Activate Poultry Health With Novus International

Jared HuxI think I mentioned recently that I still had some interviews to share from the International Poultry Expo with our long time and much appreciated sponsor, Novus International. It has been a very busy time going from Poultry Expo to a blizzard at home, the Cattle Industry Convention and then the National Biodiesel Conference! Now it’s catch up time and I want to start by sharing this interview with Andres Montoya, Product Development Manager, Poultry. He was right at home in Georgia where he’s based. I wasn’t the only one interviewing him as you can see in the photo.

We got started right away with the “what’s new?” question. What’s new is Activate.

ACTIVATE® nutritional feed acid is a combination of Gut Environment Modifiers and HMTBa. ACTIVATE is used for Salmonella reduction programs and as an alternative to antibiotics in vaccination windows and withdrawal diets.

You can listen to my interview with Andres here: Interview With Andres Montoya

2011 International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo Photo Album

AgWired IPE/IFE coverage sponsored by: Novus

Taking International Poultry Tour With Novus

Shawn AtkinsInternational is in the name of the show and our sponsor for coverage of the largest poultry show in the world. Novus International shows that by having a number of their representatives on hand for different areas of the world. I spoke with several of them during the International Poultry Expo starting with Shawn Atkins, Sales Director, Poultry & Dairy, in the United States. Shawn talks about how their products can help with feed optimization which is crucial to raising poultry successfully. He says attendees have been asking about specific products in the specialty area.

Shawn says the industry is in a precarious position in the U.S. because demand has declined while input costs have gone up. It’s like a double whammy on producers and Novus is working on products to help on the input side. You can listen to my interview with Shawn here: Interview With Shawn Atkins

Albert Van DijkTurning to another part of the world I spoke with Albert Van Dijk, Market Manager, Poultry & Swine, EME. Albert handles the European and Middle East territory. He says poultry is a challenging market in the EU right now since growth has stabilized. However, in areas like the Ukraine, Turkey and Russia poultry is growing.

He says that since the best way to reduce feed costs is to reduce the feed conversion ration in the animal and this is where Novus fits in. They can save up to five percent or more on feed costs. Additionally, Albert says that since antibiotics were banned in the EU in animal feed, Novus products have played an important role in the feeding program. You can listen to my interview with Albert here: Interview With Albert Van Dijk

Jorge GonzalezOur next stop on our world tour with Novus is the northern Latin America region. Taking care of business there is Jorge Gonzalez, Sales Manager, LAN. His region includes Mexico. Jorge says the business is big and growing. It has also been expanding beyond poultry into swine and ruminants.

The poultry industry in his territory depends heavily on grains from the U.S. and so the higher costs of late have been challenging. This is why enzyme products like those sold by Novus play a key role in helping them be competitive on the world market. He says a trade show like this one are very important to producers in his area since it’s their opportunity to get first hand knowledge of technology that they can bring home to their operation. You can listen to my interview with Jorge here: Interview With Jorge Gonzalez

Craige AllanFinally, let’s look at the Asian/Pacific market with Craige Allan (pictured right), Regional Marketing Manager, South East Asia. He says all areas are experiencing growth in production/consumption since the population is growing so much. Craige enjoys finding out the needs of his customers and then helping them to formulate a solution. He says this strategy works well for Novus.

In his territory is a range of sizes and types of producers from large integrators like here in the U.S. as well as a lot of smaller operators. He thinks the market area will eventually become an exporter to other countries, particularly in the EU. Some of the customers he’s spoken with here are from Thailand, Sri Lanka, India and Bangladash. That shows the international nature of this show! You can listen to my interview with Craig here: Interview With Craige Allan

2011 International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo Photo Album

AgWired IPE/IFE coverage sponsored by: Novus

Learning About Certified Humane

ZimmCast 290During the International Poultry Expo I met Adele Douglass, CEO, Humane Farm Animal Care. This is the organization that has created the Certified Humane program. To display their logo a farm has to: “Meet the Humane Farm Animal Care program standards, which includes nutritious diet without antibiotics or hormones, animals raised with shelter, resting areas, sufficient space and the ability to engage in natural behaviors.”

