As responsible pet owners, we must ensure the well-being of our beloved companions while also considering the environmental impact of their care. In recent years, the concept of sustainability has gained significant traction in various industries, including pet food production.

Let’s explore the importance of the concept in pet foods, specifically highlighting the benefits of incorporating Yucca schidigera, a natural ingredient, and shedding light on farming practices that sustainably harvest this powerful plant.

Sustainability in pet foods

Pet food production carries its own unique ecological footprint, from sourcing ingredients to packaging and transportation. Embracing sustainable practices in pet food manufacturing not only reduces environmental impact but ensures the long-term health and vitality of our pets. By opting for sustainably sourced ingredients and employing eco-friendly production methods, we can contribute to a greener future for our furry companions.

What is Yucca schidigera?

Yucca schidigera, also known as Mojave yucca, is a plant native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico that has gained recognition for its numerous health benefits in pet food. The plant contains natural saponins, which possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Incorporating Yucca schidigera into pet food has been found to alleviate joint pain, promote healthy digestion, reduce fecal odor, and support overall well-being.

It’s important, though, to recognize that not all yucca products are the same. How yucca is farmed and harvested can vary. Sustainability starts at the source, and regenerative agricultural practices are needed to ensure that yucca production is both environmentally and socially responsible. Working with trusted suppliers assures pet food producers that their ingredients are from safe, reliable and sustainable sources.

Companies such as Alltech understand the importance of regenerative agriculture. Alltech’s state-of-the-art production facility in Serdán, Mexico — where Deo-Pet®, a yucca-based pet food ingredient, is produced — is leading the way.

A responsible harvest

Alltech’s yucca harvest management system enables us to ensure the long-term continuity of the species. The planting area, harvesting methods and cutting plans are determined following the regulations established by the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) of Mexico.

Alltech Serdán, located about 120 miles southeast of Mexico City, supports and advises potential suppliers, mostly local families, as they learn to harvest the yucca responsibly. These suppliers only cut plants that are at least 15 years old, and they cut carefully to ensure rapid regrowth.

Alltech also trains them to collect, store and remove the yucca in a way that avoids environmental damage to surrounding flora and fauna.

Reforestation and beyond

According to the reforestation rules of SEMARNAT, for every yucca tree harvested, one yucca seedling must be planted. Alltech goes above this requirement: for every yucca tree harvested, three trees are planted by local farmers. Alltech supplies the seedlings and provides training and annual programs to review these reforestation efforts. In 2022, the Serdán facility planted 80,046 seedlings in its nursery and reforested 61,113 seedlings.

Alltech Serdán also uses Yucca waste to produce compost and improve yucca seedlings growing in the nursery, reducing the total waste taken to the landfill by a full 88% from 2019 to 2022. The facility as a whole uses compressed natural gas, which reduces its CO₂ emissions by 17% annually. It’s also home to Alltech’s first global renewable energy project, a photovoltaic solar energy system that further reduces the plant’s carbon footprint.

Commitment to the community

At Alltech Serdán, our commitment to a better world goes well beyond responsible yucca production. We also plant seeds of hope and connection.

Alltech Serdán has been certified by Empresa Socialmente Responsable (ESR) as a socially responsible company. This prestigious endorsement is given to businesses in Mexico that are committed to policies, programs, decision-making and actions that benefit the business and have a positive impact on people, the environment and the communities in which they operate.

The ESR certification requires companies to meet expectations in five pillars: quality of life for employees, business ethics, community involvement, environmental awareness and corporate management.

The Serdán production facility, which started with 15 employees, now has 200, making it the only significant employer in the town. It also generates employment for the 50–70 local families who supply yucca plants.

Alltech Serdán participates in numerous social projects that benefit local children, including its support of a primary school, a special-needs school, the Casa Hogar orphanage, and several other local organizations.

Nourishing pets and protecting the planet

Sustainability means taking positive action today for the success of tomorrow, and supporting companies and suppliers that prioritize responsible farming practices encourages the future adoption of sustainable approaches throughout the pet food industry.

As we move forward, there’s always room for innovation and improvement. New ideas in pet food production, like Alltech’s incorporation of sustainably sourced Yucca schidigera, are a vital step toward a greener and healthier future for our pets, our communities and our planet.

[BUDAPEST, Hungary] – Central Europe's agriculture producers will play a major role in addressing climate and food-supply challenges around the world. The region's agri-food leaders discussed collaborative solutions and strategies for success today in Budapest, Hungary, at the first stop of the Alltech ONE World Tour (ONE), launching a series of international events that bring the ideas and inspiration of the annual Alltech ONE Conference to the world. Discussions explored collaborative solutions to the greatest challenges facing the agri-food industry as it confronts the “4 Cs” — the major forces of climate, conflict, consumer trends and rising costs.

