Benison Media https://benisonmedia.com/ Magazine for Grain and Feed Industry Mon, 05 Feb 2024 08:24:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 Interim Budget Focuses on Animal Husbandry, Fisheries to Bolster Agriculture Amid Climate Challenges https://benisonmedia.com/interim-budget-focuses-on-animal-husbandry-fisheries-to-bolster-agriculture-amid-climate-challenges/ Mon, 05 Feb 2024 08:24:13 +0000 https://benisonmedia.com/?p=13529 The interim Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman focussed on animal husbandry and fishery to provide a boost to the agriculture sector. The thrust comes at a time when climate change has begun to impact production of crops and the Centre is looking at various ways to improve farmers’ income. However, there was no […]

The post Interim Budget Focuses on Animal Husbandry, Fisheries to Bolster Agriculture Amid Climate Challenges appeared first on Benison Media.

]]>
The interim Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman focussed on animal husbandry and fishery to provide a boost to the agriculture sector. The thrust comes at a time when climate change has begun to impact production of crops and the Centre is looking at various ways to improve farmers’ income.

However, there was no hike in direct benefit transfer (DBT) of PM-Kisan benefit, negating speculations that it would be raised to ₹7,500-8,000/year from ₹6,000

Experts said as the allied sectors in the agri ecosystem are doing extremely well, the Finance Minister’s focus on animal husbandry, fishery in the Budget is timely and can not only offset, but also boost progress in the agriculture sector.

In her interim Budget speech, Sitharaman said a comprehensive programme for supporting dairy farmers will be formulated following the success of existing schemes such Rashtriya Gokul Mission, National Livestock Mission, and Infrastructure Development Funds for dairy processing and animal husbandry.

She said the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), which has benefited 38 lakh farmers, would be stepped up to enhance aquaculture productivity from 3 tonnes per hectare to 5 tonnes per hectare. Further, PMMSY funds will be utilised to help double aquaculture exports to ₹1 lakh crore and set up five integrated aquaparks.

According to Saroj Mahapatra, executive director at NGO PRADAN, the government should explore public-private partnerships to boost farmers’ incomes.

In the fertiliser sector, she said application of Nano DAP on various crops will be expanded in all agro-climatic zones, similar to nano-Urea. This announcement has been seen by CRISIL as a measure to bring down the fertiliser subsidy bill. “A bottle of nano DAP costs 50-55 per cent lower than an equivalent 50 kg bag of conventional DAP,” it said, adding subsidy on ‘phosphatic’ fertilisers, on average, accounts for 18-20 per cent of the fertiliser subsidy bill.

Self-sufficiency in oilseeds

A strategy will be formulated to achieve ‘atmanirbharta’ for mustard, groundnut, sesame, soybean and sunflower oilseeds.

“Building on the initiative announced in 2022, a strategy will be formulated to achieve ‘atmanirbharta’ for oilseeds such as mustard, groundnut, sesame, soybean, and sunflower. This will cover research for high-yielding varieties, widespread adoption of modern farming techniques, market linkages, procurement, value addition, and crop insurance,” Sitharaman said recently.

In the 2022-23 Budget speech, the Finance Minister announced: “To reduce our dependence on import of oilseeds, a rationalised and comprehensive scheme to increase domestic production of oilseeds will be implemented.”

In 2023-24 Budget speech, it was mentioned that after taking some steps (mostly routine in nature like release of newer varieties), the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare said that the promise of a comprehensive scheme got “Substantially implemented under National Food Security Mission (Oilseeds) and National Mission of Edible Oil (Oil palm).”

“It will be interesting to see how this fresh promise of atmanirbharata will be implemented. In effect, the Ministry had earlier negated the need for a separate comprehensive scheme, even though it was announced in the Budget,” said a former agriculture secretary. He also said that the planned scheme already announced by cooperation minister Amit Shah while launching the scheme on maize rolled out by cooperative body Nafed, could be the one for oilseeds.

The agriculture growth was an average 3.7 per cent from FY15 to FY23, as against 3.4 per cent between FY05 and FY14. The farm sector grew at 4.0 per cent during FY23 from the previous year. But in FY24 it is estimated that the farm sector growth may be 1.8 per cent.

