[DUNBOYNE, Ireland] – Alltech, a global leader in animal nutrition and agriculture, has signed a collaborative agreement with Tobermore Concrete, CEMCOR and Road Safety Contracts to become a partner in the Mid-Ulster Biorefinery and Circular Economy Cluster, facilitated by the Centre for Competitiveness and supported by the Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE) at Queen’s University Belfast.

The cluster aims to construct a 10-megawatt biomethane facility in Northern Ireland and play a pivotal role in the development of biorefineries throughout the region. Alltech will utilize its fermentation expertise to help optimize biogas production and, with its biochemical methane potential (BMP) labs, will advise producers on how to generate renewable energy from agricultural animal waste.

“Alltech has been focused on sustainability since its founding, guided by our ACE principle which committed all our endeavors to seek the benefit of the Animal, Consumer, and Environment. This principle is more relevant today than ever, particularly with anaerobic digestion, as we take action to advance our purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™,” said Dr. Patrick Ward, Europe and Asia-Pacific applications manager at Alltech. “By utilizing animal waste, we aim to drive innovation to create more renewable biomethane for the consumer and reduce the usage of fossil fuels, which is paramount for reducing our global carbon footprint and GHG emissions, thus benefiting the environment.”

Biogas production from anaerobic digestion is well established in Northern Ireland, and biomethane is set for accelerated growth across the island.

“This growth is essential,” Ward said. “According to the European Biogas Association (EBA), there is a need for 35 billion cubic meters (bcm) of biomethane annually by 2030, with Europe targeting 111 bcm by 2040. This project will enhance energy security for the island of Ireland through renewable anaerobic digestion. Alltech, a key player in the agricultural industry, will leverage over 40 years of fermentation expertise to help realize the cluster's goals.”

Founded in 1980 by Irish entrepreneur and scientist Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech is headquartered just outside of Lexington, Kentucky, USA. It serves customers in more than 140 countries, has five bioscience centers and operates more than 75 manufacturing facilities across the globe. With offices in the UK and Ireland, Alltech will bring both smart nutrition and scientific innovation to the multiple technologies supporting the first biorefinery to be commissioned in Northern Ireland.

The Mid-Ulster Biorefinery project will address the volumes of agricultural resources while providing nutrients, energy and carbon services in agriculture and producing cross-sectoral decarbonization among the businesses involved. The four companies will combine their unique skill sets to collectively maximize the possibilities of anaerobic digestion, driving further innovation and improving productivity and environmental sustainability outcomes in agriculture and across the sectors. 

For more information, visit Alltech on July 10-11 at the World Biogas Expo, Birmingham NEC Hall 3, Stand H51.

[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.

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – During World Pork Expo, which was held June 5–6 in Des Moines, Iowa, the Alltech Pork Team hosted the Business Seminar, “Challenging health and productivity: How does the U.S. lead the world in sustainable, profitable pork production?”. The seminar included leaders in the agriculture industry as they discussed the U.S. pork industry’s role in global trade, animal health and sustainability.

“Alltech as a company believes that agriculture has the greatest potential to positively shape the future of our planet,” said Mark Hulsebus, sales and portfolio director at Alltech, as he welcomed attendees. “Our customers, whether you're in pork production, or beef or poultry or aquaculture, we all have the two most important jobs in the world, nourishing the people on our planet and preserving that planet in the process.”

The panel was moderated by Hulsebus, and he was joined by Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO at Alltech; Dr. Frank Mitloehner, director at CLEAR Center, UC Davis; Maria Zieba, vice president of government affairs at the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC); and Dr. Gordon Spronk, DVM Chair Emeritus at Pipestone.

A video recording of the discussion is available here. For more information about Alltech, visit alltech.com.

When working to maximize fertility in cattle, cows are often the focus. However, bull fertility is a crucial consideration for any beef operation. Not only do bulls contribute to the genetic improvement of the herd, but bulls with poor fertility — or any characteristic that affects their ability to breed — can significantly reduce the pregnancy and weaning percentage of the cow herd, lowering productivity and profitability.

Many factors, including management, genetics and even nutrition, can impact both female and male fertility. The nutritional status of the bull, and even the nutritional status of his dam during her gestation with him, have been linked to the calf’s gains, age of puberty attainment, and even semen quality.