I learned that there are several organizations attempting to create a type of a label or brand to achieve similar results and that they don’t all see eye to eye. HFAC has created a chart comparing the five main organizations which you can download here (pdf). Personally, I really don’t see the need for an organization like this at all, much less competing ones. Most farmers I know take very good care of their animals. I’d rather see efforts like this aimed at the humane treatment of human beings instead! There are lots of educational resources for farmers that teach them how to take good care of their livestock and if they are or want to be successful then they do.

Adele says she got started on this after visiting farms and seeing conditions she didn’t like. She doesn’t understand why farmers use cages and gestation stalls for example. So she decided to create a certification program after studying one in the UK. She sees a distinction between meeting an animal’s behavioral needs and whether or not they’re producing well. In the first year of the program there were 143,000 animals enrolled in the program. In 2010 that number was 26.5 million.

Learn more about Humane Farm Animal Care in this week’s program: ZimmCast 290 - Humane Farm Animal Care

What do you think? Do we need these types of programs? Adele says the farms enrolled with them make more money. What is your experience if you’ve tried this type of program?

Interestingly, this week’s AgChat topic is animal welfare! It will feature a guest from a different organization, Tim Amlaw, American Humane Certified. So from 8-10pm Tuesday, join in the online conversation.

Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsor, Growmark, locally owned, globally strong, for their support.

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired. Subscribe so you can listen when and where you want. Just go to our a Subscribe page

Big Turnout For International Poultry/Feed Expo

IPE/IFEThis year’s International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo has done very well on attendance as was expected. Here are some summary statistics just released by the organizers:

The 2011 International Poultry Expo and International Feed Expo drew over 20,000 poultry and feed industry leaders from all over the world. In addition, the show had over 900 exhibitors, almost a 12% increase from last year. Sponsored by U.S. Poultry & Egg Association and the American Feed Industry Association, the annual Expo is the world’s largest poultry and feed industry event of its kind.

“We were excited about the number of exhibitors and attendees on the exhibit floor,” said 2011 USPOULTRY chairman Gary Cooper, Cooper Farms, Oakwood, OH. “We were up in numbers in both areas from last year. We are very pleased with the great turn-out for this year, and the excitement on the floor has been tangible.”

This morning I met the Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture, Gary Black, and sat down with him to discuss the impact of the show on the state and hear his outlook for Georgia agriculture. He says that one of his key goals is to help the general public better understand how important agriculture is to the state. One example he points to is making a number of changes in his department’s offices which will provide more in-office educational opportunities working with various farm groups. He also says that they are working on a plan to utilize social media in their efforts to reach out to the non-farm sector. Other subjects we talk about include alternative energy production and challenges to farming.

You can listen to my interview with Gary here: Interview With Gary Black

2011 International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo Photo Album

AgWired IPE/IFE coverage sponsored by: Novus

Novus Supports AWARD

Salome MutayobaAs a truly global company Novus International supports outreach and education programs in many countries. One of those is African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD). As a part of this fellowship program Novus hosts a researcher at their headquarters. Currently that is Salome Mutayoba, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania.

Established in 2008, African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) is a project of the Gender & Diversity Program of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). It was launched following a successful three-year pilot program in East Africa with support from the Rockefeller Foundation from 2005-2008.

AWARD is a professional development program that strengthens the research and leadership skills of African women in agricultural science, empowering them to contribute more effectively to poverty alleviation and food security in sub-Saharan Africa.

Our goal is to help them increase their contributions in the fight against hunger and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa.

Salome teaches poultry nutrition and management and conducts poultry research. She says she is using her time at Novus to analyze feed stocks since in her country poultry farmers have problems obtaining good feed. They also don’t have resources to do good analysis of potential feed options.

You can listen to my interview with Salome here: Interview With Salome Mutayoba

2011 International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo Photo Album

AgWired IPE/IFE coverage sponsored by: Novus

Novus Celebrating With Focus On Innovation Through Integrity

Thad SimonsWhile speaking with Thad Simons, Novus International President/CEO, I got to congratulate him on his 2010 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year in Distribution and Manufacturing Award and on the 20th anniversary of the company.

