NEWS ▶▶▶
Not all seaweed is suitable as a methane inhibitor
Seaweed can be an effective means of limiting methane emissions in cows, but some meth- ane-inhibiting substances are also poisonous. This is shown by research by Wageningen Uni- versity & Research (WUR). This research has been published in more detail in the magazine Foods. There are particular concerns about the substance bromoform, which can end up in the urine and also the milk via the cow’s digestive system. However, there are also seaweed spe- cies that do reduce methane, but that contain less or no bromoform, says researcher Wouter Muizelaar. Initial research focused strongly on the seaweed Asparagopsis taxiformis, because this species contains high concentrations of bromoform and was known to counteract the formation of methane in the rumen. Less atten- tion was paid to something else, namely that the seaweed A. taxiformis is also associated with rumen wall damage in sheep. That can lead to questions. For example, does bromo- form end up in milk, urine, manure or animal tissue? It soon became clear that the substance
VIV Asia postponed
Some methane-inhibiting substances of seaweeds are poisonous.
can end up in milk and urine. Muizelaar: “Bro- moform in pure form is harmful to health. It’s not without reason that maximums have been set for bromoform in drinking water. The fact that the substance can now also be found in the milk is extra worrying. Food safety must of course always be beyond any form of doubt. “However, seaweed in itself does not need to be rejected. There are also seaweed species that contain less or no bromoform, but may also reduce methane. Muizelaar: “That’s why I still see seaweeds as a promising option that we should continue to explore.”
UK: New million tonne super compound feed mill
Leading British compound feed manufacturer ABN – part of AB Agri – is to build a state-of- the-art pig and poultry feed mill in the East of England. The one-million-tonne UK animal feed mill is the largest investment seen in the sector in the UK and the investment is de- signed to provide a sustainable solution for an industry currently close to capacity. ABN be- lieves that, with the UK population set to reach 77 million by 2050, pig and poultry production will need to expand to meet the increased de- mand for protein products. Simon Heath, man- aging director of AB Agri’s compound feed di- vision, said: “UK agriculture faces exciting opportunitie to meet the demand for food from a growing population, not just domesti- cally, but globally, too. This demand will drive the need for more protein products, from more productive animals and consequently drive even greater demand for animal feed.
Capacity “With an industry operating at near capacity,
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we are exploring all options to improve and expand our manufacturing capabilities to meet this demand, support our customers long-term ambitions for growth, and strength- en our own business,” he adds. ABN currently operate 11 mills in the UK and the proposed new mill will have the capacity to produce one million tonnes of pig and poultry feed per year. Mr Heath was unable to give details of timings of when the new mill would open. However, he said the firm was looking at a variety of sites in the east of England. Heath said he was confident the mill would be the UK’s biggest and most efficient compound animal feed mill that will deliver improved animal feed quality, reliability, and greater traceability. Jose Nobre, AB Agri’s CEO, added: “This project is transfor- mational and will drive an exciting new future for ABN and the UK’s food and farming busi- nesses. The investment underlines our com- mitment to investing in the future of agricul- ture and playing an important role in building our industry’s global reputation.”
▶ ALL ABOUT FEED | Volume 37, No. 3, 2021
Two international events, VIV Asia and Meat Pro Asia, have been moved to January 2022. Under one roof, Meat Pro Asia will be co-lo- cated with VIV Asia at the Challenger Halls – IMPACT, Bangkok, Thailand, based on the announcement by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports on a new four-phase plan that expects to see the country fully opened to internation- al visitors by January 2022. “Our new dates and plan are aligned with the announcement from the Thai Government that it will fully reopen by January 2022,” said Heiko M. Stutzinger, director VIV worldwide and managing director VNU Asia Pacific and VNU Europe.
Digital event Prior to the in-person trade shows in January next year, VIV Asia and Meat Pro Asia will organise a digital event in September 2021. Exhibiting companies will be invited to join buyers and visitors online during this year. Net- working and knowledge sharing sessions will also be facilitated through the platform. More details on the digital dates will follow.
Barentz acquires the Noack Group
Barentz International has expanded its activi- ties in the Central & East European region. The company announced the acquisition of a ma- jority stake in the Noack Group, a specialised distributor of ingredients for the animal nutri- tion and feed industry. In addition, Noack serves the food and veterinary industry with a wide range of agrofood and veterinary diag- nostic test systems. The Noack group is head- quartered in Vienna and has a strong presence in Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slo- vakia and Slovenia. In adjacent countries, such as Northern Macedonia, Bosnia & Hercegovina, and Moldavia Noack cooperates with local partners. The group had an annual turnover of € 60 million in 2020. Hidde van der Wal, CEO of Barentz adds: “Noack assists us with our expan- sion into Central Europe and opens up many new territories. This takeover will create strong potential growth for Noack’s customers and suppliers.”
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
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