[DUNBOYNE, Ireland] – Agriculture has the greatest potential to shape the future of our planet, and by embracing innovation and improving farm management, our agriculture sector can lead the way in enhancing agri-food sustainability. The Alltech Ireland Environmental Forum was held yesterday as a virtual gathering of international and domestic thought leaders to discuss carbon and climate challenges and inform and equip Ireland’s dairy industry to move forward to achieve its sustainability goals and Ireland’s 2030 targets.

“Never before have we needed to come together as an industry to solve the environmental challenges we face, and is not up to one organisation to solve this issue,” said Cathal McCormack, country manager at Alltech Ireland. “We need to collaborate with the industry by working together with farmers, industry bodies, dairy processors and the government. Action is what will make it happen, we need to make a start.”

Global industry experts joined the virtual event to explain how industry stakeholders can lead the way in enhancing both agri-food and national sustainability. The speakers and discussion topics included:

• Timothy P. Robinson, senior livestock policy officer at the Food and Agriculture Organization with the United Nations, was the opening plenary session speaker with his presentation, “Raising ambitions on climate action in dairy systems.”
• Dr. Frank Mitloehner, professor and air quality specialist in cooperative extension in the Department of Animal Science at UC Davis, California, presented on “Key actions to reduce livestock’s contribution to climate change.”
• Emma Swan, InTouch Feeding Specialist, Alltech Ireland and Dr. Stephen Ross, Alltech E-CO2, shared their thoughts about “Alltech’s Vision for a Sustainable Irish Dairy Industry.”   
• Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, provided closing remarks to the morning session.
• The afternoon session consisted of a panel discussion, “Digging deeper on sustainability: What needs to happen?”, with industry experts:
  • Thomas Hubert, The Currency
  • Matthew Smith, vice president, Alltech  
  • Prof. Frank O’Mara, director of research, Teagasc
  • Dr. Elizabeth Magowan, director of sustainable agri-food sciences division, AFBI
  • Tom Arnold, chair of the Irish 2030 Agri-Food Strategy Committee

To view the recording and for more information about the event, speakers and topics, visit https://go.alltech.com/ireland/environmental-forum.

Alltech has announced the keynote speaker line-up to be featured at the Alltech ONE Ideas Conference (ONE), a virtual event that will be held on May 25–27, 2021. Streaming keynote and on-demand presentations will be released during the global conference and will focus on the power of science, sustainability and storytelling.

Shirzad Chamine, author of the New York Times bestseller "Positive Intelligence," has served as the CEO of the largest coach-training organization in the world and has used his expertise to train the faculty at the business schools at Stanford and Yale. Chamine lectures on the concept of mental fitness at Stanford, where he also works with the university’s student athletes. A preeminent C-suite advisor, Chamine has coached hundreds of CEOs and their executive teams.

A man of many talents, Dewitt Jones is one of America's top professional photographers, as well as a motion-picture director, an author and a former photojournalist for National Geographic. He has also been at the forefront of corporate creative marketing by photographing national advertising campaigns for major brands. Jones is recognized as a world-class lecturer. His knowledge of the creative process, his relaxed and genuine style, and his ability to communicate make his presentations truly outstanding.

Economist, bestselling author, journalist, documentary filmmaker and broadcaster David McWilliams is ranked as one of the top ten most influential economists in the world. He has devoted his entire professional life to the objective of making economics as widely available and easily understandable as possible.

Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, represents the second generation of the global business founded by his father Dr. Pearse Lyons. Based on Alltech’s belief that agriculture has the greatest potential to positively impact the future of the planet, he launched the company’s vision of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™ in 2019.  Alltech is driving science-led sustainability within agriculture and calling for collaboration to improve nutrition, human and animal well-being, and the preservation of natural resources.

“This past year has changed the world, and now, more than ever, we need to come together to share insights, inspiration and innovations,” said Lyons. “The Alltech ONE Ideas Conference connects changemakers for conversations that can shape the future of agri-food and our planet.”

