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Alltech awarded three EcoVadis sustainability medals

Submitted by jnorrie on Thu, 11/30/2023 - 15:12

[LEXINGTON, Kentucky] — Alltech, a leading global animal health and nutrition company, has been awarded a silver medal from EcoVadis — putting it in the top 25% of sustainable companies globally. The EcoVadis silver medal testifies to Alltech’s purpose of Working Together for a Planet of PlentyTM and its commitment to prioritizing the efficient production of nutritious food while minimizing environmental impact, implementing environmentally and economically sustainable solutions, promoting fair labor practices and fostering ethical business conduct. 

Alltech has also earned the EcoVadis platinum medal for its production site in Springfield, Kentucky, USA, which puts it in the top 1% of the over 200,000 businesses assessed by EcoVadis. Alltech Coppens, which produces industrial feeds for the aquaculture sector, earned gold-medal status, putting it in the top 7% of sustainable companies globally.

“We are delighted to have received multiple EcoVadis medals, as an external endorsement of Alltech’s ongoing commitment to the journey that is sustainability,” said Tara McCarthy, global vice president of ESG at Alltech.

EcoVadis is the world’s most trusted provider of business sustainability ratings, intelligence and collaborative performance improvement tools for global supply chains. Backed by a powerful technology platform and a global team of domain experts, EcoVadis assesses companies on environmental, social and ethical performance in over 200 purchasing categories and 175 countries.

“At Alltech, we see opportunities in every challenge. We are dedicated to delivering smarter, more sustainable solutions to advance the health and performance of animals while also lowering their impact on the environment,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “These awards from EcoVadis recognize the actions we are taking to align our business with our Planet of Plenty purpose — working together to provide nutrition for all, revitalize local economies and replenish the planet’s natural resources.”

Earlier this year, Alltech released its 2022 Alltech Sustainability Report, which demonstrates the actions the company is taking to align the business with its commitments to the United Nations Global Compact, the U.N. Ten Principles and the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, the report outlines the steps Alltech has taken to promote an inclusive work environment and highlights its team members’ efforts to make a difference in the communities in which they live and work.

For more information, visit Alltech.com.

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Alltech has been awarded three EcoVadis sustainability medals.

Pictured: Dr. Mark Lyons (right), president and CEO of Alltech, is shown with Tara McCarthy (left), global vice president of ESG at Alltech.

Alltech ONE World Tour welcomes international agriculture leaders to Dubai

Submitted by jnorrie on Mon, 11/27/2023 - 10:11

The Alltech ONE World Tour (ONE), a series of international events bringing the ideas and inspiration of the annual Alltech ONE Conference to the world, resumed today in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. ONE Dubai welcomed international attendees to explore collaborative solutions to the greatest challenges facing the agri-food industry in the Middle East, Africa and beyond.

For the past 38 years, the Alltech ONE Conference has been held in Lexington, Kentucky, the home of Alltech’s global headquarters. In 2023, however, the company — a global leader in the field of agriculture — is bringing the conference to its partners, customers, suppliers and friends around the world, providing the opportunity for more people than ever to experience the power of ONE.

“As our customers and partners continue to face many challenges and uncertainties, we determined that 2023 would be dedicated to meeting them in their markets,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “This special edition of the ONE endeavors to deliver global expertise to locally relevant issues. In the midst of economic and political uncertainties that fuel regionalization, this ONE reflects the responsibility we have as a global company to be a connector of people and ideas, ever advancing our purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™.”

Alltech ONE Dubai features discussions led by local and international experts about the latest trends in sustainable agricultural, animal nutrition and business, including presentations from Dr. Lyons; Tara McCarthy, global vice president of ESG at Alltech; Sheikh Dr. Majid Al Qassimi, founding partner at Soma Mater; and Gerald Kiernan, general manager of dairy farms, Emirates Food Industries (EFI).

In his opening remarks, Dr. Lyons welcomed delegates to Dubai to discuss agriculture’s role in saving the planet.

“Agriculture can transform things in ways that other industries cannot and we are at the interface of nourishing the present and preserving the future,” he said. “Our belief is that agriculture has the greatest potential to positively influence the future of our planet, provide nutrition for all, help rural communities thrive and replenish our planet’s resources.”

