Novus/Verenium Collaboration Yields First Enzyme Candidate

Chuck Zimmerman

The collaboration between Novus International and Verenium has yielded its first fruit, “the selection of a next-generation phytase as the first enzyme candidate from the two companies’ strategic collaboration to advance toward commercialization.” The strategic partnership began in June of last year to develop a suite of new enzyme products from Verenium’s late-stage pipeline in the animal nutrition and health area globally. Pictured is Novus President/CEO Thad Simons (right) with Arne Solbak and Jonny Lyon, Verenium.

“This partnership has enabled us to create enzyme solutions for nutritionists, producers and others who want to optimize nutrition. This product is geared toward use in poultry, pork and aquaculture product,” notes Novus International President and Chief Executive Officer Thad Simons. “We’re pleased to be a valued partner in optimizing nutrition and, as a result, lowering feed costs for our customers through cutting-edge enzyme solutions like this one.”

Reducing the amount of phytate-bound phosphorus is key in helping livestock producers reduce the impact of animal production on the environment. The phytase enzyme being developed as part of this collaboration will help nutritionists and producers feed more efficiently and get the most out of their rations.

In addition to the next-generation phytase, the collaboration also has three additional products in late-stage development targeted at this market.

I spoke with Thad during the International Poultry Expo to learn more about the collaboration between these two companies. He also discussed the new Novus Triple S Bottom Line, Solutions, Service, Sustainability.

2012 International Poultry Expo Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 International Poultry Expo is sponsored by Novus International
Agribusiness, Novus International, Poultry Expo, Video

National Ag Day On March 8

Chuck Zimmerman

This year National Agriculture Day will be celebrated on March 8 in Washington, DC and around the country. Are you ready to “Share Ag’s Amazing Story?”

Do you have plans for March 8, 2012?

We have a suggestion …

Join thousands of other proud supporters of American agriculture in celebrating all that makes it Abundant, Affordable & Amazing!

Momentum around Ag Day celebrations across the country has really picked up steam in the last couple years. Last year’s attendance at our annual events in Washington, D.C., was the highest ever! We have some exciting new things to share for 2012 and we have updated the Ag Day website in preparation for the upcoming Washington, D.C. events.

I’m hoping to be part of that celebration this year. If your company or organization would like to sponsor my coverage please let me know. Thanks.

Ag Day

AMI To Co-Locate With Poultry/Feed Expo

Chuck Zimmerman

It looks like IPE Week in Atlanta is going to get bigger next year. The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association and the American Feed Industry Association have signed an agreement with the American Meat Institute to co-locate the AMI tradeshow with the IPE/IFE in Atlanta, annually in January, starting in 2013.

The three shows will operate under one umbrella creating one of the largest 50 shows in the United States. It is expected that the entire show will include more than 1,000 exhibitors and close to 1,000,000 square feet of exhibit space. The meat and poultry exhibits will be combined on one large show floor, and the IFE will be held in the adjacent hall. One badge will allow all attendees into any exhibit.

“We are very excited about this partnership with AMI, and the co-location is something our exhibitors have asked about for a long time. The consolidation of the tradeshows will allow our respective organizations to build on the synergies of the poultry, feed, and meat sectors, as well as provide a benefit to our exhibitors and members who produce or exhibit across multiple protein sectors,” commented John Starkey, President of USPOULTRY.

All three associations will continue to operate independently, serving their respective constituents and will offer targeted education and networking opportunities that meet the customer needs and compliment the expo. The operations of the show will be handled out of the USPOULTRY offices, and AMI and AFIA will be instrumental in driving attendance promotion and exhibit sales efforts.

2012 International Poultry Expo Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 International Poultry Expo is sponsored by Novus International
Ag Groups, Poultry Expo

Overview Of 2012 International Poultry Expo

Chuck Zimmerman

The 2012 International Poultry Expo has an increased focus on educational sessions according to Charles Olentine, Executive Vice President. I spoke with him about the show this year which he says has “exceeded our expectations.” Last year was a tough one in the industry but the show has just about the same number of exhibitors and attendees as in 2011. International attendees continue to be a big part of IPE accounting for about twenty five percent of those who are here.

This is the 64th year for the show and Charles says they’re contracted with Atlanta through 2016 so we get to keep coming back to Atlanta for a while. I just have to say how much I appreciate the great weather we’ve been having. Last year wasn’t quite as nice as I recall.

Listen to my interview with Charles here: Interview with Charles Olentine

2012 International Poultry Expo Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 International Poultry Expo is sponsored by Novus International
Ag Groups, Audio, Poultry Expo

Novus Chicken Balloons

Chuck Zimmerman

Chickens just want to have fun. Actually, chicken balloons.

This is part of the Novus International team here at the International Poultry Expo with one of their decorative chicken balloons that could be found at their social hour last night. You can also see the chicken balloon getting “scanned.” Everyone coming in had their badge scanned which was a very handy way for the company to know who attended. The hand scanner immediately delivers results to a smartphone too btw. I love new technology!