“Innovation with Integrity” is going to be the company theme for the 20th anniversary. They will be celebrating all year long beginning this month, with events and customer appreciation dinners at Asian-Pacific Aquaculture in Kochi, India and here at the International Poultry Expo in Atlanta, Georgia.

“ ‘Innovation with Integrity’ has been a central attribute of Novus’ culture from the beginning. Our heritage has been built on developing innovative, science-based health through nutrition products for livestock, pets and people,” explained Thad Simons, President and Chief Executive Officer of Novus. “We are very proud of our global network of employees, customers and partnerships and excited to embark on a year of celebration with the many people who support our continued growth and success.”

The company was founded in 1991, and today, has employees working in over 90 countries, serving more than 3,000 customers worldwide. Novus has facilities including corporate offices, research and development laboratories, and manufacturing operations in more than 35 countries, as well as offices with field staff in an additional 60 countries.

In my interview with Thad I asked him about the unique design of their exhibit which includes “living walls.” It is a visual testament to the importance of sustainability to Novus. In the photo Thad is standing in front of one of the living panels.

You can listen to my interview with Thad here: Interview With Thad Simons

2011 International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo Photo Album

AgWired IPE/IFE coverage sponsored by: Novus

Dick Butkus Meets Novus International

Chuck and Dick ButkusThe biggest crowd in the trade show at the International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo today was at the Novus International booth. Having a former NFL player/coach and Hall of Fame member didn’t hurt. Dick Butkus was there signing autographs and talking with all the customers and attendees who came by. Thanks to James Hermann, E-Marketing Mgr. for Novus for taking my photo.

I was able to talk with Dick and he told me about a program he’s very committed to called, Play Clean. He started it with his son a few years ago. Here’s what the mission of Play Clean is.

Novus Team and Dick ButkusTo educate and encourage high school students to make the right choice of playing clean – that is, training hard, eating well and playing with attitude, instead of resorting to illegal and dangerous steroids and performance enhancing products.

He says attending a poultry show “is kind of unusual” although his parents raised chickens and he did too once upon a time. He pointed out that he’s learned how important it is to the health of chickens to be raised in cages unlike what some animal activist organizations would have you believe. Pictured is the whole Novus team here with Dick.

You can listen to my interview with Dick here: Interview With Dick Butkus

The man signed a lot of autographs as seen in this little video clip:

2011 International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo Photo Album

AgWired IPE/IFE coverage sponsored by: Novus

Novus International Started In Poultry

Scott CarterWorking with Novus International yesterday I conducted several interviews that I’ll be featuring here on AgWired. To start out, I talked with Scott Carter (left). Scott is the global poultry market manager so he was a good one to provide an overview of how important the poultry market is for the company. He says it’s the market they started in and their largest customer segment.

There are several key issues that Novus is addressing in the poultry sector right now that Scott says include feed efficiency, gut health and feed safety. I always like to learn what’s new and he points to their IDEA assay:

IDEA™ assay allows users to determine the protein and amino acid digestibility of feed ingredients. IDEA assay analyzes the ingredients in a formulation in order to optimize feed balance and nutrition. IDEA is an excellent tool to help users screen different batches and sources of a given ingredient and gives them the opportunity to use alternative feed ingredients.

You can listen to my interview with Scott here: Interview With Scott Carter

2011 International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo Photo Album

AgWired IPE/IFE coverage sponsored by: Novus

iFeeder Helping Communicate Safe Food Messages

Joel NewmanThe American Feed Industry Association recently created iFeeder, the Institute for Feed Education and Research. To learn more about it I spoke with AFIA President/CEO, Joel Newman. He says the mission of the foundation is “To sustain the future of food and feed production through education and research.” He describes the challenge faced by the feed industry which is summed up on their website:

Today the average U.S. farmer feeds 144 people. In 1940 that number was only 19 people. We’ve made great progress but we have a long way to go. Today 1 acre feeds 1.6 people. By 2050 1 acre must feed 4 people. To feed the world in 2050, investment in agriculture must reach $83 billion per year. This equals a 50% increase in investment from current levels. The U.S. feed industry is a critical part of this chain.

