[HELMOND, Netherlands] – Alltech Coppens, a global specialist in developing, producing and marketing fish feed and nutrition solutions, has been awarded a gold medal from EcoVadis — putting them in the top 7% of sustainable companies globally. The EcoVadis gold medal is a testament to Alltech Coppens’s dedication to sustainability across its entire value chain. The company has implemented robust initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, promote fair labour practices and foster ethical business conduct. 

“In today's environment of challenge and change, it is wonderful to have received an EcoVadis gold medal as evidence to our ongoing commitment to the journey that is sustainability,” said Tara McCarthy, global vice president of ESG at Alltech. “This external endorsement from the EcoVadis team, renowned for their rigour and high standards, is testament to the robust progress and dedication of our teams as we work together for a Planet of Plenty™.”

EcoVadis, a globally recognized sustainability ratings platform, assesses companies based on their environmental, social and ethical performance. Backed by a powerful technology platform and a global team of over 1,000 experts, EcoVadis assess companies on environmental, social and ethical performance in over 200 purchasing categories and 175 countries.

“EcoVadis is one of the world's most trusted business sustainability ratings,” said Ronald Faber, CEO and global aqua lead at Alltech Coppens. “EcoVadis helps Alltech Coppens to manage our ESG risk and compliance, meet our sustainability goals and drive impact at scale by guiding the sustainability performance improvement of our company and our value chain.”

For more information, visit AlltechCoppens.com.

Agri-food leaders around the world believe the industry can work together to create a better, more sustainable food system, according to the Alltech Sustainability Insights report, released today.

Alltech conducted a global, industry-wide survey to gather insights on the issues that matter most to the agri-food value chain and its stakeholders. In collaboration with Opinions, an independent research agency based in Ireland, Alltech collected insights through 26 interviews with industry leaders and via a comprehensive survey completed by more than 2,500 members of the agri-food industry. This effort presented an exciting opportunity to quantify attitudes and perceptions about sustainability from stakeholders across the agri-food value chain and identify tangible actions to build a more sustainable future.

“Our goal was to listen to the voices of our industry and its stakeholders and develop a robust, future-facing program of insights that are relevant, ambitious and genuinely impactful,” said Tara McCarthy, global vice president of ESG at Alltech. “Our industry is navigating unprecedented disruption, yet it remains confident and committed to evolving toward a more sustainable food system. The key to success will be the development of innovative solutions, but even more critical is the capacity of the industry to work together across the value chain.”

The survey questions were focused on five areas: challenges and opportunities; drivers and priorities; attitudes toward change; support and guidance; and who they believe is going to pay for sustainability. The key findings of the survey include:

• While four out of five respondents agree that “climate change will make food production much more difficult in the future,” perspectives differ across the regions. A very real series of crises faces the agri-food industry and, for the most part, survey respondents acknowledged the gravity of those challenges and the fragility of our food system. There is a strong level of optimism and positivity however, with 85% of respondents agreeing that the food system can rise to the challenge.
   
• Almost three in four respondents reported feeling that a lot more guidance is needed to support their improvements in environmental sustainability. The need for guidance is expressed most strongly at the latter end of the value chain (e.g., retailers, food-service operators and manufacturers).
   
• Most respondents agree that regulation is putting pressure on all areas of the supply chain. Respondents were similarly realistic about the need for support for the primary producers of the food that the 8 billion people on this planet eat: 66% agree that until the farmer is incentivized financially, things will never change.
   
• Many recognize that we will not be able to resolve the challenges ahead without a huge degree of innovation and harnessing technology to enable us to feed ourselves sustainably, with 92% of respondents believing that technology and innovation are key to more sustainable food systems.
   
• There is a near-universal recognition that we need a collaborative conversation and effort across the value chain, with 93% of respondents agreeing that we all must work together to create a better food system for the future.

“Our industry is navigating extraordinary times, but the opportunities for positive impact are even more unprecedented,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “Imagine what is possible when we all work toward the shared goals of providing nutrition for all, revitalizing local economies and replenishing the planet’s natural resources.”

For more information and survey results, visit alltech.com/sustainability-insights.

Leveraging the strength of a global marketing team embedded within local markets throughout the world, Alltech is enhancing its marketing capabilities and establishing new teams to deliver greater strategic partnership across the business for Alltech’s customers.

