US Corn drops as Ukraine and EU intensify competition

Corn dropped in Chicago as larger crops in the Ukraine and European Union are gearing up for competition in the US export market. Wheat and soybean also declined, corn for December fell as much as 1.9 percent to US$6.435 (€4.613) a bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade. The grain added 9.5 percent this month, recovering some of September’s 23 percent plunge. Prices “could be under pressure due to lack of export demand” for US corn, Lynette Tan, an analyst at Phillip Futures Pte, said from Singapore. Read more ...

Rice supply to the Philippines from Thailand not affected

The floods that are hitting Thailand, and destroying thousands of hectares of crops, Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Linglingay Lacanlale said "the Philippines is relying on other countries like Vietnam to stabilise supplies". Thailand is facing the worst floods in more than 50 years. Its capital, particularly the northern part of Bangkok, is relying on its wall defenses against the rising tides from the Chao Praya River. Read more ...

Philippine feed makers seek to import 100,000 tons of corn

Feed millers in the Philippines are seeking government approval to import 100,000 tons of yellow corn between January and March to support the requirement of the livestock industry after the devastation of the typhoon that destroyed local crops. The Philippines Association of Feed Millers Inc (PAFMI) have said in a letter to the Agricultural Secretary Proceso Alcala, that the two typhoons that hit in late September and October had damaged the quality of corn pushing up local prices. Read more ...

Kiotech's Vitrition rebrands and launches new website

Vitrition, part of Kiotech International, which is the UK’s longest established organic feed company (founded in 1964), has re-branded and is now known as Vitrition organic feeds, along with the new logo they have also launched a new website: www.vitritionorganics.co.uk. Vitrition Claire Holton, said “Our new logo incorporates a performance graph demonstrating our focus on maximising cost-effective and efficient production”. Read more ...

China's corn imports hits a tenth month high

According to data recently released by the General Administration of Customs, China's corn imports hit a 10 month high of 245,000 tons in August. "As the price of corn is declining in the international food market, we could use the imports to ease price hikes in the domestic market. This will also offer some help to the government in containing the surging CPI," said Ma Wenfeng, a senior analyst at Beijing Orient Agribusiness Consultant Ltd. Read more ...

Positive outlook though wheat prices weaken

With conditions improved in Australia the National Australia Bank (NAB) Agribusiness has revised its 2011-12 wheat crop forecast up to 25.05 million tonnes. Increasing world production could see lower prices over the medium term. Tight world corn stocks should provide some support to wheat prices to the Australian growers into 2012. NAB Agribusiness General Manager Khan Horne said "world wheat production will exceed consumption this year by almost ten million tonnes. With a solid crop on the cards in Australia and yields close to being locked in, the market will start focussing its attention on quality". Read more ...

Texas farmers saved from ruin

More than 41,000 distressed Texas farmers have received US$1.65 billion (€1.167 billion) from the national crop insurance program due to the devastation caused by the worst drought in history that caused extremely low yields. "The crop insurance is the linchpin and heartbeat of recovering and muscling through the disasters," said Karis Gutter, the US Department of Agriculture's acting deputy undersecretary. Read more ...

UK feed millers benefit from safety and milling technologies

UK feed millers benefit from the latest feed safety and milling technologies into its feed manufacturing processes. These new technologies have generated significant benefits for County Durham-based farmers’ cooperative Feedco and its customers throughout the North of England and Scotland. Their decision to treat most of the feed produced at its Piercebridge mill with Anitox Termin-8 has provided the customers with reassurance of greater safety, ensuring the feed is pathogen free. Read more ...

Canadian bio-systems buys Oshawa Specialty Products

Calgary based feed additive and enzymes makers Canadian Bio-systems (CBS) has purchased Oshawa Specialty Products, giving the Calgary based company added presence in Ontario. Oshawa Specialty Products is a major supplier of feed supplements, yeast products and feed flavourings. The deal "enhances our capacity and services across the board and brings added presence to support our customer base in Eastern Canada and the north-eastern US," said president Owen Jones of Canadian Bio-Systems (CBS). Read more ...

FIAAP, Victam and GRAPAS well over 50 percent reserved 2012

With the success of the last  FIAAP, Victam and GRAPAS event in Thailand, preparations are well under way for the next one in February 15-17, 2012. The event will be held at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Center (BITEC) in Bangkok, Thailand and has already over 50 percent of the exhibition area has been reserved .The exhibition centre will be connected directly by Skytrain to the heart of this exciting vibrant city. The Skytrain will be fully air-conditioned and will only cost a few Baht for the comfortable journey. There will again be a FIAAP exhibition (feed ingredients, additives & formulation), a Victam exhibition (feed processing & biomass technology) & a GRAPAS exhibition (rice milling & grain processing). Read more ...

