[LEXINGTON, Kentucky] — Alltech presented a $100,000 check on Thursday to GreenHouse17, an advocacy agency and emergency shelter in Central Kentucky committed to ending intimate partner abuse.

The donation was made possible by the success of Alltech’s second annual Make a Difference Golf Scramble and matching funds from the Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports the philanthropic endeavors of Alltech and the Lyons family.

Alltech and the Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation are longtime supporters of GreenHouse17 and its mission to support survivors of intimate partner violence.

“A contribution to GreenHouse17 creates a home for healing and regeneration, as well as the ability to serve thousands of survivors each year through legal advocacy, affordable housing assistance, children’s safe exchange and visitation, and countless other services,” said Deirdre Lyons, Alltech’s co-founder and director of corporate image, design and construction.

For nearly 20 years, GreenHouse17 has offered crisis intervention and stabilization services for those harmed by intimate partner abuse in 17 Kentucky counties. Situated on 40 acres in rural Fayette County, GreenHouse17 provides shelter for about 6,000 people every year. Of these 40 acres, a portion of the land serves as a therapeutic farm, where residents grow produce and flowers — and connect with nature as part of their healing process. Opportunities to help on the farm allow survivors to develop new skills that will assist them in rebuilding their lives.

Through these efforts, a thriving social enterprise has been established in which survivors help grow flowers that are sold in the community and create handcrafted items like soaps, bath salts, candles and lip balms. They sell them online and at pop-up shops and festivals.

GreenHouse17 not only empowers survivors but plays an important role in raising awareness about intimate partner abuse, which affects people from all walks of life. It provides an avenue for survivors to seek help without shame and reminds them “that they are much more than what has happened to them,” said Darlene Thomas, executive director of GreenHouse17.

“We help survivors of domestic violence move from crisis to self-sufficiency, but we can’t do it alone. It must be a community effort,” Thomas said. “Alltech has been tremendous in its support of our program and its growth. We’ve never received a donation close to this amount in nearly 20 years. We are blessed that Alltech is willing to invest in helping vulnerable people.”

“GreenHouse17 saves and transforms lives,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “We are honored to be able to support Darlene and her team in their mission to provide a safe community for abuse survivors to grow strong in body and in mind.  Our partnership goes beyond the funds we can donate but extends to exchanging ideas around future fundraising opportunities and business outlets that help to further their mission, which we profoundly believe in.”

Watch this video to learn more about GreenHouse17.

Carlos Galvan of Weltzien Farms in Arcadia, Wisconsin, is this year’s award recipient

[JUNEAU, Wis.] – Alltech Wisconsin is pleased to present the 2023 Most Valuable Employee (MVE) Award to Carlos Galvan of Weltzien Farms in Arcadia, Wisconsin. This award recognizes the value of a dairy farm employee with an exceptional work ethic who exhibits integrity and who engages in their responsibilities on a dairy farm in the region, which includes Wisconsin, Minnesota and northern Illinois. Nominations are made by a farm manager, dairy owner, farm consultant or nutritionist based on qualities such as perseverance, honesty and integrity. The finalists were honored during the annual Alltech Dairy School on Thursday, Nov. 30, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

“Alltech is proud to honor Carlos as this year’s Most Valuable Employee Award winner for his hard work and dedication to Weltzien Farms for the past 17 years,” said Jorge Delgado, manager of the Alltech Training, Talent Development and Retention Program for Dairy Workers (Alltech T²R Program). “This award is designed to recognize the people behind the cows and their exceptional work ethic and integrity, and Carlos is most deserving of this honor.”

Carlos was nominated by his employer, Collin Weltzien of Weltzien Farms, and has been working on the Weltziens’ family farm for 17 years. He joined the operation as a milker when they made the shift to milking 180 cows three times per day. Carlos still milks the morning shift, and his role has evolved to that of a “jack of all trades,” as he handles many tasks on the farm.

“I cherish the opportunity to work alongside Carlos every day, and it’s because of the quality employee that Carlos is. Our family can go to bed every night with peace of mind knowing that our cows, land and machinery are being treated in the best manner possible,” Collin said. “Thank you for this opportunity to recognize the most important asset on a dairy farm, its people. Nobody deserves it more than Carlos.”