Only through education and scientific based research done today will our future generations be able to support the increased world food demand.

Joel says that one of the things the foundation will work on is communication to audiences outside of the industry including the consuming public to help them better understand the safety of the food they eat. Of course social communications plays a role in that!

You can listen to my interview with Joel here: Interview With Joel Newman

2011 International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo Photo Album

AgWired IPE/IFE coverage sponsored by: Novus

Telling Your Story To Consumers

Scott FleetwoodOne of the people representing Novus International here at the International Poulty/Feed Expo is Scott Fleetwood, pictured (right) next to Charlie Arnot, Center For Food Integrity. Scott says that Novus has supported CFI’s efforts since the beginning. I asked him about that support. He says that it’s very important to have a third party organization to do research and speak to consumers about food production in a non-partial manner. That’s why he supports it.

Scott says that those in the industry do a good job of speaking to themselves but just talking about science doesn’t resonate with consumers. So the work that CFI has done to learn how to communicate with the consuming public is very important. I also asked him about how Novus is doing its own direct communication with the consuming public. He says they are working to do this and social media is playing a role in it.

You can listen to my interview with Scott here: Interview with Scott Fleetwood

2011 International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo Photo Album

AgWired IPE/IFE coverage sponsored by: Novus

From The Lab To The Dinner Table

Charlie ArnotGiving a keynote address to a Novus International luncheon for poultry industry scientists was Charlie Arnot, Center for Food Integrity. His remarks were titled “From The Lab To The Dinner Table.” He presented consumer trust research they conducted in 2010 that found out some very interesting things including the fact that it was the first time consumers have said their number one source of food information is the internet.

The research has been conducted by CFI since 2006. You can download a pdf of the 2010 summary on their website.

In 2010, CFI is taking its research to the next level, testing the trust model, messages and programs with specific consumer segments. The findings from this year‘s groundbreaking approach will provide guidance to CFI members and others on how we can specifically build trust with opinion leading consumers who drive social change.

Charlie told scientists that CFI research suggests new ways to convert scientific information into messages that will resonate with consumers. They’ve used that information to create tested messages which you can find on their website. For example, he suggests speaking to values first and then backing statements up with the science. Historically the ag science industry has tried the opposite approach. He hopes the attendees take away ideas for different way to engage the consumer. He gives some other specific examples in my interview with him: Interview with Charlie Arnot

2011 International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo Photo Album

AgWired IPE/IFE coverage sponsored by: Novus

Preview of International Poultry/Feed Expo

International Poultry Feed ExpoWelcome to the 2011 International Poultry and Feed Expos. They take place in the Georgia World Congress Center. The trade show portion of the shows gets started on Wednesday. Today there are various meetings going on in the convention center including a board meeting for the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association. I caught up with President John Starkey before the meeting started to get a preview of this year’s show.

John says that other than a little rain today the weather looks like it’s going to cooperate. He says “It looks like it’s going to be a real strong show for us.” The show has 100 more exhibitors than last year which represents a twenty percent increase in floor space. There are new educational programs including one on salmonella. International attendees will be about twenty percent of the total. So he’s looking for one of the best shows in years.

You can listen to my interview with John here: Interview with John Starkey

I am uploading photos into the 2011 International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo Photo Album.

AgWired IPE/IFE coverage sponsored by: Novus

The Biggest Poultry Show In The World

It’s time to go back to Atlanta for the International Poultry Expo. I’m hoping for a more friendly weather experience this time! It looks like 50 degrees tomorrow. I am looking forward to that.

My coverage of this year’s show is sponsored once again by our friends at Novus International. So besides finding stories for you we’ll meet some very interesting people at the Novus booth and during their activities. This is a big show with a lot going on. I’ll do my best to give you as much of an overview of all that’s going on throughout the week starting on Tuesday afternoon.

Last year’s attendance totaled 18,896 which was up from 2009. International attendees numbered 3866, also an increase. Let’s hope we have another big turnout in 2011.

