Review
The importance of ‘microflora management’
The first International Nutritional Congress organized by Nukamel and Koudijs Feed, a de Heus International company, gave an update on scientific research available in the European context. In Turnhout, Belgium nutritionists presented the latest developments regarding food quality and specifically solutions to replace in-feed antibiotics.

Processing
Accurate sampling helps to improve feed quality
A major task of a producer is to manage the logistics of a large number of commodity flows. Raw materials are delivered in different quantities and batch sizes. A feed mill with an annual output of 100,000 t will realistically have about 500 incoming batches of sizes ranging from 5 to 1,000 t per month. Correct sampling is of utmost importance to obtain the desired quality standard.

Processing
Epol strengthens position with hygiene investment
In striving to maintain its market leadership, South African feed manufacturer Epol has upgraded one of its feed production plants by installing a Hysys hygienizing and compacting system from Buhler. The new Hysys installation operated by Epol is a first in South Africa and the biggest system of this type ever installed worldwide.

Aquaculture
In search of an alternative protein source
Pressure groups question the use of fishmeal in aquafeeds on ethical grounds. This has forced the feed industry to more seriously examine the use of alternative protein sources during the formulation process. Successful substitution of fishmeal with more sustainable proteins could act to limit or eliminate the aquafeed industry’s dependence upon uncertain fishmeal supplies.

Regional focus
Europe’s most advanced bird food production facility
Back in 1973 Cranswick plc started life producing basic feeds for East Yorkshire pig farms. Today, Cranswick is a leading UK stock market quoted company with a turnover of £318 million. Recently the company built a brand new bird food plant in East Yorkshire.

Nutrition
Animals benefit from adding acids to the drinking water
Water is one of the most important feed ingredients in the diet. Clean water improves the animal’s performance and acidifying drinking water may even suppress bacteria that have a negative influence on performance. But there’s more to acidifying the water than just adding a simple acid.

Market
Oceanic transport alters dynamics of trade
Rising international trade has increased demand for transport, especially for ocean freight, since 98% of intercontinental trade is transported by sea. Now with increasing fuel prices and high volatilities in freight rates the profitability of food and feed companies might be endangered, according to a report by Rabobank International.