Dairy Diary: December business update

Monitoring support to improve herd health planning

MSD Animal Health UK Limited has launched a training service to help dairy farmers and their vets make better use of their SenseHub Dairy herd monitoring systems and to improve herd health and reproduction planning. The new MSD Animal Health Insights service will provide bespoke training delivered by an MSD Animal Health veterinary advisor based on the individual needs of dairy herds and their managers.

Alltech 2023 European Harvest Analysis reveals high levels of mycotoxins

Through its 2023 European Harvest Analysis, Alltech collected and assessed over 1,100 grain and forage samples from more than 20 countries. The results show an overall higher-risk mycotoxin year in Europe in 2023. Persistent rains close to harvesting 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 6 mycotoxins per sample. In general, the mycotoxin challenge in corn is lower in 2023 than in recent years, but there are pockets of higher risk in central and southern Europe. Furthermore, Penicillium risk continues to dominate in forages.

dsm-firmenich’s Bovaer feed additive approved in the UK

Authorities in the UK have approved the marketing of the methane-reducing feed additive Bovaer for English, Welsh and Scottish dairy farmers. According to the company, Bovaer, which is now available in 57 countries, effectively and immediately reduces methane emissions from cattle, with average reductions in dairy cows of 30%. This is the first authorization by the UK for a feed additive targeted at an environmental benefit.

Fromagerie Milleret launches premium cheeses in Amcor’s recyclable paper packaging

Packaging solutions provider Amcor has collaborated with the French family-owned cheese producer, Fromagerie Milleret, to launch a new recycle-ready paper packaging for the company’s Le Baron Brie and l’Ortolan Bio premium cheeses. Utilising Amcor’s AmFiber Matrix recycle-ready breathable wrap, Fromagerie Milleret’s new paper packaging solution is recyclable in existing paper streams, without compromising the quality or integrity of the product itself. The packaging allows soft cheese producers to control the level of moisture within the product and the ripening process.

Book explores science behind UAE’s traditional agricultural practices

A new book titled ‘Agricultural Practices in the UAE: Heritage and Science’ was unveiled by the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) at the UAE Pavilion on COP28’s Food, Agriculture and Water Day. In recognition of the UAE’s efforts to foster sustainable agricultural development, food security and climate action at the national and international levels, the book aims to showcase local farming traditions and explore the science behind their wisdom.

Official judges for World Dairy Expo 2024 announced

The 8 individuals who will serve as official judges during the 57th World Dairy Expo 2024 have been confirmed. Nominated and selected by Expo’s 2023 Dairy Cattle Show Exhibitors, these individuals will evaluate North America’s dairy cattle on the colored shavings from 29 September to 4 October. The judges are Brandon Ferry (International Ayrshire Show), Phillip Topp (International Brown Swiss Show), Lynn Harbaugh (International Guernsey Show), Jamie Black (International Holstein Show), Mandi Bue (International Junior Holstein Show), Ryan Krohlow (International Jersey Show), Chris Lahmers (International Milking Shorthorn Show), and Kevin Doeberiener (International Red & White Show).

Nominations open for the 2024 World Dairy Expo Recognition Awards

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2024 World Dairy Expo Recognition Awards through 1 February 2024. The expo is again honoring dairy industry leaders in 3 categories: Dairy Producer of the Year, Industry Person of the Year, and International Person of the Year. The nomination form is available at worlddairyexpo.com or by contacting the Expo office on wde@wdexpo.com.

Sustell receives ‘Golden Key Champion’ Award

dsm-firmenich’s Sustell has been honoured with 2 awards at the ‘Golden Key’ ceremony hosted by the China Sustainability Tribune. Sustell emerged as the overall winner from 259 entries from over 100 companies, receiving both the ‘Golden Key – Champion’ and ‘Golden Key – Outstanding’ awards in the Tech4SDG category. The accolades recognise entities making remarkable contributions towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Holstein UK announces Lifetime Achievement Award winners

Holstein UK’s Lifetime Achievement Award recognises individuals who have dedicated at least 20 years of service to the Holstein and/or British Friesian breeds. For the first time since 2010, the Board of Trustees chose multiple winners, namely Mary Mead of the Lakemead Prefix, Aubrey Greenhalgh of the Gorsfarm and Enchanted prefixes, and Dennis Smith of the Oakroyal prefix.

Givaudan and Thimus advance understanding of consumer preferences through neuroscience

Givaudan has announced an agreement with neuroscience company Thimus, the developer of the TBox platform that helps understand how humans experience food. Givaudan’s collaboration with Thimus is the first extensive use of the TBox platform in the world of food, resulting in Givaudan’s new programme, Food Emotions powered by Thimus. The TBox provides participants with a headset to wear during taste tests, which records brain signals that are processed to measure 4 key mental states including frontal asymmetry, engagement, cognitive workload and relaxation. The technology will gradually be rolled out within Givaudan and will be available for selective customer use in some regions.

Arm & Hammer welcomes new global director of marketing communications & digital strategy

Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production has welcomed Marlena Hidlay to its #ScienceHearted team. She will serve as the global director of marketing communications & digital strategy for the Specialty Product Division of Arm & Hammer’s parent company Church & Dwight. Hidlay brings more than 15 years of business-to-business marketing experience and has a background in strategic marketing, business development and communications. She was previously at Balchem where she led the global business strategy and promotion of key minerals and nutrients brands and has also spent more than 12 years at DSM Nutritional Products.

Lallemand announces new president and GM

It has been announced that Dr Mathieu Castex will succeed Yannig Le Treut, DVM, as president and general manager of Lallemand Animal Nutrition as of 1 February 2024. Castex comes to the position after serving as the company’s director of research & development since 2014.

Dr Edwin Westreicher becomes Novus dairy technical services manager

Dr Edwin Westreicher is lending his expertise to dairy farmers and nutritionists as Novus’ dairy technical services manager for Europe. Westreicher, who grew up on a cattle farm, will work with compound and mineral feed manufacturers, nutritionists, and dairy farmers to determine the best management practices and nutritional solutions to support their herd productivity and meet operational and financial goals. He also works as a link between the company’s R&D group and global strategic marketing team and provides vital training for the commercial teams.

Novus veterinarian supporting dairy customers in Europe

As part of the company’s efforts to expand support to dairy customers in Europe, Frederik (Freek) van Essen joins Novus as regional sales manager dairy. With over 15 years of experience and expertise in feed additives, nutrition and veterinary medicine, Van Essen is accountable for implementing the sales strategy in the region as well as establishing business relationships with key Novus customers by supporting the financial and environmental sustainability of their operations.

Eduardo Lopes Alberto VP Innovation and Research for Trouw Nutrition

Nutreco has announced that Eduardo Lopes Alberto, as of January 2024, has been appointed VP Innovation and Research for Trouw Nutrition. Before joining Nutreco, Alberto, a doctor of veterinary medicine, spent 7 years at dsm-firmenich as VP North America and most recently as their VP global innovation, animal nutrition and health. Prior to joining dsm, Eduardo spent 16 years at Elanco Animal Health.