Collin shared in his nomination that Carlos is a dedicated employee and is always in the parlor ready to work when he arrives in the morning. Collin said he is in awe of how fast Carlos can milk cows, and even more impressed with his attention to cleanliness and detail. Carlos follows fresh cow and mastitis protocols and has a keen sense for detecting sick cows and cows in heat. Collin also recognized that Carlos is an expert with the parlor equipment and often manages the cleaning, repair and maintenance projects.  

Carlos’ expertise can also be found outside the parlor. He commonly mixes feed, helps to feed calves, and helps with field work wherever needed, from hauling manure to raking hay, hauling silage, and even running the chopper from time to time. Carlos is also very skilled in the shop. He services most of the tractors and implements and will perform repairs on tractors and machinery, in the freestall barn and in the feed room. Simply put, Carlos can do it all.

The other finalists honored during the Alltech Dairy School included Autumn Wozny from UW– Platteville Pioneer Farm and Pete Poet from Abts Champion Dairy.

“The best employees add value to the dairy by thriving in their roles, maintaining their responsibilities, creating a safe and positive work environment for their coworkers, and speaking highly of their employers, both on and off the farm,” Delgado said. “When dairy farms and their employees develop long-term relationships and celebrate each other’s hard work, everyone involved reaps valuable benefits.”

For more information about the Alltech Wisconsin MVE award, visit this link or contact AlltechWisconsin@alltech.com.

[LEXINGTON, Kentucky] – ‘Tis the season for holiday cheer at the Kentucky Horse Park, where two festive traditions offer up the brightest sights and sounds of the season.

Set against a backdrop of beautiful Christmas décor, Alltech’s 18th annual Celebration of Song features performances of popular Christmas music and traditional carols by the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre and winners of the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition. The free concert is set for Dec. 10 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. Doors open at 3 p.m.; parking is free.

Nearly 40 singers will perform at the event, accompanied by a professional orchestra, and audience members will be invited to sing along during classic Christmas favorites.

Celebration of Song has been Alltech’s annual holiday gift to the community since 2006. Alltech founder Dr. Pearse Lyons was inspired to share the holiday spirit through song after experiencing a community Christmas festival while traveling in Brazil, said his wife, Deirdre Lyons, Alltech co-founder and director of corporate image, design and construction.

“Every year, Celebration of Song gets more wonderful. It’s a beautiful event that we’ve been proud to sponsor for our community,” Deirdre Lyons said. “We’re excited to celebrate the holidays with our community and with UK Opera Theatre, with whom we partner on several events, including our Vocal Scholarship Competition. This collaboration has enabled more than 190 UK students to pursue their musical ambitions and receive an education in the arts.”

“Christmas is about bringing families together, bringing communities together and celebrating the love and joy of the season,” said Dr. Everett McCorvey, UK Opera Theatre Director. “This is our gift to you.”

Attendees can close out the evening with a drive through the Southern Lights Holiday Festival, a dazzling three-mile display of over a million twinkling lights. This Christmas tradition is celebrating its 30th year at the Kentucky Horse Park. It operates nightly from 5:30 to 10 p.m. through Dec. 31 — excluding Christmas Day.

Tickets for Southern Lights can be purchased online or at the campground. Learn more about Southern Lights at SouthernLightsKY.com.

[DUNBOYNE, Ireland] – Variable weather has once again dominated crop quality and mycotoxin contamination patterns in Europe, with a distinct split between northern and southern regions. The Alltech 2023 European Harvest Analysis has collected and assessed over 1,100 grain and forage samples from more than 20 different countries, and the results show an overall higher-risk mycotoxin year in Europe in 2023. While Europe enjoyed a reprieve this growing season from the extreme drought conditions of the past 2–3 years, rains that fell close to harvest in northern and western Europe caused delays in harvesting that created ideal conditions for mould and mycotoxin development.

Mycotoxins are produced by certain species of moulds and are a concern for livestock producers as they can influence feed quality and subsequent animal health and performance. The Alltech European Harvest Analysis, a decade-long initiative, is a comprehensive step in understanding the complexities of new-crop quality, mycotoxin prevalence and the threat that mycotoxins pose to animals and producers. To determine the most accurate representation of mycotoxin risk across Europe, Alltech has again collaborated with SGS, a global leader in mycotoxin testing and certification. Their expert testing, along with testing by the independently accredited Alltech 37+® laboratory in Ireland, which can detect up to 54 individual mycotoxins, has captured a highly accurate and robust set of new-crop mycotoxin data across 20 countries in Europe.  

