Cargill acquires feed formulation software company

Driven by opportunities in the global feed software market to provide customers with integrated formulation software and solutions on a larger scale, Cargill has acquired Format International Ltd., a leading global feed formulation software company with more than 30 years of experience and more than 5,000 users across 93 countries.
Format International specializes in the design, authoring and marketing of recipe optimization, ingredient allocation and food and feed formulation solutions for the animal feed, aqua feed, pet food, human food, premix and other industries.
Format International will become part of Cargill Feed Management Systems (FMS), a software company that operates as a separate part of the Cargill Animal Nutrition business. FMS has more than 12,000 users and provides formulation and operations solutions to the feed industry.
The acquisition creates a unique opportunity for Cargill to create world-class formulation solutions and provide customers with an even more comprehensive range of products and services.
“This acquisition combines Format International’s software capabilities and state-of-the-art platform with Cargill’s expertise in animal nutrition and nutrient analysis,” said Bruce Feist, managing director, Cargill Feed Management Systems. “Together, we will be able to offer our customers a complete and fully integrated nutrition solution that will deliver the right information to the right person – anytime, anywhere.”
Customers and employees will benefit not only from Cargill’s scale and animal nutrition expertise, but also from working with a company that shares its values. “What impresses me about Cargill is its high ethical standards, sustainable business practices and values-based culture focused on customers, employees and communities,” said Merryl Webster, managing director, Format International. “Its commitment to providing customers with end-to-end solutions will give Format’s customers additional choices of tools and systems which will help to more effectively grow their businesses long-term and ensures that we continue to deliver high quality products and services to them.”

Cargill opens largest animal feed plant in the world

Cargill marked a significant milestone in Korea with the official opening of its Agri Purina’s feed mill plant in Pyeongtaek, reaffirming its investment in the country and signaling its continued commitment to sustainable growth of Korea’s feed and livestock industry.
Cargill’s feed mill in Pyeongtaek brings world-class productivity and efficiency to the market by providing customers with the best nutrition solutions and feed safety. This will help customers improve animal performance and grow their business.
The Pyeongtaek feed mill plant incorporates Cargill’s uncompromising approach to feed safety, ingredient quality and product integrity. The company aims to provide customers with safe, trusted feed that maximizes the performance of their operations, which in turn helps to improve food safety across Korea’s supply chain.
The nearly 52,610-square-meter facility produces poultry, ruminant, swine and pet food products for animal producers marketed under the Purina & Nutrena brands. With a capacity of 870,000 tons, this facility is Cargill’s largest animal feed plant in the world. In addition to state-of-art technology, the new feed mill strives to achieve the highest standards of food safety to serve Korea’s animal nutrition industry.
Dr. Lee Bo Kyeun, Korea country representative and president of Cargill Agri Purina Korea, said: “Our customers expect us to keep innovating and adding value to their products, and this investment focuses on delivering for their success. The new feed mill will enable us to better serve our customers with advanced technology and high quality, safe animal feed. We work with governments, communities and partners to help build a sustainable feed industry with a long-term future.”

Cargill vegetarian glucosamine determined safe for petfood

Cargill’s Regenasure glucosamine HCl is now Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for use in petfood and/or animal feed for dogs, cats and horses. An independent panel of veterinary experts completed a review of the product’s safety and toxicology data and issued a favorable GRAS opinion.

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Regenasure glucosamine is the only GRAS, fully traceable vegetarian glucosamine produced exclusively in the US available for the petfood industry, according to Cargill. The panel determined that Regenasure glucosamine can be safely consumed by dogs, cats and horses under the conditions of its intended use. “Regenasure glucosamine has been a staple of the human dietary supplement and functional food markets for more than a decade,” said Mike Fleagle, Regenasure brand manager at Cargill.  “[The] announcement assures petfood manufacturers that they can safely incorporate Regenasure glucosamine in the products they sell to the companion animal joint health market. Numerous scientific studies have been conducted on glucosamine’s impact on joint health in companion animals.”
Regenasure glucosamine is produced by Cargill in Eddyville, Iowa, with all raw materials sourced in North America. It is sold as a dry powder ingredient, packaged in 25 kg boxes or 450 kg super sacks.

