หน้าเว็บ

29 November 2011

China will import over 1 million tonnes of pork in 2012

//28 Nov 2011
Chinese pork imports for 2012 are forecasted to be similar to those of 2011. It is estimated to be between 1 and 1.1 million tonnes.
Ma Chuang, vice chairman of the Chinese Animal Agriculture Association (CAAA), told Dutch agricultural magazine Boerderij that the Chinese pork sector is decreasing. He said the decrease of traditional backyard farming is stronger than the growth of professional pig farms at the moment.
 
He added that this does not mean that the total production output is decreasing strongly. Imports in the most recent quarter have been a lot bigger than a year before. The chairman said that in the last quarter, imports have been of a substantial bigger volume than one year earlier. At the moment, however, he said they are back at an old, familiar level, as nowadays pig producers can deliver more quickly due to price decreases.
 
Outbreaks 
As for outbreaks of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) and Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), Ma Chuang is not worried, saying that these would not be as widespread as suggested by Rabobank in its latest report.
 
He added that vaccination programmes have been initiated, to control both diseases. 
 
Related website:
• Boerderij

Just over 1,000 breeding pigs sent to China

//28 Nov 2011
Dutch genetics company Topigs has imported 1,003 breeding pigs to China. These animals originate from the company’s nucleus farms in Canada.
The great grandparent animals are the top of the breeding pyramid and have the highest SPF health status.
 
The imported pigs will be used to build up extra breeding capacity in China for the production of breeding pigs and they and their off spring will be distributed to clients around the country. In this way it is possible to comply to the growing demand of genetics in China were the robust and highly productive genetics are demanded more and more.
 
Breeding stock
The imported breeding stock will be housed at the facilities of Topigs Huanshan. This is a joint venture company of with the breeding organisation and the Huanshan Group. The farm is a modern one with well equipped facilities. “This is an important step for pig breeding in China,” says Jeffen Chen, manager for the company in China.
 
“With the imported breeding stock it is possible to provide fast growing professional pig industry with top shelf genetics, making it possible to produce at high level.”
 
Huanshan is a corporation with permanent assets close to 10 million RMB (€1.18 million), having 1,800 staff, a modern agricultural enterprise which has integrated businesses including feed production, husbandry and pigs slaughtering.

28 November 2011

Aarhus Uni: 100% organic diet for organic poultry

//28 Nov 2011
Scientists at Aarhus University are collaborating with a large number of scientists from other European countries to find optimal solutions to feeding organic pigs and poultry a diet that is 100% organic.
The difficulty in raising animals on organic diets has been getting hold of sufficient organic feeds to satisfy the demand – particularly for a source rich in protein. This will hopefully now become a thing of the past with the help of research at Aarhus University.

In a new research project, scientists from Aarhus University and from universities in Switzerland, Finland, Germany and the Netherlands, among others, will develop organic feeding strategies for the European pig and poultry market based solely on organic products. The 100 percent organic feeding systems that the project will be developing aim to satisfy not only animal nutritional requirements at the different stages of growth and production, but also health, welfare and environmental aspects. The scientists will also be concentrating on locally produced feeds.

The plan is to systematically map and assess individual feeds and feeding systems for pigs and poultry. Scientists will look at the nutritional value of the ingredients of the selected feeds and how accessible they are on the market. They will evaluate different types of roughage and compound feeds and will also assess the value of foraging.

Traditional feeds such as cereal and grass are not the only feeds sources studied. Who says that the protein source must be soybean imported from the other side of the planet? Europe has its own potential for growing protein-rich products, and combinations of, for example, varieties of lupine, naked oat, mussel meal, insect grubs, wild pea and sainfoin may be sufficient to meet the protein requirements of organic pigs and poultry in Europe.

Pigs and poultry are not normally the largest consumers of roughage, but roughage has a certain beneficial effect on animal digestion. A large intake of roughage, for example, helps to maintain a healthy gut flora and good digestive function. The supplementation with roughage for pigs can encourage them to increase their foraging, which makes them more active and reduces possible aggressive behaviour.

A diet including plants is known to provide animals with extra minerals and vitamins, but there are many gaps in our knowledge of the value of foraging for pigs and poultry. Both pigs and hens root around in the soil and in that way not only consume plant material, but also insects, larvae and other protein-rich sources. The scientists will investigate how much protein the foraging can contribute in different biotopes, such as deciduous forests, coniferous forests, windbreaks and in different breeds of pigs and poultry.

The project is a collaboration with Research Institute of Organic Agriculture in Switzerland, Agrofood Research in Finland, Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute and University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf in Germany, Wageningen UR and the Louis Bolk Institute in the Netherlands, Organic Research Centre and Food Animal Initiative in England, BOKU-University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Austria, Institut Technique de l’Agriculture Biologique in France, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Sweden and the Lithuanian Institute of Agrarian Economics in Lithuania. The project has been funded by the Green Development and Demonstration Programme of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture Fisheries.

