Study confirms SFIs reduce environmental impact of livestock production

The Specialty Feed Ingredients Sustainability (SFIS) Project Consortium, dedicated to reducing the environmental impact of livestock production through innovative specialty feed ingredients, has announced the results of a yearlong study that confirms the role of Specialty Feed Ingredients (SFIs) in reducing the environmental impact of livestock production.
Launched by the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF) and the E.U. Association of Specialty Feed Ingredients and their Mixtures (FEFANA) in 2013, the overall results of the study show that the use of SFIs in animal diets reduces the consumption of basic feed ingredients. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that the use of SFIs results in clear reductions of the global warming potential, as well as the eutrophication and acidification potential during livestock production.
The rigorous SFIs analysis employed life-cycle assessment (LCA) to examine the use of low-protein diets (nitrogen) and phytase (P) in pigs and poultry. The results of the study were validated by an independent scientific council made up of global experts in the fields of LCA methodology and animal nutrition. In addition to the positive results, the study also points toward future developments, such as improved feed conversion driven by advancing technologies in animal feeding through using SFIs.
"We are delighted that the results of the analysis establish such a clear role for the use of specialty feed ingredients in reducing the environmental impact of livestock production," said Dr. Michael Binder, chair of the SFIS technical board. "By setting up a standard approach to measure this role and delivering a manual of nutritional practice, this project will enable specialty feed ingredients to be included in the evaluation of mitigation measures to reduce the environmental impact of animal production on a global basis."
"The SFIS project partners are committed to sharing the positive results of their work with international organizations and other feed chain operators," said Mr. Philippe Becquet, chair of the SFIS management board. "The project is a prominent example of how the feed industry is working together to improve the sustainability of the whole feed and food chain."
The final findings of the SFIS study will be published in Q2 2014.

WATT launches AnimalAgNet group on LinkedIn

Stay up-to-date on the latest poultry, pig and animal nutrition research and trends by joining WATT’s AnimalAgNet group on LinkedIn.
This group is an extension of the WATTAgNet.com website and is designed to be a forum for research, discussion and exchanging ideas on the global animal agribusiness market.
Have a production issue or nutrition question? WATTAgNet’s agriculture editors and experts are here to help you enhance your bottom line and raise healthy, ethically treated livestock. Multiple points of view are welcome and we encourage active participation on the trends and news shaping the animal agribusiness markets.
To keep the conversations going and to stay abreast of the latest news and research, we invite you to also join us on:
AnimalAgNet/WATTAgNet on Facebook
@WATTPoultry on Twitter

Illinois Livestock Symposium helps livestock producers focus on critical issues

The Illinois Soybean Association recently hosted the Illinois Livestock Symposium in Springfield, Ill., to generate dialogue about important issues the state's livestock producers face every day within their operation.
"It is important that we work together to support the livestock industry in Illinois. This event provided a great opportunity to collaborate and share information with each other," says Matt Henry, business development manager for The Maschhoffs, Carlyle, Ill.
The half-day, free event provided practical information on critical livestock industry topics, including responding to crises, employment best practices, meeting regulations and managing on-farm challenges. Featured speakers included Joe Miller from Rose Acres Farms, Brad Beaver from the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and Jake Nims from Frank & West Environmental Engineers.
During a panel discussion, participants talked about how to work through local pushback on livestock farms and the importance of gaining support from local government. Illinois Ag Director Robert Flider provided an update on happenings at the Illinois Department of Agriculture and discussed the importance of animal agriculture in Illinois. The symposium wrapped up with breakout sessions focused on business planning and risk management, keeping animals healthy and neighbors happy, and maximizing feed while minimizing costs.

International Feed Industry Federation, FEFANA partner on specialty feed ingredients

The International Feed Industry Federation and the EU Association of Specialty Feed Ingredients and their Mixtures, FEFANA, have launched the Specialty Feed Ingredients Sustainability project, designed to measure and establish the role of specialty feed ingredients on the environmental impact of livestock production.
The project brings together a consortium of international companies and associations dedicated to reducing the environmental impact of livestock through innovative specialty feed ingredients. It aims to contribute to global activities in the area of the environmental effect of livestock production. The results of the projects will be shared with international stakeholders and with feed chain operators in order to encourage more sustainable livestock production globally.
“The overall objective of this project is to establish the positive role of the use of specialty feed ingredients on the environmental impact of livestock production” said Dider Jans, secretary general of FEFANA. “By setting up a standard approach to measure this role and delivering a manual of nutritional practice, the project will enable specialty feed ingredients to be included in the evaluation of the mitigation measures to reduce the environmental impact of animal production on a global basis."

USDA implements 2008 Farm Bill provisions affecting poultry producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has published the Final Rule implementing the 2008 Farm Bill provisions aiming to better protect poultry growers and livestock producers under the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, according to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
The provisions being finalized were required by the 2008 Farm Bill and have been modified from the June 22, 2010 proposed rule. These sections include criteria the Secretary may consider when determining whether a live poultry dealer has provided reasonable notice to poultry growers of any suspension of the delivery of birds; when determining whether a requirement of additional capital investments over the life of a poultry growing arrangement or swine production contract constitutes a violation of the Packers and Stockyards Act; and when determining if a packer, swine contractor or live poultry dealer has provided a reasonable period of time for a grower to remedy a breach of contract that could lead to termination of a production contract.
The rule also includes a section requiring contracts that require the use of arbitration to include language on the signature page that allows the producer or grower to decline arbitration and provides criteria the Secretary may consider when determining if the arbitration process provided in a contract provides a meaningful opportunity for growers and producers to participate fully in the arbitration process.