2012 International Poultry Expo Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 International Poultry Expo is sponsored by Novus International
Novus International, Poultry Expo

Proposed Ag Child Labor Regs Would Negatively Impact Farming

Chuck Zimmerman

Our latest ZimmPoll asked a very timely question since it’s on a topic that is the subject of a cover story on USA Today. We asked, “How will proposed changes to child labor in agriculture regulations affect farms?” Seventy percent said Negatively, seventeen percent said No Effect and only thirteen percent said Positively.

You may know that last fall the Department of Labor proposed changes that many believe could have major impacts on family farms and farm life (proposed rule – pdf). This is just another example of unnecessary government intrusion in private business and lives in my opinion. We don’t need it but . . . as if the government knows better. Riiight. You can find out more from this DOL early news release.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Do you agree with President Obama’s call for more clean (renewable) energy?” Let us know what you think. He definitely issued a call during his State of the Union speech last night. Here’s an excerpt:

We have subsidized oil companies for a century. That’s long enough. It’s time to end the taxpayer giveaways to an industry that’s rarely been more profitable, and double-down on a clean energy industry that’s never been more promising. Pass clean energy tax credits and create these jobs.

ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.

ZimmPoll

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • A new CAST Issue Paper, Energy Issues Affecting Corn/Soybean Systems: Challenges for Sustainable Production, examines energy issues within the corn/soybean production system.
  • The national soy checkoff once again plans its Green Ribbon Fairs reimbursement program, aimed at encouraging fairs across the country to promote and use soy-based products.
  • Animal Welfare Approved is pleased to announce the 2011-12 Good Husbandry Grants which help promote innovative, forward thinking farming techniques.
  • Growers Edge has introduced a new and free online tool to assist grain farmers in tracking the profitability of their farming operation.
Zimfo Bytes

The Novus IPE Week Program

Chuck Zimmerman

The Global Poultry Market Manager for Novus International is Scott Carter (on right). I got an overview from him of all the activities Novus is involved in during IPE Week.

To start with Scott says they participated in the International Poultry Scientific Forum with a sponsored lunch featuring David Armano who spoke about social media. David was my interview in this week’s ZimmCast. Scott says he learned a few key things from that presentation, including the fact that academics are the most trusted source of information. Another learning point was that “everybody is empowered, everybody has a voice.” That’s social media.

Another way Novus was involved was with the Animal Ag Sustainability Summit where Scott Hine, Novus Product Management and Operations, spoke about Novus’s commitment to sustainability. I’ll have more on that topic in my interview with Scott coming up soon. Besides these programs Novus is catching up with “old” friends and customers in the trade show.

Listen to my interview with Scott here: Interview with Scott Carter

2012 International Poultry Expo Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 International Poultry Expo is sponsored by Novus International
Agribusiness, Audio, Novus International, Poultry Expo, Sustainability

Hard Rock at Poultry Expo

Chuck Zimmerman

I did not expect to see Hard Rock Cafe at International Poultry Expo but they are. Apparently Hard Rock has been working with IPE to produce a commemorative pin for the show for years.

I spoke with Jennifer Waxman, Sales & Marketing Manager, about how Hard Rock Cafe Atlanta is working with the show this year. Jennifer says that besides the commemorative pin there is a co-branded t-shirt this year. A portion of the sales from these items goes to benefit Wellspring Living, a charitable organization working on behalf of abused children. If you show your IPE badge you get ten percent off your meal at the Cafe!

Listen to my interview with Jennifer here: Hard Rock at Poultry Expo

2012 International Poultry Expo Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 International Poultry Expo is sponsored by Novus International
Audio, Food, Poultry

Revived Renewable Fuels

Chuck Zimmerman

While I’m attending IPE Week, Cindy is at today’s Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit. Most of her coverage can be found on Domestic Fuel. Just thought I’d share this first story with you:

Today’s 6th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit kicked off in Des Moines on Tuesday on a very positive note, considering that 2011 was a record year in the state for both ethanol and biodiesel.

In his annual address to the summit, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw noted that the state’s 41 ethanol plants produced 3.7 billion gallons of ethanol. “If Iowa were a country, it would be the third largest ethanol producer in the world, behind only the rest of the United States and Brazil,” said Shaw.

He also noted that with the return of the biodiesel tax credit in 2011 helped most of Iowa’s biodiesel plants return to production. “Ten Iowa biodiesel plants operated during 2011 produced a record 169 million gallons,” said Shaw.

However, Shaw noted that the challenges facing biofuels are just as strong as ever. “I know it’s hard to believe, but not everyone in America enjoys the renewable fuels success story,” he said, outlining the attacks against ethanol in particular by the food and oil industries. “Today the oil industry enjoys billions of dollars in tax subsidies while the renewable fuels industry has none,” said Shaw, proceeding to name off all of the subsides unique to the oil industry.

Shaw outlined the priority issues for the renewable fuels industry in 2012 as getting the biodiesel tax credit reinstated, keeping the Renewable Fuel Standard in place, and getting E15 commercially available.

Listen to Shaw’s address to the 6th annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit here: IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw address

2012 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit Photos

Ag Groups, Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, Ethanol