United States and China possible rice exports

A US-China phytosanitary protocol on rice, which could lead to exports of the grain between the United States and China is the most populated country. The visit to the United States by three Chinese officials who visited the rice growing states and discussed rice issues with the USDA as part of a pest risk assessment. "A phytosanitary agreement is a possibility," said a spokeswoman for US Rice Federation, whose members are growers, millers and merchants. "I think the trip here is one of the final steps." Read more ...

Colombia: Tariffs protecting rice sector removed over 19 years

The national planning department director Hernando Jose Gomez, indicated that the tariff's applied to the rice sector will be removed slowly over 19 years, despite the US free trade deal. He said "we achieved a time period during which rice will be liberalised and for the first five years of the free trade agreement, the tariff, which is 80 percent, will not be touched. This means that, the tariff will only start to be reduced from year six onward." Read more ...

As the population grows, feeding the extra billions

By 2050 there is expected to be nine billion people on the planet, given the limited resources of the earth agriculture production will need to be doubled or even tripled in the next 40 years, if that's possible. "In the future we need to have to ensure that there is even greater productivity if we are to succeed in satisfying the rapidly growing demands of people for food. Land area is increasingly becoming a limiting factor for the increase in food production." said Harald von Witzke, professor of agricultural sciences at the Humboldt University of Berlin. Read more ...

Korea largest food manufacture opens research farm

CJ CheilJedang Korea's largest food manufacturer has opened a state of the art research farm. The research that will be carried out there will be to do with feed for livestock. CEO of  CJ CheilJedang Kim Chul-ha said “We expect CJ Research Farm will play a pivotal role in developing the research and development (R&D) infrastructure of animal feeds and creating relevant core technologies in the future”. Read more ...

European Union acts to increase protection against dioxins

A new draft regulation governing the handling of crude vegetable oils has been sent to the European Parliament and Council for scrutiny, after it was endorsed by member states at the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health. If approved by the European Parliament  and Council, the new regulation could be in force in mid 2012. This new regulation is in response to the dioxin crisis that occurred last December and January that stopped meat and egg sales from 4700 farms across Germany. Read more ...

Phytobiotics and ADDCON have signed an cooperation agreement

ADDCON the German feed additive producers has signed a cooperation agreement with Phytobiotics for the distribution of Phytobiotic's range of feed additives in Scandinavia. Addcon Nordic AS will distribute Phytobiotics specialties in Norway, Sweden and Finland. John Jakobsson, who will be in charge of the products on behalf of Addcon Nordic says “Phytobiotics products complete our offer to the industry. The well documented, state of the art products shall be soon successfully used by our customers throughout the region”. Read more ...

The regulatory training course run by the AFIA has concluded

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) regulatory short training course has concluded and was attended by more than 120 people. The course provides intensive training on how to work as a regulatory professional in the feed, ingredient and pet industry. On this years course the main focus was the Food Safety Modernisation Act (FSMA), this landmark legislation which come into effect on January 4 this year will have far reaching effects on the industry.

Leah Wilkinson, AFIA's director of ingredients and state legislative affairs, explained: “This is the second time AFIA has offered this event. In the ever evolving regulatory environment for the feed and pet food industry, it is imperative we have a clear grasp on the new regulations and what those regulations mean for daily operations of your facility.” Read more ...

Almost one third of Russia's grain is sub standard

Specialists of the Center for Quality Assessment of grain carried out research has found that almost one third of Russia's grain is sub standard. The Center for Quality Assessment is accountable to Rosselkhoznadzor (the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanityary Surveillance). Which is supervised by the Ministry of Agriculture. During the inspections they found that about 987.2 thousand tonnes of grain for the domestic market (32 percent of total volume) didn’t meet requirements of normative safety and quality standards. This figure includes 983.4 thousand tonnes contaminated with pests. Read more ...

Harmonised EU feed safety assurance called for by EFI

The European Feed Ingredients Platform (EFIP) has ask for a harmonised European Union feed safety assurance in the feed chain, part of this will be a pan European reach with harmonised approach and effective reduction of audit operators. Didier Jans Chairman of EFIP said, “In this sense, mutual recognition of schemes with comparable design and objectives remain a necessity for well functioning markets and for enhancing cost efficiency for operators.” Read more ...