Cargill Animal Nutrition donates petfood to mudslide-stricken Washington

Recent mudslides in Washington state have affected entire families, including their pets, and Cargill Animal Nutrition is one of the entities stepping in to help. The company donated 27 tons of petfood to Darrington, Wash., adding to existing donations from the community and outsiders.

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The full number of pets and livestock killed may never be known, according to incident spokespeople. Authorities also don't have a clear number of how many pets are missing or displaced by the slide. There were at least 37 horses displaced and at least 10 dogs that were missing as of March 31. 

Cargill to acquire Pet Carousel

Cargill announced February 10, 2014, that it is acquiring Sanger, California, US-based Pet Carousel, a private company formed in 2003 that produces branded and private label pet treats and chews. The transaction is expected to close on, or about, February 28, 2014. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Pet Carousel is part of the pet treat and chew category that generates approximately $1.4 billion in annual US sales.

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Viewed as an investment that complements Cargill's existing California distribution and beef processing businesses, Pet Carousel is an established company with a national reach and is positioned as a provider of all-natural pet products made from high-quality, USDA-inspected, US raw materials. Pet Carousel will benefit from Cargill's nationwide distribution capabilities and raw material supplies from the company's US beef, pork and turkey processing facilities.
In addition to a product line that includes private label brands, Pet Carousel produces and markets Roper brand cotton blend chew ropes, Choo Hooves brand natural bones and chews, as well as a line of natural white meat chicken and turkey jerky, and sweet potato and vegetable chews.
Additional synergies will result in more environmentally responsible products that do not require international transport from various points around the world.
Pet Carousel's 36,000-square-foot facility in Sanger, employing 25 full-time employees, will continue to produce the company's line of pet treats and chews with increased investment for innovation and new products.

RECALL: Cargill recalls River Run, Marksman dog food for high aflatoxin levels

Cargill is voluntarily recalling dog food, sold under the River Run and Marksman brand names, due to high levels of aflatoxin.

The affected dog food was manufactured at the company's Lecompte, Louisiana, USA, plant from December 1, 2010, through December 1, 2011. The food was distributed in 13 American states and two American territories: Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Hawaii, Florida, California, and Guam and the US Virgin Islands.
"No illnesses have been reported in association with these products to date, and no other Cargill Animal Nutrition petfood products are involved in this recall," Cargill said in a statement.

Cargill completes acquisition of animal nutrition company Provimi

Cargill, a producer of food and agricultural products, completed its acquisition of animal nutrition company Provimi for around US$2.1 billion.

The company will mainly focus on feeds for cattle, poultry and swine producers, though Cargill does produce and market companion animal foods in the US, primarily through feed stores and other agricultural retailers under its Loyall petfood and River Run dog food brands. Cargill also markets bagged feed for horses, poultry, goats, rabbits and other animals under the Nutrena (US) and Purina (international) brands.
Ton van der Laan, previously chairman and group CEO of Provimi, will lead Cargill’s new animal business as corporate vice president, along with Joe Stone, Cargill’s animal nutrition business leader. The combined company will employ more than 16,000 people in 37 countries, according to Cargill.
Provimi sold its European petfood business to the private equity group Advent International earlier in 2011 for nearly US$240 million. 

Cargill uses YouTube video to promote petfood donation

After teaming with The Pet Project to donate a truckload of petfood to an area food bank in January, Cargill Animal Nutrition is raising awareness for needy pets with a video campaign.
The company has posted a short video on YouTube of the January donation that delivered 38,000 pounds of petfood to Second Harvest Heartland. Cargill’s goal is to get 10,000 views before April 30 and celebrate by donating another load of petfood to help pet owners during tough times.