate networking opportunities for professionals working across the entire agri-food supply chain. These networking events will both take place at Alltech offices: one in Stamford, UK, on Thursday, July 11, 2024, and one in Dunboyne, Ireland, on Thursday, September 5, 2024.

Orla McAleer, Alltech’s chief culture officer, will speak at both events, and will be joined in Stamford by Dr. Jules Taylor-Pickard, global technical director at Alltech, and in Dunboyne by Tara McCarthy, Alltech’s global vice president of ESG. They will speak about pivotal moments from their career journeys and share more about why the two organisations are working together.

“We are thrilled to partner with Meat Business Women to champion gender diversity and inclusion within the agri-food sector. By empowering women through access to invaluable resources and networking opportunities, we are not only fostering individual growth but also driving positive change across the industry,” said McAleer. “Alltech believes that inclusion cultivates creativity, drives innovation and is essential to the company’s purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™. In 2019 Alltech selected Gender Equality as one of the nine United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to which the company is committed to advancing.”

Harriet Wilson, partnerships director at Meat Business Women, says, “We are delighted that Alltech has joined the Meat Business Women family as a strategic partner and look forward to working closely with their brilliant team. We know that networking is a crucial skill for women to develop, so we’re delighted that Alltech has generously agreed to support us with these two events across the UK and the Republic of Ireland so that even more of our community can come together, learn, connect and develop their careers.”

Meat Business Women is the United Nations’ recognised global professional network for women working across the meat industry. It was created to improve the sustainability of the meat sector and grow the pipeline of female talent in this male-dominated industry.

Alltech is a global leader that delivers smarter, more sustainable solutions for agriculture. Its diverse portfolio of products and services improves the health and performance of animals and plants, resulting in better nutrition for all and a decreased environmental impact. Learn more at alltech.com.

To learn more about Meat Business Women, visit meatbusinesswomen.org. To book your place at a Community Connect event in Stamford or Dunboyne, visit our website here.

Since 2005, the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) and Alltech, a global leader in agriculture and animal nutrition, have partnered to support the Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism Awards that recognize the leadership potential of young members (under 35 years of age). As young agricultural journalists and communicators, they have the important role of sharing the stories of agriculture with the world.

IFAJ and Alltech offer 10 scholarship opportunities to attend the IFAJ Congress, held this year in Interlaken, Switzerland, in August. The winners also participate in a unique three-day professional development workshop immediately prior to the IFAJ Congress. The workshop emphasizes reporting skills and leadership training and includes agriculture tours.

The 2024 IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders include:

• Alex Black, United Kingdom
• Emma Davies, Ghana
• Courtney Girgis, United States
• Kristina Hansén, Sweden
• Wiebke Hermann, Germany
• Brooke Littlewood, Australia
• Duncan Masiwa, South Africa
• Daniel Plaiasu, Romania
• Michaela Sandmayr, Austria
• Carola Urdangarin, Argentina

"Alltech is proud to partner with IFAJ to support the Young Leaders program, as we all share a commitment to supporting journalists who give voice to farmers and producers and ensure that agriculture stories continue to be told around the world," said Jenn Norrie, North American and European communications manager at Alltech.

“The Young Leaders program has helped agricultural journalism guilds and IFAJ grow for nearly two decades,” said IFAJ secretary-general, Addy Rossi. “The IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders program is more than just an award to recognize rising young stars in our industry—it provides training, networks and contagious energy to tomorrow's guild and federation leaders."

"Many of the officers and active volunteers in national guilds and IFAJ's governing bodies have been Young Leaders,” he added. “With its generous sponsorship and deep commitment to the future of agricultural journalism, Alltech has helped train a generation of world leaders."

For more information on IFAJ and the Young Leaders program, visit www.ifaj.org. For more on Alltech, visit www.alltech.com.

*The 2023 numbers were adjusted on April 15, 2024 

World feed production remains steady, with a slight decrease of 0.01%* to 1.29 billion metric tons

Lower demand attributed in part to more efficient use of feed

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – Global animal feed production remained steady in 2023 at 1.29 billion metric tons (BMT), a slight decrease of 140,000* metric tons (MMT) — or 0.01%* — from 2022’s estimates, according to the 2024 Agri-Food Outlook, released today by Alltech. The annual survey, now in its 13^th year, includes data from 142 countries and more than 27,000 feed mills.