How trace minerals boost fertility

While proper energy and protein supplementation are key, the importance of trace minerals cannot be underestimated. These essential nutrients, including zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu) and selenium (Se), are known to be involved in hormone secretion and synthesis, and they are needed for the normal functioning of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis (Watts, 1990).

Table 1. Function and deficiency symptoms directly related to reproduction in ruminants (Ewing and Charlton, 2007)

Functions

• Zn: Involved in production, storage and secretion of hormones that regulate several systems including immunity. Key constituent of insulin, testosterone and adrenal corticosteroids.
   
• Mn: Involved in cholesterol synthesis, insulin activity, and production of thyroxine, in addition to the production and synthesis of hormones including estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.
   
• Cu: Component of, or essential to the activity of, many enzymes, including those involved in immunity and reproduction.
   
• Se: Plays a role in the production of thyroxine hormone, which can affect growth rates. Promotes reproductive function.

Deficiencies 

• Zn: Zinc deficiency can impair sexual function, with lower conception rates, reduced testis growth and severely impaired spermatozoan maturation.
   
• Mn: Manganese deficiency can lower fertility in adults and lead to reproductive failure through impaired or irregular estrus, fetal reabsorption, or deformities.
   
• Cu: Copper deficiency can be associated with reproductive failure, including issues with reduced fertility, delayed or depressed estrus, abortion, and poor semen quality.
   
• Se: Poor selenium status contributes to reproductive disorders including cystic ovaries and metritis, as well as problems with estrus, ovulation, embryo fertilization and development. It can also impair sperm motility.

Trace minerals to support both cows and bulls

In areas where known trace mineral deficiencies exist, especially in regards to zinc, manganese, copper and selenium, supplementation with organic trace minerals (such as Alltech’s selenium yeast technology Sel-Plex® as well as its Bioplex® Cu, Mn and Zn) can be advantageous. Organic trace minerals, as opposed to commonly used inorganic types, are more bioavailable and thus better utilized by the animal. This is less wasteful and more efficient, and it helps to prevent harmful excretions of unused minerals into the environment.

Reported improvements in reproductive efficiency with organic trace minerals have included higher pregnancy rates and weaning percentages, fewer open days, and earlier puberty attainment.

While trace mineral requirements are often higher than maintenance needs for optimized health and fertility, and while the 2000 edition of the NRC defines these requirements clearly for gestating and early-lactation cows as well as for growing and finishing cattle, no specific requirements are listed in the NRC for bulls. Given the importance of trace minerals, however, especially in relation to hormone synthesis and spermatogenesis, trace mineral supplementation should be a key part of bull management even well before the onset of breeding season. For example, it takes approximately 60 days for new sperm to be produced and to mature; therefore, proper supplementation prior to bull turnout is key.

Bull fertility starts in utero

Trace minerals can also have an impact on fetal development and programming. One published beef study looked at the selenium form (inorganic selenium vs. Sel-Plex) fed to cows during gestation, examining how these two selenium sources affected transcriptome profiles in neonatal calf testes. The authors reported that the selenium form fed to the dam affected the expression of 853 annotated genes, including several mRNAs involved in the regulation of steroidogenesis and/or spermatogenesis (Cerny et al., 2015). This indicates that the form of selenium fed to the dam could impact the eventual fertility of her offspring.

In conclusion, the development of fertility in both heifers and bulls can be strongly affected by nutrition, starting in utero. Ensuring proper nutrition for the entire herd, not just the cows, is essential for a successful and profitable breeding season. Even small changes in overall nutrition, such as the inclusion of organic trace minerals such as Bioplex and Sel-Plex, can pay huge dividends, not only for the immediate calving season but over the productive lifespan of replacement heifers and bulls as well.

About the author: 

Laurentia van Rensburg is the global head of commercial (nutrition), Technology Group at Alltech. Prior to this role, she was the technical mineral manager for the Alltech Mineral Management platform. Laurentia has more than 15 years of experience in the livestock and animal science industries and has served in various roles in South Africa, the Netherlands, Latin America and North America.

Originally from South Africa, Laurentia earned a master's degree in animal science from the University of Kentucky.

I want to learn more about nutrition for my beef cattle. 

The weaning and receiving period can be a stressful time for both calves and producers. Having a plan beforehand is crucial to ensuring things go smoothly. Here are some tips to get off to a great start.