‘’In contrast to recent years, it is excessive rain rather than drought that has been the primary driver of mycotoxin risk in Europe,” said Dr. Radka Borutova, European technical support manager with the Alltech Mycotoxin Management team. “The delayed harvest in northern and western regions has created particular problems in small grains and forages across this region, while further south, corn crops have fared much better than last year, although, as we always try to highlight, low risk does not mean no risk.’’

Key insights from the Alltech 2023 European Harvest Analysis include:

• Persistent rains close to harvesting have led to significant Fusarium-related challenges in wheat and barley crops across northern and western Europe.

• Barley shows the highest risk of the small grains, with an average of six mycotoxins per sample.

• In general, the mycotoxin challenge in corn is lower in 2023 than in recent years. However, there are still pockets of higher risk in central and southern Europe.

• The Penicillium risk continues to dominate in forages. In particular, grass silage in the UK and Ireland is heavily contaminated and presents an ongoing management challenge for dairy producers there.

Corn

Aflatoxin challenges arising from drought-stricken corn have dominated the mycotoxin picture in Europe in recent years, so growers were thankful not to suffer the same fate in 2023. However, it was still not a perfect growing season.

More than 700 new-crop corn samples were analysed this year, and results showed aflatoxins were detected in almost 70% of samples from central and southern Europe, with average levels of 6 ppb. However, most of the risk in corn is coming from Fusarium mycotoxins such as zearalenone, deoxynivalenol (DON) and T2-HT2 toxins. Ochratoxin was more prevalent this year than in 2022, with average levels detected of 28 ppb. The overall corn risk is deemed low to moderate when Alltech’s REQ metric is applied.

Wheat and barley

New-crop samples of wheat and barley typically originated in countries across northern and western Europe. Conditions in this region deteriorated badly around mid-June, and from then onwards, unsettled weather caused havoc with harvest dates, resulting in crops standing much longer in the field than they usually would. The combination of wet and humid conditions with a delayed harvest resulted in the ideal conditions for Fusarium moulds to thrive.

This has directly manifested in elevated levels of mycotoxins in these small grains, with barley posing particular problems. Although specific reasons are unidentified, barley is much higher risk than wheat, and contains almost double the number of mycotoxins per sample.

Penicillium mycotoxins are not something we would typically associate with small grains at harvest time, but they have been more commonly detected this year, possibly due to the extremely challenging field conditions. Emerging mycotoxins are the most common groups detected across both ingredients, but the most risk is coming from type B trichothecenes. In barley, average levels of this group were at 922 ppb, with an extraordinary maximum of almost 29,000 ppb detected in one Finnish sample.

Forages

Although the Penicillium challenge has been the dominant talking point with forages over the past few years, it is worth comparing the mycotoxin profiles and primary risk drivers in corn silage and grass silage.

As with most ingredients, emerging mycotoxins are most prominent. However, in corn silage, type B trichothecenes are present in over 95% of samples, with average levels of 1,561 ppb, amplifying the risk. In comparison, grass silage is facing the greatest risk from Penicillium mycotoxins, with average levels of 338 ppb and an occurrence above 62%. Dr. Borutova has noted that when both of these ingredients are included in a total mixed ration (TMR) diet, this can create an even greater risk for dairy or beef animals.

The late harvest in northern and western Europe amplified the challenge in straw that was lying on the ground for a prolonged length of time. The 60 straw samples submitted to the lab this year were, as in recent years, heavily contaminated with emerging mycotoxins and type B trichothecenes. Average levels of type B trichothecenes were almost 1,500 ppb. This is something for livestock producers to be aware of wherever straw is being used either as bedding or as a feed material.

The Alltech 2023 European Harvest Analysis demonstrates that mycotoxins are an ongoing, dynamic issue that livestock producers need to manage. Although testing directly post harvest provides an overview of regional contamination patterns, what happens before the animal receives the feed — including storage conditions post harvest and feeding practices on-farm — can influence what the animal will actually be ingesting in terms of mycotoxins. To best manage this ongoing challenge, producers should consider a routine testing program that can uncover the specific risks. With this information, informed choices can be made on what mitigation strategies are necessary to support the health and performance of the animals. 

To access the complete report, as well as a series of videos that provide further species-specific insights, visit Alltech 2023 European Harvest Analysis. For more information about Alltech Mycotoxin Management solutions, visit knowmycotoxins.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information, visit Alltech.com.

[LEXINGTON, Kentucky] — This year, as the month of November and the Thanksgiving holiday approached, Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, and his team decided to do something different to show their gratitude.

