[GREEN BAY, Wis.] – More than 220 dairy farmers, nutritionists and industry professionals gathered at Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers, on Nov. 30 to discuss preparing for the next generation of dairy farming. The theme of the event was “Traditions That Last: Finding Your Team’s Competitive Advantage.”

The day kicked off with a pre-conference breakfast, during which three dairy producers and one industry professional from the Midwest shared how they use technology within their operations:

• Zoey Brooks of Brooks Farms presented on the advantages of the operation’s automatic calf feeder barn. This automated system has resulted in healthier calves and provides opportunities for public education and a youth apprenticeship program. 
• Craig Fietzer of Fietzer Farms discussed the collar-mounted cow identification, rumination and activity tracking sensors used on his dairy. The data from these sensors is used to determine the best times to breed each cow, resulting in improved labor efficiency on the farm.
• Craig Finke of Finke Farm spoke on his farm’s automated feeding system, which delivers fresh feed six times a day. Feeding and milking automation systems allow him to spend more time with his cows in a herd management capacity.
• Jack Hippen, North American and European Sales Director of STgenetics, shared how sexing technology and genomic testing allow for production of higher-value products and services.

Dr. Bob James, owner of Down Home Heifer Solutions and professor emeritus in the dairy science department at Virginia Tech, opened the main conference, speaking on strategies to care for calves and heifers. He encouraged the audience to adopt new technologies that can improve calf care, calf health and labor management.

Dr. Roger Hagevoort of New Mexico State University’s Agriculture Science Center focused on how best to train the next generation of farm workers. He encouraged producers to work with third-party resources such as extension and industry organizations to provide the necessary training. Hagevoort stressed the importance of hands-on training and having managers spend time with their on-farm employees.

Robert Walker, CEO of KEENAN, closed out the morning session with a discussion on how technology is disrupting agriculture worldwide. Walker explained that agriculture is in the midst of a technological revolution that will disrupt current business models.

The afternoon continued with Dr. Roger Scaletti, who supports the Alltech^® Mineral Management team, addressing the crowd on mineral use in the diet to capture more profits. Scaletti provided research results indicating that the inclusion of organic trace minerals such as those in Bioplex^® and Sel-Plex^® improves milk production and the transfer of immunity from cow to calf as well as increasing heifer performance.

Carl Babler concluded the main conference with a market update. He shared his insights on the future of the dairy market in the Midwest, the United States and the world. According to Babler, the United States is positioned to be the animal protein provider of the world, and dairy products will play a factor in this position. There is a need for dairy producers who produce milk as a product and milk as a commodity, but it is important for operations to determine to which group they belong.

Larry McCarren, former Green Bay Packer and current host of “The Mike McCarthy Show,” then shared insight into past and current Packers team members, and how the team’s veteran players take it upon themselves to guide rookie players on how to be successful in Green Bay both on and off the field.  

Held each year in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the Alltech Wisconsin Dairy School is a long-standing tradition within the Wisconsin dairy industry. More than 2,700 dairy industry professionals have attended since it was first held in 2003. 

Alltech’s new brewery and distillery project rolls toward spring 2018 completion

[PIKEVILLE, Ky.] – Beneath the picturesque backdrop of the storied Appalachian Mountains, progress continues at Alltech’s Dueling Barrels Brewery & Distillery in downtown Pikeville, Kentucky. Marking the latest milestone, Eastern Kentucky native Danny Branham has been appointed general manager, overseeing the region’s first (legal) bourbon, beer and moonshine operation.    

Branham has been with Alltech for nearly eight years, often traveling far from his hometown of Pikeville. At Alltech’s facilities in Tianjin and Beijing, China, Branham was instrumental in streamlining quality and production processes. He also earned his master’s degree in brewing and distilling from Heriot-Watt University in Scotland. Since returning to the U.S., Branham has served as quality manager for Alltech’s beverage division.

“I think what I am most excited about is the opportunity to return home and be involved in a project that will put Pikeville on the map as one of the premier destinations in Kentucky to visit and experience the art of brewing and distilling,” said Branham.

In addition to distilled spirits, Dueling Barrels will offer visitors a taste of rich Appalachian culture as they explore stories of mountain music, family feuds and the resilient immigrants who shaped the region.

Dueling Barrels is the latest endeavour in the continued global expansion of the Alltech Beverage Division. Alltech founders Pearse and Deirdre Lyons feel a special kinship with the mountains, craftsmanship and hardworking people of Appalachia. After immigrating to Kentucky from Ireland, they developed a strong affinity for the region and sought an opportunity to invest in its development. It is their hope that the distillery destination will extend the Kentucky Bourbon Trail^® tour into Eastern Kentucky.