Source: Aarhus University

US Salmonella Heidelberg outbreak spreads

//25 Nov 2011
The number of people affected by chicken livers contaminated with Salmonella Heidelberg in the US has risen to 179 people in six states, according to an updated CDC report. That is 22 more cases in four more states than the CDC reported in its initial report on 8 Nov 2011.
The kosher broiled chicken livers, sold by Schreiber Processing Corp. of Maspeth, New York, under the MealMart brand, were recalled 8 Nov 2011. The chicken livers had been distributed to New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Minnesota, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Florida.

Customers may have incorrectly thought the word "broiled" in the label meant the chicken livers were ready-to-eat, however they were not fully cooked, the CDC has speculated.

In its latest report on the outbreak, the CDC said New York has now identified 99 cases of salmonellosis linked to the chicken livers, New Jersey has confirmed 61 related cases, Pennsylvania 10, Maryland 6, Ohio 2, and Minnesota 1. Those ill range in age from younger than 1 to 97 years old.

In August 2011, the CDC noticed a "sustained increase," about 30 to 40 cases per month since June 2011, in the number of S. Heidelberg isolates with the outbreak strain reported by New York and New Jersey to PulseNet, the national foodborne illness surveillance system. Those states typically report only about five cases of S. Heidelberg a month.

New York City conducted an enhanced epidemiologic investigation, which traced the source of the outbreak to the chicken livers. Lab tests in New York then identified the outbreak strain in samples of the MealMart chicken livers and in chopped liver made from the MealMart chicken livers.

Consumers should discard any of these chicken liver products still in their homes, the CDC said. It also advised that chicken livers should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees and when partially cooked chicken livers are repackaged for sale, retailers should clearly label them as requiring further cooking.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Photo source: Science Photo Library

24 November 2011

China-Brazil agreement boosts poultry trade

//24 Nov 2011
More Brazilian processing plants are being certified to export poultry meat to China, expanding the bilateral trade relationship between the two countries.
Brazil is the world's largest exporter of poultry and the increasing demand in China has resulted in a rise in imports. However, not all Brazilian slaughterhouses are allowed to export to China, because some of them have yet to implement the technical and hygienic procedures required to obtain a green light from Chinese regulators.

Therefore, Brazil's current output, most of which has already been sequestered by other countries, is unable to satisfy orders from Chinese dealers, said Adriano Zerbini, market relations manager of the Brazilian Poultry Association (UBABEF), the country's largest poultry industry organization.

In 2004, Brazil and China signed a hygiene agreement for poultry, allowing trade to flourish. Since 2009, 24 out of Brazil's 48 poultry exporting facilities have obtained certification from the Chinese authorities.

Analysts said the poultry business is a microcosm of trade between China and Brazil. They are two major emerging-market economies and could prove crucial for the ongoing global economic recovery, especially at a time when Europe is suffering a sovereign debt crisis and the US economy remains fragile with uncertain prospects.

Brazilian poultry, which the UBABEF said boasts integrated production methods and high standards of hygiene and technological support, can easily meet the increased demand from China. However, Chinese buyers need to have a deeper understanding of Brazilian products prior to making their orders, said Ricardo Joao Santin, markets director of the UBABEF.

He said a Chinese delegation may visit Brazil in March 2012 to assess production conditions in the poultry industry and decide whether to allow more imports from the country.

At present, Brazilian poultry exports to the Chinese mainland account for less than 5% of the country's total poultry exports. "We estimate our poultry exports to China could expand to between 180,000 and 200,000 tonnes this year, from 120,000 tonnes in 2010, doubling its proportion within our total exports," said Santin.

Source: China Daily

Newcastle Disease detected in Mexico

//24 Nov 2011
Two instances of sub-clinical Newcastle Disease have been detected in separate commercial flocks in Central Mexico, according to reports submitted to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
The first report describes a positive reaction to routine surveillance at a farm at Col. Montoro in the region of Aguascalientes on 26 October. All 850,816 birds were destroyed.

In Jalisco, 30,000 susceptible birds were destroyed at a commercial broiler farm at Road Lagos de Moreno-San Luis Potosí.

In both instances the farms have been depopulated and cleaning and disinfection activities have been carried out. In addition the properties have been quarantined with movement of birds restricted.

Source: World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)

Poultry disease study sheds light on human cancers

//23 Nov 2011
Fresh discoveries about Marek’s disease could have major implications for the poultry industry, making it possible to breed birds with greater resistance to the disease and also improve our understanding of some types of cancers in people.
Scientists analysed thousands of genes to pinpoint those that play a role in Marek’s disease – a viral infection that costs the global poultry industry more than £1.4 billion a year.

The research from The Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh and the Institute for Animal Health, both of which receive strategic funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), identified a gene – called IRG1 – that makes chickens more susceptible to the disease.

The gene is thought to cause the death of cells, which can in turn lead to diseases including cancer. Researchers also found how the Marek’s disease virus may also encourage tumour growth.

Chickens and mammals, including humans, have anti-tumour mechanisms, one of which is controlled by a gene called HIC1. HIC1 switches on lots of other genes which have anti-tumour effects.

Marek’s disease virus switches off the genes controlled by HIC1 – in other words, it turns off key genes that would normally work to block tumours.

