webcam-b

twitter linkedin acp contact

Livestock

ILRI is helping to shape a sustainable future where livestock systems are both productive and climate resilient. (Image source: ILRI)

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) recently entered a collaboration aimed at reducing methane emissions from livestock

Backed by theBezos Earth Fund and theGlobal Methane Hub, IRLI's partnership with the new US$27.4mn global initiative will identify and scale climate-efficient livestock by providing ample support to research and breeding programmes across North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Oceania. 

ILRI’s leadership in the Global Methane Genetics Initiative, coupled with its contribution to the Low Methane Forage project highlights its central role in delivering integrated, climate-smart livestock solutions for the Global South. These two complementary efforts have enabled ILRI to tackle enteric methane emissions from both the genetic and nutritional fronts—two of the most promising and scalable strategies for mitigating livestock emissions without compromising productivity.  

The genetics initiative enables African production systems to choose cattle breeds that naturally emit lower emissions, while the Low Methane Forage project identifies and deploys anti-methanogenic, high-yielding tropical forages suited for smallholder and pastoral systems. These projects in combination with each other demonstrate ILRI’s commitment to advancing science-based innovations that are practical, inclusive, and tailored to the realities of livestock keepers in Africa and beyond. By aligning research, capacity building, and deployment with national and regional needs, ILRI is helping to shape a sustainable future where livestock systems are both productive and climate resilient.

The initiative is also part of the Global Methane Genetics initiative that works by screening more than 100,000 animals, collecting methan emissions data and integrating findings into public and private breeding programmes. By making methane efficiency a standard part of livestock breeding, the initiative marks a turning point for climate-smart livestock development in Africa.

"By harnessing the power of genetics and data, we are equipping farmers with the tools to breed more productive, resilient, and lower-emission animals. It is a bold step towards aligning Africa’s livestock systems with global climate goals, while enhancing livelihoods and food security," said ILRI’s director general, Appolinaire Djikeng. "ILRI is proud to lead this effort in close partnership with national and international collaborators including Agriculture Research Council, South Africa, the Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), Burkina Faso and Universite d’Abomey-Calavi, Benin.”

In the long run, the approach will keep diets, infrastructure and productivity intact, while at the same time contributing to an overall 30% reduction in methane emissons in cattle over the next two decades. This also includes an annual reduction of 1-2%.

Fortena delivers significant benefits to broiler breeders, enhancing both the feeding process and overall farm management. (Image source: Roxell)

Engineered for improved feeding efficiency, the Fortena chain feeding system from Roxell is an advanced automatic feeding solution designed for hens that lay fertile eggs

It features key innovations that set it apart from conventional chain feeders on the market. With a focus on speed, durability, and ease of use, Fortena delivers significant benefits to broiler breeders, enhancing both the feeding process and overall farm management.

Key features of the Fortena chain feeding system include:

1. Good and rapid feed intake 

The patented chain design with large open links takes up 25% less space and minimises friction between the chain and the feed, preserving feed pellet integrity. This enables faster, more efficient consumption by the hens and reduces feed waste. The chain design also minimises wear. By reducing friction, the system runs quietly, which increases the longevity and reduces the need for maintenance. The rounded feed trough allows hens easier access to the feed, reducing feed loss. Thanks to a rounded edge, there is also less contact with the feed trough, reducing feather loss and improving hen welfare, overall health, and productivity.

2. Ease of use and maximum flexibility

The system offers six adjustable volume settings, allowing farmers to tailor feeding regimes according to specific flock needs. This flexibility ensures even feed distribution, optimises bird growth, and reduces waste and feed costs.

Fortena offers flexibility in management for:
- fixed or variable speed of feed distribution
- feeding circuit on winches or on legs, or a combination
- completely automated feeding process with the iQon feed controller
- direct feed supply with day bins or indirectly via hoppers on the circuit

These options help optimise feeding, reduce labor costs, and ensure hens receive proper nutrition.

3. Extra durable, strong and silent

Fortena’s long feed trough sections reduce friction and minimise coupling points, ensuring a quieter system and reducing wear. Polyamide connectors keep feeders aligned, while extra-strong chain links reduce the risk of breakage, ensuring long-lasting performance even in intensive feeding environments. Moreover, Fortena uses lubrication-free corner wheels with ball bearings, reducing maintenance needs and saving poultry producers time and effort.