“Dueling Barrels has the potential to bring in lots of visitors to the area and increase revenues for all businesses through tourism,” said Branham.

The next milestone will be the commission and operation of the brewhouse and distillery, slated for January 2018, which will keep Dueling Barrels on track to open in spring 2018.

Advanced education contributes to Alltech’s expertise in yeast fermentation technologies for animal, crop and human health

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – Specializing in brewing and distilling may sound like a hobby — or even a covert practice — but it is indeed a formal degree, and biotechnology leader Alltech considers master’s degree graduates of the program to be essential to its core business. For that reason, the company is proud to congratulate Kendon Jacobson, Alltech’s 21^st employee to receive a master’s degree in brewing and distilling from Scotland’s Heriot-Watt University, known for graduating some of the foremost brewing and yeast fermentation experts in the world.

According to Becky Timmons, global director of applications research and quality assurance at Alltech, Heriot-Watt’s course offers the most practical advanced education for employees given Alltech’s focus on yeast fermentation technology.

“We are very excited to add Kendon to our growing list of Heriot-Watt graduates,” said Timmons. “Yeast fermentation is fundamental to our core business in animal health and nutrition, and I have found that this unique program provides background on a range of subject matter that is beneficial in our industry.”

Alltech is currently collaborating with Western Kentucky University to offer a similar degree. The program would serve the rising craft beer industry in the U.S. as well as the burgeoning bourbon industry.

Such a partnership is not uncommon for Alltech, a company that considers education to be the foundation of both the present and future. This emphasis is reflected in Alltech’s current work with universities globally to collaborate on research, create further educational opportunities for its employees and provide work experiences to the universities’ current students. 

High levels of risk from DON, fusaric acid, T-2 and fumonisin present

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – In 2016, corn growers faced challenges from mycotoxins, and those challenges seem likely to show up for them again as they harvest this fall. The 2017 growing season was challenging across the U.S. Growers in different regions experienced varied weather conditions that could not only reduce yield, but could also increase plant stress and lead to challenges with mycotoxins.

Corn silage samples from across the entirety of the U.S. have shown extremely high levels of mycotoxins, particularly deoxynivalenol (DON), type A trichothecenes (T-2), fusaric acid and fumonisin. It is important to note that once there are mycotoxins in the crop, they will not go away. There will be higher levels of mycotoxins on farms practicing monocropping of corn, as opposed to those farms that are rotating crops or using deeper tillage methods.

Samples submitted to the Alltech 37+^® mycotoxin analytical services laboratory between Sept. 1 and Nov. 1, 2017, show that grains contained mixtures of mycotoxins, including DON, fusaric acid and fumonisin. Forages such as corn silage, barlage and haylage samples also contained multiple mycotoxins in 2017, including DON, fusaric acid, T-2 and fumonisin.

Fumonisin is trending higher across all states as of this time and can have a negative impact on feed intake, gut health, liver function and immune response. Swine and horses are particularly sensitive.

Mycotoxins are a regular concern for producers, as they influence feed quality and animal safety. They are produced by certain species of molds and can have toxic properties that impact animal health and performance.

“Understanding the risk of mycotoxins and combinations of mycotoxins, even at lower levels, allows livestock owners and managers to institute a management program for more optimum performance and health,” said Dr. Max Hawkins, nutritionist with the Alltech^® Mycotoxin Management team. “Testing feedstuffs and finished feeds is paramount to putting this management program in action.”

Mycotoxins are seldom found in isolation, and when multiple mycotoxins are consumed, they may have additive, or even synergistic, interactions that increase the overall risk to performance and health. As a result, an animal may have a stronger response than what would be expected if it was only experiencing a single mycotoxin challenge.

For feedstuffs harvested in 2017 and that are currently being fed, it is important to conduct a mycotoxin analysis that identifies the storage mycotoxins, including Penicillium and Aspergillus mycotoxin groups, as there is potential for additional mycotoxins to develop during storage. Proper mycotoxin management techniques can reduce the risk of mycotoxins coming from feed materials as well as help to prevent the negative effects mycotoxins can on have animal health and performance.

Alltech will be hosting a webinar to review the 2017 Alltech Harvest Analysis results for the U.S. with Dr. Max Hawkins on Dec. 14, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. ET. Register for the webinar via this link.

For more information on mycotoxin management, visit knowmycotoxins.com.  

The Alltech® Mycotoxin Management team can now test and analyze samples for over 40 different mycotoxins in animal feed

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – Mycotoxins threaten animal health and producer profitability, so identifying and addressing these hidden challenges is very important for farmers. Alltech is a world leader in mycotoxin management and now has the ability to test for over 40 different mycotoxins in animal feed samples. With this new analytical capability, Alltech is able to not only detect these new mycotoxins, but can also begin to understand how they can impact animal performance and health.