1. Prepare your facilities

Making sure that your facilities are in good shape for the arrival of weaned calves can help smooth the transition from pasture. Check waterers to confirm that they are working properly, and offer feed in locations that are easy for calves to find. Portable feed troughs and low-moisture tubs can be placed along the fence line to help animals find feed quickly. Developing and increasing dry matter intake is key to maintaining health.

If weaning into larger dry lots, consider splitting lots with panels. This will minimize the need to commingle animals. The higher stocking density will help reduce pacing and keep pens moist, which will minimize dust. Dust can contribute to pneumonia, so keeping dust levels down is crucial. Additionally, ensure that the fencing is secure to prevent escapes and that there are adequate shelters or windbreaks to protect calves from harsh weather conditions.

2. Minimize stress

Stress is known to have negative impacts on health and performance. While stress can’t be completely eliminated, there are ways to minimize it through management.

One way is to vaccinate, deworm, dehorn and castrate before weaning. These procedures can be stressful, and performing them well in advance of weaning allows calves to recover fully before the additional stress of separation from their mothers.

Also, commingle new cattle as little as possible. This reduces the spread of disease as well as the stress from determining pecking order. Low-stress handling techniques, such as using calm and quiet methods when moving and working with cattle, can also help reduce stress.

3. Familiarize calves with feed

Getting newly received cattle on feed quickly is essential to maintaining their health. Calves are used to a diet of milk and forage while on pasture, so switching to the concentrated ration offered in the weaning pens can be difficult, involving differences in texture and nutrient digestibility.

Slowly transitioning calves to a concentrated diet while they are still alongside their mothers can help with the transition, minimizing digestive upsets associated with the higher starch concentration in weaning feeds. Providing high-quality forage in the weaning pen is helpful as well. Also, if low-moisture tubs are used on pasture, offering a stress tub in the weaning pen can help the calves transition more quickly.

4. Provide plentiful, fresh water

Water is one of the most overlooked nutrients. Fresh, clean water is essential for getting calves on feed as well as maintaining their health.

Some calves may never have used a water trough before. One trick that can help them adjust is to let the water continually run over for a brief period, helping the calves find it. Ensure that water sources are clean and accessible, as dirty or difficult-to-reach water can discourage calves from drinking. Providing multiple water sources also helps to ensure all calves have access to water, especially in larger groups. In colder weather, check that water troughs are kept ice-free, and in hot weather, provide additional shade to encourage water consumption.

Even with these plans in place, be sure to monitor water intake closely during the first few days after weaning, as dehydration can quickly lead to health issues.

5. Establish gut health

Gut health is critical to prevent calf health problems. Scours in calves are common during weaning and are a gut health issue. By fostering a healthy microbial population in the gut, Bio-Mos® 2 offers a natural approach to improving animal growth performance and health, along with producer profitability, during this transition.

Monitoring calves for signs of digestive upset, such as diarrhea or reduced feed intake, can help identify issues early and allow for prompt intervention. Bio-Mos 2 can quickly and easily address calf scours by being added to a ration through various current supplementation methods, including loose minerals, pellets, tubs/blocks, liquid supplements or carrier packs.  

Preparing facilities, minimizing stress, familiarizing calves with feed, providing fresh water, and focusing on gut health are all key steps in smooth and successful weaning and receiving. Producers who have a solid transition plan in place can expect healthier, more productive animals in the long run.

About the author: 

Dr. Shelby Roberts is a ruminant research scientist at Alltech in Nicholasville, Kentucky. Dr. Roberts' passion for the beef industry started at an early age while growing up on a commercial cow-calf operation in West Texas. She earned a bachelor's degree in animal science at West Texas A&M University, a master's degree in ruminant nutrition from Oklahoma State University and a Ph.D. in agriculture with an emphasis in ruminant health and immunology from West Texas A&M University.

With experience in ruminant nutrition and ruminant health, Dr. Roberts interests focus on applied beef management practices that aim at improving animal health through nutrition. 

I want to learn more about nutrition for my beef cattle.

As I have traveled over the past couple of years, there has been a common theme when talking with cow/calf producers: an increase in unbred and open cows within their herds.

This issue has impacted the efficiency and profitability of many operations. However, record or near-record calf prices and cull cow prices have helped alleviate some of the financial strain of having fewer calves to sell. Trying to understand the reasons behind this challenge and evaluating current and additional strategies to address them are crucial for sustaining a healthy and productive beef herd and industry.

