BlueWave Marine Ingredients sells majority stake of shares

BlueWave Marine Ingredients, maker of ultra-low molecular weight fish peptides for human and animal nutrition, has sold a majority stake of its shares to 3D Corporate Solutions L.L.C., a US-headquartered nutrition business.
Scott Walker, CEO of 3D, notes “BlueWave is a key acquisition for us as we move forward. It jump starts our marine platform, allows us geographic presence outside North America, and BlueWave’s Peruvian facility links well to our growing Human/Functional Nutrition business.” Walker went on to detail that BlueWave represents strong synergies with some other 3D strategic initiatives, including 3D strategic partner JT Naturals (Joplin, Missouri, USA) in the marketing of BlueWave Oils and Refined Peptides into the booming nutraceutical space.
Michael Mussell, CEO of BlueWave, enthusiastically supports 3D’s new ownership. “During the last 4-5 years, we expanded our platform with strategic partners and four new factories utilizing a proprietary/patented process technology. It is an ideal time for a strong marketing partner and 3D is a perfect fit.”
3D Corporate Solutions, headquartered in Monett, Missouri, USA, is employee-owned (ESOP) and is a four consecutive-time honoree on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing, privately held companies in America. 3D produces and sources ingredients in the nutrition industries for pets, feed, and food. 3D also provides warehousing and logistics services. The company participates in numerous industry associations and local community events.
 BlueWave Marine Ingredients operates four factories (Peru, Ecuador, Spain, Morocco), utilizing sustainable marine sources to produce low molecular weight peptides noted for their exceptional digestibility, purity, and bioavailability.

New company involving Kay Flo animal nutrients assets forms

The animal nutrients business formerly run under third-generation company Kay Flo, has been reorganized under a new name, Kay Dee LLC.
A.W. Lohry founded Kay Dee Feed in 1928, which evolved into Kay Flo in the 1970s. Eric Lohry, A.W. Lohry’s grandson, has acquired all assets of the animal nutrients business, which now encompasses a family of brands that includes Nutraferma, Kay Dee Feed, UltraPhos, NF Protein and DPS.
“We are excited to be able to build upon a long tradition of customer focus, product innovation and intensive research and development,” Eric Lohry said. “Our single mission now will be to create technologically advanced and research-proven products for the animal feed industry.”
Kay Dee LLC was formed in concurrence with the sale of Kay Flo, which was announced on May 18. Kay Dee LLC will retain all related animal nutrient companies, product lines and facilities.
Lohry said the sale of the fertilizer side of the business will allow the newly formed company to continue its legacy in a more focused and strategic way.
Kay Dee owns and operates five manufacturing facilities; two are in Sioux City, Iowa, and one is in Nevada, Missouri. The other two are joint-venture facilities, located in North Sioux City, South Dakota, and Jiangsu, China.
“This exciting change will offer a real advantage to our customers,” Lohry said. “What we were great at before, we will become even better going forward – we have exciting expansion plans right on the horizon.”

InVivo, Jeil Feed extend technical assistance partnership

InVivo Animal Nutrition & Health and Jeil Feed have signed a second technical assistance partnership agreement.
Under this one-year-agreement, InVivo NSA will provide knowledge, assistance and technical support to Jeil Feed. A renewed strategic cooperation allows the Korean feed producer to strengthen its knowledge in animal nutrition with InVivo NSA’s expertise.
The partnership focuses on designing innovating, efficient and sustainable solutions. After two years of collaboration, Jeil feed continues to develop more its knowledge in these areas in order to better address stakes of the future for agriculture. In this context, the company would strengthen the efficiency of its production systems by improving performance.
Driven by these objectives, the Korean leader in animal feed has chosen InVivo NSA to advise them in foreseeing market trends and to help the company in designing innovating, efficient and sustainable solutions. InVivo NSA also will provide zootechnical assistance tailored to meet the specific needs of Jeil feed, notably in pet food sector. This new services contract is characterized by a strong involvement of its international experts to share best practices with Jeil Feed teams. This support should allow Jeil Feed to better answer to the stakes of Korean livestock industry over the coming years.
France-based InVivo Animal Nutrition and Health has a turnover of US1.6 billion, with a presence in 28 countries, 72 production units and 6,830 employees. InVivo NSA operates in 5 activities: complete feed, premix and services, feed additives and ingredients, analysis laboratories and animal health.
Recognized for its research and development and zootechnical know-how, InVivo NSA benefits from 60 years of expertise in animal nutrition. The company has strengthened its pet food activity with the recent acquisition of the third-largest player in Brazilian petfood market, Total Alimentos.
Jeil Feed, the major South Korean animal feed manufacturer, produces 1.4 million tons of feed per year with a turnover of US535 million. The company, which recently invested in a pet food plant in Korea, belongs to the Harim Group, the South Korean leading industrial player operating in poultry production.