Inspired by the No-Shave November movement, they created the Lyons Mane Charitable Challenge, which invites participants to grow a beard or mustache during the month of November to raise funds for six cancer and mental health charities from around the world. Mark was first to sign up. He has been joined by several Alltech team members from around the world who have put down the shaving cream and asked their friends and family to donate.

But the Lyons Mane Charitable Challenge is not just about growing a beard, and it is open to anyone who wants to participate. The initiative invites everyone to take on their own 30-day challenge. Participants have committed to running 100 miles, reading 10 books, practicing a foreign language and tracking their spending to increase their savings. One Alltech team member in Portugal committed to cutting her hair at the end of the challenge and donating it to the Little Princess Trust, a nonprofit in the U.K. that makes wigs for children who have lost their hair during cancer treatment. It is one of the charities being supported by the Lyons Mane Charitable Challenge.

Another team member, herself a brain cancer survivor, shared her cancer journey and committed to raising funds by performing acts of kindness for 30 days. So far, she’s raised $650.

By mid-November, the challenge had met its original fundraising goal of $10,000, so they increased it to $15,000. It’s something his father, Alltech founder Dr. Pearse Lyons, would have done, Mark said.

“When you get close to the goal, you move the posts,” he said. “There is never a destination when it comes to the impact we can make. It has been fantastic to see the engagement of the global team around this initiative. Awareness is the true positive outcome we are achieving here.”

In just over a week, they surpassed the $15,000 goal and increased the goal again — to $20,000.

Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, has been growing a beard as part of the Lyons Mane Charitable Challenge, which invites participants to grow a beard or mustache during the month of November — or take on a 30-day challenge of their choosing — to raise funds for cancer and mental health charities around the world. He is shown here speaking Monday, Nov. 27 at Alltech ONE Dubai, the final stop of the Alltech ONE World Tour in 2023.

The funds raised will be donated through the Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports the philanthropic endeavors of Alltech and the Lyons family, which are often focused on agriculture, education and supporting communities in need. The foundation has supported numerous large-scale projects, including three primary schools in Haiti that ensure the education of more than 1,200 children, and the construction of over a dozen state-of-the-art science laboratories at primary schools in Kentucky and Ireland.

The Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation also supports the Alltech-University of Kentucky Vocal Scholarship Competition, one of the largest competitions of its kind in the world; GreenHouse17, a Kentucky organization that provides resources to survivors of partner abuse; on-the-ground disaster relief in communities around the world; and programs that address the urgent needs of farmers and their communities amid natural disasters.

Donations to the Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation are matched, which means every dollar donated can make an even greater impact.

In addition to the Little Princess Trust, the Lyons Mane Charitable Challenge will benefit:

• Pieta (Ireland), a mental health/self-harm/suicide awareness and support organization
• National Breast Cancer Foundation (U.S.), which provides early detection, education and support services to those affected by breast cancer
• Do More Agriculture Foundation (Canada), an organization that champions the mental well-being of those in the Canadian agriculture industry
• Prostate Cancer Foundation (U.S.), the leading organization dedicated to funding life-saving prostate cancer research
• Cactus Instituto (Brazil), a nonprofit philanthropic and human rights entity that works to expand care in disease prevention and mental health promotion in Brazil.

“These global health challenges affect millions of us around the world, and I personally felt the impact of both more this past year than any other,” Mark said. “We have invited everyone to commit to a challenge of their choice, and we have been overwhelmed by the generosity and response of our friends, family and communities.”

Even though November is drawing to a close, it is not too late to join the challenge — or cheer on its participants by donating through their individual challenge page. And Tuesday, Nov. 28 is a perfect day to donate: It’s Giving Tuesday, a global generosity movement that encourages people to support and contribute to charitable causes. It takes place each year after Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Visit the Lyons Mane website to learn more and make a donation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[HELMOND, Netherlands] – Alltech Coppens, a global specialist in developing, producing and marketing fish feed and nutrition solutions, has been awarded a gold medal from EcoVadis — putting them in the top 7% of sustainable companies globally. The EcoVadis gold medal is a testament to Alltech Coppens’s dedication to sustainability across its entire value chain. The company has implemented robust initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, promote fair labour practices and foster ethical business conduct. 