A new keynote presentation will be streamed on the Alltech ONE Ideas Conference virtual platform each day. Registrants who miss the scheduled streaming can access the presentations on demand.

More than 40 on-demand presentations will also be released on May 25. These presentations will uncover the challenges and opportunities in the aqua, beef, business, crop science, dairy, equine, health and wellness, pet, pig, and poultry sectors. The Alltech ONE Ideas Conference virtual platform will also host live workshops and an interactive networking experience.

To learn more about the Alltech ONE Ideas Conference, including how to register, visit one.alltech.com. Join the conversation across social media with #ONEbigidea.

The Alltech ONE Ideas Conference (ONE) will launch virtually on May 25–27, 2021, and will feature tracks that will uncover the challenges and opportunities in the aqua, beef, crop science, dairy, equine, health and wellness, pet, pig, and poultry sectors. Now in its 37th year, Alltech’s global agri-food conference continues to be an invaluable resource, uniting thought-leaders and changemakers in an exploration of the power of science, sustainability and storytelling. More than 40 topics* are slated for discussion at ONE, including:    

Aqua

• Can Sustainability Remain Aquaculture’s Unfair Advantage?
• Feeding Your Future: The Changing Face of Aqua Feed
• From Sea to Land: The Evolution of Aquaculture
• Pick Your Protein: How the Pandemic Shifted Shopping Habits
• The Great Global Fish and Shrimp Cook-Off

Beef

•  Better Beef, Healthier Planet
• High-Steaks Investments: Capitalizing on Beef
• The Meat You Eat: The Nutritional Realities of Beef

Crop Science

• Carbonomics: The Economy Beneath Our Feet
• Empowering Growers Through Pest Prevention
• Natural Solutions, Unparalleled Protection
• Selenium: Agriculture’s Secret Weapon
• Tiny Microbes, Big Impact

Dairy

• From Late Gestation to Early Lactation: Managing Transitional Periods
• Happy Cows, Happy Farmers: Animal Welfare and Sustainability
• Higher Milk Production, Lower Carbon Hoofprint
• Opportunities for the Global Milk Trade
• Overcoming the Impact of Activists

Equine

• Equine Trace Mineral Research: The Advantages of Going Organic
• Equine Welfare: Hope for Horses Without Humans
• Going Green: Sustainable Equine Management
• In the Running: The Trends Dominating Equestrian Sport
• Making Aging a Breeze: Strategies for Feeding Your Senior Horse
• Photo Finish: Marketing to Equine Consumers

Health and Wellness

• Gut Reaction: Feeding a Healthy Microbiome
• Why Smart People Make Bad Food Choices: The Invisible Influences That Guide Our Thinking

Pet

• Brain Power: Supporting Cognitive Function in Pets
• Dog Days Are Over: Beating the Post-Pandemic Pet Blues
• Minimizing the Environmental Pawprint of Your Brand
• What’s in Store for the Future of Brick-and-Mortar Retail?

Pig

• Better Nutrition, Safer Swine
• High-Rise Pigsties: The Future of Swine Production
• Litters With Longevity: Optimizing Piglet Nutrition
• Smarter Barns, Healthier Pigs
• Leaving a Legacy: Ensuring Lasting Success for the Family Business

Poultry

• A New Way to Sell Chicken
• Future of the Flock: Sustainability in the Poultry Business
• Planet of Plenty: Poultry Partner Spotlight
• The World of Poultry

*Topics are subject to change.

The ONE virtual platform will provide access to on-demand tracks, streaming keynote presentations and live Q&A chats with select speakers. New this year, it will also offer an interactive networking experience, allowing attendees to connect with their peers from around the world. 

Registration for the Alltech ONE Ideas Conference is now open at one.alltech.com. Join the conversation across social media with #ONEbigidea.

[AUCKLAND, New Zealand] – As the agriculture industry continues to move toward more sustainable solutions, Alltech E-CO2 is pleased to be working with He Waka Eke Noa: The Primary Sector Climate Action Partnership to provide greenhouse gas (GHG) emission assessments to New Zealand dairy farmers. A release issued by He Waka Eke Noa on March 28 states that all farms in Aotearoa New Zealand will need to know their GHG numbers by the end of 2022, and Alltech E-CO2 Dairy EA™ has been assessed and classified by the organization as a GHG calculator for dairy farms.