The ONE Budapest keynote presentation from Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, welcomed delegates to Budapest and challenged them to think about what comes next for the agri-food industry. 

“In times of uncertainty, it is crucial for businesses like ours to adapt and innovate,” Lyons said. “The Alltech ONE Conference is no exception. While our annual symposium has had its roots in Kentucky, USA, for four decades, we felt it was important to adapt and engage with our customers on their home ground. Thus, it is only fitting that we launch the Alltech ONE World Tour in Budapest, Hungary, which is at the center of both change and opportunity.”

ONE Budapest attendees heard from industry experts on various topics, including insights from the dairy industry, data for profitable and sustainable agriculture, and mycotoxin management, and they were also able to attend focus track sessions on dairy, pigs and poultry. Robert Walker, European growth officer at Alltech, moderated a panel discussion featuring the species focus track speakers, who discussed how to remain profitable amid uncertainty and how the learnings from the day’s sessions can be applied to individual operations.

“By sharing data and insights, we empower advisors to solve agri-food-system challenges and drive the transfer of value, from the consumer to the processor to the farmer,” said Walker.

The final session of the day featured a discussion between Tara McCarthy, global vice president for ESG at Alltech, and Lyons on the path forward toward a sustainable future.

“As an industry, we have the responsibility to frame the role of agri-food in the context of the four Cs of climate, conflict, cost and consumer,” McCarthy said. “We will need to use our insights (from data), our skills and our scale to achieve impact, but most importantly, we will need to adapt and partner across the value chain.”

“The theme of our ONE Budapest stop — ‘Thriving Through Turbulence: Rising to the Challenges of Climate, Conflict, Consumers and Costs in Agriculture’ — perfectly encapsulates the unique hurdles we encounter in this region,” Lyons said. “With increasing geopolitical tensions and rising input costs, producers will need to make well-informed decisions to enhance their efficiency and adapt to the modern challenges faced by many in this area.”

The Alltech ONE World Tour will continue with stops in Dublin, Ireland, on June 19–20 and Calgary, Canada, on July 3–4, then on to the U.S., Asia, South America and the Middle East. For more information and to register for an Alltech ONE World Tour stop, visit one.alltech.com.

-Ends-

Download photos from Alltech ONE Budapest: https://creative.alltech.com/share/928F2EF2-13C5-4658-9FE6874BE0837D80/

There’s really nothing quite like the warm and happy welcome we receive from our family pets when we return home, whether we’ve been gone all day or for just 15 minutes. For many people, pets are more than just animals; they’re part of the family.

In the United States, 94% of pet owners consider their pets to be valued members of the family, according to a survey by the American Pet Products Association (APPA). Our pet spending reflects that sentiment. In 2022, Americans spent more than $136 billion on pet food, supplies, veterinary care and other pet-related services, the APPA said.

The U.S. has the largest pet industry, followed by Europe and Asia. Over 50% of U.S. consumers purchase premium pet food, 33% give their pets vitamins and supplements, and 21% cook for their pets, the survey found. In 2021, American pet owners spent about $50 billion on pet food and treats.

The global pet industry is worth an estimated $320 billion, and that number is expected to continue to grow, thanks to an increasing number of pet owners, rising pet care costs and higher demand for pet-related products and services.

The tendency to treat pets like humans is driving product innovation, said Kami Grandeen, sales manager of Alltech’s North America Companion Animal Business. Some recent pet innovations and trends include freeze-dried foods, powdered toppers and broths, mealtime enrichment mats, smart feeders, DNA and microbiome test kits, exercise GPS devices and more.

National Pet Month emphasizes proper pet care

In the U.S., the month of May is celebrated as National Pet Month. (It is celebrated in April in the United Kingdom.) The annual observance celebrates the joy and benefits of pet ownership and raises awareness about responsible pet ownership, promotes the welfare of pets, and encourages the adoption of animals from shelters and rescue organizations.

National Pet Month serves as an opportunity to emphasize the importance of proper pet care, including providing a balanced diet, regular exercise and veterinary care for pets. Nearly 90% of U.S. pet owners say their pets’ health is an important as their own, and healthy aging for their pet is a top concern.

Nutrition plays a prominent role in maintaining pet health and vitality. Pet nutrition is deeply connected to the composition and diversity of the microbiome, which plays a significant role in the proper function of the digestive tracts and immune systems of dogs and cats. A healthy microbiome leads to better overall health and well-being for our furry friends.