According to former CACP Chairman Ashok Gulati, a little downward pressure on crops can be compensated by reasonably a good output from livestock and fisheries. He had said that the biggest contributor to farm growth is from milk sector and livestock is doing pretty fine due to its lower base earlier.

Source: The Business Line

The post Interim Budget Focuses on Animal Husbandry, Fisheries to Bolster Agriculture Amid Climate Challenges appeared first on Benison Media.

]]>
Venkateshwara B V Bio-Corp Private Limited organized technical seminars https://benisonmedia.com/venkateshwara-b-v-bio-corp-private-limited-organized-technical-seminars/ Mon, 05 Feb 2024 06:28:37 +0000 https://benisonmedia.com/?p=13527 VENKATESHWARA BV BIO-CORP PVT LTD organized two Technical seminars for commercial Layer Farmers on18that Musiri and 19thJanuary 2024 at Thalaivasal, Namakkal. The topic discussed during seminar- Layer disease challenges and Vaccination updates The New way of Premixing and Innovative premix solutions Importance of water sanitation in Layer Industry. Mr R. Murugesan, Zonal Manager, welcomed all […]

The post Venkateshwara B V Bio-Corp Private Limited organized technical seminars appeared first on Benison Media.

]]>
VENKATESHWARA BV BIO-CORP PVT LTD organized two Technical seminars for commercial Layer Farmers on18that Musiri and 19thJanuary 2024 at Thalaivasal, Namakkal. The topic discussed during seminar-

  • Layer disease challenges and Vaccination updates
  • The New way of Premixing and Innovative premix solutions
  • Importance of water sanitation in Layer Industry.

Mr R. Murugesan, Zonal Manager, welcomed all attendees and introduced the speakers for the technical seminar.

Dr A. Kandasamy- AGM-Technical, discussed current disease challenges in commercial layers and proper vaccination for layer. He suggested to use of updated vaccines & control of mycoplasma to ensure sufficient protection against disease problems. This will also help to achieve desired performance.

Dr Sambhaji Nimbalkar-Technical Manager, discussed regarding Premix and premixing technology. He elaborated benefits of homogenous premix and innovative premix solutions to simplify the feed manufacturing and also to avoid errors during feed production especially premixing. The innovative solution includes Mixiblend 0.4 % premix for Layers.

Dr R. Venkatvasan–discussed importance of water sanitation. He suggested to regular monitoring of physical, microbial and chemical qualities of water. Benefits of continuous water sanitation, challenges in water sanitation and solution for this were also discussed.

Dr A. Kandasamy and Dr Sambhaji Nimbalkar answered the queries of the attendees related to the subject and other technical queries regarding layer nutrition, Vaccination and management.

The Technical Seminar was attended by Layer farmersof Musiri,Thalaivasal, Attur and surrounding areas. Local VHPL chick’s sale team also helped for coordination and organization of these seminars.

Mr R.Murugesan, Zonal Manager proposed vote of thanks.

The post Venkateshwara B V Bio-Corp Private Limited organized technical seminars appeared first on Benison Media.

]]>
Venkateshwara B V Bio-Corp Private Limited organised series of Technical seminarson “BV 300 LayerManagement and Nutrition”. https://benisonmedia.com/venkateshwara-b-v-bio-corp-private-limited-organised-series-of-technical-seminarson-bv-300-layermanagement-and-nutrition/ Mon, 05 Feb 2024 06:26:59 +0000 https://benisonmedia.com/?p=13525 VENKATESHWARA BV BIO-CORP PVT LTD organized series of Technical seminars in association with Phoenix Group, Jabalpur for commercial Layer Farmers on 17th,18th and 20thJanuary 2024 at Bhopal, Jabalpur and Raipur respectively. This technical seminar was attended by layer farmers of Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Raipur and surrounding area. DrH.G Murade, DGM, Sales and Marketing, welcomed all […]

The post Venkateshwara B V Bio-Corp Private Limited organised series of Technical seminarson “BV 300 LayerManagement and Nutrition”. appeared first on Benison Media.

