Category: Crops

Investors include Main Sequence, Breakthrough Victoria, and The March Group.

The funds will support cattle trials, the development of a new production facility in Sydney, team expansion, and the establishment of commercial partnerships.

“We’re building a production unit with the capacity to deliver 30,000 doses per day in a small warehouse with minimal equipment. The concept is highly scalable,” says CEO and co-founder, Dr Tom Williams.

He and Dr Alex Carpenter, both experienced synthetic biologists, founded Number 8 Bio after working together in academic research.

When we last spoke to the team in July 2023​​, the company was still focused on leveraging yeast to produce bromoform, a methane inhibitor. Since then, its approach has evolved.

“Seaweed produces bromoform along with other useful organohalides, and we discovered that our engineered yeast could do the same—not just producing bromoform, but other compounds as well. Through our lab work and cattle trials, we found that there wasn’t much difference between using a mixture of these organohalides and using synthetic bromoform alone. Indeed, focusing solely on bromoform is significantly cheaper and much more scalable,” explains Dr Williams.

While bromoform-based solutions are ideal for beef feedlots due to extensive research on seaweed in that context, he maintains that the dairy industry is more cautious about adopting such technology because of concerns about additive residues in milk. This factor has prompted the team to explore non-bromoform alternatives as well. 

Two-pronged approach ​

Number 8 Bio is currently testing a combination of synergistic ingredients and prebiotics. Such a two-pronged solution, they believe, will set them apart from competitors:

“Our products have a dual mechanism: they inhibit methane emissions while promoting beneficial bacteria that consume hydrogen and produce nutrients,” he tells us, with the CEO adding that reducing methane emissions beyond 90% can harm the rumen’s normal functioning due to hydrogen buildup, which is typically consumed by methanogens.

The company has been running trials in collaboration with the Queensland Animal Science Precinct (QASP) and the University of New England (UNE) to validate the technology’s effectiveness. A study is also planned for later this year in partnership with Agriculture Victoria.

Regulatory pathway 

Number 8 Bio plans to begin the international regulatory approval process next year for its technology. 

“In Australia, methane mitigation claims are not regulated by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) and only need to be scientifically substantiated. We expect to launch a product on the Australian market next year, followed by international markets once the necessary approvals are obtained.”

Pioneers in the field ​

Asked about the significant number of pioneering Australian companies working on seaweed-based methane inhibitors—such as Sea Forest, Rumin8, SeaStock, and CleanEyre Global—Dr Williams comments: “Australia is at the forefront of innovation in this field, likely due to the groundbreaking seaweed research that originated here.”

FutureFeed, established by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), an Australian Government agency, holds the global intellectual property for using Asparagopsis seaweed as a livestock feed ingredient, which has been shown to reduce methane emissions in ruminants by over 80%.

In August, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it would end its decades-long partnership​​ with the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) as of October 1.

This collaboration had overseen the safety review of hundreds of feed and pet food ingredients, allowing them to enter the market under a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

Due to several factors, the FDA is no longer able to maintain this partnership, prompting the need for a new system.

Although the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) expressed disappointment over the dissolution of the relationship, it welcomed the FDA’s release of draft guidance outlining the transition.

Key Changes:

What’s ending?​

The AAFCO ingredient review process, where the FDA acted as the safety reviewer, will cease. The FDA’s Food Additive Petition and Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) notification processes will remain unchanged.

What’s replacing it?​

The FDA proposes a new system, the Animal Food Ingredient Consultation (AFIC), to replace the AAFCO review process. This consultation-based process is detailed in the FDA’s draft guidance (Industry 294)​​ and is designed as an interim solution for companies developing new feed ingredients that would have otherwise used the AAFCO process.

What about previously reviewed ingredients?​

The FDA has outlined in its draft guidance (Industry 293)​​ that it will continue to exercise enforcement discretion for ingredients listed in the 2024 edition of the AAFCO Official Publication​​. These ingredients can continue to be marketed in interstate commerce, provided they meet safety standards.