Horn Animal Wellness releases animal nutrition infographic

Specialty animal ingredient distributor Horn Animal Wellness has released an educational infographic designed to help shed light on the functional and nutritional benefits of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) oil for animals and animal food products.

“There are studies that show the importance of MCTs in weight-management formulations and in age-specific formulas, thanks to the MCTs being readily available fuel for the brain,” said Dave Preszler, technical director of Horn Animal Wellness. “They are excellent for use in formulations and supplements for show and sport performance animals. MCTs are also prominently used in milk-replacement products due to their digestibility and their nutritive characteristics.”
MCTs are important in animal nutrition as an energy source and as an ingredient for cognitive health, according to Horn. MCTs are metabolized into ketone bodies, which are able to freely pass through the blood-brain barrier to become the main energy source for cells. MCTs are also readily absorbed in the gut and then released directly into the portal vein and transported directly to the liver. The liver rapidly metabolizes the MCTs, which releases instant energy to the body.
The infographic is available online and can be downloaded.

Biorigin releases sustainability report

Biorigin has released its latest sustainability report which, among other things, announces an investment of US$120 million in its plan to expand production, which should increase the company's net income and cash generation until 2017.

Another highlight was the result of Biorigin's satisfaction survey. The general index of customers’ satisfaction was 75.9%, whereas product quality obtained 91.3% approval, both at 95% confidence level. Brazilian and foreign customers of the food and animal nutrition sectors were interviewed, and the survey results generated an action plan that is already being implemented.
Antonio José Zillo, director-president of Biorigin, said the focus of the company is sustainable economic growth and generation of value for the shareholders. “We were able to identify opportunities and to find solutions for the challenges, maintaining the competitive level of the company and always aiming at increasing productivity and efficiency in cost management and operations," said Zillo. "This is our strength: To make business grow, while respecting people and preserving the environment."
The report also looked at traceability, clean energy and certifications.

Academy of Natural Health Sciences offers pet nutrition online courses

Academy of Natural Health Sciences is offering a pet nutrition online home-study program. These pet nutrition programs specialize in canine nutrition, feline nutrition, equine nutrition, or general clinical pet nutrition.

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The Canine Nutrition Program is a 100-hour program covers a variety of subjects. Courses include The Problems with Pet Food; Protein, Carbs and Fat for Dogs; Health Benefits of Proper Feeding; Making the Switch to a Better Diet; Feeding and Dry, Canned or Frozen Food; Feeding Options for Busy Owners; Keys to Healthy Homemade Meals; Preparing Homemade Meals; Raw Food Feeding; Pet Nutrition Supplements; Herbs for Dogs; Homeopathic Remedies; Flower Essence Use; Veterinary Acupuncture; Veterinary Chiropractic; Massage Techniques; Vaccinations; and Natural Remedies and Health Problems. Upon completion of the program, the student will be awarded a Canine Nutrition Certificate that can be applied to the school's Clinical Pet Nutritionist program.
Similar to the Canine Nutrition Program, the Feline Nutrition Program is also a 100-hour certification. Courses are similar to the canine program; however, vary slightly. Some special feline courses include Litter Box Tips, Raw Food Feeding, What Cats Need and Don't Need, Species Appropriate Nutrition, and Proper Dosing for Cats.
The Clinical Pet Nutritionist Program is a 500-hour program that goes into more detail with pet nutrition studies. Starting with the canine and feline programs, students also examine pet nutrition through courses such as Anatomy and Physiology for Cats and Dogs; Dog and Cat Diseases; Sports Nutrition for Dogs; Clinical Nutrition for Dogs and Cats; Diseases and Natural Remedies; Raw Food Feeding for Dogs and Cats; Breed Specific Nutrition; Prescription Diets for Dogs and Cats; Herbology for Dogs and Cats; Homeopathy for Dogs and Cats; Drug, Herb and Supplement Interactions; Preventing Drug-Caused Nutrient Depletions; Blood Work and Nutritional Interpretations; Canine and Feline Health Assessments; CPN Business and Legal Guides; along with a Counseling Practicum. Graduates are awarded with a Clinical Pet Nutritionist (CPN) Diploma upon completion.
The last program available for pet nutrition through the Academy of Natural Health Sciences in the Equine Nutrition Specialist (ENS) program. Still in development, the Academy of Natural Health Sciences is still converting the program to an online curriculum.
For more information on these programs or to enroll today, visit http://www.anhs-school.com/pet-nutrition.html.

