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Time Business News
21-07-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Clean Feed Trends Fuel Growth in Compound Feeds and Additives
The mixture of raw materials and additives formulated for meeting the nutritional need of animals are known as compound feeds. With changes in consumer preference, advances in technology, and an increased focus on conservation the market for compound feeds and additives has increased rapidly. Consumer concerns about antibiotic resistance and a desire for cleaner, more transparent food production methods are among the primary drivers of this shift. The rise in demand for both natural and organic feed additives, including phytogenic, probiotics, and prebiotics is a prominent development in this field. Key Growth Drivers and Opportunities Rising Focus on Animal Welfare: The natural feed that encourage the health promotion of animals without depending on other synthetic chemicals or antibiotics are key factors of growing focus of animal welfare. Ethically sourced animal products are more preferred by consumers and regulators that push the compound feed producers to produce more plant-based, organic and enzyme-rich additives. The animal digestion, nutrition and immunity are boosted with natural solutions along with overall well-being. This measure also supports and aligns with sustainable and humane livestock practices. Challenges Major challenges consist of animal welfare and health concerns with consumers and livestock producers driving more demand for feed formulations encouraging health of animals and utilizing the natural additives. As more consumers purchase prefer animal products sourced from ethically raised livestock, the purchasing decisions are influenced with growing awareness that excludes the growth promoters and antibiotics slowing down the market growth. Producers are adopting feed solutions that incorporate natural ingredients that has good health impact. Innovation and Expansion NOVUS and Ginkgo Team Up for Next-Gen Feed Additives In October 2024, to develop modern feed additives for animal agriculture, NOVUS International announced a partnership with Ginkgo Bioworks. The given collaboration has great emphasis on promoting synthetic biology for creating sustainable and precise solutions regarding the animal nutrition, aiming to improve the livestock health and overall performance. The advanced cell programming platform of Ginkgos and NOVUS's animal nutrition expertise boos t innovation in bio-based and plant-based additives. A growing trend is reflected with given strategic move towards sustainable solutions in current animal agriculture. Volac Launches Feed Additives Division for Sustainable Livestock In March 2023, a New feed additives division was launched by Volac which is a UK-based company to majorly focus on production of sustainable livestock. To provide technical support and evidence-based products that are designed to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of production of livestock systems on global scale. The strategic initiative aims for reducing the environmental impact, improving animal performance and driving more profitability for farmers. With integration between on-farm application and research-based development, Volac solidifies its position as key player in sustainable animal agriculture. Sustainable Additives, Expanding Markets The key players operating in the compound feeds and additives include, Cargill, Incorporated, ADM, Guangdong Haid Group Co., Ltd, New Hope Group, LAND O'LAKES, and others aiming antibiotic resistance and a desire for cleaner, more transparent food production methods are among the primary drivers of this shift. About Author: Prophecy is a specialized market research, analytics, marketing and business strategy, and solutions company that offer strategic and tactical support to clients for making well-informed business decisions and to identify and achieve high value opportunities in the target business area. Also, we help our client to address business challenges and provide best possible solutions to overcome them and transform their business. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Agriland
02-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Watch: Delivering quality silage for dairy farming brothers
The reliability provided by Ecosyl additive is delivering quality silage and peace of mind for two dairy farming brothers in County Kilkenny. Leslie and Sam Caldbeck, who milk 250 cows on a 350-acre platform near the village of Tullaroan, have been happily using Ecosyl for the past 10 years. Liam Gannon, business manager at Ecosyl, first visited the Caldbeck farm last spring, and upon returning at feedout time, the brothers shared why they have been long-term users of Ecosyl additive. Volac International Ltd, who make Ecosyl, captured the brothers' experience on camera, showcasing the real impact of the additive on their silage quality. Having used Ecosyl for years, the Caldbecks were able to demonstrate the difference it makes. On his visit, Gannon saw first-hand how the silage additive had helped preserve quality, reduce waste, and improve feed efficiency — solid proof of why they continue to trust Ecosyl. Leslie Caldbeck said: 'Since we started farming back in the 1980s, we've been using an inoculant and we began using Ecosyl in 2015.' 'The harvester that we bought at the time featured a liquid applicator so we looked at the various products available and that's when Ecosyl came to our attention. 'Since then, we've been using it in liquid form at a low volume rate and I have to say it's an excellent product. 'It's very easy for the contractor to mix a 2L tub of Ecosyl with water – you'd have it done in a few minutes with the mix then catering for application for anything between 30ac and 120ac.' Ecosyl caters for an extensive range of crops and ensiling conditions, delivering improved fermentation and animal performance. It contains MTD/1, a special strain of bacteria which is exclusive to Ecosyl's range of silage additives. MTD/1, which puts farmers in the driving range of silage preservation, was selected by Volac due to its highly efficient fermenting function, which can work in multiple crops over a wide range of conditions. A special manufacturing process also ensures that MTD/1 bacteria are produced in peak condition, enabling its immediate function. Image source: Volac International Ltd According to Sam Caldbeck: 'There are a lot of challenges to consider when making silage – and the weather probably presents the biggest and most regular challenge of all.' 'Nonetheless we aim to produce silage with a DMD (dry matter digestibility) in excess of 75% and that's what we aim for all of the time. Our last DMD test came in at 77, which we were very pleased with. 'While we might not get a huge yield off it, we utilise all of that. If a cow is getting 15kg of silage, we know those 15kg are going to be very productive for her.' Leslie added: 'We moved away from making huge volumes many years ago and changed our emphasis to producing really high-quality silage. 'We've our own way of cutting silage – a strip grazing system which keeps the grass as fresh as possible – but if we let grass go uncut for two to three weeks later than we normally do, we'd probably end up with a cut less and a heap more silage but with a depleted feeding value. 'We calve and are milking by the first week of January and we feed 5-6kg of concentrates and nuts in the parlour. That's what we do and it works well for us.' Despite more changeable winter conditions of late, Leslie acknowledged his farm's favourable topography when it comes to getting – and leaving – cattle out. 'We've a natural advantage by location given the level of dry land we have, which means we're able to keep the cows out as long as possible,' he said. 'While they mightn't have much to graze on outside, we also bring them in for buffer feeding before they go out again. 'At the back end of last year, there was plenty of grass but we found that it didn't do a whole lot for the cow but once we started feeding the silage, we got better yields from the cows.' Quality silage One of the Caldbecks' main annual objectives is to avoid waste. Why? 'Because waste is expensive,' said Sam. 'It's our biggest single expense.' 'Most years, we're putting out 2,500t of silage and we're probably throwing out less than 5t of waste. It really does pay to use Ecosyl because that's what gets your silage right, that's what keeps it stable and that's why it feeds out well. 'The fact that there's so little waste is obviously an excellent sign in terms of DMD and demonstrates the quality and reliability of silage that we produced from the previous harvest. 'Ecosyl is playing a huge role in maintaining that reliability and that's why we'll continue to use it.' A high-quality additive from a trusted company, Ecosyl is scientifically proven to work efficiently from application through to improved animal performance. 'We're very happy with how Ecosyl continues to perform,' said Leslie. 'It works so well for us, it helps to sustain the quality of the silage, it rarely goes off and there's little or any secondary fermentation. 'High quality silage leads to more efficient conversions to beef and milk – so everyone gains. Our silage is utilised to the last, our milking cows have an excellent level of condition and that really is the name of the game. 'And should things not go to plan, then we'll adapt accordingly: that's what farmers have always done and will continue to do. But, all things being equal, 2025 will be a productive and profitable year for us.' To identify the steps required to improve silage quality, contact your local silage expert.
