A total of 183 startups from 38 countries applied to be a part of The Pearse Lyons Accelerator, a late-stage, agri-tech accelerator run by Alltech and Dogpatch Labs. The accelerator will commence with 10 startups that have been chosen to take part in a mentorship program for agri-business innovators with a proven technology that is ready for market. eFishery from Indonesia is the only aquaculture-related participant, with their fish feeder that automatically senses the appetite of fish and adjusts the amount of feed accordingly.

Aquaculture is the fastest-growing segment in the feed industry. According to the 2017 Alltech Global Feed Survey, the aquaculture industry experienced a 12 percent increase in feed production in 2016 to 39.9 million metric tons. This growth presents a new set of challenges that Alltech is committed to addressing.

Biomin has published a new white paper on how feed additives support the aquaculture industry in the face of shifting consumer trends, market competition, regulation and environmental factors. “By 2020, the overall quantity of fishmeal used in aquafeeds is projected to fall to levels last seen two decades ago. The number of sustainable certifications issued for aquaculture has risen from basically zero in 2004 to more than 1100 last year. At the same time, the use of chemicals and medicines has come under greater scrutiny from consumers, particularly for export to Western markets.”

Bühler has released its performance figures for 2016. Order intake in 2016 was up 3% to CHF 2.54 billion, compared to a decline of 4% in 2015. Turnover rose by 2% to CHF 2.45 billion, and profitability remained stable at 7.1% (EBIT margin). R&D investments were significantly increased. “For a company based in Switzerland, 2016 marked a real proof point considering the Euro/Swiss franc shift a year ago. In this context, we can be satisfied with these results.”

Evonik has announced that it is investing in the Chinese Hosen Capital Fund III. “Our strategic involvement in the Hosen Capital Fund III gives us access to partnerships with innovative technology start-ups in the Chinese agriculture and nutrition industry, resulting in essential impulses for further business development." While the amount of the investment is being kept confidential, Evonik has confirmed its plans to invest a total of €100 million in promising start-ups with innovative technologies and in leading specialized venture capital funds as part of its venture capital activities.

AquaBioTech Group has been named a National Champion for Malta in the European Business Awards, a competition designed to celebrate business excellence and best practices in the European business community. The Awards, now in their 10th year, are supported by business leaders, academics and political representatives from across Europe. This year over 33,000 businesses from 34 countries were engaged in the competition. \"AquaBioTech Group are central to the success of Europe’s strong business community, and have shown the core principles we look for of innovation, ethics and success.”

Results from a recent feed trial indicate that Ynsect's TMP™ (Tenebrio molitor defatted protein meal) has immune-stimulant properties in juvenile white leg shrimp. A challenge test was performed with a frequent pathogen in aquaculture (Vibrio parahemolyticus), responsible for the well-known Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS). After 10 days, the survival rate reached 90% in the diet with 50% FM replacement by TMP™ compared to 56.7% in the control diet.

AgriProtein has been added to the 2017 Global Cleantech 100 list in recognition of its contribution to recycling waste and helping repair the environment. AgriProtein produces insect meal for animal feed by rearing black soldier fly larvae on organic waste that would otherwise go to landfill. The Global Cleantech 100 is a comprehensive list of private companies with the highest potential to make significant market impact within a five to 10 year timeframe.

USSEC met with CJ Philippines, Inc. to present the USSEC Southeast Asia (SEA) and Philippines ‘Soy in Aquaculture’ program, and to discuss the Philippine Aquaculture Industry. USSEC discussed ongoing programs in feedmill and nutrition, where aquafeed nutritionists are guided in optimizing U.S. soybean meal in aquafeed formulation and other U.S. Soy products in a least cost formulation. CJ Philippines Inc. is planning to revive their aquafeeds production and be present in the aquaculture feed industry.

Together with its staff and retirees, the KSE management celebrated the opening of its newest assembly hall. Director Adriaan Smulders explained how the new work environment is a stimulation for the cooperation between the different departments, while employees explained how the new hall will result in higher quality products, shorter delivery times, energy neutral production, and an increased production capacity. In addition to the current production facilities, the company already started producing in the new assembly hall at the end of 2016. On May 20, KSE will open its doors to the public.

Norel Mexico held an event last month to inaugurate the expansion of their production plant and offices in Querétaro, Mexico. "This expansion of the factory and offices is thanks to the effort and unconditional support of our top management from Spain, having placed all their trust in our Mexico facility and always honoring the motto: 'We do not recognize limits' at Norel.”

Format Solutions, the company formed by the merger of Cargill, Feed Management Systems and Format International, has released new versions of two of its software product lines.

Digestibility enhancement ranks as the number one reason that the livestock industry uses phytogenic feed additives (PFAs), according to a recent survey by Biomin of more than one thousand agribusiness professionals.

Nutriad participated in the Agrilivestock trade show that took place from December 7 - 9 in Yangon, Myanmar. Together with their local partner, the company highlighted its feed additive solutions for aquaculture and livestock. “Combining our in depth technical knowledge with the local network of our distributor, Multi Aquaculture and Livestock Trading, we are able to provide added value services to the local producers."

The Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) is seeking commercial partners to test new feed technology developed and evaluated by research partners Battelle and Kentucky State University. The technology completely removes non-digestible carbohydrates (oligosaccharides) without compromising the amino acid composition, making it easier for fish to digest. Initial testing has shown that EnzoMeal™, an improved soybean meal, outperforms 100% fishmeal diets. “Ohio soybean farmers are excited to be able to meet an important need for aquaculture farmers. This technology shows tremendous promise.”

VIDEO: See how U.S. soybean farmers are helping Chinese fish farmers to revolutionize aquaculture in China, the world’s largest fish farming country.

Adifo Software is hosting a 30-minute webinar on December 15th to introduce BESTMIX Feed formulation 3.31, the latest update of the BESTMIX Feed formulation software. Topics covered include compound modelling, extensions on mix functionality, rehydration for label composition, and more.

Cargill, Incorporated and Calysta, Inc., along with several third-party institutions, plan to invest in the creation of the world’s largest gas fermentation facility in Memphis, Tenn. to produce Calysta’s FeedKind® protein, a family of sustainable, traceable nutritional ingredients for fish, livestock and pets. “The venture’s building of a state-of-the-art fermentation facility on the existing Cargill Memphis site reaffirms our commitment to the community and state and our pledge to strategically invest in aquaculture as an ever increasingly important source of protein.”

Evonik Industries AG of Germany and METabolic EXplorer (METEX) of France have agreed that Evonik will acquire a technology package from METEX to strengthen its biotechnology platform for amino acids. The total consideration for the transfer of this technology, including a two-year transfer service agreement, amounts to 45 million euros. “The acquisition of this technology will expand our technological leadership for amino acids produced both chemically and by fermentation.”

Trouw Nutrition has launched a global validation program to demonstrate the effectiveness of its nutritional solutions in different geographies and market places. The initial focus of the program is on feed additives, animal health supporting products and young animal feed. “We develop new products, models and service tools at our global research centres. But a proof of concept is important. Application knowledge taking into account local conditions, such as climate and farming practices, is a critical success factor of many innovations we develop.”