AgWired IPE coverage sponsored by: Novus

International Poultry Expo Guide App

Once again this year the International Poultry Expo makes it easy to navigate with their iPhone/iPad app. The show started this last year. It’s on my iPhone and iPad and I’ll be using it there next week!

The IPE Guide App gives you a wealth of information on the International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo, held in Atlanta, GA, January 26-28, 2011. The Guide gives full information on the show’s exhibitors, floor plans, detailed information and products from exhibitors, schedule of events, and Atlanta dining and hotel information. In short, it’s everything you need to make your visit to IPE/IFE more productive than ever. In addition, up-to-the minute updates will be delivered to the guide via Twitter.

You can find the IPE Guide App in the iTunes Store.

Improvement in the Poultry Industry

Attendance at the 2010 International Poultry Expo and International Feed Expo was up over last year at approximately 19,000. In 2009 attendance was just 17,800 due to the overall downturn in the economy and higher input costs. So, things are looking up for the poultry industry right now.

novusAt the expo, I had the opportunity to chat about chicken with Novus International Vice President of the Americas Dan Meagher about poultry before he headed out to the Cattle Industry Conference in San Antonio to talk about their commitment to the beef industry. Dan says the outlook for the poultry industry is better than it was last year.

“I see poultry rebounding. I’m very bearish on poultry – both broilers and layers,” Dan told me. Even though consumption has been down in the poultry sector, with the economy the way it is and the world population growing, he believes the consumption outlook is very positive.

Meanwhile, lower feed and energy costs are helping the industry, but the aggressive tactics of animal activists are causing the industry to have to defend its production practices and Dan says Novus has a role in helping producers to that. “Number one, we need to help our customers advance the enhancement nutritionally of their product down the food channel,” Dan said. “Secondly, we’re very active in supporting the industry because we believe in the message that needs to be communicated. We have a very sustainable platform and our job is to make sure that we be a partner with our customers and with the industry on education.”

Listen to my interview with Dan Meagher of Novus here:

Novus Helps Poultry Producers Optimize

With higher feed costs, it is important for poultry producers to get the most for their money.

novusAt the recent International Poultry Expo/Feed Expo, Novus International was talking to producers about how to optimize their poultry diets. “Optimizing the diet does not necessarily mean having a cheap diet,” says Novus product manager Dr. Nasser Odetallah. “They have to make sure to meet the nutrient requirements of the individual animal and make sure they provide the nutrients needed for optimum growth.”

Since Novus has customers in over 90 countries, they deal with different producer needs depending on the region. “We know that somebody producing chicken in Bangledesh is not going to be faced with the same challenges as somebody in Utah,” he said. “So we have more than one option and we have certain feed additives that minimize the cost of the feed by reducing the energy of the diet and adding an enzyme that releases the energy in the feed.”

It’s also important for producers to optimize amino acids since different amino acids are commonly found in proteins and there are different requirements for poultry depending on the type (broiler or layer) and the age of the bird. Nassar says Novus shows producers how adding enzymes to feed, which is an increased cost up front, actually comes out cheaper in the end by optimizing feed conversion.

Listen to my interview with Nassar from the IPE here:

Novus Stays Close to Customers

novusNovus International Executive Vice President of marketing and sales Giovanni Gasperoni, pictured here with a delegation from Thailand, seemed to know everyone at the International Poultry/Feed Expo in Atlanta last week and he greeted them all as close friends. His genuine and effusive personality reflects his passion for the business of animal agriculture and the people in the industry who produce food for the world. He is firmly dedicated to Novus’ vision to help feed the world affordable, wholesome food and achieve a higher quality of life. “This is really important to us, this is our vision, and we’ve maintained the same vision for the last 20 years,” Gio told me during an interview.

novusOne of the ways Novus is working to achieve that vision is by maintaining a close relationship with their customers in every one of the more than 90 countries they serve. In January, Novus opened a new blending plant in Singapore for animal feed supplements. “It’s part of our overall strategy to be closer to our customers with our specialty products,” Gio said. “We needed to address that in the Asia Pacific and northern China.” The plant will serve as a distribution hub for regional Novus clients in industries including aquaculture, poultry, ruminant and pork.