Alltech recently released the results of the Alltech Sustainability Insights report, and McCarthy discussed those findings in further detail during her presentation.

“Our industry is navigating unprecedented disruption yet remains confident and committed to evolving toward a more sustainable food system,” she said. “The key to success will be the development of innovative solutions, but even more critical is the capacity of the industry to work together across the value chain.”

Sheikh Dr. Majid Al Qassimi focused on how the UAE is making food and agriculture systems more equitable, accessible and sustainable.

"For the National Farms Sustainability Initiative, it wasn’t enough to have our own farms start, but to ensure that we start with sustainability in mind,” he said. “Today, more than ever, consumers want to see sustainability in all their products, including their food.”

Kiernan spoke about Alltech’s and EFI’s recent Planet of Plenty™ partnership with National Dairy Farms and Masakin Dairy Farms, two prominent companies owned by EFI, to bring leading-edge carbon footprint benchmarking and methane-reducing technologies to the Middle East.

“With growing concerns about climate change, companies worldwide are under increasing pressure to adopt eco-conscious practices,” said Kiernan. “As industry leaders, National and Masakin recognize the importance of curbing greenhouse gas emissions and setting new sustainability benchmarks.”

Kiernan’s comments were echoed by Paul McVeigh, regional manager for Alltech in the Middle East.

“The solidification of many years of collaboration with EFI in a Planet of Plenty Partnership represents the goals of the wider global Alltech family,” said McVeigh. “This partnership illustrates what is possible in the Middle East region when companies join forces toward a single goal, and we are dedicated to supporting them with the best available nutritional technologies to achieve more milk while reducing their environmental footprint.

As ONE Dubai continues, delegates will hear from industry experts on various topics, including ruminant and poultry sessions focused on mycotoxin management, calf nutrition, dairy farming waste management, egg quality and mineral management, as well as carbon policies.

The Alltech ONE World Tour will continue with international stops in 2024, uniting changemakers and thought leaders throughout the global ag value chain to explore opportunities for agriculture. For more information and to register for an Alltech ONE World Tour stop, visit one.alltech.com.

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Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, welcomed attendees to the Alltech ONE World Tour stop in Dubai, UAE.  

Alltech celebrates 30-year anniversaries in Brazil and Peru

Submitted by jnorrie on Mon, 11/20/2023 - 10:23

Alltech, a leading global animal health and nutrition company, is celebrating 30 years of operations in Brazil and Peru. Alltech’s foundation and growth in South America is linked to the vision of its late founder, Dr. Pearse Lyons, to support the success of agricultural producers and improve the health and performance of the animal, consumer and environment through nutrition and scientific innovation.

“My father saw a lot of potential when he visited South America in the early 1990s,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “He understood that countries like Brazil and Peru would become key markets for agriculture and established our offices. Over the past 30 years, we have continued our development through new investments, construction of new manufacturing plants, acquisitions and organic growth.”

Brazil is the company’s third-largest market in the world and is home to six manufacturing facilities and 1,356 team members. Dr. Mark Lyons led the team in Brazil during construction of Alltech’s largest yeast fermentation plant for animal and agricultural nutrition. Located in São Pedro do Ivaí, Paraná, the plant began operating in 2007 and exports products to 80 countries. Today with 270 employees, the facility produces yeast solutions (Mycosorb®, Bio-Mos®, Actigen®, Nupro®, Bioplex® and Sel-Plex®), organic acids, non-protein nitrogen (Optigen®) and other blends. In 2022, it received the “A” certification of the Paraná Climate Seal from the state government for voluntarily reducing its carbon footprint and adhering to the State Public Registry of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions to combat climate change.

Alltech Crop Science, initially called Improcrop, started its activities in Brazil in 2000. In 2016, the Alltech Crop Science plant in Uberlândia, MG was launched. Alltech Brazil continued to expand and in 2018, the administrative headquarters of Alltech Brazil, which had operated in Araucária, in Greater Curitiba, was transferred to Maringá, Paraná. Then in 2019, Alltech acquired Guabi, a producer of high-quality feed and premix for a variety of species at four manufacturing facilities in Brazil.