These genes are also linked to fighting tumours in humans and the study could help research into preventing of some types of cancers in people, which like Marek’s disease, are caused by viruses.
Such viruses include the human papilloma virus, which can lead to cervical cancer, and Kaposi’s sarcoma, which affects patients with HIV.

Professor Pete Kaiser, of The Roslin Institute who led the research, said: “Marek’s disease is highly contagious and chickens are becoming increasingly resistant to vaccination. Identifying a gene that increases the risk of Marek’s disease could help us breed chickens that are less susceptible to infection.
“Also, learning about how chickens affected by Marek’s disease fail to combat the onset of tumours will help us learn more about how certain viruses can trigger cancer in humans.”

The research, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, is published in the Journal of Virology.

Source: The Roslin Institute

Egypt, Indonesia report recent H5N1 outbreaks

//23 Nov 2011
Egypt reported five H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks in October, and the latest disease surveillance from Indonesia suggests that the highest incidence is in Bali, where three human fatal infections were recently reported, according to an overview from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The Egyptian H5N1 outbreaks struck four governorates: Beheira, Fayoum, Gharbia, and Giza. The event in Beheira occurred at a farm where poultry was vaccinated against H5N1. The other four outbreaks affected unvaccinated backyard or rooftop poultry, according to the FAO.

In Indonesia, disease surveillance authorities said Bali had the highest incidence of villages affected by highly pathogenic avian flu in September, at 5.6 per 1,000, followed by Central Sulawesi (4.3 per 1,000), West Sulawesi (3.1), West Kalimantan (3.1), and South Sulawesi (2.8) provinces. The figures are from the Participatory Disease Surveillance and Response program, which covers 29 of the country's 33 provinces.

In October, the H5N1 virus killed three Bali residents, a 29-year-old woman and two of her children, a 5-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy. Poultry in the family's household had died before the woman and her children got sick.

Outbreaks were also reported in two villages in East Nusa Tenggara province, the FAO reported.
More recently, the virus struck poultry in three subdistricts in South Sulawesi province, killing about 14,000 birds, according to a local media report cited on Nov 19 by Bird Flu Information Corner, a Web message board operated by Kobe University in Japan and Airlangga University in Indonesia.

The FAO overview of the latest H5N1 outbreaks also includes detections in Vietnam and Iran, which had been previously reported to the World Organization for Animal Health.

So far this year, 14 countries have reported H5N1 outbreaks, according to a chart in the FAO report.
H5N1 is endemic in a handful of countries, including China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, and Egypt.

Source: CIDRAP News

Philippines: Pork shortage may be a reality during the festive season

//22 Nov 2011
Since the Philippine government has made no attempt to issue permits to import pork parts and chicken leg quarters, there could be a pork and chicken shortage this festive season in the country, according to meat processors.
It has been reported that since 3 November this year, not all import clearances for pork and chicken have been released. The issue was taken up at the Department of Agriculture (DA) by Francisco Buencamino, executive director of Philippine Association of Meat Processors, and Jesus Cham, president of the Meat Importers and Traders Association. Because of this, an impact on the Christmas season may be seen, in terms of shortage of pork and chicken meat.

According to Cham, meat supply will become scarce if manufacturers compete with ordinary consumers in getting the produce of local hog farmers, which will relay to a higher pork prices.

Higher prices in January
He added that by not issuing import permits, a meat shortage as well as 5% - 10% higher prices of products with imported meat components will be experienced by January 2012.

The Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, has been further urged by Buencamino to relook at its decision. The issue is currently still pending.

Source: ABS-CBNnews.com

Live pig export from Germany to Russia - restrictions still in place

//22 Nov 2011
In view of incoming requests the Rosselkhoznadzor has stated that the temporary restrictions on export of live pigs from Germany imposed on 15 November 2011 may be lifted when a system is introduced by German National Veterinary Service.
The system should ensure complete and steadfast compliance with the Russian and Customs Union requirements on safety of products under state veterinary control.

Source: Rosselkhoznadzor

22 November 2011

One third of rejected products at EU borders relate to mycotoxins

//22 Nov 2011
The European Union’s system for quick exchange of information on risks linked to food and feed has further grown in importance during 2010, the system’s annual report reveals.
The 2010 annual report of the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), notes that the number of notifications in RASFF rose to 8,582 last year.

This is a record number and constitutes an increase of 8% compared to 2009, when the number of notifications was slightly under 8,000.

This growth in notifications, taking place for the third consecutive year, is largely down to rejections of consignments at EU borders in the light of the strengthening of border controls.

There were also 576 alert notifications reporting on serious risks found in products on the market, a small increase compared to 2009.

Mycotoxins stopped at border
Border rejection notifications concern products that were refused entry into the Community and were given another destination or were destroyed.

More than three out of ten (34%) border rejections concerned products refused entry because of high levels of mycotoxins.

The second most frequent reason for rejection was the presence of pesticide residues above the limits set in legislation.

50% feed and food
Almost one out of two notifications in 2010 is about a feed, food or food contact material rejected at the EU border due to a risk posed to food safety.