Alltech pet feed ingredients and supplements improve the gastrointestinal microbiome, maximizing health and longevity. Its diverse platform of core pet technologies can support digestive health and immune system function, help develop healthier skin and coat, and promote joint, heart and brain health.

Those technologies include prebiotics, essential nutrients to feed good bacteria (Bio-Mos®, Actigen® and Deo Pet); probiotics, hand-selected beneficial bacteria strains (Lacto-Sacc®); postbiotics for gut health and immune system regulation (Tynagen™); minerals, building blocks for the whole body (Bioplex® and Sel-Plex®); and boosters, specialized micronutrients for optimal digestion (Nucleo-Sacc™, Acid Balance Pet, and Alltech® Nvgen Pack).

While prebiotics and probiotics have been key additives in the pet food industry for several years now, the innovation of postbiotics is a breakthrough in pet gut health. New research demonstrates that postbiotics can maximize animal health by introducing metabolites directly into the gut unlike ever before. Tynagen™ introduces postbiotics directly into the gut and can help build the animal’s natural defenses, especially during bacterial challenges.

Pets are cherished members of our families. Just as we love and care for them, it is essential to prioritize their well-being by providing them with nourishment that supports their growth, helps them maintain a healthy weight and strengthens their immune systems. Good nutrition is an investment in your pet’s health and vitality — and in their long-term health and happiness. 

I want to learn about pet nutrition. 

Dates and locations have been announced for the spring European leg of the Alltech ONE World Tour, a series of exciting international events that bring the ideas and inspiration of Alltech’s annual ONE Conference to the world. The first stops are in Budapest, Hungary, on May 22-23 and Dublin, Ireland, on June 19-20.

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

The Alltech ONE World Tour will explore collaborative solutions to the greatest challenges facing the agri-food industry, uniting changemakers and thought leaders to examine regional and local market trends in agriculture, business, health and nutrition.

“As our customers and partners continue to face many challenges and uncertainties, we determined that 2023 would be dedicated to meeting them in their market,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO. “This special edition of the ONE will endeavor 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.”

The Alltech ONE World Tour will continue with stops in Canada, the U.S., Asia, South America and the Middle East.

For more information and to register for an Alltech ONE World Tour stop, visit one.alltech.com.

If you’ve ever scanned social media, you’ve seen pets do some crazy things! Just like us, each has a unique personality that’s influenced by its “second brain” – the enteric nervous system (ENS) within the walls of the digestive system. While the mechanisms by which the intestinal microbiome and ENS impact behavior are not fully understood, a growing body of evidence is revealing that gut health plays an important role in mental health. Supporting pet brain health is a new frontier, offering surprising health benefits.

Crosstalk between the gut and brain

For decades, it was believed that the brain-gut relationship was unidirectional with the brain affecting the gut but not the other way around. Now we know it's a matter of crosstalk at the neuronal, endocrinal and immunological levels. While the nervous system, including the brain, comprises an intricate network that controls and regulates the body overall, many of this network’s pathways are under the influence of the gut microbiome as well. Since what animals eat has a profound effect on gut microbiota composition and metabolic byproducts, your pet’s diet should be carefully considered from early life through adulthood.

The gut microbiota ecosystem is unique to each individual – human or animal – and is affected by a variety of factors including diet, antibiotic use, gastrointestinal disease, age, genetics and environment. It is primarily composed of bacteria but also includes archaea, viruses and protozoa. Imbalances in gut microbiota, sometimes referred to as dysbiosis, can lead to chronic low-grade inflammation and have been linked not only to gastrointestinal disorders such as leaky gut syndrome but also to neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Improving your pet’s health

Good nutrition, though, can benefit brain health by preventing or reducing the occurrence of dysbiosis. Prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics and antioxidants, in particular, play roles in protecting pet gut health.

Prebiotics are compounds in food that stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria and promote microbial diversity. Recent research has indicated that some prebiotics can boost cognition and positive behavior through the modulation of neuroinflammation.

Probiotics comprise live and/or deactivated bacteria that improve gut health by reducing the population of pathogenic bacteria in the GI tract. They work by competitive exclusion, producing antimicrobial compounds, cultivating beneficial endogenous microorganisms, and/or altering the microbial metabolism.

While there are a variety of probiotic strains, some improve mental health by affecting brain neurotransmitters and proteins, cortisol levels, and serum cytokine levels. These are known as psychobiotics. Many bacteria, such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, have already been shown to improve memory and reduce chronic stress-induced anxiety and depressive behavior in mice.