The hidden companies with global appeal

Cargill Inc set up about 150 years ago by William W Cargill, who brought a grain store in Iowa, 150 years on the company has global sales of US120 billion (€86.846 billion). Cargill Inc is still predominately owned by the Cargill family and employs 130,000 people globally. The company has expanded to include a wide range of food enterprises including meat processing, commodity trading and fertiliser production. Cargill is a big company with a low profile but its also a company at the center of of the looming food crisis. Read more ...

Victam Asia 2012 at BITEC, Bangkok

Victam Asia 2012 is being held at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC), Bangkok, Thailand, February 15-17, 2012. The format will be similar to that of the successful 2010 show, that attracted 6000 trade visitors. There will be FIAAP (feed ingredients), Victam (feed processing & biomass technology) & GRAPAS (rice milling & grain processing) exhibitors. Asia/Pacific's only dedicated exhibition and conferences for animal feed ingredients, additives and formulation. Last held in 2010 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, the event attracted almost 6000 senior trade executives from throughout South and South East Asia. Read more ...

Miratorg plans to open a new feed plant in the spring of 2012

Miratorg Moscow headquartered holdings is to open a new animal feed plant in the spring of 2012, Miratorg one of Russia's largest pork producers are intending to substantially increase the production of animal feed, rising the figure up to one million tons per year. Viktor Linnik co-owner of Miratorg said in an interview “This step will also ensure that all new projects of the company will have the necessary feed resources.” Read more ...

Up to ten more GM feeds could be allowed into Turkey

Last week the deadline for public input into the controversy on Turkey’s biosecurity committee’s recent regulation over whether to allow at least 10 more genetically modified organisms into the country. This regulation was brought about by Turkey’s Animal Feed Industrialists Association and the Meat and Egg Producers Association to import 10 kinds of new genetically modified feeds. Read more ...

The Chinese pork industry suffering due to rising feed costs

Pork is important in China for social stability, but with rising feed cost the Chinese pork industry is suffering. In an effort to boost the industry the Chinese government is giving subsidies and say it will invest US$390 (€282.824) million in large pig farms this year, and each pig farmer will receive US$15 (€10.878) for every sow they raise. Read more ...

Algae looked upon as possible biofuel and animal feed source

In the future algae could be a valuable source for the feed industry and for the biofuel industry but only if the energy sector and agriculture sector can focus their efforts. Senator Edgardo Angara said "A lot of research still needs to be conducted before algal biofuels can be as cheap as fossil fuels. But algae are already utilized for nutraceuticals and animal feeds for their proteins and omega-3 fatty acids. We may not have to put up subsidies for algal R&D in biofuels, because a processed algae industry in the country may already be lucrative in itself." Read more ...

Corn prices cause increased use of wheat as feed

The continued high corn prices, are causing pig and chicken producers to increase use of wheat as feed. The same worries about increased prices are pushing those that worried about slow weight gain and palatability are now turning to wheat. The use of wheat instead of corn means that rations have to be re-calibrated as nutritionally wheat offers more protein than corn but less energy from fat. Read more ...

First round of algae based trails for animal feed is complete

Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc and BioProcess Algae, LLC have announced the successful completion of the first round of the algae based trails. "This was the first time we tested algae as a poultry feed-product and many of the qualities found were similar to high protein soymeal, but with higher energy content," said Dr. Parsons a leading expert in the field of poultry sciences. Read more ...

China's Farming revolution due to big agricultural machinery

The revolution of the agricultural industry in China has been due to the large agricultural machinery, tat has mechanised farming in a big way. In China's Northeast province Heilongjiang this revolution can be seen the large area and high yields of the Heilongjiang Agricultural Reclamation Zones (HARZ) areas over the past several years have put them out in front. it took only two years to increase the annual production from 15 billion kilograms to 20 billion kilograms, enough rice to feed 100 million people. Read more ...

Food security and fluctuating world food prices

With around one billion people of the worlds population suffering from chronic hunger, World Food Day has a theme that echo's that, “Food Prices From Crisis to Stability”.  With the increasing demand for food two of the largest countries China and India has increased demand for food due to the increasing populations and rises in per capita incomes. The FAO world food day emphasises the vulnerability of the poor according to the World Bank rising food costs pushed nearly 70 million people into extreme poverty. Read more ...

