Dairy Diary: October business update
What’s NEW in the dairy farming world? We report on various dairy health and feed solutions being unveiled at the upcoming EuroTier event in Germany, the launch of an innovative digital ecosystem, as well as an update on several partnerships and acquisitions in the dairy sector. Read an update on these developments and more on the latest dairy sector news…
Wheatwatcher project launched to revolutionise soil health monitoring and sustainable agriculture
The Wheatwatcher project, a European initiative funded by the EU Horizon Europe programme and aimed at advancing soil health monitoring, plant health assessment, and food traceability, kicked off with a 2-day meeting hosted by the coordinating partner, Ghent University. Representatives from each partner organisation, including experts from 9 countries, participated in discussions to set the foundation for the project’s work. The project, which is designed to tackle pressing challenges in agriculture, soil degradation and environmental sustainability, will implement innovative soil monitoring technologies to provide real-time data, enabling farmers to make informed decisions. It will deploy and validate predictive models that integrate local soil conditions and wheat farming requirements, foster collaboration with stakeholders, including farmers, policymakers, and research institutions, to support the implementation of sustainable practices. John Deere and DeLaval launch Milk Sustainability Center
Developed and powered by Dairy Data Warehouse, the Milk Sustainability Center from John Deere and DeLaval is an innovative digital ecosystem that integrates agronomic and animal performance into a unified platform. Dairy farmers can use the Milk Sustainability Center to monitor nutrient use efficiency and carbon dioxide equivalent across their farm, herd and fields. It collects animal and agronomic data, providing insights to help farmers manage nutrient utilisation effectively and reduce the need for manual data input. The Milk Sustainability Center is currently available at no cost to an initial group of dairy farmers in the US, the Netherlands and Germany, with plans to expand to other countries.Ambient Carbon partners with Benton dairy group for methane removal
Ambient Carbon, a Denmark-based company focusing on methane mitigation technology, has partnered with Benton Group Dairies to field-test a prototype of Ambient Carbon’s Methane Eradication Photochemical System (MEPS), a non-invasive technology to remove methane from dairy barn exhaust. As part of the project, Ambient Carbon also has a MoU with Danone North America, which sources milk from Benton. This month, Ambient Carbon will install methane monitors at Benton’s dairy farm in Ambia, Indiana, in preparation for installing and testing a MEPS field prototype in early 2025.
Lesaffre acquires majority stake in Biorigin
Lesaffre has acquired a 70% stake in Biorigin, a business unit of Zilor, a multinational company producing yeast derivative products, to enhance the supply of yeast derivatives for savory ingredients. The cooperation will improve production processes, logistics and services to the benefit of a global customer base. The deal includes Biorigin’s production unit in Quatá/São Paulo.
New Novus solution impacts dairy feed costs
Novus’ latest intelligent nutrition product aims to support greater returns on feed investments while providing a safeguard for feed inventories. The Next Enhance CGO Feed Solution helps dairy farmers get more out of forage by optimising dry matter intake per kg of milk produced while maintaining milk production and body weight/condition. Studies with dairy cows fed Next Enhance feed solution in commercial conditions show decreases in dry matter intake by 0.95 kg (2.08 lbs) per cow per day.
Cargill to unveil new micronutrition and health solutions brand portfolio
Cargill Animal Nutrition will showcase a range of micronutrition solutions and services under its new Micronutrition and Health Solutions brand portfolio in Hall 19/20, B52 at EuroTier, taking place from 12-15 November in Hanover, Germany. Cargill will also present species-specific solutions as part of its feed business. For ruminants, Cargill will showcase Aminoreach Ruminants, a new nutritional solution that enhances protein use efficiency.
dsm-firmenich and Charoen Pokphand Foods Philippines partner
dsm-firmenich has partnered with Charoen Pokphand Foods Philippines Corporation. The organisations have signed a MoU to implement dsm-firmenich’s Sustell, a life cycle assessment platform for animal protein to measure and improve the environmental footprint of animal proteins.
Alltech releases latest sustainability report
Alltech has released its annual Sustainability Report, which demonstrates the actions the company is taking to align its business with its purpose of ‘Working Together for a Planet of Plenty’, reducing its environmental impact and advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The company’s 2023 highlights include a reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 19.8%, the completion of 19 energy efficiency projects, the completion of 74 core product life-cycle analyses across its top 7 specialty ingredients and 17 production facilities, as well as being awarded 3 EcoVadis sustainability medals in 2023, and accredited by the Pet Sustainability Coalition for the third year in a row.Munters acquires Hotraco and strengthens its position in Europe
Munters has signed an agreement to acquire Hotraco (NL), a developer of control systems and sensors for the agricultural sector, strengthening Munters FoodTech portfolio. It marks another step in the strategy to create a digital ecosystem built around data capture platforms and software that supports a more efficient and sustainable food production.
Berg+Schmidt Animal Nutrition to showcase functional feed ingredients at EuroTier
At the EuroTier 2024 (Hall 19/20, A50), taking place in Hannover, Germany, from 12-15 November, Berg+Schmidt Animal Nutrition will unveil various feed solutions for dairy cows. Included in the solutions are BergaFat NGF, a rumen-protected fat, the new LipoAktiv Lys 40, which uses readily bioavailable L-lysine as an encapsulated nutrient, and LipoVital WS, which is made up of water-soluble short-chain and medium-chain fatty acid monoglycerides.
MSD Animal Health calls for greater integration of precision livestock technologies
MSD Animal Health UK has called on the UK government and food supply chain industry to support and promote the use of new technologies to enhance animal health and welfare, to improve production efficiencies, and to safeguard the sustainability and economic viability of livestock farming businesses in the UK. As part of a campaign, the company has published a 23-page technical white paper, ‘Time for Tech: The Time is Now’ to illustrate how these technologies can benefit farmers, the supply chain and end consumers.
Gilles Froment elected as new IDF president
The International Dairy Federation has announced Gilles Froment as its new president. Froment, who has been serving as both an IDF board member and treasurer, brings over 2 decades of dedicated service to the federation. His current role as senior vice president of government and industry relations at Lactalis Canada further underscores his extensive experience in both public and private sectors.
Galebreaker bolsters team with animal welfare specialist
Chloe Rodriguez has been appointed as animal welfare specialist of livestock housing solutions specialist, Galebreaker. Having initially undertaken a scholarship placement at Galebreaker, Rodriguez rejoins the business after graduating from Harper Adams University with a degree in bioveterinary science.
Nuqo expands team in Asia
Nuqo Animal Nutrition India has appointed Reena Rani as head of marketing, South Asia. In this role, Reena will oversee all marketing functions and will lead strategies and key initiatives of Nuqo in the region and will be driving growth and engagement across key markets. Reena, who holds a master’s degree in industrial chemistry and an advanced Diploma in Digital Marketing and Analytics, brings over 12 years of extensive experience in marketing.