]]>
VENKATESHWARA BV BIO-CORP PVT LTD organized series of Technical seminars in association with Phoenix Group, Jabalpur for commercial Layer Farmers on 17th,18th and 20thJanuary 2024 at Bhopal, Jabalpur and Raipur respectively. This technical seminar was attended by layer farmers of Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Raipur and surrounding area.

DrH.G Murade, DGM, Sales and Marketing, welcomed all attendees and introduced the speakers for thetechnical seminar.

Dr Sunil Nadgauda, DGM, Technical,explained in detail about the “NewBV 300 commercial Layers Nutrition and Management Guide”in all aspects.During presentation heinsisted more on producing quality pullets for better laying performance.The excerpts from his presentation can be summarized as below.

  • BV 300 performance review over 100 weeks of age.
  • Importance of body weight monitoring in rearing period and its impact on laying performance.
  • Early Laying Nutrition to maximize peak production and to maintain the consistency.
  • Benefits of Phase feeding – to reduce the overall egg production cost and to optimize the efficiency.
  • Impact of feed toxicity on egg size, egg shell quality and immunity of the bird along with production performance.
  • Importance of body weight management and lighting management in laying as well as in rearing period.
  • Importance of gut health in long laying birds in egg productions. Gut health can be boosted by using gut acidifiers, probiotics and other solutions.
  • Innovative premix solutions to simplify the feed manufacturing and also to avoid errors during feed production were discussed. These solutions include EggXtra 5 % composite premix and Mixiblend 0.4 % premix for Layers.

Dr Sunil Bhidwale, Technical Director, Phoenix Group, presented regarding Current Disease scenario in MP and CG states and strategies to prevent and control the same. He discussed in detail regarding the causes and best possible solutions to prevent the emerging and re-emerging diseases. He insisted to follow strict biosecurity to be followed at farm to enhance the productivity

Dr Sunil Nadgauda and Dr Sunil Bhindwale answered the queries of the attendees related to the subjectand other technical queries regarding layer nutrition and management.

Dr H G Murade summarized the presentations and suggested to follow the proper vaccination schedule as per the guidelines. He emphasized more on use of inactivated vaccines in laying phase.

Mr Prabhakar Iyer, CEO, Phoenix Group and Mr Pallabh Paul GM- Phoenix Group, given conclusive remarks on technical seminar and assured the farmers regarding best possible services.

The New BV 300 layer nutrition and management guide November 2023 was launched during these seminars and copies were distributed to the layer farmers.

Mr Manish Podar, Zonal Manager proposed vote of thanks. The local Venworld Team organised these technical seminars.

The post Venkateshwara B V Bio-Corp Private Limited organised series of Technical seminarson “BV 300 LayerManagement and Nutrition”. appeared first on Benison Media.

]]>
Venkateshwara B V Bio-Corp Private Limited organised series of Technical seminars on “BV 300 Layer Management and Nutrition”. https://benisonmedia.com/venkateshwara-b-v-bio-corp-private-limited-organised-series-of-technical-seminars-on-bv-300-layer-management-and-nutrition/ Mon, 05 Feb 2024 06:25:49 +0000 https://benisonmedia.com/?p=13520 VENKATESHWARA BV BIO-CORP PVT LTD organized series of Technical seminarsfor commercial Layer Farmers on 24th and 25thJanuary 2024 at Talegaon (Pune Dist.) and Sangamner (Nasik Dist.)- Maharashtra respectively. MrRam Ghate,AGM, Sales and Marketing, welcomed all attendees and introduced the speakers for thetechnical seminar. Dr Sunil Nadgauda, DGM, Technical,explained in detail about the “NewBV 300 commercial […]

The post Venkateshwara B V Bio-Corp Private Limited organised series of Technical seminars on “BV 300 Layer Management and Nutrition”. appeared first on Benison Media.

]]>
VENKATESHWARA BV BIO-CORP PVT LTD organized series of Technical seminarsfor commercial Layer Farmers on 24th and 25thJanuary 2024 at Talegaon (Pune Dist.) and Sangamner (Nasik Dist.)- Maharashtra respectively.

MrRam Ghate,AGM, Sales and Marketing, welcomed all attendees and introduced the speakers for thetechnical seminar.