“We are capitalizing on the geographical and value chain differentiators of our global marketing structure, providing more pathways for our field-based team members to bring the voice of the customer back into the business,” said Susanna Elliott, chief marketing and communications officer at Alltech. “Our globally connected yet locally focused marketing strategy is aligning to deliver more relevance – and competitive edge – to our customers.”

Within marketing, the company is establishing a new Data & Insights function, positioning its creative team to take a global creative agency approach and building new pathways for market and customer engagement. To champion these enhanced capabilities, new appointments within Alltech’s global marketing team include:

Creative team:

• Lisa Smith (USA), Director of Creative Operations & Marketing Development
• Alan Henthorne (USA), Creative Director
• Irene MacHugh (Ireland), Associate Creative Director
• Jennifer Allen (USA), Global Art Director
• Ruth Kelly (Ireland), Design Manager for Europe and Asia-Pacific

Data & Insights team:

• Amanda Stumbo (USA), Director of Business Insights
• Roel Coenders (USA), Associate Director of Data
• Leona Shaojing Luo (Ireland), Associate Director of Business Intelligence
• Clare Fahey (Ireland), Director of Customer Insights

Communications team:

• Lorie Hailey (USA), Director of Communications
• Liana Dobler (Spain), Spanish & Portuguese Communications Manager

Species teams:

• Danieke Ewalts (Netherlands), Global Aqua Marketing Lead
• Species marketing councils have been created that include regional marketing experts in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

For more information about Alltech, visit alltech.com.

Prebiotics are primarily known for their role in stimulating beneficial gut bacteria; however, this extensive group of compounds serves a multitude of functions.

• They enhance the protective mucus barriers of the skin, gills and gut.
• They improve gut integrity, digestion, nutrient uptake and immune function, and they help to bind and remove external pathogenic bacteria from the gut, protecting the fish’s health.
• Consequently, they facilitate the cultivation of a diverse and healthy composition of gut bacteria, commonly known as a healthy microbiome.

Considering these benefits, the use of prebiotics aligns with a holistic approach to enhancing overall fish health and growth, reducing the need for antibiotics, and use of vaccinations.

The predominant sources of prebiotics are non-digestible carbohydrate fractions. Commercially available examples include β-glucans; oligosaccharides derived from galactose, fructose or mannose; organic acids; inulin; fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS); and many others, some of which are combinations of these elements. In this article, our primary focus will be on understanding the mode of action associated with prebiotics and the impact they have on the immune and digestive systems. More specifically, we’ll focus on mannan oligosaccharide (MOS), since it has been studied extensively across different fish species. This compound has demonstrated its efficacy under practical conditions on fish farms, displaying support for both fish growth and overall health across varying environmental contexts.

Three lines of defence protecting fish health

The immune system consists of an extensive network of diverse cells and tissues which work together to protect the vital functions of the body from external pathogens. These potential threats primarily include bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. They cause infections in an attempt to establish themselves within the host. The risk is heightened in aquaculture, because fish lack the ability to migrate to optimal environmental conditions. This increases their susceptibility to disease expression.

The immune system can be subdivided into three lines of defense against the various forms of pathogens.

First line of defense: blocking pathogens and foreign materials from entering the body

A protective mucus layer covers the entire surface area of physical barriers, such as the skin, gills and gut. Diverse microbiota optimize health through the competitive exclusion of bacteria, which reduces the risk of pathogens taking hold of the microbiome.

Fig. 1: The first line of defense prevents pathogens from entering the body by mucus layers and cell barriers (from left to right, the protective tissue and mucus layer of the skin, gills and gut)

Second line of defense: the innate immune system

The activation of the innate immune system takes place when pathogens successfully pass through external barriers and attempt to infect the organism. The innate immune system attacks invading pathogens using white blood cells (leukocytes), which can differentiate between “self” and “non-self” cells. It targets cells that lack the recognizable marker molecules of the body. Within this system, immune activity is further regulated by inflammation and antimicrobial proteins.  

Third line of defense: the adaptive immune system

The adaptive immune system differentiates itself from the innate immune system by stimulating a pathogen-specific immune response. It singles out and eradicates a single pathogen, earning the title “specific immune system.” This response is also known as the secondary immune response and forms the foundation for vaccinating many animal species.   

Image 1: Overview of the immune system

The digestive tract: facilitating nutrient uptake and immune function

Expertly formulated prebiotics in aquafeed can optimize immune defense, resulting in significant alterations within the digestive tract. They particularly affect the structure of the gut and the composition of the microbiome.