Alltech E-CO2 has developed the Dairy EA™ model to help producers measure and lower the carbon footprint of their dairy operation. These accredited assessments capture a wealth of in-depth data on animal production, health, feed, fertilizer, water, energy, and resource use. Clear and concise information is delivered via reports for producers and industry, along with on-farm consultancy advice.

“Farmers are always striving to improve animal health, welfare and productivity,” said Nigel Meads, innovation sales manager for Alltech New Zealand. “What makes the Alltech E-CO2 approach such an exciting concept is that it quantifies the gains in environmental performance that come along with these improvements and is focused on the animal, the environment and profitability.”

He Waka Eke Noa has developed resources to help industry bodies and farmers understand their agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Knowing a farm’s nitrous oxide and methane numbers is the first step toward managing — and knowing how to reduce — on-farm emissions.

“Measurement is key. Our farmers understanding their numbers means they are in a position to decide how to make changes to their farming practices to mitigate or reduce emissions,” said Kelly Forster, programme director for He Waka Eke Noa: The Primary Sector Climate Action Partnership. “There are now a range of tools that have been assessed as suitable for calculating a farm’s biological greenhouse gases, and more are in development and will be assessed soon.”

Dairy EA™ provides producers with a summary report that splits out the three key GHGs and identifies the sources of each. Furthermore, guidance is given in the report on recommended actions that farmers can take to help improve their numbers.

This development comes as Alltech continues to focus on its mission of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™, which calls for the agri-food industry to utilize science-based solutions, collaboration and innovation to help ensure sustainable food production while conserving the Earth’s natural resources. Working with He Waka Eke Noa and New Zealand’s producers to provide measurement tools to ensure their sustainability and profitability contributes to Alltech’s Planet of Plenty mission as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Climate Action, which is one of the nine SDGs to which Alltech is committed.

For more information, contact Nigel Meads nmeads@alltech.com or visit alltech-e-co2.com.

Alltech’s global agri-food conference, the Alltech ONE Ideas Conference (ONE), returns virtually on May 25–27, 2021. Now in its 37th year, Alltech’s flagship event continues to be an invaluable industry resource, with unmatched content and innovative ideas, inspiration and motivation from world-class speakers. The virtual platform provides on-demand tracks, streaming keynote presentations and live Q&A chats with select speakers — and this year, it will also offer an interactive networking experience, allowing attendees to connect with their peers from around the world. 

“We are on the cusp of a new golden age of agriculture, a time when our spirit of innovation will inspire an even greener revolution,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “The Alltech ONE Ideas Conference is a connection point for changemakers to exchange ideas that will shape the future of agri-food and our planet.”

ONE brings together industry thought-leaders and changemakers in an exploration of the power of science, sustainability and storytelling. This year’s virtual event features tracks that will uncover the challenges and opportunities in the aquaculture, beef, business, crop science, dairy, equine, health and wellness, pet, pig, and poultry sectors.

Each May, the Alltech ONE Ideas Conference typically attracts over 3,500 attendees from more than 70 countries to Lexington, Kentucky, USA. In 2020, ONE transformed into the Alltech ONE Virtual Experience and brought more than 21,500 registrants from 126 countries together online, with continued registration throughout the year and engaging new content released monthly.

Keynote speaker announcements are coming soon, and this year’s line-up promises to be as dynamic as ever. Previous ONE keynote speakers include Bear Grylls, Gen. Colin Powell, Steve Wozniak and Beth Comstock.  

Registration for the Alltech ONE Ideas Conference is now open at one.alltech.com. Join the conversation across social media with #ONEbigidea.

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – Alltech, a global leader in the animal health industry, is applying its more than 40 years of scientific innovation and proven nutrition expertise to human health. Launching on March 24, Acutia, a wholly owned subsidiary of Alltech, combines science and sustainability to provide high-quality supplements that enhance everyday nutrition and improve long-term wellness. 