FIAAP, VICTAM to organize pavilion at Animal Farming Ukraine 2013

Victam will organize a FIAAP/VICTAM Pavilion within the Animal Farming Ukraine 2013 exhibition. Victam says it chose to support Animal Farming Ukraine again as the show presents the entire range of products in the field of animal farming and directly related businesses.
The key product areas for the FIAAP & VICTAM Ukraine Pavilion are technology; equipment, ingredients and additives for animal feed production; grain and raw material processing; and feed and grain storage. Animal Farming Ukraine will take place October 29-31 at the International Exhibition Center in Kiev, Ukraine. 

SupplySide Animal Nutrition Insights offers free report on animal nutrition market

SupplySide Animal Nutrition Insights offers a free report, Animal Nutrition Market Poised for Growth, which details how ingredient suppliers and petfood and feed manufacturers have been trying to stay ahead of the changing market.
Among highlights, the report notes companies like Prinova, which acquired Crest Feed Flavors in 2009 and committed to manufacturing palatability-enhancement compounds for the livestock, equine and pet markets. Other companies noted include Kemin, DuPont and Novus International.
According to Melinda Culver, Ph.D., DVM, scientific affairs manager of biosciences, Abitec Corp., pet owners are applying lessons learned from their own health to their pets, mirroring the human supplement/nutrition market.
Paul Dijkstra, CEO of InterHealth Nutraceuticals, sees growth in joint health; while Ingmar Middelbos, companion animal research manager at Stratum Nutrition, suggested urinary tract health and skin and coat conditions are prevalent conditions to address. Additionally, Guy Miller, Ph.D., president of BioMatrix International, says he does a lot of business with prebiotics, but said the future will be probiotics, omega-3s and products containing a mixture of ingredients with a synergistic effect.
Despite the market growth, experts acknowledge limitations, including regulatory guidelines and raw material availability. 

Virgo launches SupplySide Animal Nutrition Insights online resource

Virgo, an information distribution company focused on business-to-business markets around the world, unveiled a new online resource called SupplySide Animal Nutrition Insights.
SupplySide Animal Nutrition Insights provides animal nutrition developers, producers, marketers and distributors with in-depth coverage of science, ingredients, innovations and strategies that drive the animal nutrition market.
Content includes ingredient and formulation strategies, emerging market and product development opportunities, innovations, and business best practices for the petfood and animal feed industry. Underwritten by Horn, a distributor of raw materials and specialty ingredients, this online platform delivers ingredient and supply chain information to the animal nutrition industry via reports, digital issues, video reporting and more.
"We are introducing SupplySide Animal Nutrition Insights because we continue to see more people from the animal nutrition field coming to our events and looking for information through our websites. There is great innovation happening right now in ingredients, technologies and applications in this area, and we are excited to serve our global audience with original content to help them capture the opportunity," said Jon Benninger, vice president of Virgo'S SupplySide Health & Nutrition Network.

