Wrapping up June ’18: What’s new in the world of pigs?

Alltech launches Viligen

Yeast specialist Alltech’s launched the product Viligen. The product focuses on enhancing gut form and function while optimising the immune system to maintain health status. For producers with weaned pigs, Viligen promotes gut health by targeting the gut mucosa. When the technology is added to piglet diets, it prepares the immature gut for efficient nutrient absorption and rapid growth, and it encourages feed intake.

Tonisity introduces Pink2Purple

Tonisity has introduced Pink2Purple – an isotonic protein and electrolyte solution designed specifically for show pigs. With a taste that pigs like, the product is formulated to provide the right combination of isotonic protein, nutrients and amino acids for rapid absorption at the cellular level to help pigs thrive on the show circuit. The ‘on the go’ packaging makes it easy to use at home or on the road.

Merck/MSD introduces Sequivity

Merck/MSD Animal Health introduced Sequivity technology, an RNA particle technology for vaccine creation. For a conventional vaccine, antigens are grown in a lab, deactivated or killed and presented to the body. In this technology, an electronic gene sequence is utilised. After receiving the sequence, it is synthesised into RNA and inserted into the Sequivity platform, generating RNA particles. When injected in the animal, these particles provide instructions to immune cells to translate the sequence into proteins which act as antigens.

New sensor checks bin feed levels remotely

Spanish-based equipment company Rotecna has introduced a new electronic sensor device to help them monitor feed supply inside feed bins. The device, called the SiloMetric, can be installed in the top of the bin. There it remotely monitors feed level, via a laser giving a precise reading in real-time. The information is transmitted to the farm office computer, tablet or mobile phone via the cloud. In the UK it is distributed through ARM Buildings.

Photo: ARM Buildings

Intelligent heat source for piglets

At the recent World Pork Expo in Des Moines, IA, USA, Chinese-based Tender Kare Company introduced its Pig-e Heating Mat system, described as a new intelligent heat source for piglets. The system provides heat through an infrared heating mat and a digital controller. The system is based on plug-and-play. The mat itself is sealed and waterproofed and the heating element in itself is also waterproof.

World Pork Expo attracts record attendance

Speaking of the World Pork Expo, the 2018 edition in Des Moines, IA, held 6-8 June 2018, attracted a record number of visitors, as over 20,000 visitors made their way to the showgrounds. Among them, about 1,000 international guests from 35 countries. Marking its 30^th year, the expo benefited greatly from the addition of the Jacobson Exhibition Center and an expanded outdoor exhibit space, which pushed the trade show beyond 33,445 m².

Agco teams up with AgIntegrated

June was the month of cooperations: Agco, a manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment solutions, announced a development partnership with agricultural technology company AgIntegrated to deliver agricultural information management systems services to its customers. The partnership will enable North American customers to connect easily with their agronomy service providers, create seamless data connectivity, and digitise the farm.

Collaboration Ceva and Wageningen Bioveterinary Research

Wageningen Bioveterinary Research and Ceva Santé Animale (Ceva) have announced a new collaboration to develop veterinary vaccines for the control of (re)emerging infectious animal diseases, such as rift valley fever and influenza. With an estimated 75% of emerging human infectious diseases originating from animal reservoirs, this new research and development platform provides an example of how the public and private sectors can work together.

Project to collect livestock data

A consortium of nutrition companies will join a collaborative project to collect livestock data. The consortium includes the CCPA Group and the Avril Group. The project also involves partner members of the CCPA Group, like Altitude, Arterris, Terrena, Triskalia, Unéal and Unicor, as well as Avril Group representatives Sanders and MixScience. The project is led by the start-up company CaptaPlus – providing real-time livestock data collection services.

Nutriad available in Japan

Feed additives producer Nutriad reached an agreement with Watanabe Chemicals to distribute its products in Japan. This will allow Nutriad to introduce its sodium butyrate portfolio into the Japanese market. Like several other countries in Asia, Japan is aiming to move away from its dependence on AGPs. At the recent IPPS in Nagoya, Nutriad’s CEO Erik Visser signed an agreement with Watanabe’s president Shigehiro Hatanaka.

Photo: Nutriad

MS Schippers and Van Loon Group team up

Dutch-based meat processor Van Loon Group and MS Schippers have been teaming up to improve animal health. MS Schippers’ HyCare approach, focusing on a strict preventive approach to keep pathogens out, will thus be rolled out within the ‘Better Life’ pig farms that sell their pigs to the Van Loon Group. A limited number of pig producers will be financially compensated.

New barley survey powers strategies

New data and analysis from a survey of barley samples from across Alberta will help livestock producers and industry get more information. The survey was led by Canadian Bio-Systems (CBS) and the University of Manitoba, with sample collection assistance from the Alberta Barley Commission. For the 2017-2018 barley survey, samples were collected from locations across Alberta after the completion of the 2017 harvesting season.

Neovia acquires Hi Nutrients in Nigeria

Neovia is becoming the majority shareholder in Hi Nutrients, a player on the premix market in Nigeria. Through this acquisition, Neovia is gaining a foothold in the most dynamic African market for demographic and economic growth. Hi Nutrients was founded in 2004 and specialises in the production of premixes, vitamins and minerals for poultry, dairy cows and aquaculture.

New ADM facility opens feed facility in Nebraska

Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) company today celebrated the opening of its new feed facility in Columbus, NB, United States. The new facility features modern technology, including e.g. expanded warehouse space to serve customers more quickly and efficiently and new production lines.

HKScan invests in Sweden plant

Northern Europe’s largest processor, HKScan, will invest about € 7 million in its Kristianstad plant in Sweden. This is one of the steps in HKScan’s strategic development of the entire value chain, from farm to fork. The investment modernises Sweden’s largest pig slaughterhouse and strengthens thereby further HKScan’s operational footprint.

Half-time for Veramaris’ algal oil plant

Veramaris, the DSM and Evonik joint venture that will produce sustainable omega-3 oil from natural marine algae, has celebrated a milestone in the construction of its new production site in Blair, NB, USA. A topping-out ceremony was held on 4 June 2018. The construction of the US$ 200 million facility is progressing on-time and according to plan. Commercial quantities of algal oil will be ready for delivery in mid-2019.

Olmix organised Congrès AlgaSciences

French algae specialist Olmix held the 1^st-ever ‘Congrès AlgaSciences’ at its Breizh Algae School in Brittany, France. The company attracted over 120 participants from livestock and crop production. This event an opportunity to discuss on how algae can help to improve current techniques and strategies concerning animal farming and plant growth.

Dirty pigs need more dietary threonine

In a press release, feed additives company Evonik referred to a study confirming that pigs raised on antibiotic-free diets in poor sanitary conditions need to have their dietary threonine levels adjusted if they are to achieve optimal growth. Research over recent years has highlighted the key role of threonine in immune function, and the need to maintain adequate dietary threonine supply when pigs are subject to environmental challenge.