When such a product is identified, the RASFF informs the third country in question, in order to prevent a recurrence of the problem, in most cases through its online RASFF Window platform.

When a serious and persistent problem is detected, the Commission sends a letter to the national authorities of the third country concerned, asking them to implement corrective measures such as delisting establishments, blocking exports or intensifying controls.

The RASFF report breaks down the overall number of notifications in 2010 into alert (576), information (1,168) and border rejection (1,552) notifications.

Alert notifications are sent when the food or feed presenting a serious risk is already on the market and immediate action is required.

Two-thirds EU origin
Two-thirds of the alert notifications in 2010 related to products originating in the EU, and most of these problems were detected by controls carried out on the market.

Among the risks most reported through these alerts were the presence of pathogenic micro-organisms, heavy metals, allergens and mycotoxins.

Information notifications are sent when a risk has been identified but immediate action by other Member States is not necessary either because the product is not yet or not anymore on the market or because the risk is of a non-serious nature.

About half of the information notifications (52%) were on products originating in third countries. Among the risks most reported for information notifications were the presence of pathogenic micro-organisms, pesticide residues, heavy metals and non-compliances regarding food additives.

How easy is it to diagnose and treat mycotoxins?

//22 Nov 2011
It’s now common knowledge that mycotoxins, harmful toxins produced by moulds, can create a variety of health problems for animals depending on species and type of toxins identified. Regulation limits are in place; however mycotoxin effects are synergistic in nature, meaning that combinations of low levels of mycotoxins can have a greater impact than a high level of a single toxin.
“Mycotoxins are now recognised as a genuine global threat to the feed industry. In the past two years, mycotoxin issues in the equine and pet industries have also been highlighted by the media. The decision to expand the features of www.knowmycotoxins.com reflects this reality,” said Alltech’s Global Mycosorb Manager, Dr. Jules Taylor-Pickard.

Some key facts about mycotoxins are:
· There are approximately 500 known mycotoxins.
· Animals are consistently exposed to multiple toxins.
· Interaction between toxins makes diagnosis difficult.
· Long term exposure to low levels of mycotoxins in the diet can reduce production and reproductive performance.

Producers should consider being proactive now. Testing samples and using a blending method are two common approaches.

However, once feed is contaminated there are no cost effective options currently available to remove the toxin from the feed and therefore, it has to be fed.

With this in mind, the use of an appropriate mycotoxin adsorbing product can help to minimise the negative effects on the animal.

Yeast cell wall
A glucomannan polymer extracted from the cell wall of the yeast cell, is a natural fibre source and can often be used at practical levels of inclusion against several mycotoxins.

A 2010 study from the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands conducted by Fink-Gremmels et al. selected dairy cows that were presenting disease conditions from three farms for experimental treatment with a yeast cell wall extract from Alltech.

Eighty-five percent of the cows supplemented with the product for two weeks showed reduced levels of oxidative stress, lower somatic cell counts and increased milk production.

The bottom line for producers and nutritionists is that the animal remains the best indicator of a mycotoxin presence.

Therefore, if that animal is not performing to its fullest, or unexplained symptoms persist, consider the role that a mycotoxin may be playing.

Mycotoxins are a leading area of study at Alltech. Through 31 years of research-driven product development, Alltech has created a range of natural solutions for the feed and food industries.

โรคอหิวาต์สุกรอัฟริกันระบาดในรัสเซีย 3 เขต

 
                 เมื่อวันที่ 16 พฤศจิกายน 2554 เจ้าหน้าที่สัตวแพทย์รัสเซียรายงานต่อองค์การโรคระบาดสัตว์ระหว่างประเทศ (OIE) เรื่อง การระบาดของโรคอหิวาต์สุกรอัฟริกัน ใน 3 เขต ได้แก่ Kurskaya Oblast, Stavropolskiy Kray และ Krasnodarskiy Kray ในรัสเซีย

                รายงานระบุว่า สุกร 47 ตัวล้มตาย ส่วน สุกรที่ติดเชื้อจำนวน 2629 ตัวถูกทำลาย อย่างไรก็ตาม ยังไม่สามารถระบุหาสาเหตุของโรค และกำลังอยู่ในระหว่างดำเนินการหาสาเหตุ
 

ที่มา : The Pig Site (22/11/54

20 November 2011

Moldova planning 20% increase in poultry production in 2012

//18 Nov 2011
In 2012 Moldova plans to increase its domestic poultry production by 20%. After years of stagnation, the small country now expects the poultry industry to increase production by this level.
It was reported that high feed prices and technically outdated companies were the main factors for delaying the development of domestic production. In 2011, an investment of about 2 million USD has been made which is an unprecented amount for the whole agricultural sector of the country. To a minor extent the federal government was able to help only with 17 thousand dollars, whereas the rest came from private investors and bank loans. "The federal subsidy is a drop in the bucket compared with the investment that we made, " says the head of the National Poultry Producing Assotiation, Peter Pope.


Because the cost of feed accounts for 75% of the prime cost of poultry, a special fund will be created for 2012. "Producers can then buy grain on time. This measure should almost completely solve the problem and even cut a price for feed in the country’s market," said Head of Market policies department of the country Valentin Ciobanu.