What happens to AAFCO?​

AAFCO’s current ingredient review process will end on October 1. However, AAFCO is exploring a new system for scientific review and approval of ingredients, potentially incorporating approvals from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

AFIA’s position:​

The AFIA has submitted feedback to the FDA, advocating for clearer guidance in the draft documents (Industry 293 and 294) and establishing clear expectations for both ingredient submitters and the FDA.

Specifically, the AFIA wants to ensure that any ingredient previously reviewed under AAFCO can transition seamlessly to the new AFIC process. It also urged the FDA to accept future editions of the AAFCO Official Publication, which would include ingredients reviewed under the MOU but not yet published. This, it argues, would provide a clear pathway for ingredients still under review.

And the trade group urges the FDA to finalize these guidance documents swiftly so that the industry can continue delivering innovative solutions for both animal agriculture and companion animal markets, domestically and internationally.

This development marks the first product approved in the country specifically aimed at reducing methane emissions from livestock. South Korea, a signatory of the Global Methane Pledge, has a cattle population of 3.6 million.

The approval aligns with South Korea’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, highlighted by its comprehensive framework to help farmers adopt eco-friendly practices and a newly introduced low-methane feed program, according to dsm-firmenich.

Mark van Nieuwland, senior vice president at dsm-firmenich, stated that the company will collaborate with the entire beef supply chain—from farm to consumer—to launch Bovaer, supporting South Korea’s environmental and climate goals.

Chinese market entry sought

Also known as 3-NOP, Bovaer is already commercially available in 65 countries, including EU member states, the UK, the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and most of Latin America. Authorities are currently reviewing an application for registration of the additive in Japan.

Late last month, dsm-firmenich announced that preparations were underway for it to enter the Chinese dairy market with Bovaer.

The company reported that it was teaming up with China Modern Dairy Holdings, a large dairy integrator, to tailor its offering and go-to-market model for China.

Having launched a methane emissions control action plan in November 2023, China is aiming to significantly reduce methane emissions across various sectors, including agriculture.

According to van Nieuwland, dsm-firmenich is on schedule to submit its Chinese registration dossier for the feed supplement later this year, with the goal of securing approval in the near future.

Registration in the Chinese market would represent a significant step forward in the global effort to reduce agricultural methane emissions and promote sustainability in dairy farming.

A new study by researchers in Iran has shown that replacing traditional barley grain feed with potato processing by-products, such as heated potato slice waste (HPSW) and French fries waste (FFW), can improve milk production, and efficiency of lactating dairy cows. 

The study​​ examined the effects of feeding Holstein dairy cows a diet that replaced barley grain with these potato co-products.

Twenty-four cows were divided into three groups, each receiving a different feed: a control group with a standard barley-based diet, a second group with HPSW, and a third group with FFW. The potato co-products used in this study are leftovers from the production of frozen French fries. These include heated slices and fried bits that are typically discarded during processing.

By incorporating these co-products into the cows’ diet, the researchers aimed to evaluate their impact on the cows’ dry matter intake, milk production, and overall feed efficiency.

The findings revealed several important benefits. Cows that were fed HPSW and FFW produced more energy-corrected milk (42.9 and 43.9 kg/day, respectively) compared to the control group (40.6 kg/day).

Positive environmental outcomes​

Feed efficiency also improved, meaning the cows produced more milk for the same amount of food intake.

Additionally, the study found that the inclusion of potato co-products resulted in lower milk urea nitrogen levels and a reduced ratio of urine nitrogen to intake nitrogen. This suggests that the cows were able to utilize dietary protein more effectively, leading to less nitrogen waste excreted in their urine—a positive environmental outcome.

Another key result was the improved physical properties of the cows’ diet. The inclusion of potato co-products increased the physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF), which plays a crucial role in promoting healthy digestion and rumination in dairy cows. The cows fed these potato-rich diets had longer rumination times, indicating that their digestive health benefited from the fiber content in the potato co-products.

Energy sources ​

The researchers said their work illustrates how such co-products can be used as promising energy sources in the diets of lactating dairy cows. 

They concluded that the inclusion of fried and cooked potato co-products improved dietary physical properties, energy-corrected milk yield, feed efficiency, and nitrogen utilization in lactating Holstein dairy cows. while supporting more sustainable agricultural practices.