“In today's environment of challenge and change, it is wonderful to have received an EcoVadis gold medal as evidence to our ongoing commitment to the journey that is sustainability,” said Tara McCarthy, global vice president of ESG at Alltech. “This external endorsement from the EcoVadis team, renowned for their rigour and high standards, is testament to the robust progress and dedication of our teams as we work together for a Planet of Plenty™.”

EcoVadis, a globally recognized sustainability ratings platform, assesses companies based on their environmental, social and ethical performance. Backed by a powerful technology platform and a global team of over 1,000 experts, EcoVadis assess companies on environmental, social and ethical performance in over 200 purchasing categories and 175 countries.

“EcoVadis is one of the world's most trusted business sustainability ratings,” said Ronald Faber, CEO and global aqua lead at Alltech Coppens. “EcoVadis helps Alltech Coppens to manage our ESG risk and compliance, meet our sustainability goals and drive impact at scale by guiding the sustainability performance improvement of our company and our value chain.”

For more information, visit AlltechCoppens.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information, visit Alltech.com.

Alltech is one of four partners supporting the development of an innovation ecosystem for entrepreneurs

[LEXINGTON, Kentucky] — Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp on Wednesday launched a new incentive program designed to encourage ag-tech and food-based businesses to locate in Kentucky.

“We want to become the international address of ag-tech businesses,” said Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton. “As the expertise within our Bluegrass AgTech partnership demonstrates, with this grant program, we’ve got everything a new business needs to be successful in ag-tech or food-based technology.”

Bluegrass AgTech, which is cultivating an innovation ecosystem for entrepreneurs and startups in the agricultural sector, is a partnership among City of Lexington, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, and Alltech.

“As a founding member of the Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp, we are excited to harness UK’s success in research innovation to advance both economic development and the success of Kentucky’s farm and food sectors,” said Dr. Nancy Cox, vice president of land-grant engagement and dean of the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.

Through its challenge grant program, Bluegrass AgTech will connect agricultural innovators with both public and private funding sources and incentives, attracting new agri-food and agri-business companies to Kentucky, boosting the economy, and unlocking a more affordable, nutritious and environmentally sustainable food future for Kentucky and beyond.

“Alltech is proud to support Bluegrass AgTech’s mission to transform Kentucky into the agricultural technology capital of the United States,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, a global company focused on improving the health and performance of people, animals and plants through nutrition and scientific innovation.

“For us, this project started years ago, when my father, Dr. Pearse Lyons, saw the potential ag-tech could bring to his adopted home here in Central Kentucky,” said Lyons, who serves as chair of the Bluegrass AgTech board of directors. “Bluegrass AgTech’s innovation ecosystem will lead to the development of technologies that boost productivity and profitability for farmers, support advancements in environmental sustainability, and achieve greater nutrition and food security. These technologies will be highly relevant to our traditional Kentucky ag sectors and those that will emerge in the future.” 

Bob Helton, executive director of Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp, said the challenge grants offer incentive funding, valuable resources and promotional opportunities.

“We hope to add additional partners to the organization so we can continue to grow the program,” Helton said.

Each applicant may apply for up to $100,000 of grant funding in the first year of the program. Selected grant recipients will also be offered resource support, such as mentorship, referrals to professional services, connections to local growers and research teams, and other business development assistance.

Applicants must be able to provide a 100% match. The program is open to registered, for-profit businesses currently located in or willing to establish a presence in Lexington or Kentucky, with an emphasis on startups and early-stage businesses. Applications, available here, must be completed by March 1, 2024.

Lexington contributed $1 million to establish the grants and get the partnership started. The state also provided $1 million through the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund.

“Kentucky’s world dominance in the horse industry, bourbon production, genetic progress in poultry, and sustainability advancements in no-till farming shows how impactful our agriculture community can be,” Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Ryan Quarles said. “We believe that Kentucky can step up to the challenges facing our agriculture communities and become the agriculture hub of technology and innovation in the United States. This is the next process to making that a reality. Our agriculture community and our state as a whole deserve that chance to make these great moves forward.”

Projects proposed for funding must address at least one of the following five focus areas:

• Solutions for Mid-Size Farming – Customizing technologies to support mid-sized farms
• Sustainable Food Systems – Driving diverse and sustainable agriculture ecosystems
• Food is Health – Addressing health needs through affordable and accessible nutrition
• Future-Proof Animal Protein – Building a protein-secure future for the world’s growing population
• Kentucky Traditions – Leveraging Kentucky’s equine, food and beverage expertise.

Learn more at bluegrassagtech.org.

Bob Helton is executive director of Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp.