Livestock

Collaboration of Eurofins Agro Testing and trinamiX. (Image source: trinamiX)

Renowned laboratory, Eurofins Agro Testing Wageningen has announced its collaboration with trinamiX to enable the optimisation of forage analyses without sending samples to a laboratory

The partnership brings together Eurofins Agro Testing’s expertise in state-of-the-art analysis, their global network of laboratories and extensive knowledge of the agri-food industry with trinamiX’s technology to offer on-the-spot analytics in a fraction of the time it takes for a traditional sample to be analysed. 

The collaboration is set to revolutionise the way feed suppliers, nutritionists, and farmers capture feed data to enable more accurate nutrition management. Bringing trinamiX’s technology and Eurofins Agro Testing’s analysis together in this partnership is set to provide high quality analysis with the flexibility to provide data and insight anywhere in the world.

Hans Martin, managing director of Eurofins Agro Testing Wageningen, emphasises that its customers rely on best-in-class laboratory services to run their businesses profitably and sustainably. Combining this analytical data with trinamiX’s technology is the best way for the industry to improve livestock health and productivity.

Further details of the partnership will be will be revealed at EuroTier 2024 taking place from 12-15 November in Hannover.

Analysis of these three cattle trials showed that cattle produced less methane and gained more weight each day, on average, when fed Rumin8’s development stage methane reducing feed additive. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Rumin8 announced interesting results from cattle trials of its investigational methane reducing feed additive involving 92 head of cattle, which recorded reductions of methane intensity of up to 86%, along with weight gains ranging 8.4-12.5% higher than control groups that were fed the same base ration

Studies mostly comprised a combination of feedlot and grazing productions systems. In the first study, 24 animals underwent three treatments for a duration of 12 weeks. Liveweights were measured weekly and animals were group housed, but fed individually. The second study comprised 20 animals that were subjected to four treatments for a duration of 77 days, while the third study comprised 48 animals that were subjected to three treatments in a grazing system for a duration of 130 days.

Analysis of these three cattle trials showed that cattle produced less methane and gained more weight each day, on average, when fed Rumin8’s development stage methane reducing feed additive. These recent results were released at the Breakthrough Energy 2024 Summit in London. In its quest to use a pharmaceutical approach to creating affordable feed and water supplements that reduce methane emissions from livestock and improve productivity, Breakthrough Energy Ventures has been a cornerstone investor in Rumin8. 

“Weight gains are pivotal for the commercial adoption of methane reducing feed and water additives in the cattle industry,” said Rumin8 CEO, David Messina. “At the very least those weight gains have the potential to offset some of the cost of these additives, all while helping the planet. While our number one focus remains on reducing methane production to address the critical climate risk that this gas presents, we are particularly interested in these initial weight gain figures, because productivity improvements are of high interest to farmers.”

With the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the Academy, participants are poised to make significant contributions to the industry. (Image source: Wadi Group)

The four-day event was yet another resounding success, with industry professionals within the Wadi Group in attendance, alongside the Wadi Poultry management team and Aviagen specialists

Throughout the event, participants were immersed in a dynamic learning environment, where they delved into the latest advancements and best practices in poultry farming. The diverse array of topics covered by the international and local speakers spanned from innovative breeding techniques to sustainable feed management, providing attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the industry's current landscape and future prospects.

Attendees were also given hands-on examples and practical demonstrations, which will allow them to apply the theoretical knowledge into real-life scenarios. Every aspect of poultry production was explored, from hatchery management to disease control strategies. All of these key topics will assist participants in enhancing their management skills, and in becoming forward-thinking professionals.

The event allowed participants to exchange knowledge regarding the latest technologies and techniques in modern production methods, and exchange ideas and experiences. With the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the Academy, participants are poised to make significant contributions to the industry, driving innovation, sustainability, and excellence in poultry farming for years to come.

“The Wadi Academy gives us the opportunity to share poultry knowledge and experiences with our internal personnel. All participants benefited from the key topics that were discussed, which covered all aspects of breeder and broiler management," commented the CEO, Poultry Sector, Wadi Group, Puzant Dakessian. We are proud to be the exclusive distributor for the Ross 308 in the Egyptian market, and we are continuously seeing impressive results at both breeder and broiler level. I would like to thank all of the speakers and the Aviagen team, who provided extremely valuable presentations to our customers throughout the Academy, and contributed to making this event a success.” 

Murat Yakar, regional technical manager, TMENA added, “Wadi do a great job in ensuring their internal personnel are well educated and equipped with the knowledge and tools they require to become successful professionals within the field. The Wadi Academy is designed to train internal team members and allow them to collaborate and share their experiences with other, experienced team members. Aviagen has collaborated with Wadi for many years, which has contributed to the success of the Ross breed in the local market. We look forward to collaborating together for future events within the market.”

CityBlue Hotels invests in agtech startup Farm to Feed. (Image source: CityBlue Hotels)

Africa's fastest-growing local hotel chain, CityBlue Hotels has taken an equity position in the B2B platform Farm to Feed, which sources imperfect surplus produce directly from farmers, increasing their income and fighting food loss

With about 50% of crop production likely to be lost in sub-Saharan Africa, market access is seen as a huge problem for farmers with abundant, imperfect-looking produce. Farm to Feed’s tech-enabled platform paired on-the-ground aggregators and transportation using freezer trucks provides a solution to this climate issue, thereby setting a new standard for food sustainability in Kenya. Beyond sourcing imperfect produce, Farm to Feed is collecting data on drivers of food loss, to enhance farming practices and to create a more circular food system.

“I saw firsthand what farmers were not selling even when markets returned after COVID, and it is a huge devastation not only on food security, but on the economy too," said founder and CEO of Farm to Feed, Claire van Enk. "Food loss has a climate change aspect, with rotting food producing methane, a greenhouse gas that is worse than carbon dioxide.”  

During the Africa Hotel Investment Forum 2024 which took place in in Windhoek, Namibia, founder and CEO of CityBlue Hotels, Jameel Verjee stated that their ESG practices both as CityBlue Hotels and its parent, The Diar Group, would be enhanced by working alongside Farm to Feed. "We hope that other businesses will follow our lead and work with Claire and her team in Africa on the pertinent issues of food security, sustainability and climate.”