“This is an exciting and pivotal moment in Alltech’s long history of improving nutrient value throughout the food supply chain,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “Acutia is a natural extension of our business, allowing us to directly support people in their pursuit of improved wellness. In a time when we are all deeply aware of the importance of our health, this launch is particularly meaningful.”

Acutia’s initial line of products will be rolled out in phases, beginning with Acutia Selenium. This supplement provides immune system support, antioxidant benefits and essential nutrition and helps maintain healthy thyroid function.

Acutia Brain Health, which will follow later this spring, provides support for cognitive health and brain function, as well as antioxidant benefits and essential nutrients, by combining selenium, vitamin C and plant-based omega-3 DHA. 

The selenium found in Acutia Selenium and Acutia Brain Health is made from a specialized, high-quality strain of brewer’s yeast to optimize the quality, absorption, safety and efficacy of the products.

Rounding out the initial launch of supplements is Acutia Digestive Health, which will be available later this year.

Acutia products are backed by the Alltech Life Sciences division, which conducts research on digestive health, cognitive health, brain function and cellular health. In 2019, researchers with Alltech Life Sciences achieved a breakthrough that offers a possible alternative to current insulin treatments for those living with diabetes.   

"While people associate Alltech with the provision of products and solutions for the agricultural sector, we have been studying the potential benefits of a number of our products for human health for many years,” said Dr. Ronan Power, vice president and chief scientific officer at Alltech. “Acutia supplements have arisen from part of that work. They have been extensively tested to ensure safety, quality and efficacy. We firmly believe that consumers will come to value these supplements as a key part of their overall health regimens.”

Acutia’s focus on sustainable wellness extends to its unique packaging and refill system. Upon their first order, customers receive a starter kit, which is packaged in a recyclable box and includes a reusable glass storage jar and a travel container. Subsequent orders are provided in compostable refill packs. To offset carbon emissions from shipping, Acutia partners with Nori to support farming practices that sequester CO2 from the atmosphere.

“Acutia combines nutrition science with a sustainable packaging system that helps reduce waste,” said Nikki Putnam Badding, registered dietitian nutritionist and director of Acutia. “This allows us to support a healthy future for people and the planet we share.”

Acutia represents the continuation of a legacy of innovation that was established by Dr. Pearse Lyons, the late founder of Alltech and father of Dr. Mark Lyons. An avid runner who understood the benefits of proper nutrition, Dr. Lyons sought to create dietary supplements for humans based on Sel-Plex® and Bio-Mos® — two of Alltech’s flagship organic nutrition solutions.

Enlisted by Dr. Lyons for her vast experience as a dietitian, Putnam Badding played an integral role in building the business from its inception through today’s launch. In 2018, Putnam Badding led the project through the first cohort of Alltech’s internal incubator program. Reflecting the culture of innovation at Alltech, the incubator provides a pathway to test and develop new business ideas while allowing a diverse group of team members to showcase their talents. As Acutia continued to evolve, it was later selected for The Pearse Lyons Accelerator (now The Pearse Lyons Cultivator) — a program that provided entrepreneurs with mentorship and resources to help bring their startup companies to market.

What began as a small group project grew to include Dr. Mark Lyons; Dr. Power; Becky Timmons, chief product officer at Alltech; and a team of advisors. After several iterations, revised business plans and re-namings, Acutia emerged.

“As a startup that is supported by years of scientific research and dedicated experts within Alltech Life Sciences, we are uniquely positioned to provide high-quality, effective supplements to consumers,” said Putnam Badding.

Dr. Mark Lyons, who has a passion for nutrition and physical health, will continue to work closely with the Acutia business.

“It is incredible to see my father’s vision come to fruition,” said Dr. Mark Lyons. “We carry forward his legacy of innovation and his entrepreneurial spirit by connecting science, sustainability and wellness. This is a significant moment for us as we continue Working Together for a Planet of Plenty^TM.”