Durability, efficiency, and flexibility

The Fortena system is a powerful solution for broiler breeder farmers looking to optimise their feeding systems, combining efficiency, durability, and flexibility to enhance feeding and hen health. Its low maintenance and robust design make it a cost-effective investment for farms of all sizes.

For more details, visit Roxell.com or watch our testimonial video on YouTube

Plukon has worked on minimising false rejections and ensuring the highest levels of metal detection by implementing Mitus from Minebea Intec. (Image source: Minebea Intec)

To address the challenge of metal detection in poultry production, Plukon, a leading player in the poultry supply chain, has implemented the metal detector Mitus from Minebea Intec

Metal detection is a critical aspect of food safety protocols, especially in environments where contamination risks are high. However, traditional metal detectors often struggle to accurately detect metallic foreign objects in poultry products due to their unique electromagnetic properties. This not only causes product wastage, but can also have a major impact on food safety

To combat these challenges, Plukon has worked on minimising false rejections and ensuring the highest levels of metal detection by implementing Mitus from Minebea Intec. Equipped with MiWave technology, Mitus works by significantly improving detection accuracy and reducing false rejects. By detection even the smallest metallic contaminants with unparalleled accuracy, the technology helps in overcoming the limitations of traditional metal detectors.

Moreover, the new design eases frequent cleaning procedures, which are essential and rigorous in this environment. Mitus also ensures compliance with HACCP standards, providing peace of mind to both Plukon and their customers regarding the safety and quality of their poultry products.

"We’ve faced many challenges with false rejects over the past few years, so I’m really pleased to have these new metal detectors on our lanes," said maintenance manager, Jeroen V. "They not only save us time and reduce costs, but also allow my hardworking team to stay focused on what truly matters.”

 

 

 

The model uses the factorial approach to estimate the sow’s ultimate requirements. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

At the request of the animal feed industry, project leader Christiaan Buitink along with a pig researcher, Benthem de Grave developed the SowModel, by collecting input data using available manuals and scientific literature on the nutritional needs of sows in different life stages

The model uses the factorial approach to estimate the sow’s ultimate requirements for net energy, SID lysine, available calcium and digestible phosphorus. A number of factors including litter number and condition, development of the sow, feed composition and intake, litter size, weaning age, birth and weaning weight of the piglets, ambient temperature and straw usage are taken into consideration. 

SowModel also provides users the option to calculate two scenarios side by side. For example, the needs of a first litter and an older sow can be easily compared, with results being displayed both graphically as well as in tabular form. These needs can then be directly compared with the applied feed amount and composition. 

Using the table, users can estimate the extent to which the feed used meets the needs of the sow on each day of gestation or lactation. This enables users to make targeted choices and to adjust the feeding schedule, feed composition, stable climate or management on the sow farm where necessary to improve the zootechnical results, but also animal health and welfare.

The SowModel, which currently works as an Excel calculation tool, and is available in seven different languages, can soon be accessed via the SFR website in the near future. 

BetaTrace has been built by combing betaine and organic trace minerals. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

BetaTrace is a notable source of organic zinc, copper, manganese and iron designed for every animal species

It was introduced in early November last year and is pending a patent. Being a supporter of animal well being and performance, BetaTrace aims to identify and address the issues concerning modern livestock farming. It performs a variety of useful functions which includes boosting gut integrity, improving immunity, reducing oxidative stress and enhancing energy metabolism. Moreover, being water soluble, it finds ideal usage in vitamin-mineral premixes, compound feeds, or feed supplements. 

BetaTrace has been built by combing betaine and organic trace minerals, in turn providing improved absorption compared to conventional inorganic trace mineral sources such as sulfates. While trace minerals serve as essential components or cofactors of numerous enzymes, vitamins, and hormones, betaine on the other hand, provides excellent methyl group donor capability that is particularly needed in protein and lipid metabolism.

“We worked hard to bring this next generation of trace minerals to life,” said Dr Susanne Rothstein, product manager Organic Minerals at Biochem. “We believe the two-in-one BetaTrace will greatly benefit high yielding and young animals, which often have higher metabolic requirements. The perfect match of binding partner and trace mineral in BetaTrace intensively supports performance and health.”

More Articles …