The breakdown of prebiotics by probiotics forms postbiotics, bioactive compounds that confer health benefits to their host. Recent evidence has supported the use of postbiotics as antidepressive agents, and they may provide additional benefits in animals prone to anxiety or stress disorders.

Antioxidants help to alleviate oxidative stress, which occurs when there’s an imbalance between the production and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the body’s ability to detoxify these reactive products. When oxidative stress occurs at high levels, it results in biomolecular damage and can potentially lead to intestinal injuries and disorders such as colorectal cancers, enteric infections, and inflammatory bowel diseases.

Recently, it’s been shown that food-derived antioxidant compounds may protect the host from intestinal oxidative stress by modulating the composition of beneficial microbial species in the gut. Since oxidative stress plays a role in causing many disorders, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, antioxidants are incredibly important to overall health. The dietary antioxidant selenium, especially in an organic form such as Sel-Plex® offers, can reduce oxidative stress and balance microbial flora as well, reducing the incidence of dysbiosis. Additionally, organic selenium has been shown to reduce the prevalence of beta amyloid plaques, which are abnormal proteins in the brain. This may assist in preventing age-related neuropathologies associated with cognitive decline.

Supporting pet brain health

Pet owners know that good nutrition, physical activity, and preventive care are key to a healthy and happy life for any animal, and an increasing body of research is demonstrating that body and brain health – both so important to quality of life – are intricately connected as well. The more we learn about this, the better we can make optimal health choices for our animal companions.

I want to learn about pet nutrition.

Can you reduce your pet's carbon pawprint? Megan Wade, senior manager of research and development at Canidae Pet Food, joins the Ag Future podcast to discuss how Canidae is pioneering sustainability efforts in the thriving pet food industry, including innovative initiatives like their kibble refill stations, which aim to reduce single-use plastics. Tune in to learn more about efforts in the pet food industry to create a more sustainable future for our furry friends.

The following is an edited transcript of the Ag Future podcast episode with Megan Wade hosted by Tom Martin. Click below to hear the full audio or listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts.

Tom:            Welcome to Ag Future, presented by Alltech. Join us from the 2022 Alltech ONE Conference as we explore opportunities within agri-food, business and beyond.

                     I'm Tom Martin for the Alltech Ag Future podcast series, here with Megan Wade, senior manager of research and development at Canidae Pet Food, to talk about sustainability in the pet food industry and pet food packaging. Thanks for joining us, Megan.

Megan:         Thank you so much for having me, Tom. I'm very excited to be here.

Tom:            Well, as senior manager of research and development at Canidae, you work with the company’s commercialization team to take new products to market. Do you go into discussions about a new product with a checklist of criteria that has to be met in order to make it to the marketplace?

Megan:         Absolutely. Depending on the type of innovation that we're exploring, there'll be unique considerations, but no matter what, there are two key boxes that need to be checked — the first being sustainability. So, this is incorporated into everything that we do and all of our future innovations, whether it be packaging, ingredients or operationally. And then the second thing being the benefit to the pet. At the end of the day, this is why we're in business in the first place. Canidae was started because our founders were not able to find a product on the market that just focused on simple, real ingredients, and so they made their own. Today, we're still aiming to provide the best nutrition possible with all of our products.

Tom:            You pointed out that there are nutritional solutions on the market that can contribute to your pet's wellness and Mother Nature's health at the same time. Tell us more about that.

Megan:         Sure. This is something really interesting that we've found as we've dug more and more into sustainable ingredients. We're finding that there's an added health benefit (to focusing on sustainability). If you take wild-caught salmon, for example, it's higher in vitamin D, among other nutrients, compared to farmed salmon. Then another big focus of our company is regeneratively farmed crops, and research is showing that these are often higher in certain nutrients, compared to traditionally farmed crops. And the practices being no-till, no use of synthetic pesticides, and utilizing cover crops; (utilizing those practices) helps to reduce the carbon footprint.

Tom:            Let's talk about that. The Canidae blog makes it very clear that the company's leadership is not only aware of the dangers of climate change but is willing to function in ways that recognize and address the imperative to reduce that carbon footprint. You even market dog food under the Sustain brand. Tell us more about the company.

Megan:         We're really aiming to set a new standard for the pet food industry in terms of sustainability, and it's ingrained in every aspect of our business. It's not just an afterthought, but it's the main priority. As I said before, we believe that benefiting the environment is just as important as providing the optimal nutrition for pets. We're also not afraid to think outside of the box or push the envelope. Our kibble refill station is really a great example of something that no one thought that was possible, but we invested in it and prioritized it and made it happen.

Tom:            How does the kibble refill station work in a store?