Over 2011 Moldova expects to produce about 55 thousands tons of poultry which is 12% more than in 2010. Due to large investments in the industry and other measures, the aim is to develop the poultry sector, it is predicted that in 2012 this figure will rise up to 66 thousands tons or by 20% up, compared with the level of this year.

EU to ensure the protection of live animals during transport

//18 Nov 2011
EU rules on live animal transport need a complete overhaul - demands Eurogroup for Animals following the publication of a European Commission report on the impact of the transport legislation on the sector and on the welfare of animals.
The European Union has had legislation in place to regulate the protection of farm animals in transit either to another farm for fattening or to the slaughterhouse since 1977. No other EU protection law has been so controversial and ineffective, with widespread problems of enforcement and lack of compliance which result in continued animal suffering.

More animals are transported than ever and the number of consignments has greatly increased, looking at the transport of pigs alone we see an increase of 70% today compared to 2005, and this report shows that the presumed economic impact and significant administrative burden has been exaggerated.

This increase in transport volume goes against the European Food Safety Authority’s scientific advice, published in January 2011 which clearly stated that we must in order to minimise the risk of transport-associated disease outbreaks develop strategies “that reduce the volume of transport and long distance transport of animals for finishing or slaughter or reducing journey times”.

It is less clear what the impact has been on animal welfare. This Report states that available information shows that “severe animal welfare problems during transport persist” whilst “the quality of transport has improved”. This is worrying especially when the external study on which the report is based only refers to a “slight improvement”.

15 November 2011

ASF continues to destroy pork farming in Black Belt region, Russia

//15 Nov 2011
Two new outbreaks of African swine fever have been recorded in the Black Belt region - the center of pork production in Russia, where a third of the pig stock is concentrated in the country, and where the Belgorod region is located with virtually all the major pig complexes.
ASF has been registered in one of the largest farms in the Rostov region. Rosselkhoznadzor confirmed that the pork producing enterprise of the company "Bataisk" a new outbreak of ASF has surfaced. The presence of the disease has been confirmed in the Regional Veterinary Laboratory and the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute. Total pig stock at the farm where the outbreak was found is about four thousands heads, reported Rosselkhoznadzor.


Also last week another outbreak of African swine fever was first registered in the Voronezh region - at a private farm, which contained 700 head of pigs. According to preliminary estimates of Veterinary Services of the Black Belt Region as a result of these two outbreaks, over 11 thousand of pigs will be destroyed.

Also officials added that in both cases, the outbreaks happened due to the use of infected feed - heat-treated food waste. A state of emergency has been declared in both regions.

Two cases of pig mortality has been recently registered in the Black Earth - one in the Kursk and another in the Voronezh region, about 20 km. from the border of the Belgorod region. The pathological material from dead animals were sent to veterinary laboratories to confirm the presence of ASF.
(By Vladislav Vorotnikov)

Make an extra £1 per pig

//15 Nov 2011
A healthy pig can earn producers £1 more than a disease-challenged one because it can use the same feed more effectively.
Nutritionist Paul Toplis explained that health is the overriding factor affecting growth rate, during the BPEX 2TS Focus on Health conferences.

He said: “Even if there are no observable signs of disease, performance is being depressed on all commercial farms and the full nutritional value of the feed is not being realised. So producers should spare no effort in improving and protecting pig health.

“When there is an underlying health problem, there is still a lot producers can do to limit the impact on growth. Feed intake is the key priority and producers need to minimise the number of additional stressors to make sure feed intake is as high as possible. The biggest rewards come from ensuring pigs have free access to the correct diet at all times.”

Important areas for producers to focus on include:
• Adequate access to feed and water for all pigs
• Stocking density
• Environment and lighting
• Feed specification
• Feeder settings
• Monitoring feed intake and checking if it ties in with growth and grading
• Pellet quality and feeder cleaning routines
• Wet feed volume, frequency and fermentation

For more information on tackling pig disease, all the speakers’ presentations are available to view in full at www.bpex.org.uk/2TS/conferences.aspx, along with BPEX factsheets.

Source: BPEX

Alltech Vietnam receives ISO 22000:2005 certification

//15 Nov 2011
Alltech has received an ISO 22000:2005 certification for its plant in Dong Nai, Vietnam.
Alltech began operating in Vietnam in 1994 and officially opened a representative office in Ho Chi Minh City in 2000. After steady development, Alltech Vietnam moved to Dong Nai in 2006, where it expanded its operations and built the production plant, which includes a state-of-the-art solid-state fermentation facility. The region is now supported by four full-time operation technicians who provide on-site quality control.

A higher national target for livestock population growth and increasing demand for better meat quality, presents huge opportunities and challenges for the feed industry in the coming years. “Operating under our strict AQS quality control system, which exceeds global standards and regulations, we can ensure that we are at the forefront to provide the technologies and quality assured solutions our customers need in order to address these future challenges,” added Steve Bourne, Alltech vice-president. “The facility will provide added flexibility allowing a greater tailored customer approach in what is one of Alltech’s fastest growing countries globally.”