“We started as an innovative company in a consolidated market, but we grew along with Brazil’s search for the international market,” said Paulo Rigolin, Alltech’s vice president for Latin America. “Alltech’s culture fits very well with the Brazilian one; we have learned how to use technologies and global knowledge to adapt to the reality of our customers. It is a very successful story.” 

Alltech began operations in Peru in June 1993, in an office located in the Lima district of Miraflores with four employees. Today, this team has grown to 17 top-level professionals, who are responsible for meeting the needs of Peruvian agricultural producers, both in terms of optimizing animal nutrition and health and maximizing crop yields. Alltech Crop Science began its commercial activities in Peru in 2018. Today, these solutions help address the main challenges of local farmers in the production of blueberries, grapes, avocados, among other products.

"We are very pleased to have supported Peruvian producers over the past 30 years to address their main challenges through Alltech solutions and services that are backed by more than 40 years of research and proven effectiveness," said Luiz Folgate, general manager of Alltech Peru. "Today's challenges for the industry are increasingly diverse, complex and unpredictable, so we will continue to contribute to a more efficient agriculture sector and Alltech’s purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™."

“We are celebrating the first 30 years, but we are already thinking about the next 30 years and the opportunities to continue supporting Brazilian and Peruvian agribusinesses as they positively impact the communities in which we live and work,” said Dr. Mark Lyons. “We export our technologies globally, but we are also very well aligned with the needs of local producers, providing natural solutions and supporting them to be competitive in the world market.”

For more information, visit Alltech.com.

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Dr. Mark Lyons and members of the Brazilian team commemorated the 30th anniversary with a special event in Maringá on Nov. 1.

Acutia launches dietary supplement offering a holistic approach to digestive health and overall wellness

Submitted by jnorrie on Mon, 11/06/2023 - 09:02

Acutia Gut Health joins a line of human health supplements designed

to support sustainable wellness

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – As both the scientific community and consumers continue to recognize the significance of gut health and its impact on overall wellness, Acutia, a wholly owned subsidiary of Alltech, has announced the launch of Acutia Gut Health. The daily supplement combines the synergistic power of a postbiotic, a prebiotic and L-glutamine to relieve digestive upset quickly and promote good gut health over time.

 

Acutia Gut Health provides multiple benefits that include:

  • Working quickly to help calm digestive upset
  • Supporting overall digestive and colon health
  • Supporting a healthy gut barrier and gut immunity
  • Promoting a healthy bacterial balance in the digestive system
     

“We are excited to introduce a supplement that supports gut health from several angles, rather than targeting just one specific issue,” said Nikki Putnam Badding, MS, RDN, LD, managing director and chief dietitian at Acutia.  

 

“Not only does a healthy gut microbiota help improve digestion and nutrient absorption, but it also supports the immune system, metabolic health, brain function and mental health via the gut-brain axis,” said Putnam Badding. “Acutia Gut Health is a natural addition to our line of supplements and our commitment to supporting people in their pursuit of sustainable wellness.”    

 

While the wider supplement industry grapples with the issue of waste from packaging, Acutia promotes sustainability through its unique packaging and refill system, which empowers customers to reduce their waste and recycle. When placing an order, customers have the option to receive a complimentary starter kit that includes a refillable glass storage jar and a refillable travel container, thereby helping to reduce the usage of single-use plastic. The capsules are provided in compostable pouches and envelopes made of post-consumer waste, and the kit itself is packaged in a recyclable box that is made from partially recycled material and certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).  

 

To offset emissions from shipping, Acutia partners with Nori to reward regenerative farming practices that sequester carbon in the soil. In 2022, Acutia supported the removal of 116.3 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere.

 

Acutia initially launched in March 2021, when Alltech, a global leader in animal health and nutrition, announced that it was applying its more than 40 years of scientific innovation and proven nutrition expertise to human health.

 

“Digestive health plays a pivotal role in immune function and overall health, and it has long been a focus of Alltech’s research,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “Acutia’s supplements leverage decades of our pioneering research and proven scientific expertise to advance human nutrition. It is immensely gratifying to utilize our understanding of the gut microbiome to support people in their pursuit of improved wellness through Acutia Gut Health.”