Megan:         Sure. It's a bulk kibble merchandiser, and it works just like a bulk coffee merchandiser, (or) any type of bulk food merchandiser, where customers can take a reusable bag, put it on a scale, fill it with the kibble of their choice and then bring it up to the register to pay by the pound. Our goal with this is to reduce or eliminate single-use plastics, which — most pet food bags, or kibble bags, anyways, are not curbside-recyclable, so this is a solution to that.

Tom:            I believe you've launched this, if I'm correct, at Petco stores in Southern California. Is that right? Or is it expanding across the country?

Megan:         Yep, that's correct. Right now, the program is in its pilot phase. We're in five Petco stores, and this summer, we'll be expanding to 100 stores.

Tom:            What other sorts of innovative products have you had a role in developing?

Megan:         One of our most innovative lines is called Sustain dog food, and that's our most sustainable product line yet. We have kibble, and then we've recently launched some wet food and treats within the same category, and all of it is focused on being as sustainable as we can. The kibble incorporates the regeneratively farmed crops, as well as responsibly sourced proteins, and we recently expanded into jerky treats made with responsibly sourced proteins, and then (we also offer) wet foods. We have pâtés and bone-broth toppers in Tetra Pak cartons. Those are little wet-food cartons that are made with fewer resources. And then the treats and the kibble are in PCR packaging — so post-consumer recycled materials.

Tom:            Are those distributed nationwide? Can we find that brand in most stores?

Megan:         Yes, it's nationwide.

Tom:            Let's talk about packaging. In developing packaging, are you mindful of the principles of sustainability? I know you've touched on that, but tell us more.

Megan:         Absolutely. Yeah, that's a huge area that we're focused on. As I mentioned, PCR packaging is a big thing that we're working on. We have several products in (that kind of packaging) already, and it is 40% post-consumer recycled materials in our kibble bags where we utilize that technology. And then, in other products, we have things like the Tetra Pak, as I mentioned. And then, (we’re) looking into recyclability as well — and then, of course, (we have) the kibble refill station, which eliminates that need altogether.

Tom:            What would you say is the most fun thing about your work?

Megan:         Yeah, there's a lot to choose from, but I would say the most fun thing is just the fact that we're constantly looking to do something new. So, every day is different. Every day poses new, interesting challenges and problems to solve. I think it just never gets boring, for sure.

Tom:            Megan Wade, senior manager of research and development at Canidae Pet Food. Thank you so much, Megan.

Megan:         Thank you, Tom.

Tom:            For the Alltech Ag Future podcast, I'm Tom Martin. Thank you for joining us. Be sure to subscribe to Ag Future wherever you listen to podcasts.

Alltech released its 2023 Alltech Agri-Food Outlook today, highlighting global feed production survey data. Despite significant macroeconomic challenges that affected the entire supply chain, global feed production remained steady in 2022 at 1.266 billion metric tons (BMT) in 2022, a decrease of less than one-half of one percent (0.42%) from 2021’s estimates. The annual survey, now in its 12^th year, includes data from 142 countries and more than 28,000 feed mills.

Europe bore the brunt of the impact, including significant disease challenges, severe weather and the impacts of the invasion of Ukraine. The global COVID-19 pandemic has had major impacts on the agri-food sector, contributing to supply chain challenges and accelerating the adoption of new technology and environmental sustainability practices.

The top 10 feed-producing countries over the past year were China (260.739 million metric tons [MMT]), the U.S. (240.403 MMT), Brazil (81.948 MMT), India (43.360 MMT), Mexico (40.138 MMT), Russia (34.147 MMT), Spain (31.234 MMT), Vietnam (26.720 MMT), Argentina (25.736 MMT) and Germany (24.396 MMT). Together, the top 10 countries produced 64% of the world’s feed production, and half of the world’s global feed consumption is concentrated in four countries: China, the U.S., Brazil and India. Vietnam experienced a great recovery in terms of its feed tonnage in 2022, entering the top 10 ahead of Argentina and Germany and crowding out Turkey, which reported reduced feed tonnage. Russia overtook Spain, where there was a significant reduction in feed production.

Key observations from the survey:

• Feed production increased in several regions, including Latin America (1.6%), North America (0.88%) and Oceania (0.32%), while Europe decreased by 4.67%, Africa by 3.86% and the Asia-Pacific region also dropped 0.51%.
   
• Globally, increases in feed tonnage were reported in the aquaculture, broiler, layer and pet food sectors, while decreases were reported in the beef, dairy and pig sectors.
   
• Although it experienced a narrow reduction in feed production, China remains the largest feed-producing country in the world, followed by the United States and Brazil.