Why has there been an increase in unbred cows?

Several factors are contributing to the rise in unbred cows; weather, feed availability and quality, lack of protein and mineral supplementation, poor genetics, labor and time constraints, and management practices can hinder reproductive performance. As a result, cows may fail to conceive or may experience early embryonic loss, leading to increased numbers of unbred animals.

Fluctuating feed prices and availability, labor costs and shortages, and market demands can all impact producers’ ability to invest in reproductive management. In some cases, producers may have prioritized other aspects of production. A focus on calf weight gain and maximizing weaning weights, along with meat and carcass quality versus reproductive performance, could have led to a higher proportion of unbred cows, especially for producers that retained heifers in the cow herd.

What can producers do to help improve reproduction?

The most overlooked animals on the operation tend to be the bulls. They were put to work last year for 60 days, then pulled from the cows and moved to a different part of the operation. They have been out of sight and likely out of mind since.

Here are some questions you might want to ask:

• When was the last time you looked at your bulls?
• How many days until you need them to go to work again?
• What is their current body condition?
• Do they have enough condition to do the job you need them to do?
• What about a soundness exam to test semen quality and quantity?
• Are their feet in proper shape to travel and find the cows?
• Have they been properly supplemented with vitamins and trace minerals?

Studies show that supplementation with organic trace minerals, such as those in Bioplex® and Sel-Plex®, can enhance semen quality.

Nutrition management is critical for supporting reproductive health in the cow herd. Ensuring that cows receive adequate nutrition throughout the breeding season can help optimize fertility.

After feeding cows all winter, the excitement of green grass turnout could potentially be a detriment. Really? Green grass could be a detriment? Yes. Depending on current cow body condition and the current plane of nutrition, green grass can lead to reductions in breeding.

Sometimes the grass may be really lush and high in water content, and the cow cannot physically eat enough dry matter to maintain her weight and condition. She is nursing her calf and nearing peak lactation at the same time she needs to get bred. A cow that is losing weight and going backward isn’t going to cycle as well as one that is gaining weight and condition going into breeding.

Ever noticed an increase in consumption — and, many times, an overconsumption — of loose minerals in the spring? Is that because the cows need more, or could they just be chasing some dry matter to fill their stomachs? Should you instead be feeding a little hay while on lush green grass to slow down rate of passage, maintain dry matter intake and prevent the cows from “starving” while standing in belly-deep washy grass?

And let’s not overlook proper animal handling to limit stress, along with sound management protocols for disease prevention, breeding and calving. Producers can also leverage technology and data-driven solutions to help identify and address reproductive issues more effectively. Tools such as reproductive ultrasounds, estrus synchronization protocols, and data analytics software are available to provide valuable insights into herd fertility and assist management decisions.

Unbred cows pose a significant challenge to the sustainability and profitability of each operation and to the beef industry. Understanding some factors that contribute to open cows, and looking at strategies to improve reproductive efficiency, can help producers overcome this challenge and ensure the long-term viability of their operations and the industry.

About the author: 

Bryan Sanderson grew up in Lake Preston, South Dakota, and spent most of his childhood working on pig, crop and cattle farms. After receiving a degree in animal science from South Dakota State University, with minors in ag marketing and ag business, Bryan began his impressive career in animal agriculture. With experience in livestock production, feedlot supervision, sales and finance, Bryan is currently the U.S. beef business manager for Alltech.

I want to learn more about nutrition for my beef cattle. 

In the dynamic landscape of beef and dairy production, achieving optimal performance while prioritizing sustainability is paramount. Enter Optigen®, a consistent and reliable source of rumen-available nitrogen developed by Alltech. Optigen is a high-quality nutritional technology that is designed to further advance ruminant nutrition and to address the dual challenges of performance enhancement and environmental stewardship.

Let's explore how Optigen serves as a catalyst for progress in the beef and dairy industries by integrating data and insights from recent research findings.

Maximizing feed efficiency

One of the key pillars of sustainable farming is maximizing feed efficiency. Optigen plays a pivotal role in this endeavor by enhancing diet flexibility thanks to a reduced need for the inclusion of plant protein sources, which helps create space for more energy-dense diets.