Bayer and AgraQuest expand accord on poultry nutrition supplement

//14 Nov 2011
Bayer Animal Health and AgraQuest, have agreed to expand their collaboration and will allow Bayer to become the exclusive distributor of AgraQuest’s Bacillus subtilis QST 713 in selected countries for poultry applications.
The product that will be distributed under the agreement will be Baymix Grobig BS, a feed additive based on AgraQuest’s patented strain of Bacillus subtilis and co-branded with AgraQuest’s trademark Sympatic. Baymix Grobig BS has already received registration in India, Korea and Thailand and is already marketed by Bayer Animal Health in these countries. It will be launched in other key markets throughout Asia and Latin America, with registrations currently in process in eight countries

Baymix Grobig BS is a product designed to be complementary to existing poultry health regimes, brings balance to microflora of the intestinal tract of poultry. The genetically distinct QST 713 strain enhances digestion and has been shown to protect birds from profit robbing diseases such as necrotic enteritis.

Related:

•BayerHealthCare
•AgraQuest

FDA lowers estimates on use of antibiotics

//14 Nov 2011
The US Food and Drug Administration has significantly lowered its estimate of antibiotic use on farms after a report last month showed a 6.7% increase in 2010.
The FDA has since posted new numbers that show only a 1.3% increase, which is on par with the increase in meat and poultry production.

The revised report concludes that the overall amount of antibiotics used in food production was 13.2 million kilograms in 2010. That's up from 13.1 million kilograms in 2009. The FDA said its initial numbers were based on an "earlier draft" that was "posted erroneously."

"We were still adjusting classifications and numbers," FDA said, "including a late submission from a drug sponsor."

The initial report had caused a flurry of activity among public health advocates who want to curtail the use of antibiotics in food production out of concern that it puts people at risk by increasing the number of drug-resistant bacteria and making antibiotics less effective.

10 November 2011

Thai animal feed producers to get breaks on quotas

//09 Nov 2011
The Thai government is to lift import quotas for animal feed raw materials for up to three years to help manufacturers make longer-term business plans.
Import quotas for soybean meal and fishmeal are normally reviewed every year but will now be reviewed every three years. However, maize quotas will still be reviewed every year.

Feed producers and soybean oil manufacturers have long complained that annual reviews, and delays in decisions on quotas, resulted in shortages of raw materials and affected food prices.

Currently the import tariff for soybean meal is 2%. Rates for fishmeal and maize are based on the origin of the products.

Yanyong Phuangrach, the permanent secretary for the Commerce Ministry, said the 2% tariff on soybean meal would remain to help domestic farmers.

Eight feed meal industry associations will be allowed to import soybean meal on condition that they also buy agreed amounts of domestic soybeans.

Demand for soybeans this year is estimated at 2.075 million tonnes while domestic production is only 150,000 tonnes.

Fishmeal imports are duty-free from Asean, the US and Australia under free trade agreements. Imports from Japan will face a 1.67% tariff until March 2012 under the Thailand-Japan free trade agreement, but will be duty-free from April 2012 to December 2014. The normal tariff for fishmeal is 15%.

Pornsil Patcharintanakul, president of the Thai Feedmill Association, welcomed the decisions, saying producers would no longer have to wait for import permission every year.

However, the association would like to see the 2% tariff waived as production costs in Thailand are higher than in competing countries including Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia.

Mr Yanyong said the government had to review maize imports yearly because local production was high, and imports would be allowed from March to July.

Demand for maize last year was 4.35 million tonnes while the projection this year is 4.52 million tonnes.

Source: Bangkok Post

New dioxin find in Germany poses no danger

//10 Nov 2011
German authorities said this week they saw no danger to the public after an animal feed ingredient was found to contain the highly-poisonous chemical dioxin above permitted levels.
German sugar producer Pfeifer & Langen reported it had produced sugar beet pulp with dioxin levels of 1.0-1.6 nanograms, per kilo, "slightly above" permitted levels of 0.75 nanograms, a spokesman for the agriculture ministry in the state government of North Rhine Westphalia said.

"We see no danger," the spokesman said. "The sugar pulp usually makes up only 10-15% of a TMR ration in dairy feeds and the levels are not so high that the entire animal feed mixture would be pushed over the limits."

Unlisted Pfeifer & Langen had itself informed authorities.

"We see a problem in part of the process chain which is being investigated. Currently we see no necessity to issue a warning," the ministry spokesman added.

Deliveries had been made to Germany and the Netherlands, he said. They were being recalled.

Eight suppliers and 30 farmers in Rheinland-Pfalz region who received the contaminated beet pulp were locked and milk samples will be tested for dioxin levels.

Pfizer aims to be number one in poultry

//10 Nov 2011
Pfizer Animal Health Global Poultry is determined to continue its expansion and become the leading provider of poultry health solutions worldwide, says Vice President Dr Paco Ortiz.
“We have expanded our business considerably in the past years and can now offer more customer service, more technology and more expertise than ever before,” he said.“Our aim is to use this considerable resource to create and deliver revenue-generating services for our customers.”

