Livestock

Results from the company's R&D have garnered substantial attention from investors for the advancement of the inaugural methane-reducing vaccine. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Last month, leading ag-biotech start-up ArkeaBio announced the close of a US$26.5mn Series A financing round aimed at advancing their methane reducing vaccine R&D

ArkeaBio's vaccine will provide an innovative, cost-effective and scalable solution to reduce the world’s livestock methane emissions, which currently generate the equivalent of 3 bn tonnes of CO2 annually and represent 6% of annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Results from the company's R&D have garnered substantial attention from investors for the advancement of the inaugural methane-reducing vaccine.

The funds raised in this Series A financing will play a pivotal role in expanding the research, development and deployment of the vaccine, including large-scale field trials and engagement along the supply chain. The company aims to bring this transformative solution to the market through collaborative efforts with industry partners, regulatory authorities, and environmental organisations. 

“We are thankful for the financial support, confidence, and trust of our investors. This funding will accelerate the development of our vaccine-based solution to meet a pressing global problem,” said ArkeaBio CEO, Colin South. “To echo the sentiments of The Grantham Foundation: ‘climate change is the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced. It is the race of our lives.’ This capital raise allows us to continue to create the tools necessary for farmers to achieve globally relevant reductions in livestock methane emissions.”

For more information, visit: www.arkeabio.com 

Aviagen commemorates long standing relationship with Arbor Acres South Africa with new contract agreement. (Image source: Aviagen)

In April, Aviagen renewed the Grandparent (GP) contract with their Arbor Acres Parent Stock (PS) distributor, Arbor Acres South Africa

Arbor Acres South Africa has been the exclusive Arbor Acres distributor in South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho since 2006, and recognises the importance in providing the local poultry industry with the best performing flocks, in order to ensure food security within the local markets. Arbor Acres South Africa has always been committed to growing the brand and ensuring its success within the local markets. The breed is popular amongst local producers for its leading growth rate, excellent FCR, and impressive meat yield. They are also seeing continuous improvements with the Arbor Acres breeder and
are achieving impressive results year-on-year.

Throughout the years, Arbor Acres South Africa has implemented their highly effective roadshow, where they travel around the country alongside Aviagen specialists, delivering key updates to their customers. These updates encompass advancements in R&D, optimal practices for both Parent Stock (PS) and broiler
flocks, as well as offering support from nutritionists, veterinarians and hatcheries.

“We are extremely excited to renew our supply agreement with Aviagen and continue the distribution of the Arbor Acres breed into the South African market. We have seen continuous improvements in both PS and broiler performance throughout the years, and we are happy to be able to continue supplying the superior genetics of the Arbor Acres breed to our current and future customers. We have had success and growth in our respective markets due to our customers receiving the highest quality chicks, with support from an experienced customer service team assisting our customers in achieving the best possible results from their flocks,” commented Raymond Laing, Arbor Acres South Africa.

Robert Roszkopf, business manager, Sub-Saharan Africa added, “Arbor Acres South Africa are doing a great job in supplying high quality flocks and therefore contributing to food security within the local market. They are dedicated to their customers and this is shown through the excellent results they have achieved. The best performing PS flock achieved 162 chicks at 60 weeks, and the best performing broiler flock achieved an EPEF of 434, which means both qualified for entry into our exclusive Arbor Acres Achievers Clubs. Aviagen is committed to further improving our genetics, and so we anticipate that the flock results will further improve in the future. I would like to thank the Arbor Acres South Africa team for their continuous commitment to the Arbor Acres brand.”

This initiative represents an important milestone in efforts to support local livestock farmers and promote youth employability in the agricultural sector. (Image source: ECOWAS))

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) recently inaugurated a new drilling project, aimed at improving employment opportunities for youth through improved dairy and fodder production 

Promising to transform the lives of members of the Luumo Kosam Dairy Cooperative in Chukun, Nigeria, the project which was initiated by the Value Chain Foundation with financial support from ECOWAS and the Swiss Cooperation (DDC), is part of the Regional Programme for Support to Farmer Organisations (PRAOP). 

The objective of the project is to improve the dairy and fooder production by enhancing local milk production through the establishment of family dairy farms and the management of cows and calves, increasing the availability and accessibility of feed and forage, and facilitating knowledge sharing among dairy farmers and stakeholders. This in turn improves employment opportunities for youth. 

At the end of its implementation, the project is expected to create 22 direct jobs, produce 400 tons of fodder, train 600 youths from 100 households and 10 young individuals, connect 100 households to inputs and services such as feed, forage, medications, veterinary services, and artificial insemination, and link 100 households to governments, development partners, milk supply, with an additional production of 300 liters of raw milk per day and an increase in beneficiaries’ income by about 200%.

The handover of the drilling to the Luumo Kosam Dairy Cooperative and its members, who are primarily composed of livestock farmers, marks a significant step in promoting youth employability and improving the living conditions of cooperative members. The Chukun region, like many other rural areas in Nigeria, faces challenges in accessing clean water, which often hinders agricultural activities and limits development opportunities. 

Therefore, by providing a reliable and essential water source for cooperative members and livestock watering, the project will help improve their main source of livelihood, thus demonstrating ECOWAS’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive development in West Africa.

Dr Eckel's latest generation of the product, Anta Phyt NXT contains a higher quantity of active ingredients and has a broader spectrum of action. (Image source: Dr Eckel)

Dr Eckel has recently introduced the new generation of its phytogentic feed additive, Anta Phyt 

As modern animal production continues to face multiple challenges, it is important to ensure that animal health, sustainable production methods and ecconomic profitability go hand in hand, while also minimising the use of medication without compromising health, growth, performance and product quality.

Prepared with uniquely effective hops as the main substance, Anta Phyt is an antibiotic-free plant-based solution that naturally supports intestinal health, strengthens the immune system and promotes animal performance by  combatting gram-positive bacteria such as clostridia and Strep. suis. 

Dr Eckel's latest generation of the product, Anta Phyt NXT contains a higher quantity of active ingredients and has a broader spectrum of action, thereby offering even more benefits for animal health and performance at the same dosage. 

Some of the notable benefits of Anta Phyt NXT include:

• Effectiveness against gram-positive bacteria
• Supporting intestinal health and immune system
• Promoting growth and performance
• Improving feed conversion
• Reducing medication costs
• Promoting sustainable and healthy production

For more information, visit: https://www.dr-eckel.de/en/dr-eckel-animal-nutrition/