After ingestion, macronutrients such as proteins, fats and carbohydrates undergo a series of digestive processes that break them down in preparation for absorption and assimilation by the fish. These smaller components enter the body through the gut wall, which is lined with microvilli, structures that increase the gut’s surface area, promoting increased nutrient absorption.

A compromised digestive tract can lead to poor performance, characterized by a higher feed conversion ratio (FCR) and reduced immune response against pathogens. Facilitating a diverse microflora population is essential for enhancing intestinal development, ensuring gut integrity and optimizing the digestion process. Within the gut, mucus-producing cells promote a thick and protective mucus layer, protecting the delicate tissue underneath.

Mode of action of MOS for different fish species

Now that we have a thorough understanding of the immune system and digestive tract, let’s delve deeper into examining the specific impacts of the prebiotic mannan oligosaccharide (MOS). MOS is derived from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, commonly known as “baker’s yeast.” Through a sophisticated refinery process, MOS is extracted from the yeast and incorporated into the feed ingredient mixture. The effectiveness of MOS is determined by several factors, including fermentation conditions, genetic strains and various processing parameters. As a result, not all forms of MOS yield identical effects. At Alltech Coppens, we combine Bio-Mos® and Actigen® with a chelated mineral mix, Bioplex®, to create Aquate®, which is integrated into all our feed formulations.

Image 2: Results after Aquate technologies were adopted in the Mediterranean Sea bass industry on large-scale commercial farms

At Alltech, research is the primary focus. To determine the effects of Bio-Mos on fish performance and gut health, several R&D actions were undertaken.

For rainbow trout, it was observed that beneficial bacteria colonization was promoted in the gut of a healthy individual when gut bacterial load was reduced (Dimitroglou et al. 2007). Furthermore, Bio-Mos has demonstrated improvements in microvilli density and length, contributing significantly to improved nutrient absorption and enhancing fish performance (Sweetman et al. 2008). Finally, Bio-Mos can enhance the thickness of the mucus layer across the skin, gills and gut, creating a prophylactic effect for many fish species (Sweetman et al., 2010).

The effects of MOS on fish health and growth have been extensively documented across numerous peer-reviewed papers. In rainbow trout, the inclusion of MOS positively influenced growth rates and improved FCR and survival rates. It also displayed positive effects on growth in a wide variety of other species, such as brook trout, sturgeon, common carp, koi, African catfish, European sea bass and sea bream. Additionally, beneficial effects were observed in gut structure, pathogen-binding capacity (both in vitro and in vivo), immunostimulant properties, and nutrient digestibility for many fish species (Ringø et al. 2014).

Extensive research on sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) demonstrated a more robust immune system and improved resistance to Vibrio alginolyticus. In a separate sea bass study, notable improvements in intestinal tissue structure, increased stress resistance, and improved mucus production were noted, all contributing to strengthening protective barriers. Sea bream displayed positive outcomes in terms of protein digestibility, intestinal tissue enhancement and the modulation of the microbiome (Ringø et al. 2014).

The benefits stemming from the inclusion of prebiotics in aquafeed play an important role in fostering sustainable and efficient growth as well as promoting the health of fish. To delve deeper into the Alltech Gut Health program, watch this explainer video or visit alltechcoppens.com.

References

Dimitroglou, A., S. Davies, R. Moate, P. Spring and J. Sweetman (2007). The beneficial effect of Bio-Mos on gut integrity and enhancement of fish health. Presented at Alltech’s Technical Seminar Series held in Dublin, November 2007.

Sweetman, J., A, Dimitroglou, S. Davies, and S. Torrecillas (2008). Gut morphology: a key to efficient nutrition. International AquaFeed, 11, 27-30.

Sweetman, J. W., S. Torrecillas, A. Dimitroglou, S. Rider, S.J. Davies and M.S. Izquierdo (2010). Enhancing the natural defences and barrier protection of aquaculture species. Aquaculture Research, 41(3), 345-55.

Ringø, E., A. Dimitroglou, S.H. Hoseinifar and S.J. Davies (2014). Prebiotics in finfish: an update. Aquaculture Nutrition: Gut Health, Probiotics and Prebiotics, 360-400.

I want to learn more about aquaculture nutrition.

In 2020, Pacific white shrimp, alternatively known as Litopenaeus vannamei, emerged as the most popular seafood, with a production volume of 5.8 million tonnes. This accounts for 12% of total aquaculture output, as reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2022. The global shrimp farming industry relies heavily on intensive operations primarily situated in East and Southeast Asia and in Latin America, serving lucrative markets in North America, Europe and Japan.