Gio says in the coming year, Novus will be focused on Africa. “It’s kind of a last frontier for us in helping feed the world affordable and wholesome food,” he says.

Listen to or download my interview with Gio in the player below, and check out our photo albums from the IPE – especially if you had a photo taken with baseball great Bob Gibson at the Novus booth.
International Poultry Expo 2010
Bob Gibson/Novus Photo Album

Novus Sponsors World Ag Forum Regional Roundtables

novusDuring the International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo in Atlanta last week, Novus International was promoting some World Agricultural Forum (WAF) regional roundtables that will be held during this off year for the World Ag Congress. I talked with Novus president and CEO Thad Simons and World Ag Forum president and CEO Kathy Moldthan about how they are working together on these events.

“The World Agricultural Forum is a not-for-profit organization, headquartered in St. Louis, that brings together world leaders to address issues of the agricultural sector and agribusiness to feed the world’s growing population,” Kathy told me. To that end, WAF holds a World Congress every other year in St. Louis, but they also saw a need to take those discussions on the road to other regions of the world, including Latin America, China and Africa.

Thad says Novus has been a long time supporter of the World Ag Forum and is sponsoring these regional roundtables, which fits in with the mission of the company to help feed the world affordable, wholesome food and achieve a higher quality of life. “If we’re going to be helping to feed the world wholesome and affordable world, then it’s important that we reach out to all the different stakeholders to complete that vision,” Thad says.

WAF events planned for 2010 include a regional roundtable for Latin America in Brazil May 12-13; a world congress in China July 1-2; and a regional forum focusing on east Africa in Uganda October 6-7. More information is available on the WAF website.

Listen to or download my interview with Thad and Kathy in the player below:

2010 International Poultry Expo photo album

AgWired coverage of International Poultry Expo is sponsored by:
Novus

Animal Ag Sustainability Summit at Poultry Expo

The sustainability of animal agriculture was the topic of a well-attended summit at the 2010 International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo in Atlanta.

poultryC. Larry Pope, president and CEO of Smithfield Foods Inc., was keynote speaker for the two day summit and his main message was that the animal agriculture industry, both processors and farmers, need to listen to and engage the people and groups who are attacking them. He said that it is important to talk with these individuals and groups to show them the industry’s side of the story. “We need to educate all of the groups that challenge our practices,” Pope said.

Because the public has developed misconceptions about animal agriculture practices, Pope issued a challenge to those involved in the animal agriculture industry “to make two visits to a community group or school to educate the public on industry practices and to dispel the myths about industry practices that exist now.”

poultryAlso on the program was Christian Richter of The Policy Group, who discussed the regulatory mood in Washington when it comes to animal agriculture. “Hyper command and control mode is coming back at EPA,” said Richter. “The current administration is shifting personnel from cooperative voluntary programs to enforcement programs.” He notes this represents a major shift in focus from the Bush administration which advocated the role of non-government drivers in prompting more voluntary action on the part of corporations towards sustainable practices.

2010 International Poultry Expo photo album

AgWired coverage of International Poultry Expo is sponsored by:
Novus

Late Harvest Raises Mycotoxin Concerns for Poultry

novusMycotoxins can be an issue in feed anytime, but with the late, wet harvest in 2009 there is an extra level of concern this year and it was a topic of discussion for poultry producers and industry representatives meeting at the International Poultry Expo/Feed Expo in Atlanta this past week.

“This is a year when we should be extra sensitive, not only testing to make sure we know what we have on our grain coming in, but also considering proactive choices to treat symptoms for the low thresholds of mycotoxins that are always present in some of the grains each year,” says Wendell Knehans with Novus International. Novus recently conducted a study on the effects of their product Solis Mos on the presence of both aflatoxin and ochratoxin in poultry feed. “What we found at both a moderate level (400 mg) of ochratoxin infestation and 800, a very high challenge, is that the birds maintain their performance in the presence of that toxin challenge,” Wendell said.

Listen to or download my interview with Wendell in the player below:

2010 International Poultry Expo photo album

AgWired coverage of International Poultry Expo is sponsored by:
Novus