-Ends-

Image download: https://photos.alltech.com/pf.tlx/jRjiYjt3LRrg

Caption: Launched on March 24, Acutia, a wholly owned subsidiary of Alltech, combines science and sustainability to provide high-quality supplements that enhance everyday nutrition and improve long-term wellness. 

As they say in the theater business, “The show must go on,” and that was certainly true of the 16^th annual Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition. The event, which is typically held at the Singletary Center for the Arts in Lexington, was conducted virtually for the first time this year. Talented vocalists vied for more than $700,000 in scholarships and prizes and an opportunity to attend the University of Kentucky and join the UK Opera Theatre to pursue their musical dreams. During the virtual event, the international audience was treated to performances by 24 hopeful young vocalists representing 15 states and three countries.

The winners of the 2021 Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition are:

Undergraduate students

• Alltech First-Place Undergraduate Award: Grace Victoria Platt; Floyds Knobs, Indiana
• Alltech and Bryant’s Rent-All Second-Place Undergraduate Award: Ava Kuntz; Santa Ana, California
• Alltech Feed Division Third-Place Undergraduate Award: Emily Wrede; Lexington, Kentucky
• KPMG Third-Place Undergraduate Award: Holly Romanelli; Suffolk, Virginia
• Barbara Rouse Kentucky Prize: Natalie Monell; Louisville, Kentucky
• Alltech Encouragement Award: Alexandra Thibault; Lexington, Kentucky

Transfer student

• First-Place Transfer Student Award: Amber Rogers; Washington, D.C.

Graduate students

• Alltech First-Place Graduate Award: Houston Tyrrell; Louisville, Kentucky
• Alltech Second-Place Graduate Award: Tshegofatso Clement Baloyi, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
• Pearse and Deirdre Lyons Third-Place Award: Luke Norvell; Santa Clarita, California
• Alltech Encouragement Award: Jeffrey Todd, Salisbury, Maryland
• Alltech Crop Science–Gail Robinson Performance Award: Audra House; La Crosse, Wisconsin
• Alltech and UK Alumni Award: Aimee Stuart-Flunker; Winfield, Illinois

The Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition was initiated in 2006 by the late Dr. Pearse Lyons, co-founder of Alltech, who was an avid supporter of the arts. His friendship with Dr. Everett McCorvey of the UK Opera Theatre inspired what is now one of the largest vocal scholarship competitions in the world.

“Congratulations to all of the vocalists who dared to pursue their dreams at the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition today,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech and son of Dr. Pearse Lyons. “My father always carried a song with him and inspired others to do what makes their heart sing — to vigorously pursue their passion, whatever it may be. Thank you to the students and UK Opera Theatre staff who honor his memory and remind us that there are still reasons to sing and to dream.”

Finalists were scored based on their voice, technical skill, interpretation and accuracy by five judges: Barbara Lynn Jamison, who became Kentucky Opera’s chief artistic and executive officer in August 2018 when she was appointed as the sixth general director in the company’s 67-year history; Dr. Thomas King, a tenor who has performed in five world-premiere operas and numerous recitals throughout the U.S., Germany and Austria; Kevin Short, a bass-baritone who trained at the Julliard School of Music’s American Opera Center and winner of numerous competitions and awards; Angela Brown, whose performances on the leading opera and symphonic stages of the world have been lauded by the The New York Times, CNN and Oprah Magazine; and Brian Salesky, who served as executive and artistic director of Knoxville Opera from 2005 to 2020, leading the company through an unprecedented period of financial and artistic growth.

Since the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition began, more than 170 students have been empowered to chase their operatic ambitions and receive an education in the arts. The competition attracts top vocal performers from around the world, helping them overcome financial barriers and paving their way to a successful career. It is credited as a driving force behind the UK Opera Theatre becoming a world-renowned program.

Competition winners have travelled the world while performing, teaching and providing inspiration to others. In Kentucky, they infuse art into the community through performances such as “A Grand Night for Singing” and the annual Alltech Celebration of Song.

The 2021 Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition can be viewed on-demand here with complimentary access.