Notable species results:

• The poultry sector experienced increases in both layer and broiler feed production.
  • Avian influenza, other diseases and the high costs of raw materials affected the layer sector in many markets, especially in Asia, Europe and Africa. On the other hand, growth in the sector was boosted due to bigger challenges in other sectors that led to increased demand for eggs. Overall, layer-sector feed production increased by 0.31%.
     
• • While the overall tonnage in the broiler sector increased by 1.27%, there were significant differences from country to country. Overall, feed production growth in the broiler sector was reported mainly from the Middle East, North America and Latin America.
     
• Pig feed production was down globally in 2022 by almost 3%. ASF and high feed prices depressed pig production in many countries. However, in Vietnam, China, South Africa, Brazil and Mexico, better pork prices and other market conditions led to growth in the sector.
   
• Dairy feed tonnage decreased by 1.32%, mainly due to the high cost of feed combined with low milk prices, which caused farmers to reduce their numbers of cows and/or rely more on non-commercial feed sources. Some exceptions included Ireland, where drought caused farmers to rely more on commercial feeds, and New Zealand, where milk prices were higher.
   
• Beef feed production decreased slightly by 0.34% globally. The downward trend continued in Europe, but increases were seen in almost all other regions. In Australia, the reduction in feed tonnage was a result of plentiful grass and not a reflection of any changes in the demand for beef.
   
• The aquaculture sector experienced a total global feed production growth of 2.7%. The Top 5 aquaculture feed countries are China, Vietnam, India, Norway and Indonesia. Significant increases were reported in China, Brazil, Ecuador, the Philippines and the U.S. Aquaculture feed production was one of a few sectors that saw growth in Europe.
   
• Pet feed production had the highest increase among the sectors, with a global average 7.25% rise in production. This significant increase is largely due to the rise in pet ownership amid the COVID-19 pandemic. North America and Europe continue to be the top pet feed-producing regions.

Notable regional results:

• North America reported an increase of 0.88% (2.272 MMT) and the U.S. remained the second-largest feed-producing country globally, behind China. Growth was reported in the broiler, beef and pet food sectors.
   
• Latin America experienced growth of 1.6% (3.006 MMT), and Brazil remained the leader in feed production for the region and ranked third overall globally. Most of the growth was reported by Mexico, Brazil and Chile.
   
• Europe saw the largest decrease in feed production of 4.67% (-12.882 MMT) in its feed production due to issues that include the invasion in Ukraine and the spread of animal diseases, such as African swine fever (ASF) and avian Influenza (AI).
   
• Asia-Pacific remained flat as decreases reported in China, Pakistan, Thailand and Malaysia were offset by increases in Vietnam, the Philippines, Mongolia and South Korea. The region is home to several of the top 10 feed-producing countries, including China, India and Vietnam.
   
• Africa experienced a decrease of 3.86% in feed tonnage (-1.718 MMT), mainly because of reductions reported in Egypt, Morocco, Kenya and Nigeria. South Africa, on the other hand, saw an increase of more than 2%, and Namibia also reported higher feed tonnage in 2022
   
• The Middle East region is up significantly at 24.7% (6.301 MMT), as a result of more accurate reporting and efforts by the Saudi Arabian government to increase broiler production as part of its Vision 2030 plan.
   
• Oceania was flat, with a small reduction reported by Australia that was offset by a slight increase reported by New Zealand.

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 last quarter of 2022. These figures are estimates and are intended to serve as an information resource for industry stakeholders.

To access more data and insights from the 2023 Alltech Agri-Food Outlook, including an interactive global map, visit alltech.com/agri-food-outlook.

Providing the proper diet is essential for the health, vitality and well-being of our pets, so we must ensure that, through the pet food we feed them, our pets are receiving all the nutrients they need to live a healthy and happy life.

The growing market demand for natural, functional, holistic and sustainable products has put pressure on the industry to develop pet foods that meet certain expectations. In the United States — the world's largest pet food market — natural ingredients are now widely used and are valued primarily by consumers for their contributions to the health and wellness of pets. The demand for and interest in natural ingredients continues to grow, and more research is becoming available that supports its inclusion in pet foods. We're hearing a lot about nutrigenomics and other “-omics” technologies, which contribute to the development of personalized nutrition; time will tell whether this trend will transition from food for humans to pet foods as well.

How does a well-fed microbiota impact the animal?

The microbiome is currently a topic of great interest in research. All living organisms — including humans and pets — have different microorganisms (such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoa) that live, for example, on their skin or inside their bodies.