 

Acutia’s portfolio of supplements also includes Acutia Selenium, which supports the immune system, helps protect cells from free radicals as an antioxidant and aids healthy thyroid function. Additionally, Acutia Brain Health promotes cognitive health and brain function by supporting the synthesis of neurotransmitters while also providing antioxidant benefits and essential nutrients by combining selenium, vitamin C and plant-based omega-3 DHA.

 

Acutia prioritizes the quality, efficacy and sustainability of ingredients and is supported by the Alltech Life Sciences division, which conducts research on digestive health, cognitive health, brain function and cellular health.

 

For more information, visit acutia.com.

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Acutia Gut Health was launched on Nov. 6, 2023, offering a holistic approach to digestive health. The daily supplement works with the microbiome to help ease digestive upset quickly and improve gut health over time.

Alltech survey finds agri-food leaders are optimistic about industry’s ability to create a more sustainable food system

Submitted by jnorrie on Thu, 10/26/2023 - 08:00

Agri-food leaders around the world believe the industry can work together to create a better, more sustainable food system, according to the Alltech Sustainability Insights report, released today.

Alltech conducted a global, industry-wide survey to gather insights on the issues that matter most to the agri-food value chain and its stakeholders. In collaboration with Opinions, an independent research agency based in Ireland, Alltech collected insights through 26 interviews with industry leaders and via a comprehensive survey completed by more than 2,500 members of the agri-food industry. This effort presented an exciting opportunity to quantify attitudes and perceptions about sustainability from stakeholders across the agri-food value chain and identify tangible actions to build a more sustainable future.

“Our goal was to listen to the voices of our industry and its stakeholders and develop a robust, future-facing program of insights that are relevant, ambitious and genuinely impactful,” said Tara McCarthy, global vice president of ESG at Alltech. “Our industry is navigating unprecedented disruption, yet it remains confident and committed to evolving toward a more sustainable food system. The key to success will be the development of innovative solutions, but even more critical is the capacity of the industry to work together across the value chain.”

The survey questions were focused on five areas: challenges and opportunities; drivers and priorities; attitudes toward change; support and guidance; and who they believe is going to pay for sustainability. The key findings of the survey include:

  • While four out of five respondents agree that “climate change will make food production much more difficult in the future,” perspectives differ across the regions. A very real series of crises faces the agri-food industry and, for the most part, survey respondents acknowledged the gravity of those challenges and the fragility of our food system. There is a strong level of optimism and positivity however, with 85% of respondents agreeing that the food system can rise to the challenge.
     
  • Almost three in four respondents reported feeling that a lot more guidance is needed to support their improvements in environmental sustainability. The need for guidance is expressed most strongly at the latter end of the value chain (e.g., retailers, food-service operators and manufacturers).
     
  • Most respondents agree that regulation is putting pressure on all areas of the supply chain. Respondents were similarly realistic about the need for support for the primary producers of the food that the 8 billion people on this planet eat: 66% agree that until the farmer is incentivized financially, things will never change.
     
  • Many recognize that we will not be able to resolve the challenges ahead without a huge degree of innovation and harnessing technology to enable us to feed ourselves sustainably, with 92% of respondents believing that technology and innovation are key to more sustainable food systems.
     
  • There is a near-universal recognition that we need a collaborative conversation and effort across the value chain, with 93% of respondents agreeing that we all must work together to create a better food system for the future.

“Our industry is navigating extraordinary times, but the opportunities for positive impact are even more unprecedented,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “Imagine what is possible when we all work toward the shared goals of providing nutrition for all, revitalizing local economies and replenishing the planet’s natural resources.”

For more information and survey results, visit alltech.com/sustainability-insights.

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The results of the inaugural Alltech Sustainability Insights Survey are now available.

Alltech announces new appointments within its global marketing team

Submitted by jnorrie on Mon, 10/23/2023 - 10:43

Leveraging the strength of a global marketing team embedded within local markets throughout the world, Alltech is enhancing its marketing capabilities and establishing new teams to deliver greater strategic partnership across the business for Alltech’s customers.