If you would like to donate to the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition, click here. Your contribution will help support education and the arts and will make a positive difference in the lives of talented students.

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Images: For photos of the winners and event graphics, please click here.  

As a global leader in animal nutrition and health, Alltech is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Saheed Salami, a research fellow at the company, to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as a member of its Technical Advisory Group (TAG) on methane for the FAO Livestock Environmental Assessment and Performance (LEAP) Partnership. As part of this working group, Dr. Salami and other industry experts will focus on revising methane assessment guidelines to enhance greenhouse gas (GHG) emission inventories and to improve carbon footprint assessments and strategies for low-carbon livestock and food security.

“I have dedicated my education and career to research in agriculture and sustainability and am looking forward to continuing my journey as part of the technical advisory group on methane,” said Dr. Salami. “This will serve as an excellent opportunity to work with global leaders across the industry to improve carbon footprint assessments and strategies for low-carbon livestock and food security.”

Dr. Salami has international experience in leading research and handling technical responsibilities in sustainable animal nutrition and food quality. He joined Alltech in 2019 as a research fellow based in Stamford, U.K., as part of the company’s Solutions Deployment Team. He utilizes his multidisciplinary expertise in animal nutrition and environmental science to develop customer-focused and data-driven solutions for improving the productivity and sustainability of animal protein systems.

Prior to joining Alltech, Dr. Salami obtained a double Ph.D. in agricultural, food and environmental science from the University of Catania in Italy and University College Cork, Ireland. He also has a double master’s degree in sustainable animal nutrition and feeding from Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands and Ecole d'Ingénieurs de Purpan, France. 

“We are proud to have Dr. Salami represent Alltech as part of the UN FAO expert working group, where he can contribute scientific expertise and knowledge of the industry to crucial global discussions on climate change and the role of agriculture,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “This truly aligns with our Planet of Plenty™ vision of working together with other global partners to shape a sustainable future for agriculture and our planet.”  

The LEAP Partnership is a multi-stakeholder initiative that seeks to improve the environmental sustainability of the livestock sector through harmonized methods, metrics and data. LEAP leads a coordinated global initiative to accelerate the sustainable development of the livestock supply chain and to support coherent climate actions while contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement.

For more information on Alltech’s vision for a Planet of Plenty, visit Alltech.com.

Global animal nutrition leaders Alltech and DLG Group (DLG) are joining forces for a second time, with a focus on delivering greater profitability and efficiency to livestock producers in Scandinavia. Alltech and DLG are finalizing the purchase of Finnish company Kärki-Agri, a joint venture that will strengthen their delivery of innovative, field-proven animal nutrition.

This collaboration follows the successful 2017 joint venture undertaken by Alltech and DLG of AV Nutrismart Holdings, a premix business based in Orenburg, Russia. The companies will each hold a 50 percent share in the Kärki-Agri joint venture, located in Seinäjoki, Finland.

Kärki-Agri was founded in 1996 and specializes in serving Finnish cattle and dairy farms. Their offerings include animal health products, specialty feeds and feed preservatives. The company also opened a premix plant in 2015, where they produce custom feeds and Nutrilix specialty blocks.

“We are excited about the opportunity this will afford us to better serve our Scandinavian customers,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “This joint venture will once again enable us to combine DLG’s excellence in premix manufacturing with Alltech’s cutting-edge nutritional solutions.”

“We have been an Alltech customer for over 20 years and trust their technology,” said Antti Kuoppamaki, majority stakeholder for Kärki-Agri. “I know that Alltech and DLG share our commitment to supporting producers, and I look forward to the future success of the business through the collaboration of Alltech and DLG.”

“With this second joint venture with Alltech, we will strengthen our position and presence in Finland, which is located in a region that offers exciting opportunities,” said Jacob Holm Pedersen, CEO of the Vilofoss Group and Executive Vice President with responsibility for Premix & Nutrition at DLG. “The synergies created through this cooperation will give customers better access to products that, by optimizing feed efficiency, improve production economy and increase their competitive advantage.”