These microorganisms live together as communities, and the collection of their genomes is known as the microbiome. Microbiome communities are unique to certain habitats, such as the skin, lungs and gut, to name a few, and can prove crucial to the health of pets' immune systems.

Pet nutrition and diets are deeply related to the composition and diversity of the microbiome — which, in turn, plays an important role in the proper functioning of the digestive and immune systems of dogs and cats, thereby ultimately affecting their overall health and well-being.

The microbiome and microbiota: What's the difference?

The gastrointestinal tract is made up of trillions of microorganisms, which are known collectively as microbiota. Microbiota, or intestinal flora, constitute an ecological colony of beneficial microorganisms that reside in the digestive systems of both humans and pets. These microorganisms are responsible for many vital functions, such as the production of certain neurons in the adult brain, the functioning of the immune system, hormonal regulation, energy metabolism and the maintenance of body weight. These microorganisms, together with their genetic material or genome, create a microecosystem called the microbiome.

While it is true that, during the pandemic, the general public’s interest in digestive health increased, the scientific community has been paying close attention to this area for several years — and, above all, to the intestinal microbiota. This is due to the role it plays in various metabolic functions, including but not limited to immune system maturation, appetite control and energy metabolism. There is already a plethora of research in which it is evident that alterations to the intestinal microbiota are associated with several chronic ailments derived from inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, obesity and diabetes, to mention just a few.

How can we feed the microbiome?

The gastrointestinal microbiome of cats and dogs is increasingly recognized as a metabolically active organ that is undoubtedly linked to their overall health.

Feed serves as a substrate for the microbiome of pets, as it plays an important role in defining the composition and metabolism of the microbiome. In turn, the microbiome facilitates the digestion of host nutrients and the production of postbiotics, which are compounds or metabolites derived from bacteria and which can influence the health of our pets.

To maintain the health of our pets, it is important to take care of both their intestinal flora and their immune systems. For this, you need to "feed" the bacteria with prebiotics and strengthen them with probiotics; the former feed the beneficial bacteria of the gut, while the latter add living organisms to the gut environment that help maintain a diverse and beneficial bacterial population.

Prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics for pets: What's the difference?

People and pet parents play a role in shaping our microbiomes and those of our pets through the foods we choose. Pet food in particular is formulated to contain the typical nutritional blocks of carbohydrates, proteins and fats — but increasingly, it also includes ingredients that target the microbiome, such as prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics.

Each of these compounds, as well as their relative proportions in pet food, can affect the composition of the microbiome or its functions.

Accumulating evidence suggests that dietary components may influence not only gastrointestinal diseases but also allergies, oral health, weight management, diabetes and kidney disease, due to changes in the gastrointestinal microbiome.

Scientific literature is abundant on how these prebiotic compounds work and benefit the host — which they do by blocking receptor sites used by pathogens. Such prebiotic compounds also serve as "food" that allows beneficial bacteria to produce metabolites to facilitate nutrient digestion and the host’s immune response. Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when provided in adequate amounts in the diet, can improve the gut microbial balance.

In recent years, the term “postbiotic” has been highlighted by both the scientific community and the popular press due to its association with physiological and metabolic benefits in human health. Postbiotics are not necessarily new but are, rather, a different way of defining the beneficial metabolites or metabolic byproducts generated by the commensal microflora present in the digestive tract, which can directly influence the host’s health. Some examples of beneficial metabolites or metabolic byproducts are enzymes, peptides, organic acids, bacteriocins, flavonoids and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).

The SCFAs butyrate, propionate and acetate are examples of postbiotics. They are products of probiotic degradation and offer a variety of health benefits. For instance, they provide a source of energy, regulate potential anti-cancer activity, improve the intestinal barrier, signal satiety by positively impacting glucose and energy homeostasis, and promote the growth of other bacteria through bacterial cross-feeding. Postbiotics lower the luminal pH and create a less favorable environment for pathogenic species.

What solutions does Alltech offer for the pet market?

At Alltech, we are dedicated to optimizing animal health and performance through nutrition. Our line of cutting-edge ingredients has been designed to meet the needs of pets at all stages of life. We offer a wide variety of analysis, testing and support tools, enabling pet food manufacturers to achieve better efficiency, productivity and success. By working with nutritionists and product developers globally, we strive to meet the growing and changing nutritional needs of today's companion animals. With support services ranging from the technical to the practical, we help pet food companies move into the future by producing safe, sustainable and trackable quality pet food that exceeds consumer expectations.

One of our newest technologies, NVGEN PACK, was developed through nutrigenomics. NVGEN PACK is a leading fermentation technology whose function is to feed the microbiome. This solution provides important bioactive compounds derived from specific fractions of yeast cells that further support the microbiome and the overall health of dogs and cats.