Dr Sunil Nadgauda, DGM, Technical,explained in detail about the “NewBV 300 commercial Layers Nutrition and Management Guide”in all aspects on 24thJan 2024.During presentation heinsisted more on producing quality pullets for better laying performance.The excerpts from his presentation can be summarized as below.

Dr Roshan Sarode presented about BV 300 nutrition and management on 25th Jan 2024 at Sangamner and discussed in detail about nutrition and management of BV 300 to achieve better performance.

  • BV 300 performance review over 100 weeks of age.
  • Importance of body weight monitoring in rearing period and its impact on laying performance.
  • Early Laying Nutrition to maximize peak production and to maintain the consistency.
  • Benefits of Phase feeding – to reduce the overall egg production cost and to optimize the efficiency.
  • Impact of feed toxicity on egg size, egg shell quality and immunity of the bird along with production performance.
  • Importance of body weight management and lighting management in laying as well as in rearing period.
  • Importance of gut health in long laying birds in egg productions. Gut health can be boosted by using gut acidifiers, probiotics and other solutions.
  • Innovative premix solutions to simplify the feed manufacturing and also to avoid errors during feed production were discussed. These solutions include EggXtra 5 % composite premix and Mixiblend 0.4 % premix for Layers.

Dr H G Murade presented about proper vaccination and procedures followed for developing good immunity. He also guided about precaution to be taken during vaccination like maintaining cold chain, correct dosage of vaccine, method of vaccination and things to do before and after vaccination.

Dr H G Murade summarized the presentations and suggested to follow the proper vaccination schedule as per the guidelines. He emphasized more on use of inactivated vaccines in laying phase.

Dr Sunil Nadgauda and Dr H G Muradeanswered the queries of the attendees related to the subject and other technical queries regarding layer nutrition and management.

The Technical Seminar was attended by around 190Layer farmersNashik and Pune districts and surrounding area.

Dr Tushar Mahanwar, Regional TechnicalManager proposed vote of thanks. The local Venworld Team organised these technical seminars.

The post Venkateshwara B V Bio-Corp Private Limited organised series of Technical seminars on “BV 300 Layer Management and Nutrition”. appeared first on Benison Media.

]]>
India Govt Aims for a 10% Surge in Maize Production by 2025-26 https://benisonmedia.com/india-govt-aims-for-a-10-surge-in-maize-production-by-2025-26/ Fri, 02 Feb 2024 11:53:50 +0000 https://benisonmedia.com/?p=13515 To meet rising demand from animal feed and bio-fuel makers, the government is aiming to increase production of maize by 10% to 42 million tonne (MT) by 2025-26 from 38 MT in 2022-23 crop year (July-June) through initiating measures such as crop diversification, cluster development for ethanol plants and involving private sector in seed development. […]

The post India Govt Aims for a 10% Surge in Maize Production by 2025-26 appeared first on Benison Media.

]]>
To meet rising demand from animal feed and bio-fuel makers, the government is aiming to increase production of maize by 10% to 42 million tonne (MT) by 2025-26 from 38 MT in 2022-23 crop year (July-June) through initiating measures such as crop diversification, cluster development for ethanol plants and involving private sector in seed development.

Sources said the agriculture ministry is currently working with Indian Institute of Maize Research, Punjab to boost maize production through developing high yielding varieties which have higher recovery for ethanol.

Officials said that developing high starch varieties to increase ethanol recovery is being worked out.

The agriculture ministry also identified 53 districts high yielding districts in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab and Bihar for expanding maize area.

The development of maize clusters around ethanol plants is being initiated by the agriculture ministry.

The ministry has urged private sector to leverage public private partnership for integrated agriculture value chain development scheme for maize to ethanol production.

Currently 10.74 million hectare (MH) is under maize output and the aim is to expand area by one MH in the next couple of years.

Under the crop diversification paddy, the focus is being given to divert paddy grown in Indo-Gangetic plains and north-western plans to maize.

In addition, under a plan approved, the farmers cooperative Nafed and National Cooperative Consumers Federation (NCCF) will purchase maize from the farmers at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and supply to companies for ethanol production.

While globally maize is the primary feed-stock for ethanol production, it is used in India mostly for animal feed and industrial use.