According to a meta-analysis conducted by Alltech, the inclusion of Optigen in the diets of dairy cows resulted in a remarkable 23% reduction in the use of plant protein sources. This reduction translates to improved feed conversion rates and reduced feed costs, which helps contribute to the overall profitability of the operation while minimizing the waste of natural resources.

Supporting rumen health

The health of the rumen is crucial for efficient nutrient utilization and animal performance. Optigen supports rumen health by promoting the activity and growth of rumen bacteria. This, in turn, fosters a more sustained availability of ammonia to the rumen environment, ensuring that rumen bacteria have continued access to this essential food source. These improvements encourage more optimal digestion and absorption of nutrients from the diet, leading to enhanced animal performance.

Along with its ability to help optimize rumen function in beef and dairy cattle, Optigen also works to minimize the environmental impact of dairy and beef farming, as it facilitates the more efficient utilization of dietary resources.

Reducing nitrogen excretion

Excessive nitrogen excretion poses a significant environmental challenge in dairy and beef production systems. Optigen addresses this issue by improving dietary nitrogen efficiency, thereby helping to reduce the excretion of nitrogen into the environment by livestock.

In one recent study, the utilization of Optigen in dairy diets led to a 4% increase in nitrogen utilization efficiency, which resulted in a 14% reduction in the total carbon footprint of milk production diets. This reduction in nitrogen excretion not only helps mitigate the environmental impact of beef and dairy farming but also aligns with widespread regulatory standards and the shared goal of improving sustainability in agriculture.

Promoting balanced diets

Well-balanced diets are essential for optimizing animal health and minimizing the environmental footprint of beef and dairy operations. Optigen enables the formulation of more balanced, lower-protein diets without compromising performance. One meta-analysis of beef production, for example, showed that the partial replacement of vegetable protein with Optigen resulted in an 8% increase in liveweight gain and feed efficiency. This highlights the potential of Optigen to promote sustainable beef production while reducing the environmental footprint of feedlot operations.

Utilizing Optigen to achieve more sustainable livestock production

Optigen serves as a unique innovation in the realm of livestock nutrition, offering producers a holistic solution for enhancing both the performance of their animals and the sustainability of their farming practices. By maximizing feed efficiency, supporting rumen health and reducing nitrogen excretion, Optigen empowers producers to achieve their production goals while minimizing their environmental impact. As the agricultural industry continues to evolve, Optigen remains at the forefront of innovation, driving positive, long-term change towards a more sustainable future for livestock farming.

About the author: 

Tien Le earned her bachelor’s degree in advertising and marketing communications from the University of Greenwich, London, with the University Merit Award for Outstanding Achievement. She started her career at Alltech in 2016 as part of the Corporate Career Development Program, spending time in both the U.S. and Ireland before taking a role in Vietnam, her home country. Tien presently serves as the editorial content manager for Alltech, a role that allows her to fulfill her passions for writing, innovation and sustainable agriculture.

I want to learn more about nutrition for my cattle. 

Since 2006, 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.

[LEXINGTON, Kentucky] — Alltech, a global leader in agriculture and animal nutrition, is pleased to announce that the company will serve as the primary importer and distributor of Agolin^® products in the United States and Canada beginning May 1, 2024. Agolin’s high-quality essential oil blends are scientifically proven to optimize feed intake and performance, including improved milk and meat production, for both ruminant and non-ruminant animals.

“We are dedicated to supporting producers with the best available nutritional technologies to achieve more milk and meat while reducing their environmental footprint,” said Martha Baker, Alltech lead for Agolin.

Agolin^® Ruminant was the first feed additive certified by The Carbon Trust for methane reduction in ruminants (2018). Today, Agolin Ruminant is included in the diets of more than 2 million dairy cows worldwide, and leading carbon methodology owners Verra and Gold Standard recognize it in their international climate protection project registries. Concord Agriculture Partners has also chosen Agolin Ruminant to create a new carbon inset project, which guarantees that participating dairy producers will receive an industry-leading 85% of the gross value of the carbon asset.

Dairy producers are already reaping the rewards of using Agolin products in their nutrition programs. In December 2023, U.S. dairy farmers who used Agolin Ruminant to create verified emissions reductions were awarded nearly $3 million in carbon-asset payments, in addition to the benefits of improved feed efficiency and an increase in fat and protein yield.