“We are capitalizing on the geographical and value chain differentiators of our global marketing structure, providing more pathways for our field-based team members to bring the voice of the customer back into the business,” said Susanna Elliott, chief marketing and communications officer at Alltech. “Our globally connected yet locally focused marketing strategy is aligning to deliver more relevance – and competitive edge – to our customers.”

Within marketing, the company is establishing a new Data & Insights function, positioning its creative team to take a global creative agency approach and building new pathways for market and customer engagement. To champion these enhanced capabilities, new appointments within Alltech’s global marketing team include:

Creative team:

  • Lisa Smith (USA), Director of Creative Operations & Marketing Development
  • Alan Henthorne (USA), Creative Director
  • Irene MacHugh (Ireland), Associate Creative Director
  • Jennifer Allen (USA), Global Art Director
  • Ruth Kelly (Ireland), Design Manager for Europe and Asia-Pacific

Data & Insights team:

  • Amanda Stumbo (USA), Director of Business Insights
  • Roel Coenders (USA), Associate Director of Data
  • Leona Shaojing Luo (Ireland), Associate Director of Business Intelligence
  • Clare Fahey (Ireland), Director of Customer Insights

Communications team:

  • Lorie Hailey (USA), Director of Communications
  • Liana Dobler (Spain), Spanish & Portuguese Communications Manager

Species teams:

  • Danieke Ewalts (Netherlands), Global Aqua Marketing Lead
  • Species marketing councils have been created that include regional marketing experts in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

For more information about Alltech, visit alltech.com.

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Alltech is pleased to announce new appointments in its global marketing team.

Alltech founder Dr. Pearse Lyons named Dairy Shrine Pioneer Award winner

Submitted by jnorrie on Wed, 10/04/2023 - 12:59

[MADISON, Wisconsin] — Dr. Pearse Lyons, founder of Alltech, was honored posthumously this week as a recipient of the National Dairy Shrine’s Pioneer Award, which recognizes dairy industry leaders who have made significant contributions to dairy throughout their lives. An Irish biochemist and entrepreneur, Dr. Lyons immigrated to the United States and founded Alltech, a leading animal nutrition company, Alltech, in 1980, with the mission to improve the health and performance of people, animals and plants through natural nutrition and scientific innovation.

Dr. Lyons was an entrepreneur and tireless innovator with a keen scientific mind. He has been widely recognized for his contributions to science and agriculture and was awarded honorary doctorates from many colleges and universities around the world. He was also revered as an inspirational leader and communicator, living each day with passion and purpose. He and his wife, Deirdre Lyons, funded and oversaw the construction of more than a dozen state-of-the-art laboratories at primary schools in Kentucky and Ireland, hoping to inspire the next generation to explore the sciences and, even more importantly, be curious about the world around them. This passion for impact through education continued with the establishment of the Alltech Young Scientist program: the largest global agriscience competition of its kind. It has engaged more than 100,000 university students.

The Lyons family has shared in this legacy and continues it today. His wife Deirdre, co-founder of Alltech, is director of corporate image and design, designing and outfitting the company’s more than 80 offices around the world and overseeing philanthropic involvement. Their son, Dr. Mark Lyons, is president and CEO of the company.

“I often consider how my father would respond to all the turbulence our industry faces today,” said Dr. Mark Lyons. “What I am absolutely certain of is that he would look beyond the challenges to the abundance of opportunities, from nutrition security to carbon capture, and tell us to put all of our energy into them. My mother and I are honored to be joined by more than 5,000 colleagues globally who are dedicated to carrying forward Dad’s legacy of insatiable curiosity, optimism and solutions focus as we continue Working Together for Planet of Plenty™.”

Dr. Pearse Lyons, along with the other 2023 recipients of the Pioneer Award and the families of Dr. George Heersche Jr. (posthumously), Dr. Richard Saacke and Dr. Charles Sniffen, were honored at the National Dairy Shrine’s Awards Banquet on Monday, Oct. 2 in Madison, Wisconsin. Portraits of each winner will be displayed in National Dairy Shrine’s Dairy Hall of Fame and Museum in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.