AFIA to host Liquid Feed Symposium in September

The American Feed Industry Association’s Liquid Feed Committee will host the 42nd annual Liquid Feed Symposium, September 12-14, at the Grand Hyatt Denver in Colorado, USA.
The program educates and promotes the agricultural liquid supplement industry, with speaker presentations, research funding, achievement recognition and the Liquid Feed Symposium Trade Show.
Jim Whitt of Purpose Unlimited will deliver the keynote speech. In addition to sessions covering legislative and regulatory topics impacting the industry, the symposium will also feature weather, cattle and ingredient forecasts, and technical presentations on viscosity, pumps, inventory management, nutrition, sustainability and quality control. Networking opportunities for attendees include watching the San Francisco Giants take on the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field and the induction of the 2012 Liquid Feed Hall of Fame recipient.

WATT eLearning launches three companion animal nutrition online courses

WATT eLearning has launched three new companion animal nutrition online courses. Now available for enrollment on www.wattelearning.com, these courses are designed to help you and your pet industry colleagues gain valuable knowledge and enhance your professional development.
Created by industry expert Linda Case, M.S., the three courses are a natural continuation of the “Building Blocks of Companion Animal Nutrition” course, but can also be taken independently for more specialized study:
Feeding Management during Growth in Dogs and Cats 
This four-module online course provides complete information about a growing pet’s nutrient and energy needs, selection of a proper diet, and feeding management guidelines that promote good feeding behaviors and support a healthy rate of development.
Nutrition for Adult Animals – Maintenance and Reproduction 
This five-module online course provides complete information about nutrition for adult, non-reproducing dogs and cats, and also covers nutrient needs and feeding management during breeding, gestation and lactation.
Nutritional Needs and Care of Senior Pets 
This three-module online course provides complete information about the nutrient needs of senior pets, as well as the basic physiological changes that occur with aging and how these changes can impact a pet’s nutritional needs.
Log on to www.wattelearning.com to learn more about the new courses and to sign up for an account today. Registered eLearners receive exclusive discounts and updates when new sessions are added.

Short course will cover nutrition, feed management, designing animal feed mills

A one-week Practical Short Course on Aquaculture Feed Extrusion, Nutrition and Feed Management will be held September 23-28, at Texas A&M University by staff, industry representatives and consultants. 
The course will cover information on designing new animal feed mills and selecting conveying, drying, grinding, conditioning and feed mixing equipment, including equipment for petfood. The course will also review current practices for preparing full-fat soy meal processing; recycling fisheries by-products, raw animal products and secondary resources; raw-material extrusion of floating, sinking and high fat feeds; spraying and coating fats, digests and preservatives; use of encapsulated ingredients; preparation of premixes; nutritional requirements of warm water fish and shrimp; feed management; and least-cost formulation.
Practical demonstration of sinking, floating and high-fat aqua feed are shown on four major types of extruders (dry, interrupted flights, single and twin-screw), using various shaping dies. Other demonstrations include vacuum coating and lab analysis of raw material for extrusion. 
Reservations are accepted on a first-come basis. For more information, programs and application forms, contact Dr. Mian N. Riaz of Texas A&M's Food Protein R&D Center by phone at +1.979.845.2774 or by email at mnriaz@tamu.edu.

US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack visits Kemin Industries

US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack recently visited a high school in rural Des Moines, Iowa, USA, telling students that manufacturing jobs are returning to the Midwest, such as those at local manufacturer Kemin Industries, which he also visited.
Vilsack told the students that the high-tech manufacturing jobs of today require math and engineering skills while working to research and develop plant molecules used in the company's production of pet food ingredients and products for animal nutrition. 
Less than two years ago, Kemin launched a five-year US$30 million expansion of its Des Moines operations, designed to add six new manufacturing facilities, three new research facilities and a new corporate headquarters building, creating a minimum of 98 jobs at the Kemin campus over that time.
John Greaves, Kemin's vice president of specialty crops, also gave a presentation, reminding students that although consumers may not always think about the food they eat or the petfood they feed their pets, companies like Kemin manufacture the ingredients that ultimately end up in the pet's food. 

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. 

Prinova forms Animal Nutrition brand for pet industry

Prinova USA, formerly Premium Ingredients International, created a new brand for the pet industry called Prinova Animal Nutrition.
The renewed focus on animal nutrition includes a flavor product manufacturing facility built in 2010 at Prinova’s corporate headquarters in Carol Stream, Illinois, USA.  Prinova Animal Nutrition also has its own team of technical personnel and a research and development laboratory.