China purchase of corn could impact prices and supply

China made the largest purchase of corn on the international markets, buying 900,000 metric tons of American corn. This purchase could affect global prices and supply. China was a net exporter of corn until 2009 but is now struggling to keep up with demand for corn which is mainly used in animal feeds. "The purchase was necessary to help fill China's dwindling corn reserves", said Hanver Li, chairman of the market research firm Shanghai JC Intelligence Co. Ltd. Read more ...

In Bangkok the barriers are holding to stop the floods

The Thai Prime Minister has said that Bangkok should be spared the devastation that the floods have brought to Thailand. “The impact to Bangkok will only be in the area outside the flood barrier,” Yingluck told reporters today at the city’s national flood center. Water levels in provinces north of the city have “started to stabilise”. With nearly 300 people dead, and 10 percent of the rice farms destroyed. “Inner Bangkok is the heart of the country and we can’t let it flood because that would cause vast economic damage,” Pracha Promnog, head of the flood center told the media. Read more ...

Facts about Indian crops in 2011/12

India a top producer and consumer of wheat, rice, sugar and lentils, will harvest record food grain in 2011/12 in the wake of the normal monsoon rains. India exports small amounts of grain and sugar as they keep most supplies to fight off near double digit food inflation. Rice is the main food grain in India. The world's second biggest producer is aiming a record 102 million tonnes output against a local demand of about 90 million tonnes. Read more ...

Biotech firms claim that GM approval system too slow in EU

The Biotech industry in Europe has warned the European Commission that imports vital to the EU food security are being put at risk, because of the slow pace approval system for genetically modified (GM) crops. "The EU authorisation process for GM products takes substantially longer than comparable systems, despite the fact that government processes around the world to assess the safety and impact of GM products are essentially the same," it said. Read more ...

Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) should stimulate productivity

Fefac, welcomes the new European Commission's, Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), Fefac represents the EU compound feed market and premix industry. Fefac President Patrick Vanden said “Fefac members have agreed to take up the challenge of sustainable and competitive feed production hoping the new CAP will provide the necessary institutional framework to support cooperation between public and private sector initiatives to meet its objectives”. Read more ...

Feed industry plan revealed by China

China released its five year plan for the feed industry, they are aiming to have a total production output of 200 million tons by 2015. The annual capacity of the number of feed makers is set to increase too, from 30 in 2010 to 50, processing 50 percent of total feed. According to China's plan China will realise domestic production of all major additives. Read more ...

Farmers in New Zealand face feed shortage

Farmers in New Zealand are facing feed shortages, the concerns about this are in part due to this time of year which is traditionally the hottest. Ruth Rainey former Federated Farmers president, and spokeswoman for the trust, said "I have spoken to some of you plus MAF's Phil Journeaux and at this stage have decided just to leave our letter of request for drought declaration on the MAF table but not to write a further letter endorsing it." Read more ...

The aquaculture feed industry looks promising in India

The aquaculture feed industry in India is looking promising according to PE Vijay Anand Technical Director, India Animal Feed Program, American Soybean Association International Marketing he said “The future of Indian aquaculture feed industry looks promising, but India has to go in for more species if it has to progress further,” Addressing a technical session on the ‘Status of the Indian aquaculture feed industry and future trends' on the second day of ‘Aqua Aquaria 2011. Read more ...

Vietnam domestic animal feed production in difficulty

In Vietnam animal feed firms are facing problems due to the lack of raw materials, one of the causes of this is a shortage of support industries according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Due to the shortage many animal feed firms are having to rely on imported raw material. a Ministerial report revealed that 70 percent of raw material was imported from India, US, Argentina. To solves this problem the Animal feed association of Vietnam is calling for the government to push for the development of raw material locally. Read more ...

Animal feed manufacture buys A&F Williamson and Sons

HJ Lea Oakes, one of the oldest animal feed manufactures in England has bought A&F Williamson and sons a Stoke on Trent based animal feed manufacture. Oaks said that "production of its blended animal feeds would continue at A&F Williamson's Endon site, before being transferred to its new purpose-built factory at Prees Heath in Shropshire". Dominic Bovis, commercial director of Cheshire-based HJ Lea Oakes, said: "We are delighted to have reached an agreement for the transfer of the blended feeds business of A&F Williamson & Sons. Read more ...