For more information, visit alltech.com.

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Dr. Pearse Lyons, founder of Alltech, was honored posthumously as a recipient of the National Dairy Shrine’s Pioneer Award.

Agriculture could be carbon-negative by 2050, study finds

Submitted by lorie.hailey on Thu, 09/21/2023 - 12:55

A groundbreaking new study suggests that agriculture could be carbon-negative by 2050, reinforcing Alltech’s long-held belief that agriculture has the greatest potential to shape the future of our planet.

Changes to agricultural technology and management have the potential to not only slow down the growth of greenhouse gas emissions from the global food system but actually achieve net negative emissions, according to the study, published earlier this month in PLOS Climate. These changes could result in an annual removal of 13 billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) by 2050. To put this into context, the world currently emits about 50 billion tons of CO2 equivalent each year.

“Our study recognizes the food system as one of the most powerful weapons in the battle against global climate change,” said co-lead author Professor Benjamin Houlton, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University. “We need to move beyond silver-bullet thinking and rapidly test, verify and scale local solutions by leveraging market-based incentives.”

The study, led by Houlton and Maya Almaraz of Princeton University, was organized by the World Wildlife Fund in collaboration with the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis and funded by The Rockefeller Foundation.

Using a global food system model, the researchers explored the influence of consumer choice, climate-smart agro-industrial technologies, and reductions in food waste as means to achieve net negative emissions by 2050. They also examined various scenarios under the conditions of full yield gap closures and caloric demands in a world projected to have a population of 10 billion.

Dietary changes and agricultural technologies were examined as options for reducing GHG emissions, including an analysis of carbon sequestration — the process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. While state-of-the-art agricultural technologies have the potential for substantial sector-wide negative emissions, the research team found that dietary changes had little effect on carbon sequestration.

The study identified several promising technologies for achieving net negative emissions, such as hydrogen-powered fertilizer production, innovative livestock feeds, organic and inorganic soil modifications, agroforestry and sustainable seafood harvesting practices.

 

A research alliance between Alltech and Archbold Expeditions is measuring the carbon emissions of beef production and carbon sequestration potential at Buck Island Ranch in Florida. 

Scaling solutions to capitalize on carbon sequestration potential

Focusing on soil health, leading-edge nutrition and pasture management practices, and use of and climate-smart technologies will allow the agriculture industry to capture more carbon each year, according to Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech.

“The biggest carbon sink that we can have is our land,” he said. “Agriculture is the answer.”

While agriculture currently contributes about a quarter of global GHG emissions, it possesses a unique capability to reduce its own emissions and capture and sequester emissions released by other industries. This makes agriculture a powerful tool in the fight against climate change.

“We are the only industry that captures carbon for a living,” said Dr. Vaughn Holder, Alltech’s director of ruminant research. “We’re the only industry that exists at the scale that is required to pull gigatons of carbon out of the environment and put it back into the soil. That’s our moral responsibility.”

Reducing emissions is important, but it won’t solve climate change, he said. Carbon sequestration is the ultimate solution. The challenge ahead lies in confirming and scaling technologies that enhance sequestration.

Agricultural technologies and practices required to increase carbon capture could be “regionally down-scaled according to local culture, economics, technology readiness and agricultural management capacities,” the PLOS Climate study concluded. “This makes agriculture a unique economic sector and reiterates that it should be a key focus when discussing climate targets.”

Alltech has been studying the agriculture industry’s ability to sequester carbon through a research alliance based at the 10,000-acre Buck Island Ranch in Lake Placid, Florida. The researchers have learned that grazing ruminant animals on land actually benefits the environment and improves carbon cycling. The team is measuring the carbon emissions of beef production and evaluating the effects of pasture management, grazing strategies, mineral supplementation and other nutritional strategies.

The results have confirmed that carbon-neutral – and even net-positive – beef production is possible at Buck Island, and that same potential likely extends to environments around the world.

“What Buck Island shows us is that with animals on the land, we capture more carbon than without them,” said Dr. Lyons.