NVGEN PACK is a functional solution that works to nourish beneficial intestinal bacteria and encourage them to naturally produce the postbiotics necessary for the proper functioning and complete optimization of the intestinal function of dogs and cats.

New technologies available to pet food manufacturers

Biotic nutrition can provide support in various food-processing scenarios. The controlled administration of microbial metabolites can dramatically influence gene expression and physiological responses.

Immunity, microbiome and digestive health go hand in hand. A healthy microbiome is key to digestive health and immunity, and a healthy microbiome plays a role in maintaining health and potentially affects disease development, weight management and behavior. Every day, we learn more about the various ways that the microbiome can influence our pets' lives.

Continuing to gain a better understanding of the functions of these specific nutritional compounds will help the pet food industry develop strategies that will allow them to continue to improve pet food and, as a result, the well-being of pets.

Recommendations for pet food manufacturers and buyers

Store shelves are increasingly filled with new formulas and trend diets, and the number of choices can be overwhelming. As such, consumers must choose formulas that are time- and field-tested to make a positive difference in the health of their pets.

Even the smallest ingredients can have the greatest impact on the gut health of companion animals. From weight to longevity to cognitive ability, the gut microbiome affects nearly every aspect of a pet's health and well-being. Promoting beneficial bacteria while limiting pathogenic bacteria will help balance the microbiome for nutrient digestibility, immunity and overall well-being.

Alltech is proud to continue to partner in 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 third year, the free-to-join program 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.

“Over the past few years, all of us have come to more deeply value the power of human connection,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “A commitment to the growth and development of another person unleashes energy, inspires ideas and empowers both individuals to have a greater impact. We view our involvement in the Women in Food & Agriculture mentorship program as 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.”

Findings from the annual 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. In partnership with Alltech in 2022, the initiative grew with 320 industry representatives matched across two cohorts. Now in 2023, the program will be open for applicants year-round with two matching sessions taking place to help even more women in food and agriculture progress their careers. The initiative has supported a variety of people around the world from CEOs of agribusinesses to small-scale farmers, from academics to ag-tech professionals, with sector representatives paired with mentors that complement their professional objectives.

“We are very pleased to again have Alltech supporting the 2023 WFA Mentorship Program,” said Elisabeth Mork-Eidem, global chair of WFA. “Mentorship is vital in supporting women across food and agriculture in developing their careers, we’ve had very positive feedback from both mentors and mentees. Many of our mentors joined the initiative as a selfless act of support for equality in our sector, but realized they got as much out of the experience as the mentees. This is such an exciting opportunity to learn about yourself, develop your skills and support an important initiative that is working to improve diversity, equality and inclusion in the food and agriculture industry.”

For those interested in taking part in the 2023 Mentorship Program, WFA is looking for mentors of any gender who have at least one year of experience in the food and ag sector. During matching, WFA will ensure all mentors have more work experience than mentees, so this should not be a barrier to mentors applying. Potential mentees should be women working in the food and ag industry who would benefit from help, guidance and support from a senior sector representative.

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 open now for the Women in Food & Agriculture (WFA) Mentorship Program, supported by Alltech. For more information and to apply to be a mentor or mentee, visit https://wfa-initiative.com/mentorship-program/.

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – Alltech is transforming its annual Alltech ONE Conference (ONE) in 2023 into a series of international events that will invite collaboration on the greatest challenges facing the agri-food industry. Instead of welcoming the world to Alltech’s home in Lexington, Kentucky, as it has for the past 38 years, the Alltech ONE World Tour will bring the ideas and inspiration of the ONE Conference to communities throughout the world.

Stops are planned in Brazil, Canada, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, the Middle East the Philippines, Singapore, Spain, the United States and Vietnam, providing the opportunity for more people than ever to experience the power of ONE and to hear from experts on trending topics in the agriculture industry. Additional stops are expected to be announced in 2023.

“As our customers and partners continue to face many challenges and uncertainties, we determined that 2023 would be dedicated to meeting them in their market,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO. “This special edition of the ONE will endeavor 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.”

While Alltech looks forward to bringing the international conference home to Kentucky in 2024, the 2023 ONE World Tour is a unique opportunity to discuss the future of agriculture with stakeholders all over the world, offering both a global and local perspective for attendees. It will unite changemakers and thought leaders in unique forums to discuss the future, examining regional and local market trends in agriculture, business, health and nutrition.

Alltech will release more details about its international tour stops and event dates in the coming weeks. Visit one.alltech.com for more information and to subscribe to notifications on tour updates.