Feedworks USA introduced Agolin products to the North American market and has led the adoption and growth of these landmark nutritional technologies. In 2022, the company introduced the first enteric carbon project using Agolin in the U.S., not only reducing the carbon footprint of those dairies but providing a significant additional income to those farms. The Feedworks team will continue to support and distribute Agolin in partnership with Alltech.

“We are all excited to have Alltech partner with us in continuing to grow the market for these exciting products,” said Peter Williams, one of the partners with Feedworks USA.  “Agolin ruminant products, in particular, are heavily researched and show productivity and efficiency benefits to U.S. dairies worth more than $10 per $1 cost. In addition, farmers can cover most of the cost with carbon credits. At present, well over half a million dairy cows are being fed Agolin Ruminant in the U.S., and this number is set to continue to grow rapidly.”

“Feedworks is a valued partner to us, having established the Agolin business and distribution in the U.S. We look forward to continuing our partnership with them, as we expand access to Agolin for U.S. producers,” said Baker.

Alltech acquired a majority interest in Agolin SA in May 2023. Founded in Switzerland in 2006, Agolin has developed and produced plant-based nutrition solutions that have been scientifically proven to improve herd performance, profitability and sustainability. Alltech plans to begin producing Agolin in its U.S. manufacturing facilities by mid-2025.

For more information, visit alltech.com/agolin.

New six-part video series explores the cattle-grazing carbon cycle and the role of cattle in mitigating climate change

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – Alltech and Archbold formed a strategic research alliance in 2019 to jointly develop beef management approaches, specifically to increase the quality and quantity of beef produced in subtropical regions while maintaining and enhancing the environment. The Archbold–Alltech Alliance brought together scientists from two different disciplines — ecologists from Archbold and ruminant nutritionists from Alltech — to understand the impact that cattle production at Archbold’s Buck Island Ranch has on the ecosystem and the ability to sequester carbon.

Over the past five years, the research alliance has created a model for estimating the ranch’s carbon footprint — and the results have been astounding. On average, Buck Island Ranch sequesters more carbon each year than it emits. It is a net-carbon sink.

This research shows that grazing ruminant animals on land benefits the environment and improves carbon cycling. The results confirm that carbon-neutral — and even net-positive — beef production is possible at Buck Island Ranch, a 10,500-acre ranch in Lake Placid, Florida, and that same potential likely extends to environments around the world.

To showcase the work taking place at the Buck Island Ranch, the Archbold-Alltech Alliance have released a six-part Planet of Plenty™ video series that explores the cattle grazing carbon cycle, the role of carbon sequestration in mitigating climate change and other insights the collaborative research alliance has unveiled.

“This research alliance brings together scientists from several disciplines to collaborate on climate-change solutions and demonstrate agriculture’s great potential to positively shape the future of our planet,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “These exciting findings at Archbold’s Buck Island Ranch prove that we capture more carbon when cows are grazing the land. That is profoundly powerful.”

“Every year, we sequester 1,201 tons of CO₂ equivalent at Archbold’s Buck Island Ranch and all of this work is scalable to other parts of the world,” said Dr. Betsey Boughton, director of agroecology at Archbold. “The narrative people have heard is that cows are bad for the environment, but grazing animals can actually change the function of grasslands. Cows are eating the grass and not allowing as much decomposition to happen on the ground. Without cows, we actually see more carbon emitted.”

“We’re trying to let people know that it is not just this black-and-white answer,” she added. “It is complicated, and we need to think about the whole story.”

Though it is a complex issue, the research has shown that agriculture can be one of the most powerful weapons in the fight against climate change.

This collaboration has discovered a deeper understanding of the grazing-cattle carbon cycle, one that is not solely focused on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the animal but also on natural GHG emissions from the land and the sequestration of carbon in the soil. Discussions around GHGs and global warming often center around agriculture emissions, but it is important to think beyond emissions and look at the full cycle.

The soil’s ability to sequester carbon is a critical part of the story. Alltech Crop Science and Ideagro, which joined the Alltech family of companies in 2023, are studying how microbial populations can enrich soil chemistry and nutrient density, leading to increased carbon sequestration in the soil. The potential to capture carbon in the soil presents a significant opportunity for the agri-food community to embrace its critical role in combatting climate change while simultaneously improving soil health, boosting crop yields and promoting biodiversity.

For more information and to watch the six-part Planet of Plenty™ video series, visit https://www.alltech.com/planet-of-plenty/stories/video/can-cattle-combat-climate-change.