Source: Animal Feed Science and Technology

Title: Fried and cooked potato co-products improve diet physical properties and milk production in Holstein lactating dairy cows

Authors: S Mohammed Sadq, F Fatehi 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2024.116050​​

This was the case five years ago, after Canada detained Meng Wanzhou, an executive from Chinese tech giant Huawei, notes the CRM Agri team.

Shortly after, China responded by banning imports of canola, which is also called rapeseed for certain variants, from two major Canadian suppliers, citing contamination concerns involving weed seeds and disease, recall the analysts.

It happened again this week when China, the second-largest rapeseed importer, launched an anti-dumping investigation into Canadian canola exports. This came after Canada imposed 100% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles last month, they remarked.

The initial reaction was sharp in Winnipeg canola futures, with the November-2024 contract hitting its daily loss limit, down 7% at one point, reports CRM Agri.

But European buyers, the largest rapeseed importers, were quick to act. The 4.5% drop in Paris November-2024 rapeseed futures was short-lived, say the analysts.

China is key market for Canadian canola 

More than half of canola exported by Canada makes its way to China.

“China is an important and valued market for Canadian canola,” says Chris Davison, Canola Council of Canada (CCC) president and CEO. “We are confident that an investigation into Canada’s canola trade with China will demonstrate alignment with and reinforce our support for rules-based trade.”

The CCC says it is awaiting further details on the investigation and  that it will work closely with the federal government on this situation.

“Working to maintain open and predictable trade for canola is a top priority of the CCC,” continues Davison. “We will continue to engage on this issue to support market access and competitiveness for Canadian canola in this key market.”

China could source the oilseed from Australia and Ukraine for alternative supplies​​. Nevertheless, China’s agriculture trade with Ukraine is limited.

This merger, operating under the name ForFarmers team agrar, will target multiple livestock species. The deal is still pending regulatory approval.

This new partnership marks the next phase in a long-standing collaboration between the two companies, who have already been working together through their joint venture, HaBeMa, a Hamburg-based enterprise that trades, stores, and processes raw materials and compound feed.

By expanding the business alliance, the companies are aiming to leverage their collective resources and expertise, improving their market reach and operational efficiency.

Synergies are expected in areas like back-office, procurement, innovation, and formulation, according to Ilse Niehof-Duivelshof, director and corporate affairs, ForFarmers.

The newly formed ForFarmers team agrar JV will merge the feed operations of both partners, bringing together 380 employees, eight production facilities, three terminals, and a dedicated fleet. However, it will exclude ForFarmers’ German activities under the brands ForFarmers Thesing, Pavo, Reudink, CirQlar, and Vleuten, as well as DLG Group’s non-feed agrar activities, organic feed, Vilofoss operations, and its construction and energy businesses in Germany.

Optimization of purchasing and logistics 

As regards how the tie-up will impact the competitive landscape in the German feed market, Niehof-Duivelshof told us:

“It will significantly expand our geographical reach, enabling us to better serve our customers. By concentrating on two key areas—compound feed and transhipment/logistics—we’re driving greater efficiency and effectiveness. This focus on core competencies lays a strong foundation for sustainable growth.

“A major advantage of the joint venture is the optimization of purchasing and logistics in Germany, leveraging shared knowledge and expertise in procurement, formulation, and innovation. These improvements will enhance the joint venture’s operations, strengthen our supply chain, improve customer service reliability, and maintain our competitive edge.”

ForFarmers will fully consolidate the venture’s financial results; the joint venture’s advisory board will consist of equal representation from both ForFarmers and team agrar. The chair will rotate between the two parties, ensuring a balanced governance structure as the venture charts its future course.

Expansion drive

In July, ForFarmers agreed to acquire Van Triest Veevoeders, a Dutch specialist in feed co-products, pending regulatory approval. The transaction, for an undisclosed amount, is expected to close in the second half of 2024.

Founded in 1959 and based in Hoogeveen, Van Triest specializes in trading residual flows and co-products from breweries and the dairy, sugar, bioethanol, and potato processing industries, as well as managing on-farm roughages. It supplies co-products like brewer’s grains, potato pulp, silage maize, and wet beet pulp to 3,500 farm customers, primarily in the Netherlands, but also in Belgium and Germany.