According to Paco Ortiz, Pfizer Global Poultry is currently the second largest provider of poultry health solutions, accounting for around 21% of the global market. A series of strategic acquisitions over recent years has given the company a solid and diverse portfolio of products including biologicals, MFAs (medicated feed additives), diagnostics and BioDevices. However, Dr Ortiz pointed out that the size of the company was not the ultimate measure of success.

“We don’t just want to be the biggest: more important to us, is to be the most valued. We want to add value to our customers’ businesses, so they see us as an indispensible partner.”

“Both poultry meat and egg production is predicted to increase globally over the next five years, with much of the increase being driven by growing markets in the Asia Pacific region,” said Dr Ortiz. “This increase in production means that quality health solutions will be needed more than ever to protect against disease and to improve production efficiency and flock performance.”

Related website: Pfizer Global Poultry

Russia bans the import of live pigs from Germany

//10 Nov 2011
Russia introduced a temporary ban on the import of live pigs from Germany. This was due to the delay of removing antibiotics. A temporary ban on the import of live pigs will be introduced from November 15 this year.
Rosselkhoznadzor head, Sergei Dankvert, has said that the inspection of animals has shown that the period in which antibiotics has to be removed in live pigs was not carried out by the German producers.

"Their veterinary services gave an order that 30 days prior to delivery of the pork to Russia antibiotics should not be used, but such an order was not given. After receiving live pigs, Russia must hold them for another month, because a week ago, antibiotics were used," said the head of Rosselkhoznadzor.

The Federal Veterinary Service of Germany informed Rosselkhoznadzor, that they are not ready to give guarantees of production safety yet. "We need a guarantee. While German services cannot provide them to us, the supply of live pigs from Germany will be temporarily suspended," said Dankvert.


The main problem is that the Veterinary Service of Germany has no authority to check federal lands and in fact it is only able to convey assurance from local manufacturers to the Russian side.
(By Vladimir Vorotnikov)

Thailand: Possible pork shortage in January

//10 Nov 2011
Current pork surplus may turn into a shortage as swine raisers are rushing to sell their animals for short-term profit in order to avoid risking greater loss from current flooding, says Pravit Asanatham, president of the Thai Pork Traders Association.
Reports state that the current over-supply has seen the swine price drop. "The severity of any shortage will depend on the government's policy, especially involving the control of live swine exports - if they these exports can be kept at an appropriate level.

(By Joyce Rainat)

CPF turns focus to international markets, avoiding Thai flooding effects

//10 Nov 2011
Charoen Pokphand Foods Plc (CPF) is placing greater emphasis on investment and revenue for foreign operations as the severe flooding will greatly affect the Thai economy and trim local spending, reports Adirek Sripratak, president/CEO of the SET-listed CPF food flagship.
It sees overseas ventures as the way to increase sales from foreign operations in three years from 26% to a total of 40%, as many people have lost their jobs and purchasing power.


His concern is echoed by the study by the Economic and Business Forecast Center of the University of the ThaI Chamber of Commerce, predicting that 300,000 workers will be unemployed due to flood-hit business disruption.


Although CPF's farms and production plants are safe from flooding, their retail units are not, 15% of which have been temporarily closed and this is why, he says, the focus now is on increasing revenue from overseas business, expanding investments to new countries and strengthening existing operations abroad.

08 November 2011

Piglets found to have FMD in Taiwan

//07 Nov 2011
Five piglets have been found to be affected by Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Penghu County, Taiwan.
The Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine of the COA said that the FMD infected animals were found on 30 October. The pigs has come from Taiwan mainland.
 
Authorities have stated that where the pigs originally came from, the herd is FMD free. The COA stated that the five piglets and another 3 pen-mates were culled.
 
Also, all contaminated holding pens, equipment, and tools were disinfected and the outbreak is contained.
 
Source: Chinapost.com

Merck Animal Health announces EU approval for swine vaccine against M Hyo

//27 Oct 2011
Merck Animal Health (known as MSD Animal Health outside the USA and Canada) announced that it has received marketing authorisation in the European Union for Porcilis M Hyo ID Once, the first single-shot vaccine against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M Hyo) infection in pigs for intradermal administration.
Porcilis M Hyo ID Once is approved in the 25 member states of the European Union plus Iceland and Norway for the active immunisation of finishing pigs to reduce pulmonary lesions and the decrease in daily weight gain during the finishing period due to infection caused by M Hyo.


The new vaccine differs from the existing Porcilis M Hyo in that: (1) the new vaccine comes as a single-shot (whereas the existing vaccine is available as a two-shot vaccine), and (2) the new vaccine is approved for use as an intradermal administration (whereas the existing vaccine is approved for use as an intramuscular administration). This new single-shot, intradermal application of the vaccine adds flexibility and convenience in use to the current dosage scheme that has been available in Europe since 2004. Market introduction in the individual countries will depend on the granting of national licenses that have been scheduled for the coming four to six months.