The Alltech 37+® mycotoxin analysis test is the cornerstone of the Alltech® Mycotoxin Management program, as it tests for more than 37 types of mycotoxins. When samples are submitted for testing, farmers will now see an additional five mycotoxins that have recently gained attention in scientific research for becoming important to the agriculture industry. These additional mycotoxins and toxicity symptoms are:

- Citrinin:

o Kidney damage, oxidative stress, gut health challenges, diarrhea/loose manure

- Beauvericin:

o Oxidative stress, antimicrobial activity, contamination of milk/meat

- Moniliformin:

o Heart damage, immune suppression, loss of performance

- Citreoviridin:

o Vitamin B1 deficiency, immune suppression, oxidative stress, poor reproductive performance, reduced weight gain

- Cyclopiazonic acid:

o GIT damage, oxidative stress, immune suppression, loss of performance

Alltech 37+ test results provide a realistic picture of feed contaminants in feed ingredients or total mixed rations to speed up the process of diagnosis, suggest effective remediation and help move toward an effective mycotoxin control plan. Between Alltech’s 37+ mycotoxin analytical services laboratories in Lexington, Kentucky, and Dunboyne, Ireland, they have run nearly 20,000 samples, each searching for over 37 mycotoxins in animal feed.

To learn more, visit www.knowmycotoxins.com.

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – Designed through decades of practical application to unlock the genetic potential of livestock and support the animal throughout all phases of production, Alltech is proud to launch the premium Blueprint® beef nutrition program for the CRYSTALYX® and Hubbard Feeds brands.

Farmers and ranchers can learn about the product at the following upcoming launch tour trade events:

· 2017 Angus Convention: Nov.4–6, 2017, Fort Worth Convention Center, Fort Worth, Texas

· Range Beef Cow Symposium XXV: Nov. 28–30, 2017, Little American Hotel & Resort, Cheyenne, Wyoming

· Montana Stockgrowers Association Annual Convention and Trade Show: Dec. 13–14, 2017, Doubletree Hotel, Billings, Montana

Blueprint is formulated with Alltech’s Total Replacement Technology™, organic trace minerals that support absorption, retention and utilization in beef cattle. Blueprint is designed to work synergistically to help beef cattle reach their full genetic potential, resulting in rapid growth, maximum reproductive performance and optimal animal health while reducing mineral excretion into the environment.

The CRYSTALYX and Hubbard Feeds Blueprint products include:

· CRYSTALYX Blueprint 6% PHOS

· CRYSTALYX Blueprint 20% AN

· Blueprint Cattle Mineral

· Blueprint Calving Mineral

· Blueprint Co-Product Calving Mineral

· Blueprint Brown Grass Mineral

The Blueprint beef nutrition program strengthens CRYSTALYX and Hubbard Feeds’ commitment to helping producers identify ways to improve efficiency and maximize genetic performance. Blueprint has been scientifically formulated to target animal health and performance at the cellular level and build upon the genetic potential at each stage of an animal’s lifecycle.

Blueprint will be available at participating Hubbard Feeds and CRYSTALYX dealer locations.

WHAT: Join Dr. Kayla Price, Canadian poultry technical manager at Alltech, as she discusses the essentials for a premium egg and factors affecting eggshell quality. Eggshell quality is important to consumers, as they are looking for a uniform, crack-free shell, and to producers, who are looking to increase the number of healthy chicks through eggshell strength.

The live webinar will also cover topics such as:

· How an egg is made and the role that gut health plays in the creation of the egg.

· The factors that influence egg quality.

· Programs to enhance eggshell quality.

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017

2:00 p.m. ET

WHERE: Reserve a spot now via this link. If you are unable to attend the live webinar, you can register via the link to receive the recording.

OTHER: Price’s presentation will be followed by a live question-and-answer session.

About the speaker:

Dr. Kayla Price is the Canadian poultry technical manager for Alltech. She provides technical and sales support with additional research responsibilities in Canada. Prior to joining Alltech, Price completed her Ph.D. at the University of Guelph in Canada with a research focus on environmental influence on live coccidiosis vaccine success in chickens.

Ashley Irvin from Tennessee, Hans Greisen from Wisconsin, and Mary Van Rossum from Wisconsin, were selected by a live, random draw during the 2017 World Dairy Expo to win a trip for two to Ireland for the week of St. Patrick’s Day 2018

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – For three U.S. dairy producers, the luck of the Irish was on their side when their names were selected in a live, random draw for The Great Green Getaway sweepstakes as the 2017 World Dairy Expo wrapped up in Madison, Wisconsin. In March 2018, Ashley Irvin from Tennessee, Hans Greisen from Wisconsin, and Mary Van Rossum also from Wisconsin, will embark on a journey to the Emerald Isle for a “how it’s made” tour of the KEENAN production facility in Borris, County Carlow, Ireland, a guided VIP experience at the new Pearse Lyons Distillery At St. James, visits to a number of high-performance Irish dairy farms and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Dublin City Centre.

