On the heels of two successful previous iterations, the Pearse Lyons Accelerator is now seeking applications for a new cohort of world-class international ag-tech startups to participate in its global mentoring program.

The Pearse Lyons Accelerator was the brainchild of the late Dr. Pearse Lyons, who founded Alltech, an animal nutrition company, in the early 1980s in his garage with just $10,000. The Accelerator, a late-stage, non-equity program, offers startups access to a network of executives who have, collectively, more than 100 years of leadership experience and domain expertise in agriculture. Participants also receive a €15,000 stipend to cover day-to-day expenses, as well as software perks worth over €300,000 from companies such as Google, Facebook, Softlayer and Amazon.

The program culminates with successful startups pitching to more than 4,000 attendees, including some of the premier global thought leaders in agriculture, on the main stage of  ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference (ONE19) in May 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky.

“What other agri-tech startup puts you in front of 4,000 industry leaders and potential investors?” asked Dr. Mark Lyons, CEO and president of Alltech. “If you’re looking for support from industry professionals, mentorship from the best in the agri-business and networking opportunities that have been instrumental in alumni accessing vital funding, then the Pearse Lyons Accelerator is for you.”

Alumni of the Pearse Lyons Accelerator — which is hosted at Dogpatch Labs in Dublin, Ireland, one of Europe’s leading startup hubs — have collectively raised $28 million since.

In its first year, six of the 10 startups at the Accelerator were featured by CB Insights in “Agtech: 100+ Technology Companies Changing The Farm,” illustrating the fact that only the world’s best startups are selected for Alltech’s program. Last year, another disruptive cohort came through the Accelerator, resulting in startup Smartbow GmbH installing more than 1,000 sensors on feed yards in a real-time pilot with Alltech.

More recently, AgriWebb, an Australian-based livestock herd management software company, raised a Series A funding round worth $10.2 million in August from the UK agri-food investor Wheatsheaf Group.

“The Pearse Lyons Accelerator serves as the perfect vehicle to [create] visibility for us and our partners [with] the most disruptive ag-tech startups across the world,” said Aidan Connolly, chief innovation officer at Alltech. “A clear route to market remains a challenge for startups within the ag-tech industry. The program provides accelerated access to the global market with a comprehensive package of support to help them navigate the challenge of scaling their operations to service large corporate customers.”

The Pearse Lyons Accelerator continues to attract the best startups in the world because of its unique approach of focusing on business development rather than equity.

“With this Accelerator, we carry on the legacy and entrepreneurial spirit of my father, Dr. Pearse Lyons; he had the desire and dedication to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs, who will transform the face of agriculture,” Lyons said. “His vision was to support entrepreneurs by providing route to market and accelerating sales.”

Ag-tech startups are encouraged to apply for the Pearse Lyons Accelerator program before Dec. 7, 2018. Visit pearselyonsaccelerator.com to learn more.

[SERDÁN, México] – Alltech Serdán has been honored with the Distinctive ESR® (Socially Responsible Company) 2018 designation for its voluntary commitment to implementing socially responsible management practices. The designation recognizes Alltech Serdán’s years of involvement in multiple community projects, including El Cerrito primary school, La Familia Home and the Multiple Adaptation Center, which serves children with different abilities. These community activities are performed in addition to the plant’s constant application of responsible business practices with suppliers, collaborators and customers.

Alltech understands that sustainability in production is a social and environmental commitment. Despite having no legal obligation to reforest, Alltech is committed to replanting 10 yucca plants for each ton of raw material processed.

“This practice ensures the availability of raw material in the future, promotes ecological balance and generates a sense of sustainability in the community in which it operates,” said Alberto Sánchez, production manager for yucca plants. “Alltech Serdán maintains 150,000 plants exclusively for reforestation.”

With offices in over 128 countries, Alltech’s global activities are guided by its ACE principle, which encompasses the company’s commitment to generating a positive impact on the Animal, the Consumer and the Environment.