Merck Animal Health already has two other vaccines with a label claim for intradermal use (in addition to an intramuscular claim) - Porcilis PRRS and Porcilis Begonia. The company has a needle-free ‘Intra Dermal Application of Liquids’ (IDAL) device which is used for the intradermal application of these vaccines. Before or in conjunction with the commercial launch of Porcilis M Hyo ID Once the company will introduce an improved IDAL device for intradermal use with all three vaccines.


Infection with M Hyo is known to cause enzootic pneumonia, a chronic pneumonia which can be complicated by opportunistic bacterial infections (such as P. multocida, B. bronchoseptica, S. suis, H. parasuis and A. pyogenes).
 
There is usually an incubation period of two to eight weeks before clinical signs of M Hyo infection are seen. Over the first six to eight weeks after it enters the population there may be severe acute pneumonia, dehydration, heavy breathing, coughing, respiratory distress and fever. This results in increased mortality, as well as a reduced rate of weight gain and lower feed efficiency. As a consequence, M Hyo infection in a pig herd often results in significant economic losses for the farmer.
For full prescribing information please consult the Summary of Product Characteristics.


Source: Merck Animal Health
 

Merck Animal Health: Swine Dewormer receives positive opinion in the EU

//08 Nov 2011
Merck Animal Health (known as MSD Animal Health outside the USA and Canada) announced that it has received positive opinion from the CVMP in the European Union for Panacur AquaSol (fenbendazole 200 mg/mL), a suspension for use in drinking water indicated for the treatment and control of gastro-intestinal nematodes.
Panacur AquaSol is exclusive for swine and is an improved pharmaceutical formulation of Panacur that has been used successfully as a deworming agent for many years in a wide range of animal species.
 
The new formulation was made possible due to a refinement of the milling process, resulting in a smaller particle size and a more homogeneous particle size distribution. The practical advances are (1) more convenience due to a stable suspension in drinking water for up to 24 hours without the need for re-stirring and (2) a higher bioavailability of Panacur AquaSol compared to Panacur powder.
 
The approved indications of Panacur AquaSol are the treatment and control of infections with Ascaris suum (adult, intestinal and migrating larval stages) and Oesophagostomum spp. (adult stages). It is well tolerated in pigs with no adverse effects being observed. The CVMP, on the basis of quality, safety and efficacy data submitted, considers that there is a favorable benefit/risk balance for Panacur AquaSol and therefore recommends the granting of the marketing authorization.
 
The active substance of Panacur AquaSol is fenbendazole, an effective anthelminthic medicinal product from the benzimidazoles family, which acts by interfering with cell growth and cell division in helminths. This means that benzimidazoles are effective at killing both adult and larval stages of worm parasites as well as of killing of worm eggs (by interruption of embryonization). Fenbendazole is widely used as a deworming agent in a wide range of animal species.
 
Worm infections in swine do not commonly represent the severe clinical disease picture that is often seen in some other species, but that is not to say that helminths are not important. Whilst in specific circumstances, different worm parasites can cause severe clinical illness and even deaths in swine. Hence such parasite infections can be economically important to the swine business as they can interfere with piglet or sow vaccination, restrict growth, affect sow productivity and reduce animal feed efficiency.

03 November 2011

Foot-and-mouth disease threatens China’s pig secto

//27 Oct 2011
A resurgence of a variant of foot-and-mouth disease is threatening China's pig supply and underpinning pork prices, a senior industry analyst with Rabobank Group said.
The disease, which affects most parts of the world that have major animal husbandry industries, creates the risk of pork prices continuing to keep food costs elevated at a time when Beijing is seeking to combat high consumer-price inflation.
 
"Hog inventories have risen a bit but disease is quite serious," Chenjun Pan said. "From the industry, we know the disease is coming back and it might worsen depending on the weather change and the vaccination and sanitary measures taken by the farmers."
 
Average wholesale fresh pork prices tracked by the Ministry of Commerce have fallen 3.7% this week since reaching a record CNY26.44 (€2.98) a kilogram in mid-September.
 
However, October prices are still up about 45% on year, suggesting hog supply hasn't significantly improved, Pan said.
 
"In the second half of the year, foot-and-mouth disease will continue to be prevalent, especially in pig populations that were already affected last year," the Hunan Province Pig Production Technique System, a provincial-level think tank, said in a report widely carried among industry websites last week. Hunan is China's major pig-producing province.
 
Chinese veterinary authorities reported an outbreak of the disease in Ningxia Autonomous Region last week to the World Organization for Animal Health.
 
China also reported an outbreak among swine, sheep, cattle and goats in Guizhou province in July and among pigs in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region in March.

South Korea: Foot and Mouth disease may have struck

//01 Nov 2011
The Agriculture Ministry said that South Korea has possibly discovered what seems to be Foot and Mouth Disease at a cattle farm in Pohang city. Last year 9.7 million cattle, pigs and poultry were culled due to disease outbreaks such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease and bird flu.
According to the farm owner, 14 cattle seemed to have contracted the disease and currently tests are being carried out in order to confirm the disease.

 
As a result if disease outbreaks last year, inflation increased and a rise in meat imports was also seen.
 
Source: Bloomberg.com