KEENAN, the maker of the “Green Machine” mixer wagon, became part of the Alltech family of companies in April 2016. KEENAN machines are unique in the proven nutritional benefits they deliver, and they provide producers with control, accuracy and real-time feeding advice. The mixers are designed to improve rumen health, resulting in increased feed efficiency and livestock production.

“We are looking forward to hosting The Great Green Getaway sweepstakes winners in Ireland and sharing the Alltech and KEENAN Irish heritage,” said Dan Gard, sales manager for KEENAN USA. “Our customers trust our KEENAN mixers for their durability, flexibility and longevity, and these winners will get to see them in the factory as well as on-farm in Ireland.”

The sweepstakes opened June 28, 2017, during National Dairy Month, and the winners were announced on Oct. 7, 2017, at World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin. The sweepstakes was open to U.S. dairy farmers who have 50 cows or more and are over 18 years of age. For more details about The Great Green Getaway sweepstakes, visit http://go.alltech.com/greatgreengetaway.

There is no doubt that corn silage, barley silage and alfalfa haylage are the major fermented forages supporting the dairy industry in Canada and the US. Any variation in the nutrient composition and digestibility of these forages will therefore directly affect a producer’s ability to meet their dairy cows' nutrient requirements throughout the year.

In other words, a good understanding of the nutritive value of your fermented forages will allow you to develop a nutrition program that helps your cows reach their true genetic potential for milk production and health.

More nutrients for the cow, more dollars in your pocket

Over the last few years, nutritionists and dairy producers have been paying special attention to the nutritive value of fermented forages. It is now widely acknowledged that this nutritional concept can positively impact animal productivity and producer profitability. The performance of the modern dairy cow is highly dependent upon the adequate levels and favorable balances of nutrients in the fermented forages they consume.

It is an oversimplification to define the nutritive value of fermented forages purely as the ability to supply the nutrients present in the dry matter to the cow. Before nutrients can reach their target tissue in the cow, the feed must be consumed (feed intake) and the nutrients in the forage must be released and absorbed by the cow (digestion).

When it comes to digestion, fermentable forages are a step ahead

Many factors influence the nutritive value of fermentable forages, including forage cultivar, stage of maturity at harvest and storage methods. In contrast to non-fermentable forages, the digestion of fermentable forage begins long before it is added to the feed bunk.

During normal ensiling processes, some nutrients ferment, releasing molecules that make the crop more palatable and easier to digest. Under these conditions, the nutrients have a better chance of being ingested and absorbed.

Practically speaking, this fermentable forage has an optimum nutritive value. In commercial dairy herds, this forage will result in high milk yield and milk components, leading to excellent reproductive performance and good health.

Test your forage to see how it measures up

Usually, producers and nutritionists send forage samples to a lab in order to obtain information on the nutritional composition of the fermented forages. However, this information can come up short in terms of allowing producers to understand how available these nutrients are to the cow.

Fortunately, methods such as Alltech’s In vitro Fermentation Model have been developed to efficiently and quickly determine the nutrient availability in these forages, including the neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD), or the organic matter digestibility. Results from these tests are positively correlated with potential intake. When this information is analyzed as a whole, producers can get a good idea of the nutritive value of their fermented forage.

In Ontario and Quebec, a recent survey carried out on 47 fermented forages indicated that over 84 percent of the forage samples collected showed NDFD (at 30 hours in vitro) values below 52 percent, suggesting poor nutritive value. Therefore, it is important not to assume that your forages have a good nutritive value. To assure herd performance, testing is a must.

Reviewing the nutritive value of the fermented forages used in any feeding program is essential to help your dairy herd reach its maximum genetic potential and is an integral part of dairy farming profitability.

WHAT: An idea, even in its root meaning, is “to see.” Da Vinci, Einstein, Edison, the Wright brothers, Tesla, Bell, Borlaug and Fleming — they had the ability to see what others could not. Because they opened their eyes to possibilities and thrived in pursuit of them, we have light. We have abundant food. We can even fly. Ideas change everything.

The transformative power of ideas will be the focus of ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference 2018. Join us to explore how ideas can germinate into innovations that change the course of our businesses and lives.

WHEN: May 20–23, 2018

WHERE: Lexington Convention Center

Lexington, Kentucky, USA

one.alltech.com

MORE: Register before Nov. 1 to save $600. Details on sessions and speakers will be available in early 2018. To view last year’s presentations, visit ideas.alltech.com, where access is free after sign-up.