Scientists at Buck Island are also working with Alltech E-CO2 and various partners to create precision tools designed to measure methane yields and intensity. The next step is the inclusion of advanced sequestering measurements that will evaluate how grazing practices, pasture management, nutritional strategies and other techniques affect the carbon cycle and make it possible for beef operations to sequester carbon.

The soil’s ability to sequester carbon is a critical part of the story. Alltech Crop Science and Ideagro, a recent addition to Alltech’s family of companies, 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 our critical role in combatting climate change while simultaneously improving soil health, boosting crop yields and promoting biodiversity.

“One of the most powerful weapons against global climate change is our food system,” said Dr. Lyons. “If we produce our food in the right way, we can deliver on some of those big objectives of having the right nutrition, of creating new economic opportunities, and protecting and renewing our natural resources. It's very exciting.”

 

RELATED: Blog/podcast with Dr. Vaughn Holder — Beef’s contribution to global food security

RELATED: Feeding people while preserving the planet

RELATED: Agriculture is vital to meeting the world's climate change goals

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24 CEOs explore collaborative and sustainable solutions to challenges facing the agri-food sector at Alltech Vietnam Agri-food Summit

Submitted by jnorrie on Wed, 09/20/2023 - 09:55

[HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam] – Twenty-four chief executive officers (CEOs) from across the Vietnamese agri-food sector convened this week at the Alltech Vietnam Agri-food Summit in Ho Chi Minh City to discuss how to sustainably meet the challenges currently facing the industry.

Alltech invited the changemakers and thought leaders in attendance to share their insights on various critical topics, including consumer trends, agricultural technologies and the biggest opportunities for the Vietnamese market. The group also explored how the industry can continue to innovate and work together to nourish both people and the planet.

“Alltech is a connector of people and ideas,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “Through collective leadership and teamwork, we believe we can drive the industry forward with the shared purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™. But to achieve this vision, we will need curiosity, openness to new technologies and ways of working, and, above all, a commitment to positive impact.”

The Alltech Vietnam Agri-food Summit showcased a panel discussion moderated by Jonathan Forrest Wilson, president of Alltech Asia-Pacific. The panelists included Dr. Mark Lyons, Vy Thi Thu Hang, feed & nutrition director and CEO of Feedmill, TH Milk; Tara McCarthy, global vice president for ESG at Alltech; and Michael Joseph Sweeney, partner at Bluegrass Partners and director of strategy for Alltech Asia-Pacific.

The panel discussion delved into identifying and understanding the prominent shifts and hurdles affecting the agri-food industry in Vietnam at present, and key drivers behind these changes. Several attendees shared their viewpoints regarding the outlook for the agriculture and agri-food sector, expressing whether they hold an optimistic or pessimistic stance on its future trajectory globally and locally.

Over recent decades, Vietnam has developed into one of the world's leading agricultural powers, with a modern, efficient and environmentally friendly agricultural processing industry — and based on the most recent feed-production data, the country is demonstrating its potential.

According to the 2023 Alltech Agri-Food Outlook, the company’s annual global feed production survey, Vietnam experienced a significant increase in its feed tonnage in 2022 — which went up 27.72% to 26.72 million metric tons (MMT) — thanks to its strong recovery from African swine fever (ASF). This included a major increase of 3.78 MMT in its broiler feed tonnage and an increase of 3.36 MMT in its pig feed tonnage. As a result of these increases, Vietnam joined the list of the top 10 largest feed-producing countries in the world.

“Vietnam agri-food has a bright future and unlimited possibilities. As a major exporter of agri-food, Vietnam is an attractive market for both local and foreign investment,” said Forrest Wilson. “We will continue to provide local solutions with global resources and technologies for our partners and customers to develop a prosperous future together.”

Alltech began operating in Vietnam in 1994 and officially opened a representative office in Ho Chi Minh City in 2000. In the decades since, Alltech has fostered strong partnerships within the industry and the local community. Alltech Vietnam moved to Dong Nai in 2006, where its operations expanded with the construction of a production plant in Amata IP later that year.

