Check out stories on DSM, COFCO, Cargill and more.
Our number one story from last month, in terms of readership figures, was an interview with DSM about how the company was launching a strategic animal farming initiative.
DSM animal nutrition lead, Christie Chavis, told us the company was building on its work to date on feed enzymes, on algae derived omega-3 and on methane emissions reduction to lead what it terms a robust and achievable transformation worldwide in sustainable animal protein production.
Called We Make it Possible, the initiative is driven by six sustainability platforms that will address the major challenges facing the animal farming industry, she said.
Our published analysis of where feed additive prices were landing late August, based on an interview with Swiss platform, Kemiex, proved a ratings winner.
As markets were slowly returning from summer holiday season, and as there are no upcoming major trade fairs, and limited business travel, professional feed and food additive buyers and sellers are looking for a new playbook for their negotiations and deal making, said those analysts. "Digital deal making and communication has become a real alternative for many companies, as we see a significant mindset shift from previously very conservative corporates," Stefan Schmidinger, partner, Kemiex, told us.
In terms of key price developments, following a COVID-19 driven reflation rally into April, vitamin E 50% declined slowly and then stabilized in the first half of August. You can read the full story here.
A story on how Denmark could be self-sufficient in protein with 500,000 hectares of grassland wet your appetites.
Investment in new biorefineries and optimization of cultivation practices, along with securing 500,000 hectares of grassland, are some of the steps needed for Denmark to completely replace imported soybean with home-grown grass protein for animal feed, according to a review.
Uffe Jørgensen, head of Aarhus University’s Centre for Circular Bioeconomy (CBIO), told FeedNavigator: “We believe that breeding efforts on protein content and extractability for biorefinery in both grasses and legumes as well as management optimizations can further increase yield potential over the next decade or so. Then we also expect to see increased biorefinery efficiency. Together this will mean that only approximately 500,000 hectares is needed for soy replacement."
A story about how research is showing huge savings in CO2 emissions using regional soy in European pig feed also performed well last month.
The use of Donau Soja-certified feed sees an elimination of around 40% of CO2-emissions caused by pork meat production, found a study carried by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) in Austria. The research was commissioned by Donau Soja, a non-profit, independent and member-based organization located in Vienna that seeks the sustainable production of soy in Europe and the development of regional value chains.
An article about how Kenya and Ethiopia are bolstering drought defenses with feed security systems proved popular last month.
Newly established national animal feed security systems in Kenya and Ethiopia are helping these African nations prepare for droughts and maximize utilization of their feed resources.
A long-term project led by the FAO and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is working towards the implementation of feed security systems across East Africa. While still in its infancy, this approach will help development and humanitarian partners, governments, private sector, agencies and livestock farmers to better plan feed requirements and organize resources, says the FAO.
A piece on a European project aiming to plug holes in feed pelleting process knowledge was one of our Top 10 most read stories in August.
A public-private collaborative project led by Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is looking to understand the fundamentals of feed pelleting to support the use of more fibrous co-products, thus further enhancing the sustainability profile of the sector.
The research initiative, Pelleting in the circular agriculture (PCA), involves experts from animal science, process technology, and physics. Project partners include Zetadec, Agrifirm, DSM, Elanco Animal Health, Phileo by Lesaffre, Pelleting Technology Netherlands, VICTAM Foundation, Feed Design Lab and Aeres Training Centre International.
A story on how COFCO is looking to develop a more traceable and sustainable soy supply chain in Brazil had a lot of clicks.
Chinese agri-commodities giant, COFCO International, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, are partnering to help improve the sustainability of soy farming in Brazil’s Cerrado Biome.
The project will focus on screening soy farms in Cerrado’s vulnerable Matopiba region, the worst hit area in terms of deforestation related to soy, according to US environmental campaigners, Mighty Earth.
A piece about Cargill announcing its involvement in a new grasslands restoration project launched with Burger King, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and ranchers within the Northern Great Plains, did well, traffic wise.
Cargill’s sustainability credentials have come in for some torrid scrutiny of late, mainly pertaining to the agri-giant’s presence as a soy trader in Brazil.
Turning the spotlight away from Cargill’s activities in Brazil and onto its efforts to improve the sustainability of beef production, this piece was about the company's latest project that will see 8,000 acres of marginal cropland in Northern Great Plains converted to grassland for beef cattle.
A piece about how eubiotics are helping to ‘maintain normal’ in livestock production proved popular last month. The use of eubiotics is on the rise in the feed industry, with growing interest in “maintaining normal” in livestock production systems, consumer preference for natural products and scientific advancements driving take-up, according to DBC Ag Products.
“The use of eubiotics has been increasing in multiple livestock and poultry production systems in the US to support digestive health and performance,” David Mathes, director of sales and marketing at DBC Ag Products, told FeedNavigator.
“Part of this has been driven by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) initiative to reduce antimicrobial resistance with several programs, including the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) in 2015.
“But likely more important is the consumer market showing a preference for meat produced without chemicals, including antibiotics,” he said.
Readers found a story on how a meat analyst is concerned for poultry, beef, and pork markets in Europe into 2021 gripping.
industry should be prepared for a ‘massive global financial crash’, says Gira meat director, Rupert Claxton, who does not expect poultry, beef, and pork markets to be back at pre-COVID levels by next year.