“The Serdán plant is a brilliant example of Alltech’s ACE principle,” said Sánchez.

With a team of more than 200 people — including several employees who have been at Alltech for 25 years — Alltech Serdán generates both direct and indirect benefits for the more than 4,000 residents of the local community and surroundings.

"It gives me great pleasure to see companies like Alltech prove that it is possible to do business in such a way that everyone wins,” said Josefina García, administrative manager of Alltech Serdán. “I feel inspired by my work, knowing that I belong to a company that makes a difference."

The ESR distinction bestowed upon Alltech Serdán began in 2000 with the objective of promoting corporate social responsibility in Mexico through the Mexican Center for Philanthropy (CEMEFI), which is disseminated through allied agencies throughout the subcontinent.

The distinction provides extra motivation for the team — which celebrates 25 years of operation in 2018 — to be even more focused on working actively within the community and to maintain its corporate social responsibilities every day.

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Download image: https://photos.alltech.com/pf.tlx/wy5wmRw2.zq3Ew

Image caption: The Alltech facility in Ciudad Serdán, Puebla, México.

Contact: press@alltech.com

Liana Dobler

Gerente de comunicaciones, Latinoamérica ldobler@alltech.com; +54 9 11 6826 6464

About Alltech:

Founded in 1980 by Irish entrepreneur and scientist Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech discovers and delivers solutions for the sustainable nutrition of plants, animals and people. With expertise in yeast fermentation, solid state fermentation and the science of nutrigenomics, Alltech is a leading producer and processor of yeast additives, organic trace minerals, feed ingredients, premix and feed.

Our guiding ACE principle seeks to develop solutions that are safe for the Animal, Consumer and the Environment. Our more than 6,000 talented team members worldwide put this purpose to work every day for our customers.

Alltech is a family-owned company, which allows us to adapt quickly to emerging customer needs and to stay focused on advanced innovation. Headquartered just outside of Lexington, Kentucky, USA, Alltech has a strong presence in all regions of the world. For further information, visit www.alltech.com/news. Join us in conversation on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Town Branch Distillery is diving into the world of experimental bourbons and barrel finishes with its first limited-release edition of Town Branch^® Bourbon. 

The exclusive new spirit, Town Branch^® Bourbon: Sherry Cask Finished, is a 9-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey from the early days of Town Branch Distillery. Finishing the bourbon in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks gives this new expression an exceptionally smooth finish with a depth of flavor, including notes of roasted pecans with dried plums and raisins.  

“Finishing Town BranchBourbon in the sherry casks for nine months imparted a dry finish that complements the natural caramel and vanilla notes in the whiskey, as well as a rich burgundy color,” said Mark Coffman, master distiller at Alltech Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.  “We selected nine barrels of the best bourbon in our warehouse for this expression.”

Bottled at 100-proof, Town Branch Bourbon: Sherry Cask Finished will go on sale the week of Sept. 24 at select retailers and will also be available at the Town Branch Distillery Visitor’s Center.

In addition to the launch, National Bourbon Month is punctuated by another Town Branch Distillery milestone with the induction of late distillery founder Dr. Pearse Lyons into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame. The prestigious honor recognizes individuals and organizations that have made a significant and transformational impact on the stature, growth and awareness of bourbon.

“At his core, my father was an innovator,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, Pearse’s son and president and CEO of Alltech. “It is fitting that today we celebrate his contributions to the bourbon industry while launching an innovative spirit with Town Branch Bourbon: Sherry Cask Finished.”

13 countries, 15 stops, ONE unforgettable experience

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – The Alltech ONE Ideas Forum will soon be making stops around the globe, giving more people than ever the opportunity to experience the power of ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference and to hear from industry experts on trending topics in the agriculture industry. The global forum events will provide a local perspective of Alltech’s renowned and highly acclaimed annual international conference. From advancements in digital technologies to improving efficiency and profitability, the Alltech ONE Ideas Forum will be the premier event to attend for discussions about the future of agriculture.

“The Alltech ONE Ideas Forum global event program will be a reflection of ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “It will be customized to local audiences while bringing big ideas to the forefront.”

Stops for the Alltech Ideas Forum are planned at 15 locations in 13 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America. Visit https://go.alltech.com/one-ideas-forum for more information on location details and to register.

Registration is also currently open for ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference (ONE19) in Lexington, Kentucky, USA, from May 19–21, 2019. Visit one.alltech.com for more information and to register now at a reduced price.

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Note to the Editor:

Please contact press@alltech.com to schedule interviews prior to, during or after the Alltech Ideas Forum.

Contact: press@alltech.com

Jenn Norrie

Communications Manager, North America

jnorrie@alltech.com; 1-403-863-8547

Maria Daly

Communications Manager, Europe

mdaly@alltech.com; +353 86 466 9554

About Alltech:

Founded in 1980 by Irish entrepreneur and scientist Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech discovers and delivers solutions for the sustainable nutrition of plants, animals and people. With expertise in yeast fermentation, solid state fermentation and the science of nutrigenomics, Alltech is a leading producer and processor of yeast additives, organic trace minerals, feed ingredients, premix and feed.

Our guiding ACE principle seeks to develop solutions that are safe for the Animal, Consumer and the Environment. Our more than 6,000 talented team members worldwide put this purpose to work every day for our customers.

Alltech is a family-owned company, which allows us to adapt quickly to emerging customer needs and to stay focused on advanced innovation. Headquartered just outside of Lexington, Kentucky, USA, Alltech has a strong presence in all regions of the world. For further information, visit www.alltech.com/news. Join us in conversation on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Alltech’s Town Branch Distillery will soon use non-GMO corn from a familiar local source: the Nicholasville farm of Alltech co-founder Mrs. Deirdre Lyons. Alltech’s crop science division is cultivating the plants using its own organic solutions to optimize yield and ensure a healthy harvest destined for use in bourbon and rye whiskeys.

“We are raising non-GMO corn that we can introduce into our bourbon production here in Kentucky,” said Mrs. Lyons. “Growing the corn on our own farm enables us to see this important bourbon and whiskey ingredient all the way through, from seed to sip.”

The corn crop forges a deeper connection between Alltech’s natural approach to agronomics and the production of its line of bourbons and whiskeys.

“Mrs. Lyons’ farm gives us a new opportunity to integrate our crop technologies into the production of our very own beverage products,” said Dr. Steve Borst, general manager of Alltech Crop Science. “The natural applications we’re using to prepare the soil will promote a healthy root system and enable the corn to uptake nutrients. By increasing yield, we can maximize the potential of every acre of her farm.”

To be classified as straight bourbon, whiskey must be distilled using a mixture of grains that is at least 51 percent corn. Town Branch Bourbon is 72 percent corn, requiring an average of 550 pounds of corn per one barrel of finished bourbon.   

Once harvested in November, the corn will be used at Town Branch Distillery to produce Town Branch^® Bourbon and Town Branch^® Rye. The holistic synergy of farm, crop management and distillery is timely, given the growing consumer interest in locally sourced, non-GMO ingredients.

“Having our own local farm produce corn enhances our sustainability for Town Branch Bourbon and Town Branch Rye,” said Mark Coffman, master distiller at Town Branch Distillery. “It’s really special — and rare among distillers — to be able to craft these beverages from farm to bottle.”

The world-class research capabilities of the Alltech Coppens Aqua Centre (ACAC) and its capacity to provide a practical platform for product development and solutions for the aquaculture industry have been recognized today with the announcement that the ACAC is to become an Alltech bioscience center.

For more than 15 years, the ACAC has carried out practical and applicable research within the field of aquaculture. In 2017, Alltech invested heavily in the facility, which will now become its fourth bioscience center. This center will be home to an expanded team of aqua researchers dedicated to quality, innovation and the development of new applications in aqua feed.

As part of the ACAC’s progression to a bioscience center, Alltech Coppens is delighted to announce that Dr. Philip Lyons will be taking on a new role as a global aquaculture research manager to help coordinate research activities at the new center with Alltech’s ever-expanding global research programs.

“Alltech’s bioscience centers are laboratories that maintain close ties to nearby universities to maximize interaction with academic researchers, share equipment and allow students in Master of Science and Ph.D. programs to work in an industry lab setting,” explained Dr. Karl Dawson, vice president and chief scientific officer at Alltech. “There are more than 120 scientists working in our bioscience centers around the world. By becoming a bioscience center, the ACAC allows for Alltech to address, research and solve aquaculture industry issues. The center will interact directly with many of our 28 research alliances and will focus on activities with the six alliances who directly work in aquaculture.”

Research and development represent the cornerstone of business at Alltech Coppens. In the ever-changing world of the aquaculture industry, being adaptable to market trends and pursuing innovation in research positions Alltech Coppens to be ready with diets to fit every farming situation.

“Key aquaculture research areas include developing novel tools for evaluating nutritional responses and defining strategies for utilizing alternative feed ingredients and nutrients,” explained Dr. Dawson. “We are also carrying out research into nutritional approaches for enhancing disease resistance and health as well as optimizing mineral nutrition and enhancing fat digestibility. We are also responding to market demand for new strategies for improving product quality and minimizing the environmental impact of aquaculture in general.”

In addition to supporting and evaluating Alltech Coppens feed formulation initiatives, the new bioscience center will actively focus on beneficially altering fat digestion, optimizing mineral nutrition, and developing novel nutritional approaches for reinforcing gut health and preserving product quality while minimizing the environmental impacts of aquaculture.  It is expected that this center will be the site for both basic and applied research as well as serving as a site for graduate student and intern training activities.

“My father saw great potential in Alltech Coppens,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech and son of Alltech’s founder, Dr. Pearse Lyons. “Since the acquisition in 2016, our goal has been to establish Alltech Coppens as the cornerstone of Alltech’s global aquaculture business. By making the ACAC a bioscience center, we are following through with Dr. Pearse Lyons’ commitment to Alltech Coppens and the aquaculture industry.”

As Alltech’s newest bioscience center, the ACAC joins the ranks of the Alltech European Bioscience Centre in Dunboyne, Ireland, the Alltech Center for Animal Nutrigenomics and Applied Animal Nutrition in the U.S. and the Alliance Laboratory in Beijing, China.

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Contact: press@alltech.com

Maria Daly, Communications Manager

mdaly@altech.com; +353 86 466 9554

Note to the Editor:

Photo Caption: https://photos.alltech.com/pf.tlx/J9xJlOJ9K2Hpp

 (copy link to browser to download image)

Alltech Coppens has announced that Dr. Philip Lyons will be taking on a new role as a global aquaculture research manager to help coordinate research activities at the Alltech Coppens Aquaculture Centre, now Alltech’s fourth bioscience center.

Dr. Pearse Lyons, founder of Alltech, will posthumously receive the prestigious Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for Lifetime Achievement during the sixth annual Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards, held Sept. 20 at the Omni Louisville Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky.

The Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards were created in 2013 to publicly celebrate the greatness of people from around the world. The award recognizes individuals who are driven to become agents of change for the common good.

For Dr. Lyons, making a positive difference in the world was an everyday reality of his personal and professional life.

After moving with his young family — wife, Deirdre; daughter, Aoife; and son, Mark — to the U.S. from Ireland, Dr. Lyons founded Alltech in 1980 with the mission of improving the health and performance of animals, crops and people. The company’s endeavours are guided by the “ACE principle” — a commitment to having a positive impact on the Animal, the Consumer and the Environment.

The Alltech ACE Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was established by Dr. and Mrs. Lyons to put their philanthropic passion into action. One endeavor funded by the ACE Foundation is the Alltech Sustainable Haiti Project, which supports two Haitian primary schools through the sale of Alltech^® Café Citadelle.

In Kentucky and Ireland, more than a dozen state-of-the-art science laboratories have been built at primary schools, inspiring students to have greater curiosity about the world around them.

The Lyonses’ passion for education and the arts is reflected in the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition, which shines a spotlight on the hopes of young vocalists by awarding top performers with scholarship funds to join the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre.

As an entrepreneur who started Alltech in his home garage and built it into a multibillion-dollar company, Dr. Lyons recognized drive and passion in others and encouraged them to dream big. The Alltech Innovation Competition emboldens young entrepreneurs to create businesses that help solve local issues. Winners are awarded $10,000 — the same amount with which Dr. Lyons founded Alltech in his garage.

Whether through small acts of kindness or far-reaching scientific achievement, Dr. Lyons was committed to empowering others, inspiring lifelong learning and making a difference in the world — a mission he shared with the Muhammad Ali Foundation, of which Dr. Lyons was a long-time supporter.

Dr. Lyons passed away on March 8, 2018. Mrs. Lyons, director of corporate image and design at Alltech, and their son, Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, will accept the award on his behalf during the ceremony.

“Like Muhammad, by their example, these awardees serve as role models to all of us, and they help to ensure that the legacy Muhammad left on this world continues to inspire, transform and ignite positive change for the betterment of individuals and the whole of humanity,” said Lonnie Ali, co-founder of the Muhammad Ali Center and widow of Muhammad Ali. “If there was a time for the power of his example to be heeded, it is now.”

[PIKEVILLE, Ky.] – The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce (SEKC) bestowed its 2018 Business Person of the Year award on Mrs. Deirdre Lyons, co-founder of Alltech, during its annual awards night, held Aug. 9 at the East Kentucky Expo Center. The award is given to an individual who has demonstrated support for the advancement and development of business in Eastern Kentucky.

Mrs. Lyons and the late Dr. Pearse Lyons initiated the development of Dueling Barrels Brewery & Distillery in Pikeville with an eye toward promoting tourism to the region and creating jobs for its residents. Mrs. Lyons, director of corporate image and design at Alltech, applied her impeccable attention to detail to the facility, overseeing its design and construction, and worked tirelessly to ensure that Dueling Barrels provides an unforgettable visitor experience.

Surrounded by community and state leaders, Mrs. Lyons cut the ribbon on Eastern Kentucky’s first combined beer, bourbon and moonshine operation on June 27, 2018. The nearly 30,000-square-foot facility currently employs 13 full-time staff members, all of whom hail from the region, including “storytellers” who share Appalachia’s history and culture with visitors.

Dueling Barrels is expected to join the Kentucky Bourbon Trail^® experience in January 2019, extending the famed trail 142 miles east into Pikeville. The additional tourism could help boost the economy in Pikeville, which has undergone a revitalization in recent years, particularly in the downtown area.  

“SEKC is proud to have Mrs. Lyons as an advocate for the region,” said the SEKC in a statement. “The effects of her dedication to advancement and progress resonate throughout the state.”

Mrs. Lyons will discuss boosting economic growth, tourism and international publicity in Eastern Kentucky and share the story of Dueling Barrels at the upcoming Alltech Idea Pub: News & Brews event. The public is invited to enjoy thought-provoking conversation, light bites and Dueling Barrels™ Pikeville Ale for guests ages 21 and older. The event is free and will be held at 6 p.m. on Aug. 21 at Town Branch Distillery in Lexington, Kentucky. For more information, visit https://go.alltech.com/newsandbrews or the Alltech News & Brews Facebook event page.

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Contact: Lauren Dozier, Alltech PR

press@alltech.com; 859-351-8892

Download image: https://photos.alltech.com/pf.tlx/tit8YtUwSIge

Mrs. Deirdre Lyons, co-founder of Alltech, is joined by former Kentucky Governor Paul Patton and Dr. Mark Lyons, president of Alltech, after receiving the 2018 Business Person of the Year award from the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.  

About Deirdre Lyons:

Deirdre Lyons was born in Dublin, Ireland, and graduated from St. Mary’s College, University College Dublin, in 1970. In 1977, Deirdre moved to Kentucky with her husband, Dr. Pearse Lyons, and their two small children, Aoife and Mark. Their daughter, Aoife, now holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and works at Alltech’s European Headquarters in Dunboyne, Ireland. Their son, Mark, has a Ph.D. in solid state fermentation and is now president of Alltech, having served as executive vice president and head of Greater China since 2011.

Deirdre co-founded Alltech with her husband, Pearse, in 1980 to help farmers feed the world, raise healthy animals and protect the environment through natural, nutritional innovation. Today, Alltech is a more than $2 billion company with more than 6,000 employees supporting its business presence in over 120 countries. Deirdre is Alltech’s director of corporate image and design, which has involved carefully architecting, designing and outfitting Alltech’s facilities in nearly 100 countries to ensure a consistent brand image.

She has achieved national and international accolades on behalf of Kentucky through her work on the historic Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2010; various art initiatives, including the annual Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition and Celebration of Song; humanitarian endeavors as far away as Haiti and as close as local primary schools’ laboratories; and numerous leadership boards in Kentucky, including the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, the Kentucky Equine Humane Center and the University of Kentucky Sanders-Brown Center on Aging.

About Alltech:

Founded in 1980 by Irish entrepreneur and scientist Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech discovers and delivers solutions for the sustainable nutrition of plants, animals and people. With expertise in yeast fermentation, solid state fermentation and the science of nutrigenomics, Alltech is a leading producer and processor of yeast additives, organic trace minerals, feed ingredients, premix and feed.

Our guiding ACE principle seeks to develop solutions that are safe for the Animal, Consumer and the Environment. Our more than 6,000 talented team members worldwide put this purpose to work every day for our customers.

Alltech is a family-owned company, which allows us to adapt quickly to emerging customer needs and to stay focused on advanced innovation. Headquartered just outside of Lexington, Kentucky, USA, Alltech has a strong presence in all regions of the world. For further information, visit www.alltech.com/news. Join us in conversation on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.                

South Dakota State University student selected for 2018 Forrest Bassford Student Award

Alltech Cultivating Young Ag Journalists Awards presented to industry professionals 

[SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.] – Agriculture communicators are the voice of the industry, sharing stories and educating the public on where their food comes from. Students and young professionals are the future and have the ability to amplify these messages through multiple new media channels.

During the 2018 Ag Media Summit (AMS), Alltech honored young agricultural communicators through the Livestock Publications Council Forrest Bassford Student Award and the American Agricultural Editors’ Association (AAEA) Alltech Cultivating Young Ag Journalists Awards.

The 2018 Livestock Publications Council Forrest Bassford Student Award, sponsored by Alltech, was presented to Madison Hokanson, a South Dakota State University (SDSU) agricultural communications and leadership student and seventh-generation farmer from south-eastern Minnesota. Hokanson was presented a $2,000 scholarship and a plaque during AMS.

“My career goal is simple: to bring all sectors of agriculture together, working to educate the world as a united front,” Hokanson said. “We’re all different, but in the end, the future of ag communications is ensuring a thriving future in agriculture for generations to come.”

Hokanson is an advocate for the pork industry and served as one of the Pork Checkoff’s three inaugural Pig Farmers of Tomorrow in 2017. Additionally, she serves as a College of Agricultural and Biological Sciences Ambassador at SDSU and is the vice president of Sigma Alpha, a professional women’s agricultural sorority.