In November of 2022, Alltech continued its investments in Vietnam with the opening of a trace-mineral manufacturing facility in Dong Nai to better serve its local customers and support imports and exports. Next month, Alltech will join the American Feed Industry Association and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in meetings to collaborate with the Vietnam Feed Association and Vietnam Animal Husbandry Association on biosecurity and immune health.

For more information, visit Alltech.com/Vietnam.

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Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, welcomed twenty-four chief executive officers (CEOs) from across the Vietnamese agri-food sector this week at the Alltech Vietnam Agri-food Summit in Ho Chi Minh City.

Alltech and Emirates Food Industries embark on Planet of Plenty™ partnership in the Middle East

Submitted by jnorrie on Thu, 09/07/2023 - 14:43

[DUBAI, United Arab Emirates] — As a global leader in animal nutrition and sustainable ag solutions, Alltech is proud to partner with companies that share its commitment to Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™. Alltech announced this week that it is partnering with National Dairy Farm and Masakin Dairy Farm, two prominent companies owned by Emirates Food Industries (EFI), to bring leading-edge carbon footprint benchmarking and methane-reducing technologies to the Middle East.

National and Masakin are known for their flagship milk brand, Hayatna, which has garnered widespread acclaim for its quality and freshness. Now, the two dairy giants are expanding their commitment to sustainability by embarking on a transformative journey to measure and mitigate their carbon footprints. With growing concerns about climate change, companies worldwide are under increasing pressure to adopt eco-conscious practices. As industry leaders, National and Masakin recognize the importance of curbing greenhouse gas emissions and setting new sustainability benchmarks.

Through this Planet of Plenty partnership, National and Masakin will have access to a range of carbon footprint benchmarking technologies available through Alltech E-CO2, which will provide precise measurements of their environmental impact, enabling them to make data-driven decisions and set ambitious targets for reducing their carbon footprints. The dairies will also utilize nutritional technologies from Alltech that help lower methane emissions and enhance farm profitability by increasing feed efficiency and milk production.

“The solidification of many years of collaboration with Emirates Food Industries in a Planet of Plenty Partnership represents the goals of the wider global Alltech family,” said Paul McVeigh, regional manager of Alltech Middle East. “This partnership illustrates what is possible in the Middle East region when companies join forces toward a single goal, and we are dedicated to supporting them with the best available nutritional technologies to achieve more milk while reducing their environmental footprint.”

National and Masakin commitment to sustainability reflects EFI's broader vision of embracing greener practices throughout the value chain. By fostering innovation and implementing eco-friendly initiatives, the companies aim to pave the way for a more sustainable dairy industry in the Middle East.

Becoming an official Planet of Plenty partner underscores National and Masakin’s dedication to environmental stewardship and sets a precedent for other dairy enterprises. This landmark initiative reaffirms their position as leaders in the dairy sector and elevates the Hayatna brand to new heights as a symbol of premium quality, sustainable practices and conscious consumer choice.

Moreover, this initiative takes place prior to COP28, the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. COP28, which is set to take place in Dubai at the end of the year, will bring together leaders, policymakers and experts from around the world to discuss and formulate strategies to combat climate change.

The groundbreaking efforts of National and Masakin, in partnership with Alltech, will undoubtedly serve as a shining example of corporate responsibility and climate action during the COP28 discussions. By taking proactive steps to reduce their carbon footprint and adopting sustainable practices, the dairy industry in the UAE will play a significant role in advancing the country's commitment to achieving the targets outlined in the Paris Agreement.

Alltech believes that agriculture has the greatest potential to positively shape the future of our planet. That’s why it is uniting the agri-food community in Working Together for a Planet of Plenty — a world where a collaborative and innovative agri-food community can provide proper nutrition for all, revitalize local economies and replenish the planet’s natural resources.

Driven by this purpose, Alltech partners with like-minded companies, such as EFI, to solve high-impact issues; develops nutritional and digital technologies, improved farm management practices and innovations in animal well-being and human health; invests in the development of the next generation of agri-food leadership; and shares the sustainable power of science in agri-food through stories and videos on its Planet of Plenty™ website and through its social media channels.

For more information, visit alltech.com.

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Alltech is proud to partner with National Dairy Farm and Masakin Dairy Farm, two prominent companies owned by Emirates Food Industries.

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