The tightening of global protein supplies is creating uncertainty for producers and the feed industry alike as to where this year’s protein supply will come from. Add to that the ever-increasing pressure on producers to meet the growing global demand for milk and meat while also reducing their environmental impact and remaining financially viable. While striking a balance between these seemingly conflicting goals may seem impossible, Alltech has released data from a new meta-analysis for ruminants that proves otherwise.

The results showed that Optigen®, a non-protein nitrogen ingredient, can replace vegetable protein sources and enable dairy and beef producers to simultaneously improve animal performance, reduce their carbon footprint and increase profitability. The new data from the meta-analysis examining the effects of Optigen supplementation in dairy cows is based on the results of 17 studies carried out in six different countries, while the beef study was based on the results of 17 studies carried out in nine different countries.

“The responsible sourcing of protein for animal feeds is a crucial global issue in the livestock supply chain, and the use of plant protein sources in animal diets can be restricted based on availability, price volatility and associated environmental impact,” said Dr. Saheed Salami, research fellow at Alltech. “These meta-analysis studies have confirmed that Optigen is a viable substitute for plant protein sources in ruminant rations, resulting in improved feed efficiency, profitability and environmental sustainability for dairy and beef production.”

Dairy research key findings:

• The use of Optigen in dairy diets resulted in a carbon savings of around 54 g of CO2-eq/kg milk.
  • When extrapolated to the annual milk output of the Dutch dairy sector, for example, this would be equivalent to a carbon emission reduction of 574,004 tonnes of CO2-eq. Such a carbon saving represents 10% of the entire reduction target for agriculture and land use sectors required by the Dutch government by 2030.
• Optigen partially replaced approximately 21% of soybean meal across all diets. 
• Dry matter intake (DMI), protein intake and nitrogen intake decreased through space “saving” in the diet
• Milk yield increased, and feed efficiency was improved by 3% in Optigen diets.
• Nitrogen utilization efficiency in dairy cows increased by 4%, thanks to improved nitrogen capture in the rumen. This translates to a reduction of the manure nitrogen excretion by 12 to 13 g of nitrogen/cow/day.
  • This data suggests, for example, that the use of Optigen could reduce the annual manure nitrogen excretion from Germany’s dairy sector by an average of 17,028 tonnes of nitrogen based on the annual milk output.
•  The environmental benefits Optigen brings are through the substitution of soybean and other high protein concentrates in combination with improved production efficiency.

Beef research key findings:

• The meta-analysis highlighted how the partial replacement of vegetable protein with Optigen exhibited a consistent improvement in the liveweight gains and feed efficiency of beef cattle.
• There was an 8% average increase in liveweight gain and an 8% improvement in feed efficiency with the inclusion of corn silage, enhancing the effects of Optigen.
• A simulation analysis based on these benefits indicated that feeding Optigen to 1,000 head of cattle with the goal of each animal gaining 440 pounds would:
  • Reduce time to slaughter by nine days.
  • Lower feed costs by $18,000.
  • Decrease the carbon footprint of the beef unit by 111.5 tonnes of CO2-eq, contributing to a nearly 2.2% reduction in the carbon footprint of beef production.

“Vegetable protein sources are volatile; they fluctuate in price and their nutritional composition is incredibly variable, while Optigen is the opposite and provides consistency in the rumen-degradable protein supply that is critical for rumen function,” said Dr. Vaughn Holder, ruminant research group director at Alltech. “These new meta-analyses on both beef and dairy animals show the depth of our research in both areas, as well as the versatility of the product across dietary raw materials and global geographies.”  

As a concentrated nitrogen source, Optigen takes up less space in the diet compared to other nitrogen sources, such as soybean meal and rapeseed meal, leaving room for more rumen-friendly materials, such as homegrown forages. This additional space can also aid in allowing more energy into the diet. In some cases, dietary crude protein levels can also be decreased, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing the risk of nutrient wastage. These studies reaffirm that feeding Optigen offers unique economic and environmental benefits to dairy and beef production and positively impacts our food supply chain.

For more information on Optigen and the meta-analysis data, visit alltech.com/optigen.