UK cereal production shows higher yield

The UK cereal production was improved on last years harvest, and oilseed rape crop was another record despite the drought concerns of the Spring. The Department for Environment food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) gave provisional figures for the 2011 cereal crop at 21.8 million tons 3.9 percent up from 2010 and wheat production was up by 3 percent at 15.36 million tons. it was a good year for oilseed crops and disease control improved a DEFRA spokesman said. "Prices have also proved attractive for growers with an increased demand for biodiesel. Early indications from autumn 2011 plantings indicate this upward trend in oilseed production is set to continue." Read more ...

IFIF elects new chairman

The International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF) has announced a new chairman Mario Sergio Cutait, Founder and President of Feed Latina, the current Chairman Dave Cieslak who has lead IFIF for the last three years formally handed over the Chairmanship at the IFIF Annual General Assembly in Rome on 6 October 2011 “IFIF is at a critical phase of renewal in the face of important global challenges in the food and feedindustry and Mario Cutait is well placed to lead the organisation to contribute to the growth of a sustainable feed industry worldwide,” says Mr. Cieslak. Read more ...

Rice market sees mixed trend

The rice market showed a mixed trend on Monday, well prices of PR and pure basmati declined all other non basmati and aromatic varieties managed to remain at their previous levels. Mr Tara Chand Sharma, a rice trader said that "Slack buying pulled pure basmati and PR prices down" he added "Prices of non basmati varieties may decrease further in the coming days while aromatic varieties may maintain their current levels till the end of October". Read more ...

FAO releases quarterly assessment report for the global cereal market

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation has just published its quarterly assessment of the worlds cereal markets titled “Crop Prospects and Food Situation.” its predicts that the global cereal market will remain tight for 2011-12, even though there was some better than expected predictions for wheat and rice. The demand for cereal is only expected to increase slightly. After the events earlier this year almost caused riots over food prices and cereal prices. Read more ...

World food prices decline after grain price slump

For a third month world food prices fell, its the longest stretch of decline in two years, the decline in prices is blamed on the grains slump and there are concerns that demand will be affected by an economic slowdown. A senior economist at the Food and Agriculture Organisation said “the only reason prices are coming down is the economic slowdown,” he also said “If we get more bad demand news, I wouldn’t be surprised to see prices go lower.” Read more ...

US are now using more corn for fuel than feed

In the United states, more corn is being used for animal feed and biofuels than human consumption. Its claimed that out of every 10 ears of corn grown only two actually goes directly as human food. The other are shared equally between animal feeds and ethanol. This significant shift in the use of corn from human feed to fuels, could represent a tipping point in the ongoing conflict between food and fuel demand in the future. This shift is dominated by the subsides that the ethanol industry receives. Read more ...

Aquaculture Europe 2011 sponsored by Biomin

Biomin get ready to sponsor sessions on novel feeds ingredients and feed additives at the Aquaculture Europe 2011 at Rhodes, Greece. Over 800 aquaculture experts are expected to attend the conference,Biomin is continuing to strengthen its presence in the aquaculture world. They will be sponsoring three sessions on October 20, from 10.30 to 12.30. Read more ...

Flood damaged Luzon could cause rice shortage in Cebu

The Grains Retailers Confederation of the Philippines (Grecon) has warned that the problems experienced by Luzon could cause a rice shortage in Cebu. Grecon chairperson Teresa Alegado, also mayor of Consolacion town, said "the favorite rice brands of Cebuanos, such as Ganador and Lion Ivory, come from Luzon, which was badly battered by recent typhoons". Even without the calamity, she pointed out that the countries rice production can not answer the demand of a growing population. Read more ...

China considering opening its markets to the US

China is considering opening up its market to allow US to export rice, China is the world's largest producer of rice, but it uses everything it grows and is already importing from Thailand and Vietnam to provide rice for its 1.3 billion people. This decision by China could be a massive boost for the American farmers and for the American rice industry, which has been sluggish in recent times. Read more ...

After the typhoon Manila could increase their rice imports

The Philippines is considering increasing its rice imports for 2012 due to the effects of the recent typhoon, but it is uncertain if they will purchase more for 2011 officials of the government said. Proceso Alcala said the country has enough corn supply to meet its needs, although a feed millers group said it was assessing the quality of corn harvests and the need to import both feed wheat and corn after last week's twin typhoons. Read more ...

Premium chicken producer in the US to close

Fulton Valley Farms a premium chicken producer in California is to close early next year, putting 185 people out of work. The main reason is feed price costs, the high feed cost have disallowed the company from carrying out their business model. "Fulton Valley Farms, has been sold to a Chinese buyer that does not plan to keep it going at least in the near future", Chief Executive Officer Andrew Carlson. Read more ...