An ever-changing feeding landscape

Shrimp have historically required diets rich in protein, primarily sourced from fishmeal obtained from wild-caught, low-trophic fish species. However, with the increase in prices and the limited availability of fishmeal, extensive research has been dedicated to what to feed shrimp. This means exploring alternative sources of protein, including those from plants, animals and single-cell protein sources (Chen et al. 2023).

Over the past two decades, plant-based protein sources have gained prominence in commercial shrimp feed formulations as substitutes for fishmeal. These plant-based substitutes encompass a range of meal options, such as soybean meal, cottonseed meal, rapeseed meal, peanut meal and sunflower meal. Additionally, cereals like wheat, corn, barley and their byproducts, including corn gluten and wheat bran as well as distillers’ dried grains (DDGs), have been incorporated into shrimp diets.

The increasing use of plant-based ingredients in aquafeed, including for shrimp feed, comes with certain nutritional challenges. These challenges encompass amino acid deficiencies, issues related to palatability, reduced digestibility, and the presence of anti-nutritional factors. Furthermore, the elevated inclusion of plant-based ingredients has raised concern about the potential introduction of mycotoxins into the final feeds, which would pose a significant issue for feed safety within the aquaculture industry.

Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by fungi. They can contaminate crops before or after harvest, depending on prevailing temperatures and humidity levels. These mycotoxins can ultimately find their way into the ingredients and final feeds used in aquaculture.

A 2021 study (Koletsi et al.) shed light on the prevalence of mycotoxins in raw materials and aquafeed samples from 2012–2019. The analysis was carried out using liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) at an Alltech 37+® lab. Of the tested wheat samples, 80% tested positive for at least one mycotoxin, with 63% showing the presence of multiple mycotoxins. Similarly, 93% of corn samples analyzed contained at least one mycotoxin, with 88% exhibiting the presence of multiple mycotoxins. Soybean meal was not exempt from these findings, as 87% of samples tested positive for at least one mycotoxin, with 75% containing multiple mycotoxins.

Presence of mycotoxins in shrimp feed ingredients

Now we present an update on mycotoxin profiles from 2023 detected in commonly used plant-based ingredients in shrimp feeds, namely soybean meal (n=85), DDGs (n=63), wheat (n=109), corn (n=247), and byproducts such as wheat bran and corn gluten (n=23). These samples, sourced from around the world, were submitted to the Alltech 37+ lab for analysis between January and June of 2023. Using LC-MS/MS, the lab was able to detect up to 54 mycotoxins. The results, which are detailed in Table 1, reveal that regardless of the ingredient, all samples tested positive for at least one mycotoxin, with most showing co-occurrence of multiple mycotoxins within the same sample. Mycotoxin groups with occurrence rates above 10% are presented in the table for reference.

Table 1: The most frequent mycotoxin groups (occurrence > 10%) in plant-based ingredients commonly used in shrimp feeds, with their average and maximum levels (ppb)

What is apparent in Table 1 is the high occurrence of “emerging mycotoxins” in all tested ingredients, with frequencies ranging from 94% to 100%. These mycotoxins, neither routinely detected on-farm nor legislatively regulated, are on the rise. Corn, often a key component in shrimp feeds, had the highest average and maximum concentration of emerging mycotoxins (254.4 ppb and 4,751 ppb, respectively) This is not surprising  considering the absence of regulatory limits for these toxins.

Additionally, other mycotoxin groups, like fusaric acid, fumonisins, type B trichothecenes, type A trichothecenes, and zearalenone were also highly prevalent in the tested feed ingredients. For example, in corn, the levels of type A and type b trichothecenes exceeded recommended limits for cereals intended for animal feeds.

Risk quantification in shrimp feeds

To estimate the total risk of mycotoxin contamination in shrimp feeds, we employed the Alltech® DIET™ Estimator tool. This factors in the inclusion rates of plant-based ingredients and the mycotoxin contamination data. The risk was assessed using a shrimp feed recipe from the Practical Aquaculture Feed Formulation Database (PAFF) and mycotoxin results from the first half of 2023. The resulting Alltech risk equivalent quantity (REQ) was measured at 10.4 ppb, considered moderate for shrimp.

The inclusion rates of ingredients matter significantly in calculating overall contamination risk. Shrimp formulations from Southeast Asia and Latin America exhibited varying levels of risk, with Latin American diets showing a higher risk due to the inclusion of corn.