The Forrest Bassford Student Award honors excellence, professionalism and leadership among students. Each year, following a competitive application process, the LPC Student Award Program provides travel scholarships for four students to attend the Ag Media Summit. In addition to Hokanson, this year's travel award winners were:

• Kiera Leddy, Oklahoma State University
• Alexa Nordwald, University of Missouri
• Sarah Moyer, Kansas State University

In support of young professionals, the American Agricultural Editors’ Association Alltech Cultivating Young Ag Journalists Award provides the opportunity for active AAEA agricultural journalists 35 years old or younger with a travel stipend to attend the Ag Media Summit, as well as an invitation to attend ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference (ONE19), held each May in Lexington, Kentucky.

The 2018 American Agricultural Editors’ Association Alltech Cultivating Young Ag Journalists Award recipients were:

• Tyler Harris, Nebraska Farmer/Farm Progress/Informa
• Katie Knapp, The Ag Photographer
• Kelsey Litchfield, freelancer
• Emma Wilson, Iowa Corn Growers Association
• Kellie Lasack, Roan Marketing Communications

“Alltech is proud to support the future of agricultural communicators as the ambassadors and voice of our industry as they share stories from the farm in a time where the vast majority of consumers are generations removed from the farm,” said Jenn Norrie, Alltech’s communications manager for North America.

The 20^th annual Ag Media Summit hosted more than 700 agricultural communicators, media professionals and students in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Aug. 4-8, 2018. The Ag Media Summit is a joint meeting of the American Agricultural Editors’ Association (AAEA), the Livestock Publications Council (LPC), the Connectiv Agri-Media Committee and the Association for Communication Excellence (ACE) in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Life and Human Sciences, and it offers opportunities for professional development and industry networking.

Cristiano Bortoluzzi wins award for paper on improved performance and regulating the expression of intestinal immune-related genes of broiler chickens 

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] — Continuing their commitment to student research and agriculture innovation, Alltech presented the 35th Alltech Student Research Manuscript Award to Cristiano Bortoluzzi, a doctoral student at the University of Georgia, during the 107th annual Poultry Science Association (PSA) meeting, held in San Antonio, Texas, on July 23-26. This award is given to a student who is the senior author of an outstanding research manuscript in Poultry Science or The Journal of Applied Poultry Research, and only students awarded Certificates of Excellence for research presentations at an annual PSA meeting can compete. 

Bortoluzzi’s winning paper — entitled “Sodium butyrate improved performance while modulating the cecal microbiota and regulating the expression of intestinal immune-related genes of broiler chickens” — evaluated the effect of sodium butyrate (SB) on performance, expression of immune-related genes in the cecal tonsils, and cecal microbiota of broiler chickens when dietary energy and amino acids concentrations were reduced. The paper results confirmed that SB had positive effects on the productive performance of broilers fed nutritionally reduced diets, partially by modulating the cecal microbiota and exerting immune modulatory effects. 

"Alltech is proud to sponsor this award, as innovation is the core of our business," said Dr. Kayla Price, poultry technical manager for Alltech Canada. “We support advancements in the poultry industry and encourage students to publish their research and communicate their discoveries, which can positively influence the future of poultry production." 

Cristiano Bortoluzzi is a doctor of veterinary medicine and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in the department of poultry science at the University of Georgia. He grew up on a farm in southern Brazil with dairy cows, pigs and poultry, so his passion for animal production started when he was young and has influenced his career path.  

Bortoluzzi completed several internships in his first year of vet school and found that poultry nutrition and health interested him the most. Throughout his studies, he was actively involved in research trials, attended scientific meetings and learned about the intestinal health/immune system of broilers and the importance of nutrition.  

While working toward his master’s degree, he spent three months working with the United States Department of Agriculture/Agriculture Research Service (USDA/ARS) in Indiana. In January 2015, he started his Ph.D. in animal science at Purdue University, later moving to the University of Georgia. Bortoluzzi has published 18 papers and will finish his Ph.D. in the fall. He is looking forward to working in and contributing his expertise to the poultry industry. 

Alltech has sponsored the Alltech Student Research Manuscript Award since 2000, recognizing young leaders in scientific innovation for their commitment to publishing and sharing their work within the poultry sector.