French program protects poultry, livestock producers from high animal feed prices

A voluntary agreement, brokered by France’s minister of agriculture, will offer protection against market volatility by committing livestock producers to re-opening negotiations on animal feed payments each time feed prices rise, in three successive months, to more than 10% above the level of the same month in the previous year.
According to officials, the agreement should ensure that French livestock producers receive more for their poultry and other animals. It has been signed by representatives of 10 farmers’ groups, associations representing French processors and retailers and two independent national store chains.
In France, price negotiations between retailers and their suppliers generally occur only once a year, during February and March. The most recent round of negotiations was especially tough for the livestock sector. While the suppliers of some food products succeeded in winning price gains of up to 20%, especially if they use commodities such as coffee or cocoa, meat producers were much less successful. On the poultry side, for example, the annual increase obtained was no more than 3.5%.

The application of the new voluntary agreement is due to start in July, coinciding with the next contracts between grain producers, feed manufacturers and farmers. Its terms also require the signatories to take part in a revision of negotiating procedures, which will begin with poultry meat, beef and sheep meat as their food chains are thought to be simpler than the pork chain.

China feed market to grow as livestock demand increases

As livestock production in China increases, import/export group and food manufacturer Cofco predicts the country may double its industrial animal feed level by 2020, according to a Bloomberg report.
In 2009, animal feed output -- mostly from corn, soybeans and other oilseeds -- was at 148 million tons, according to Liu Xiaoyu, general manager of Cofco’s feed division. In just 10 years, that figure could increase to more than 250 million metric tons.
This growth has been spurred, in part, by livestock reform in the country, leading to more large-scale operations, and government assistance.
Liu said from 1980 to 2009, China's feed production grew at about 16% per year, with annual growth closer to 8% per year from 2000 to 2009.
Cofco is state owned and is China’s largest grain trader.

DDG futures now available for trading

Distillers’ Dried Grain (DDG) futures are available for trading on CME Globex, the CME Group electronic trading platform. DDG futures may bring much-needed price discovery and price transparency to the market. Particularly, they may help customers better manage their price risk in the feed, livestock, dairy, biofuels, grains and oilseed industries.

FAO releases ‘State of Food and Agriculture 2009’

The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization has released its 176-page “The State of Food and Agriculture 2009: Livestock in the Balance.”
A key message contained in the review is that growing populations and urbanization are driving expansion of the livestock sector. The FAO recognizes the growing disparity in efficiency between developed and developing nations with respect to crop yields and livestock production.

USDA ends National Animal Identification System

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will end the National Animal Identification System, the voluntary program intended to help the government respond to disease outbreaks in livestock, The New York Times reported.
Agriculture officials told the newspaper they would work with the livestock industry to develop a new program tracking only those animals that are transported between across state borders. They added that states may implement their own animal identification programs.
The national system has been in place since 2004, but just 40% of livestock producers participated in it. Detractors cited high equipment costs for tracing livestock, burdensome amounts of reporting, and fears that the government could use the information inappropriately to monitor business practices or income.

National Institute for Animal Agriculture promotes One Health concept

Opening general session speakers at the 2010 annual meeting of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture, March 15–17, will zero in on the One Health concept, a worldwide strategy for expanding interdisciplinary collaborations to decrease the threat of zoonotic diseases, food- and waterborne illnesses, and environmental change to human and animal health.
The speakers “will look at how the One Health initiative and strategies shift the focus from surveillance to intervention and prevention, and how challenges need to be faced collectively rather than in individual silos and disciplines,” said Dr. Tony Forshey, co-chair of annual meeting’s planning committee.
Opening general session will be held on March 15. Topics and speakers include:

*“One World, One Health: The Global Food Basket"—Dr. Corrie Brown, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine
*“The Genesis of One Health: What It’s All About"—Dr. Roger Mahr, chief executive, One Health Commission
*“Past, Present and Future: Veterinary Service's Roles in One Health"—Dr. Joseph Annelli, One Health coordinator, USDA/APHIS/Veterinary Services
*“Environmental Health: How Does One Health Fit In?"—Jay Ellenberger, deputy director, Environmental Protection Agency
*“How Will One Health Impact Livestock Producers?"—Dr. Harry Snelson, American Association of Swine Veterinarians
*“One Health in the Real World"—Dr. Billy Clay, American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Public Health and Regulatory Veterinary Medicine, Vetta Consulting LLC

Species-specific discussions surrounding One Health will take place during species-based committee meetings on March 16 and March 17. Species-based committees include cattle, swine, poultry, equine, and sheep and goat. Issue-based committee meetings will address animal care, animal health emergency management, animal health and international trade, animal production food safety and security, emerging diseases, and animal identification and information systems.
The annual meeting will take place at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo. A full schedule and registration information are available at the National Institute for Animal Agriculture Web site.

Vietnam aims to prevent animal disease outbreaks

Reports say the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has directed Vietnamese provinces to take measures to prevent animal epidemics such as H5N1 avian flu, foot-and-mouth and blue-ear pig disease.
Steps to be taken include vaccinating 80% of livestock, setting up animal quarantine stations and suspending livestock transportation out of outbreak areas.
Since the beginning of 2009, only 30% of poultry have been vaccinated.

How Europe’s lag on biotech approvals affects industry

Recent delays on soya imports put EU at comparative disadvantage with competitors. Read the full article.

Wider plant-to-plant nutritional profile of DDGS likely

But look for more consistency of byproducts to be produced by individual ethanol plants, experts say. Read the full article.