The overall lower demand for feed was due, in part, to the more efficient use of feed made possible by intensive production systems that focus on using animal nutrition, farm management and other technologies to lower feed intake while producing the same amount of protein, or more. A slowdown in the overall production of animal protein, in response to tight margins experienced by many feed and animal protein companies, also contributed to lower feed demand. Changing consumption patterns caused by inflation and dietary trends, higher production costs and geopolitical tensions also influenced feed production in 2023.

Top 10 countries:

The top 10 feed-producing countries are China (262.71 MMT, +0.76%), the U.S. (238.09 MMT, ‑1.13%), Brazil (83.32 MMT, +1.84%), India (52.83 MMT, +13.43%), Mexico (40.42 MMT, +0.02%), Spain (36.22 MMT*, -3.28%*), Russia (35.46 MMT, +3.83%), Vietnam (24.15 MMT, -9.63%), Japan (23.94 MMT, -1.15%) and Türkiye (23.37 MMT, -11.48%). Together, the top 10 countries produced 63.1% of the world’s feed production (same as in 2022), and almost half of the world’s global feed production is concentrated in four countries: China, the U.S., Brazil and India.

Notable species results and outlook:

• Poultry experienced an increase in broiler feed production (386.33 MMT*, +12.81 MMT*, +3.43%*) and remained flat* for layers (171.29 MMT*, +0.01 MMT, 0%).
  • Broiler feed now accounts for 29.8%* of the total feed tonnage in the world thanks to a 3.43%* increase in overall tonnage in 2023. While this growth was not uniform across all regions, the poultry sector is poised to keep holding strong in 2024 thanks to a combination of regional successes and global market dynamics. Some of the biggest factors that will contribute to the resilience of the broiler sector include reduced costs for inputs, such as feed and energy, and increases in margins and profitability.
  • For layers, there are industry-wide efforts to optimize feed efficiency and to keep pace with changing dietary trends and new purchasing power. Some markets around the globe were significantly impacted by macroeconomic challenges and disease outbreaks, which can disrupt production cycles. Still, the general outlook for the layer industry remains positive thanks to its resilience in the face of difficult circumstances, when other protein sectors often struggle to adapt.
  • The poultry sector is poised for continued strength, driven by a blend of regional successes and global market dynamics. The broiler forecast remains optimistic thanks to lower input costs, increased industrial margins and shifting consumer behaviors. For layers, challenges persist, but there are pockets of resilience and growth.
• The global pig feed production sector faced many challenges in 2023, which led to an overall decrease in pig feed production of 1.26%* (323.04 MMT*, -4.14 MMT*).
  • Latin America stood out as the only region that achieved an increase in pig feed production in 2023, while Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America — which have traditionally been the top pig feed-producing regions in the world — all faced challenges. African swine fever (ASF) continues to wreak havoc on pig production in China and Southeast Asia, where repopulation efforts are slowly proceeding.
  • The trends highlight the complex relationship between economic factors, supply dynamics and disease management in the global pig feed industry. Addressing these challenges will be crucial for sustaining animal agriculture and ensuring food security.
• Dairy feed tonnage decreased by 1.12%* (127.92 MMT*, -1.45%*), primarily due to the high cost of feed combined with low milk prices, which led farmers to make strategic adjustments that included reducing their cow numbers and/or relying more on non-commercial feed sources.
  • In Europe, dairy producers will continue to grapple with stricter environmental policies in the years ahead, and they will need to find new ways to continue growing.
  • Asia-Pacific managed to buck the downward trend and emerged as the only region that increased its dairy feed tonnage in 2023. This growth was fueled by a continued increase in the consumption of milk products there, as well as an expansion of feed production in co-operatives.
  • This shift reflects the delicate balance between economic factors and the need to sustain dairy production. Lower feed costs and higher milk prices would help right the ship.

• Beef feed production decreased by 3.78%* (119.56 MMT*, -4.70 MMT*) globally — the most pronounced downward change among all species sectors last year. Changes in cattle cycles in the United States and stricter sustainability policies in Europe had major impacts, with the Asia-Pacific beef sector notably surpassing Europe’s in 2023.
  • The substantial decline in North America was the result of lingering droughts and high production costs, among other issues.
  • While the European and North American beef industries are expected to continue declining in 2024, growth is expected in China, Brazil and Australia — highlighting the complex dynamics and landscape of beef feed production around the world.
• The aquaculture sector experienced a decline of 4.41%* (52.09 MMT, -2.40 MMT*).
  • This decline was driven in part by a significant drop in China’s supply of aqua feed due to lower fish prices, which had a far-reaching impact.
  • Latin America grew by 0.27 MMT (3.87%). Despite adverse weather conditions in that region, the demand for aqua products is still strong in Latin America, which helped aqua producers there remain resilient.
• The global pet feed industry continues to grow, albeit at a slower pace of 2.66%* (35.44 MMT*, +0.92 MMT*) in 2023. Demand for high-quality pet products and services remains high from pet owners who want only the best for their animal companions.
  • The Latin American and European* markets were the primary drivers of this growth.
• The equine feed industry experienced a decrease of 4.69%* (7.98 MMT, -0.39 MMT*) in 2023.
  • The top challenges in the equine sector include high labor and material prices.
  • The top technologies impacting the sector are biosecurity, microchipping, genetics and nutritional solutions.
  • Survey respondents said the biggest opportunities for nutritional solutions are gut health management and feed efficiency.
  • Equine feed is expected to decrease both in price and in volume during the coming year.

Notable regional results:

• North America saw a decrease of 2.8 MMT (259.26 MMT, -1.1%), with beef feed tonnage down significantly. The pig and dairy sectors also slipped slightly, but the broiler, layer and pet sectors more than made up the difference. Feed tonnage in the broiler sector was up nearly 2.9%.
• Latin America experienced growth in 2023 by 2.46 MMT (200.67 MMT, +1.24%). Despite high production costs, geopolitical tensions and changing consumer behavior due to economic reasons, the region continues to be among the global growth leaders*, mainly because of its export-driven aquaculture, poultry and pork markets.
• Europe continued its downward trend in feed production, with a decrease of 7.59 MMT* (261.89 MMT*, -2.82%*) due to issues that included the invasion in Ukraine and the spread of animal diseases such as African swine fever (ASF) and avian influenza (AI).
• Asia-Pacific led feed production growth in 2023, with an increase of 6.54 MMT (475.33 MMT, +1.4%). Feed production growth in the region’s ruminant sectors offset a setback in the aqua sector. The region is home to several of the top 10 feed-producing countries, including China, India, Vietnam and Japan.
• Africa experienced continued but slower growth with an increase of 1.94%*, nearly 1 MMT to total 51.42 MMT.
• The Middle East saw a slight decrease of 0.12 MMT (35.93 MMT, -0.32%).
• Oceania grew 3.71% or 0.39 MMT to total 10.78 MMT.

Alltech works together with feed mills and industry and government entities around the world to compile data and insights to provide an assessment of feed production each year. Compound feed production and prices were collected by Alltech’s global sales team and in partnership with local feed associations in the first quarter of 2024. These figures are estimates and are intended to serve as an information resource for industry stakeholders.

To access more data and insights from the 2024 Alltech Agri-Food Outlook, including an interactive global map, visit alltech.com/agri-food-outlook.

[BANGKOK, Thailand] — Alltech recently celebrated its 25th anniversary in Thailand alongside more than 120 industry partners and friends, including representatives of prominent agri-food companies.

In 1998, Alltech entered the Thai market. It was a time of financial crisis within the region yet Alltech could see the market’s potential and its increasingly important role in global food supply. Alltech Thailand began with two team members, and today more than 50 Alltech team members are dedicated to serving the country’s agriculture sector. An initial facility and warehouse in Thailand were established in 2006 and production operations were relocated to the current facility in Samutprakarn in 2015 to meet growing demand in both the Thai and Southeast Asian markets.

Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, reflected on the company’s long-standing commitment to the country and its partnerships with Thailand-based customers.

“Within Alltech, we are committed to Working Together for a Planet of Plenty. Thailand represents some of our most enduring examples of this effort,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “Together, with our customers, we have advanced the efficient and sustainable production of nutrition and are cultivating a prosperous world of abundance through Thailand’s agri-food sector.”

Steadfast in its commitment to providing smarter and sustainable solutions for customers, including feed mills, integrators and animal farms, Alltech continues to invest in local production while leveraging the best of its global network and knowledge to the benefits of its customers. These efforts have catalyzed rapid growth in Thailand’s agricultural industry, positioning the nation as a key player on the global stage.

Over the past quarter century, Thailand’s agricultural sector has prioritized enhancing efficiency and productivity, advancing aquaculture and livestock production, fostering value addition for agricultural products, and ensuring food security.

Alltech has forged deep connections and established significant strategic partnerships within the local industry. Its long-standing relationships with market leaders have allowed Alltech — and its customers — to grow and navigate the evolving agri-food industry.

On Feb. 15, Alltech finalized an agreement with Thai Wah Public Co., an agri-food business with operations in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and India, to collaborate on reducing carbon in Asian agri-food with precision nutrition, digital farming, waste management and carbon footprint assessments. This collaboration is the second formal partnership in two years to focus on sustainable farming in Thailand. On March 9, 2023, Alltech formed a partnership with the Dairy Farming Promotion Organization of Thailand (DPO) to pioneer nutrition innovation and sustainable dairy farming, leveraging global expertise and technologies to expand and develop dairy and beef cattle production in Thailand.

Dedicated to ensuring customers’ competitiveness and to driving innovation within the industry, Alltech Thailand remains committed to educating customers through seminars and workshops, enriching their knowledge and keeping them at the forefront of leading agri-food research and technologies.

Alltech Thailand and its 5,000 Alltech colleagues around the world share a commitment to supporting the agri-food sector in providing nutrition for all while supporting local economies and revitalizing the planet’s natural resources.

“Our devoted local team remains ready to provide unparalleled expertise to the Thai market,” said Jonathan Forrest Wilson, president of Alltech Asia-Pacific. “This reflects our dedication to forging long term mutually beneficial collaborations and contributing to the thriving business landscape in Thailand. As we celebrate this milestone, our commitment to lasting partnerships remains at the forefront of our mission.” 

Understanding contamination risk in feed and ingredients

There is growing awareness of the presence of trace heavy metals in the feed industry and their potential impacts on animal and human health.

Trace metals are naturally occurring elements, used in many industries and needed for regular body function in animals and humans. Zinc, iron and copper, for example, are essential in trace amounts. However, they can be toxic even at moderately elevated levels, and heavy metal poisoning occurs when too much of a particular metal is absorbed by the body. Mercury, lead, cadmium and arsenic are the most common metals to cause exposure at toxic levels.

The general population can be exposed to heavy metal contaminants through drinking water, dust, and fumes and from a variety of food sources (Atafar et al., 2010). Toxic heavy metals can be transferred into edible animal products such as meat, milk and eggs, and thus be passed into the human food chain. High levels of exposure to these compounds in humans can be toxic, with many having carcinogenic properties.

The buildup of heavy metals within animal protein sources can be attributed to the contamination of certain feed ingredients (Vremane et al., 1986; Spragg, 2008), with the potential for contamination originating from:

• Exposure to groundwater and soil with high levels of heavy metals during crop production (transfer into plant material)
• Bioaccumulation higher along the food chain (e.g., mercury in carnivores)
• Raw material processing (e.g., for inorganic mineral extraction and recycling)
• Cross-contamination during processing or transport, or in the feed mill

Understanding the risks within the feed industry

The past decade has seen growing scrutiny regarding the potential for heavy metal contamination in animal feeds. This is due to a number of high-profile food safety alerts. For example, in both 2020 and 2021, batches of dog foods from Europe were found to contain excessive levels of cadmium, and inorganic mineral sources destined for the feed industry are often reported by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in the RASFF (Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed) Portal.

Other parts of the world, however, do not have such advanced monitoring or alert systems, and much of the risk may be missed or underestimated.

The Alltech 2023 Asia-Pacific Toxic Heavy Metal Survey

An ongoing effort to quantify the risk of toxic heavy metals to the feed industry has been carried out by Alltech in the Asia-Pacific region. Alltech initiated the survey in 2010 and has issued nine comprehensive reports so far, which have become essential benchmarks for assessing contamination risks in animal feed and trace minerals.

The survey analyzed 735 samples collected from 12 countries across the Asia-Pacific region, bringing the total number of samples analyzed to over 7,000 since the survey was launched in 2010.

Consistent with previous years, the survey evaluated lead, arsenic and cadmium levels, applying the European Union’s maximum allowable thresholds to determine contamination risks. The analysis encompassed complete feed, premix, and inorganic and organic trace mineral samples, spanning various agricultural categories including pig, poultry, ruminant, aquaculture and pet.

When completed, the survey revealed a contamination level of 14% across all these Asia-Pacific samples, with analysis showing that significant contamination was found in both organic trace mineral and inorganic mineral sources.

The survey highlighted that poultry premix exhibited the highest contamination levels at 13%, followed by aquaculture (9%) and ruminant premix samples (8%). In complete feed, swine diets demonstrated the highest contamination at 14%, followed by ruminant (9%) and poultry (5%). Certain samples displayed heavy metal levels surpassing EU regulations.