Figure 1. Estimation of REQ based on the inclusion level of plant-based ingredients used in a shrimp feed

Mycotoxins’ impact on productivity and health

Shrimp farms, particularly in tropical areas, provide ideal conditions for Aspergillus fungi, raising concerns about aflatoxin B1 contamination. Research indicates that aflatoxin B1 levels above 1 mg/kg adversely affect shrimp survival rates, growth and tissue health.

Other mycotoxins, such as deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2 toxins, and fumonisin B1, can also have severe consequences. High levels of DON impair growth and weaken the shrimp’s immune response, while T-2 toxins induce oxidative stress and damage various physiological aspects. Fumonisin B1 has been shown to reduce growth, muscle protein concentration and immune response, affecting both the shrimp’s texture and consumer acceptability.

The co-occurrence of multiple mycotoxins in plant-based ingredients is a concern. While in vitro studies hint at synergistic effects, the full impact of mycotoxin occurrence on shrimp remains unknown. Emerging mycotoxins and fusaric acid, though prevalent, lack regulatory limits and research on their effects on shrimp.

The findings emphasize the urgent need for a holistic mycotoxin management approach in the shrimp farming industry. Without effective strategies to mitigate the risks, both shrimp health and the industry’s economic stability are at stake.

To learn more about the tools and technologies offered by the Alltech Mycotoxin Management program, visit knowmycotoxins.com.

To recognize the signs of mycotoxin exposure in shrimp, click here.

I want to learn more about aquaculture nutrition.

[Serdán, Mexico] – Alltech, a leading global animal health and nutrition company, celebrated 30 years of operations at its production facility in the Mexican city of Serdán, in a ceremony on Tuesday that included Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of the company, guests from around the world, local officials and Alltech team members.

Thirty years ago, Alltech’s research into the benefits of Yucca schidigera extract for animal health, performance and welfare paved the way for the company to establish a Yucca schidigera processor in the city of Serdán. The place was chosen for its semi-desert climate, where the yucca plant grows naturally. Serdán is located 190 kilometres southeast of Mexico City and has access to one of the most important ports in the country: Veracruz; from which two of its most important technologies are exported: De-Odorase® and Allzyme® SFF.

Alltech’s investment in Serdán increased Alltech’s operational footprint and offered new nutritional solutions that improve animal health and production efficiency. However, the resulting partnership between Alltech and the community of Serdán has been even more significant.

“The way the community and our company work together is incredible,” said Dr. Mark Lyons. “From the very beginning, we have been linked, as the success of one builds the success of the other.”

Alltech and the residents of Serdán have worked together on numerous community engagement projects that support underserved families and vulnerable populations. The collaboration began with supporting a local children's home, Casa Hogar, and has now grown to 23 active projects.

“Serdán has served as a template for Alltech’s community involvement activities all around the world,” Lyons said. “We ask our colleagues in 350 communities around the world to ‘make a difference’ as our founder Dr. Pearse Lyons encouraged us, and Alltech Serdán is the best example of this spirit. This is a place where the culture of Alltech is truly alive.”

Making a difference is one of Alltech’s core values — a founding principle of the company.

“Dr. Pearse Lyons would be traveling the world and might call at any time to ask how things were going at the plant,” said Paul Kilgallen, Latin America fermentation facilities director. “A call from Dr. Lyons never ended without him asking, ‘And what are we doing for the community. How are the projects going?’”

Alltech Serdán has received numerous recognitions for its community involvement, including being certified by Empresa Socialmente Responsable (ESR) for the past five years. This award recognizes the company’s commitment to implement socially responsible management practices and promote community projects, including supporting schools, orphanages, health centers and more. Alltech Serdán’s community activities are complemented by the constant application of responsible business practices with suppliers, customers and workers.

“Alltech takes great pride in this manufacturing facility and its 30 years of making a positive impact on the community,” Lyons said. “A visit with our team members in Serdán always reminds me of the meaningful impact we can have when we work together.”

Harnessing the power of yucca — and solid-state fermentation

Since the 1990s, Alltech’s research on Yucca schidigera had shown that the glycocomponents it contains can significantly reduce ammonia emissions from the livestock industry. The company designed De-Odorase, a solution made from an extract of the yucca plant that helps reduce the levels of harmful gases from animal waste. When Alltech Serdán began operations in 1993, the facility had the capacity to process 40 tons of yucca per month. This figure has since grown tenfold.