What's the best way to educate vets about pet nutrition?

I received an email recently from a veterinarian who commented that when he attended vet school 20 years ago, he took one nutrition course -- that was it. He said he hoped that situation had changed.
I think we all know it has not. Most US veterinarians would admit that their formal education on companion animal nutrition consisted of one basic course that, in some cases, had to be taught by a professor from another program (usually the animal science department or something similar) because no veterinary faculty had the knowledge or expertise to teach it.
 Any information on nutrition received after veterinary school usually comes via a handful of pet food manufacturers that sell through the veterinary channel. And not to disparage them, their products or their information, but let's face it: That information is by its very nature prone to be limited and biased.
Several pet food professionals in Europe have told me the situation is the same in most countries there, at least the ones with well-established pet food markets.
I don't have statistics on this -- except from Italy, where the Associazione Nazionale Medici Veterinari Italiana (national veterinary association) recently did an online survey showing 85% of vets there get requests from clients for advice on petfood -- but we all know the first source many pet owners turn to for information on pet nutrition is their veterinarian.
Considering this, the lack of nutrition knowledge and education among these professionals is one key reason, I believe, that so much misinformation about pet nutrition and petfoods abounds online and among other consumer media. Today's pet owners are highly involved, aware and hungry for knowledge. If they can't get it from their first source (their veterinarian), they'll turn wherever they can, including and especially the Internet.
The veterinarian I heard from issued a challenge: "Surely, there is a way for ... your industry in general to do a better job educating veterinarians, so they can help you educate the public."
Do you agree this is a role for our industry?

Animal health company launches DVMdiets Network for veterinarians

AHD, an animal health marketing and technology company, launched the DVMdiets Network, created for veterinary professionals
AHD says its DVMdiets Network provides comprehensive nutritional education for veterinary practices, along with an online home delivery platform for clients that offers more than 70 brands of specialty and prescription diets.
The DVMdiets Network features weekly live and on-demand seminars for member practices, which are sponsored and conducted by diet manufacturers and companion animal nutrition experts. The programs are designed to educate the entire staff of the veterinary practice, focusing on emerging trends, standardized nutritional guidelines, and new products and categories. The DVMdiets Network is offered as a free member benefit for members of the online veterinarian purchasing organization, GroupDVM, AHD says. 
"Our research indicates that while nutrition is discussed on more than 80% of veterinary clinic visits, less than half of veterinarians feel that their staff is adequately trained on companion animal diets," said Daryl Schraad, president of AHD. "The growing number of specialty diets has made it challenging for veterinarians to stay properly informed, let alone stock all of the products that their clients need. DVMdiets helps ensure the veterinarian remains the 'go-to' source for nutritional information, while allowing them to earn revenue and increase diet compliance through our DVMdiets home delivery program."

Vets support canned petfood over raw diet

Despite the popularity of raw petfood diets, many vets are not comfortable recommending a raw food diet to their clients, according to NY Daily News.
Veterinarian Philip Raclyn's concerns about raw diets include the risk of contamination from Salmonella, E. coli and other bacteria, not to mention potential dietary imbalances and internal injuries from sharp bones.

Holistic Select shares puppy nutrition info

In recognition of National Puppy Day on March 23, Holistic Select staff veterinarian Dr. Al Townshend shared nutrition advice to new puppy owners.
Among his advice, Townshend recommended petfood supplemented with DHA to support the development of nervous tissue and visual function; advised owners to consider the nutritional needs of the pet’s breed; and discouraged the overuse of ‘people food’ as pet treats since they don’t meet pet’s nutritional needs.

Study finds digestibility of carbohydrate sources for dogs

A digestibility study conducted by São Paulo State University scientists determined the nutritional value of various ingredients for dog foods. Eight adult dogs were housed in metabolic cages, and distributed into 8 × 8 Latin square experimental design, with eight diets and eight replicates per diet. The difference, or substitution method was used to estimate ingredient digestibility.
A reference diet was formulated based on nutritional requirements of dogs. For each test diet, 300 g/kg of the reference diet was replaced with the ingredient evaluated. All the diets were extruded.