The collective results of all Alltech Asia-Pacific Toxic Heavy Metal Surveys since 2010 have revealed a persistent risk of elevated contamination in Asia-Pacific samples, with an average rate of 19%. This indicates serious and ongoing risks to both animal health and the safety of the entire food chain.

Managing feed contamination risk with reputable suppliers

To reduce the risk, it is imperative that feed and animal companies source their trace minerals from reputable sources. This involves working with companies that have robust quality systems, such as the Alltech Q+™ program, that focus on product safety, consistency and traceability for high-risk materials such as mineral sources. If we can reduce the risk of heavy metal contaminants entering the food chain, that will have flow-on effects to the human food chain.

For more information about the survey, please contact your local Alltech representative or email knowyourminerals@alltech.com.

About the author: 

Tara Tiller is the global project manager of corporate accounts and companion animals for Alltech. In this role, she oversees the growth of Alltech's pet and equine business as a member of the company's larger companion animal team.

Tara first joined Alltech as its quality assurance manager for the Asia-Pacific region. In that role, which was based in Thailand, she led the establishment of production facilities in Thailand, China, India and Vietnam and traveled extensively across Asia. She subsequently joined Alltech’s Mineral Management division, where she provided technical support and offered consultations, both internally and externally, across Asia-Pacific on trace mineral nutrition, with a focus on Alltech’s organic trace mineral range.

In 2018, Tara was named Alltech's global project manager. That role, which was based in Bangkok, combined her previous technical support responsibilities with the management of Alltech’s mineral projects and programs globally. In her current position on the company's companion animal team, she continues to develop and promote solutions and services related to mineral management.

Tara received a degree in animal science and aquaculture from the University of Tasmania in Australia.

Alltech is proud to continue to partner with the Women in Food & Agriculture (WFA) Mentorship Program.  Applications are now open for new mentors of any gender and for female mentees from across the global food and agriculture sector. Now in its fourth year, the free-to-join program is dedicated to supporting women across the global food and agriculture sector by providing invaluable mentorship opportunities and has proven to be a beacon of support for women seeking guidance, advice and networking opportunities in their careers.

Findings from the WFA survey and ongoing feedback from all levels of the food and agriculture sector consistently suggest that a hurdle to greater success for women in the global agri-food industry is a lack of mentorship opportunities. To tackle this issue, WFA launched its Mentorship Program.

WFA matches applicants based on their preferences, which can include gender of mentor, areas of expertise, language and industry sector, and offers opportunities for women in food and agriculture to develop meaningful industry connections. Since the inception of the program, WFA has received an overwhelming response, with 3,051 applications from individuals seeking mentorship and 1,691 industry professionals offering their mentorship services. This remarkable level of engagement underscores the program's significance in addressing the need for mentorship opportunities within the food and agriculture sector.

To date, the program has facilitated over 562 pairings, connecting mentees with experienced mentors who provide invaluable insights and support. These pairings have spanned various roles and sectors within the industry, ranging from CEOs of agribusinesses to small-scale farmers, academics, and ag-tech professionals.

“Our partnership with the Women in Food & Agriculture mentorship program is an investment not only in the lives of women, but in the future of agriculture as the industry most integral to the nourishment and vitality of our planet,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech.

Elisabeth Mork-Eidem, global chair of WFA, expressed her enthusiasm for the program's continued success, stating, "We are delighted to see the overwhelming response to the WFA Mentorship Program, which underscores the importance of mentorship in empowering women in the food and agriculture industry. With Alltech's ongoing support, we are confident that the program will continue to make a positive impact, fostering diversity and inclusion across the sector."

Orla McAleer, chief culture officer at Alltech, reiterated the company's commitment to the program, stating, “I am excited to reaffirm our support and sponsorship of the WFA Mentorship Program in 2024. We believe in championing the advancement of women in this vital sector and helping to cultivate a more vibrant, equitable and diverse agricultural community. As a mentor and advisor to the program, I understand the value and impact the mentorship connection brings to everyone involved."

Alltech believes that inclusion cultivates creativity, drives innovation and is essential to the company’s purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty^TM. In 2019, Alltech selected Gender Equality as one of the nine United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to which the company committed to advancing.

Applications are now open for the 2024 WFA Mentorship Program, supported by Alltech, to individuals seeking mentorship as well as industry professionals interested in offering their mentorship services. The program welcomes applications from across the global food and agriculture sector, and applicants will be personally matched based on their preferences and professional objectives. For more information and to apply to be a mentor or mentee, visit https://wfa-initiative.com/mentorship-program/.