Years later, in 2000, thanks to a project led by Kilgallen and Dr. Mark Lyons, Alltech Serdán also became the company’s first production plant to take charge of the solid-state fermentation process to produce Allzyme SSF. This natural enzyme complex, which maximizes the release of nutrients from the feed, allows agricultural producers to reduce the cost of their diets by making their formulations more flexible.

Replenishing the planet’s resources

Alltech Serdán’s commitment to sustainability aligns with the company’s purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™, which begins locally with the replanting of Yucca schidigera. For every yucca tree harvested for Alltech’s nutritional solutions, the company plants three new trees using seedlings from the facility’s on-site nursery, which has grown more than 200,000 seedlings thus far.

In addition, Alltech inaugurated its first global renewable energy project in Serdán in 2022: a photovoltaic solar energy system that covers 46% of the energy requirements of its operations. With the new system, Alltech has seen energy cost-savings of 22% in the first year the system has been used and a reduction of 650 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions per year. That reduction is equivalent to 11,000 tree seedlings growing for 10 years.

The facility also switched from using liquefied petroleum gas to compressed natural gas, reducing its annual CO₂ emissions by 17%. Likewise, the implementation of an economizer in steam boilers allowed the plant to reduce 240 tons of CO₂ per year.

Alltech Serdán’s anniversary reinforces the company’s global commitment to continue seeking the success of local producers, promoting animal welfare, and having a positive impact on the communities in which it is present.

For more information, visit alltech.com/es-mx.  

[CALGARY, Canada] – Calgary, Canada, was host today to the third stop of the Alltech ONE World Tour (ONE), a series of international events bringing the ideas and inspiration of the annual Alltech ONE Conference to the world. ONE Calgary welcomed more than 300 attendees from across Canada to explore collaborative solutions to the greatest challenges facing the agri-food industry, especially as they relate to the Canadian marketplace. Changemakers and thought leaders throughout the ag value chain united at the event to explore opportunities for agriculture to innovate and take a leading role in nourishing both people and planet.

The Alltech ONE Conference has been held in Lexington, Kentucky, home of Alltech’s global headquarters, for the past 38 years. In 2023, the global leader in agriculture is bringing the conference to its partners, customers, suppliers and friends across the globe, providing the opportunity for more people than ever to experience the power of ONE.

“As our customers and partners continue to face many challenges and uncertainties, we determined that 2023 would be dedicated to meeting them in their market,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO. “This special edition of the ONE endeavors to deliver global expertise to locally relevant issues. In the midst of economic and political uncertainties that fuel regionalization, this ONE reflects the responsibility we have as a global company to be a connector of people and ideas, ever advancing our purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™.”

Alltech ONE Calgary featured global and Canadian experts discussing agricultural trends, animal nutrition and business, including keynote presentations from Dr. Mark Lyons and renowned motivational speaker, Chris Koch, and a Sustainability Insights panel discussion. Moderated by Dr. Kayla Price, Canadian technical manager for Alltech, panelists included Tara McCarthy, global vice president of ESG at Alltech; Melissa Downing, director of regulatory and sustainability for the National Cattle Feeders Association; John Barlow, vice-chair of the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Parliament; and Al Mussell, research director of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI).

“Our industry is navigating unprecedented disruption yet remains confident and committed to evolving toward a more sustainable food system,” said McCarthy. “The key to success will be the development of innovative solutions, but even more critical is the capacity of the industry to work together across the value chain.”

Alltech recently launched a global value chain engagement study seeking industry input. Though the complete Alltech Sustainability Insights report will be released later this summer, the initial findings include:

•           There is a world of shifting and, depending on geography, quite divergent priorities. There is a very real series of crises facing the agri-food industry and, for the most part, an acknowledgement and realistic view of the gravity of those challenges. In the face of all that, there is a strong level of optimism and positivity with 85% of respondents agreeing that the food system can rise to the challenge.

•           Respondents were similarly realistic about the need for support for the primary producers of the food that the 8 billion people on this planet eat. 66% agree that unless the farmer is incentivized, things will never change.

•           There is recognition that we won’t be able to resolve the challenges ahead without a huge degree of innovation and harnessing technology to enable us to feed ourselves sustainably, with 92% of respondents believing that technology and innovation are key to more sustainable food systems.

•           There is a near-universal recognition that we need a collaborative conversation and effort across the value chain, with 93% of respondents agreeing that we all have to work together to create a better food system for the future.

Dr. Mark Lyons presented the 2023 Alltech Canada Planet of Plenty Award to Laurie Stanton, owner of Stanton Farms in Ilderton, Ontario. This award recognizes Canadian farmers, producers and ranchers across the country and their efforts of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty.

“Alltech Canada is proud to honor and thank the people and organizations that work hard every day to feed our country while implementing innovative and sustainable practices for the future of Canadian agriculture,” said Lyons.

The Alltech ONE World Tour will continue with stops in the U.S., Asia, South America and the Middle East. For more information and to register for an Alltech ONE World Tour stop, visit one.alltech.com.

-Ends-

Download photos from Alltech ONE Calgary: 2023 Alltech ONE World Tour - Calgary, Canada | Flickr

Alltech has released the 2022 Alltech Sustainability Report, which demonstrates the actions the company is taking to align the business with its commitments to the United Nations Global Compact, the U.N. Ten Principles, the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™.

“Today, climate change threatens agriculture’s ability to feed the world’s growing population. Fortunately, the world’s best problem solvers are on the case,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “We believe agriculture has the greatest potential to positively shape the future of our planet and that is why Alltech is uniting the agri-food community in Working Together for a Planet of Plenty. It’s not just our mission, it’s our purpose.”

Alltech is committed to the efficient production of nutritious food while working to minimize its carbon footprint and helping producers worldwide find and implement solutions to their sustainability challenges.

Through data and stories from Alltech team members around the world, the 2022 Alltech Sustainability Report emphasizes the role of agriculture in combatting climate change and creating healthy, sustainable food systems. It also includes information about Alltech’s emissions reduction goals, efforts to promote sustainability and the ways in which Alltech is advancing environmental actions in the industry.

Additionally, the report outlines the steps Alltech has taken to promote an inclusive work environment and highlights its team members’ efforts to make a difference in the communities in which they live and work.

“By adopting new technologies, improving business practices and embracing innovation, the agri-food industry is working together to harness the power of human ingenuity and the sustainable science of agri-food to create a Planet of Plenty, and we are honored to be part of it,” said Dr. Lyons.

Highlights include:

• Alltech invested $4.5 million in efficiency projects in 2022, resulting in a reduction of 7,600 metric tons of CO₂e.
• One hundred percent of production team members are trained in health and safety procedures.
• The Alltech Mini-MBA, Alltech’s advanced management development program, has had 576 graduates – 25% have been women. In the 2023 Mini-MBA class, 52% of participants are women.
• Seventy percent of office-based team members have received role-related training and development.
• Alltech’s climate advisory service, Alltech E-CO₂, supports 30 countries and has conducted over 20,000 on-farm environmental assessments.
• Alltech Coppens’ new sustainability scoring index reflects the carbon footprint of feed on packaging.
• Alltech Serdán received Empresa Socialmente Responsible (ESR) certification and reduced CO₂e by 650 tons through its photovoltaic system and use of compressed natural gas (CNG).
• Alltech was reaccredited by the Pet Sustainability Coalition.
• Alltech São Pedro received the Paraná Climate Seal for its emissions reduction.

“Through collaboration and innovation, the agri-food community can create a world where science-based solutions help ensure sustainable food production for the global population,” said Dr. Lyons. “Agriculture has already made huge strides in sustainability. Imagine what is possible when we all work toward the shared goal of creating a world of abundance for future generations.”

For more information and to download the 2022 Alltech Sustainability Report in full, visit alltech.com/sustainability. Click here to read the executive summary.

[DUBLIN, Ireland] – The second stop of the Alltech ONE World Tour (ONE) wrapped up today in Dublin, Ireland, following a robust agenda of presentations focused on collaborative solutions to the challenges facing the agri-food industry as it confronts the “4 Cs” — the major forces of climate, conflict, consumer trends and rising costs. ONE Dublin welcomed more than 500 international delegates in person at Croke Park. This world-class event brought industry leaders to the stage to share valuable insights in live presentations and focus-track sessions while uncovering the challenges and opportunities related to agriculture.

Tara McCarthy, global vice president for ESG at Alltech, discussed demonstrating the ROI of sustainability.

"Our industry is navigating unprecedented disruption yet remains confident and committed to evolving towards a more sustainable food system,” said McCarthy. “The key to success will be the development of innovative solutions, but even more critical the capacity of the industry to work together across the value chain.”

Alltech recently launched a global value chain engagement study seeking industry input. While the complete Alltech Sustainability Insights report will be released later this summer, Holly Geraghty, project manager of sustainability at Alltech presented initial findings that included:

• There is a world of shifting and, depending on geography, quite divergent priorities. There is a very real series of crises facing the agri-food industry and, for the most part, an acknowledgement and realistic view of the gravity of those challenges. In the face of all that, it’s heartening to see a strong level of optimism and positivity with 86% of respondents agreeing that the food system can rise to the challenge.
   
• Respondents were similarly realistic about the need for support for the primary producers of the food that the 8 billion people on this planet eat with 67% agreeing that unless the farmer is incentivized, things will never change.
   
• There is a recognition that we won’t be able to resolve the challenges ahead without a huge degree of innovation and harnessing technology to enable us to feed ourselves sustainably, with 92% of respondents believing that technology and innovation are key to more sustainable food systems.
   
• There is a near-universal recognition that there is going to need to be a collaborative conversation and effort up and down the value chain with 93% of respondents agreeing that we all have to work together to create a better food system for the future.

Delegates at ONE Dublin also heard presentations from Russell Smyth, head of sustainable futures at KPMG Ireland, about “The metrics that justify the investment”; Nina Prichard, head of sustainable and ethical sourcing for McDonald’s U.K. and Ireland, on “Our journey to net zero: The role of supply chain”; and Constance Cullman, president and CEO of the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), on “The forgotten role of the feed industry”. These speakers were then joined by Hans Jöhr, former corporate head of agriculture at Nestle and current sustainability and ESG specialist and coach, for a panel discussion exploring “How do we feed the ecosystem, not just ourselves?”

“The conversations that we are having here at ONE, the ideas that are being fostered and the science and the data being developed can help to create a story where agriculture is the hero,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “Together, we have the collective courage and impact to work together for a Planet of Plenty™.”

The Alltech ONE World Tour will continue with stops in Calgary, Canada, on July 3–4, and in the U.S., Asia, South America and the Middle East. For more information and to register for an Alltech ONE World Tour stop, visit one.alltech.com.

[DUBLIN, Ireland] – The second stop of the Alltech ONE World Tour (ONE), a series of international events bringing the ideas and inspiration of the annual Alltech ONE Conference to the world, opened today in Dublin, Ireland. The two-day event, held June 19–20, is convening more than 500 international agri-food leaders to discuss collaborative solutions and strategies for success in today’s agriculture and agri-food industries. The discussions fostered at ONE Dublin explore collaborative solutions to the greatest challenges facing the agri-food industry as it confronts the “4 Cs” — the major forces of climate, conflict, consumer trends and rising costs.

Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, welcomed delegates to Dublin and shared the stage with Dr. Vaughn Holder, director of ruminant research at Alltech, and Nikki Putnam Badding, registered dietician and director of human nutrition initiatives at Alltech, to discuss agriculture’s role in saving the planet.

“Agriculture can transform things in ways that other industries cannot and is at the interface of nourishing the present and preserving the future,” Lyons said. “Our belief is that agriculture has the greatest potential to positively influence the future of our planet, provide nutrition for all, help rural communities thrive and replenish our planet’s resources.”

Dr. Holder shared his insights on how animal agriculture can be part of the solution to improving sustainability.

“Agriculture has gone from having the most important job in the world to having the two most important jobs: feed the world and reverse climate change,” said Holder. “We sit in a unique position as we can replenish our planet and provide nutrition for all.”

Additionally, Putnam Badding spoke about the crucial importance of making nutrition accessible to all.

“Agriculture’s responsibility is to feed the world, but providing enough food is not enough, we must provide adequate nutrition,” said Putnam Badding. “The end goal is nutrition for all, and nutrition security requires all food sources.”

As ONE Dublin continues, delegates will hear from industry experts on various topics, including consumer demands, succeeding through conflict, and demonstrating the relationship between agriculture and sustainability for the world. They will also be able to attend focus-track sessions on soil and crops, animals, and the business of food and farming over the course of the two-day event.

The Alltech ONE World Tour will continue after ONE Dublin, with stops in Calgary, Canada, on July 3–4, and then on to the U.S., Asia, South America and the Middle East. For more information and to register for an Alltech ONE World Tour stop, visit one.alltech.com.

Download photos from Alltech ONE Dublin: https://creative.alltech.com/web/4f6fd5dfa7a2aa0b/one-dublin-photography/