Source: Financial Express

The post India Govt Aims for a 10% Surge in Maize Production by 2025-26 appeared first on Benison Media.

]]>
Revitalizing Indian Aquaculture: Aquaconnect Secures $4 Mn for Transformation https://benisonmedia.com/revitalizing-indian-aquaculture-aquaconnect-secures-4-mn-for-transformation/ Fri, 02 Feb 2024 11:47:24 +0000 https://benisonmedia.com/?p=13511 Chennai-based full-stack aquaculture startup Aquaconnect has raised USD 4 Mn (INR 33 Cr) as part of a Pre-Series B funding round led by US-based S2G Ventures. The startup will use the fresh funding to ramp up its operations and expand its footprint across the country. The capital will also be deployed to shore up its […]

The post Revitalizing Indian Aquaculture: Aquaconnect Secures $4 Mn for Transformation appeared first on Benison Media.

]]>
Chennai-based full-stack aquaculture startup Aquaconnect has raised USD 4 Mn (INR 33 Cr) as part of a Pre-Series B funding round led by US-based S2G Ventures.

The startup will use the fresh funding to ramp up its operations and expand its footprint across the country. The capital will also be deployed to shore up its tech stack, diversify product portfolio, venture into new segments and double its network of partners in the next six months.

“The investment from S2G reinforces our mission of transforming the Indian aquaculture landscape through a  phygital approach. The funds come at a critical juncture as we gear up for our next phase of growth to capture new opportunities, with an intense focus on expanding our operations in major markets,” said Aquaconnect founder and chief executive officer (CEO) Rajmanohar Somasundaram.

Commenting on the fundraise, managing director at S2G Ventures Kate Danaher added, “As a leading organisation in the second largest aquaculture market in the world, we believe Aquaconnect is ideally positioned to capture meaningful market share and contribute to a future of sustainable growth across the sector.”

Founded in 2017 by Somasundaram, Aquaconnect is a full-stack aquaculture platform that leverages AI and remote sensing data to predict demand for farm inputs and the supply of harvest produce.

Cashing in on this data, it operates offline last-mile touchpoints that connect aqua farmers with farm input brands. It also partners NBFCs to offer formal credit services to its retail partners and seafood buyers to address working capital needs.

Aquaconnect claims to be present in six states and have more than 500+ on-ground partners. It also claims to serve more than 30 brands and have scaled up its revenues by 4X in the last fiscal year.

This comes more than a year after the startup last raised USD 15 Mn as part of a Series A funding round led by Lok Capital in December 2022. Prior to that, it also secured USD 8 Mn in venture debt from Trifecta Capital in early 2022.

The startup is also backed by names such as Louis Dreyfus Company Ventures, Suneight Investments, AgFunder, Omnivore, Rebright Partners, among others.

It competes with the likes of names such as AquaExchange, Captain Fresh, Eruvaka, among others.

Curiously, the development comes just days after AquaExchange secured USD 6 Mn in its Series A funding round led by London-based PE firm Ocean 14.

India’s aquaculture market continues to be a largely unorganised space that is populated by local players. But as exports and domestic consumer demand for seafood rise, Indian aquaculture startups are looking to tap into technology to streamline procurement of feed and predict market trends.

As per a report, India’s aquaculture industry is projected to grow to a market size of USD 29.37 Bn by 2028.

Source: Inc42

 

 

The post Revitalizing Indian Aquaculture: Aquaconnect Secures $4 Mn for Transformation appeared first on Benison Media.

]]>
CMFRI Pioneering Effort: Introducing lab-grown Fish Meat to India https://benisonmedia.com/cmfri-pioneering-effort-introducing-lab-grown-fish-meat-to-india/ Fri, 02 Feb 2024 11:32:52 +0000 https://benisonmedia.com/?p=13505 An Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institute has signed a first-of-its-kind agreement in India with a start-up to develop lab-grown fish meat. The Kochi-based Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has entered into a collaborative research agreement with Neat Meatt Biotech, a start-up working on cultivated meat. Although fish lovers may find it fishy, […]

The post CMFRI Pioneering Effort: Introducing lab-grown Fish Meat to India appeared first on Benison Media.

]]>
An Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institute has signed a first-of-its-kind agreement in India with a start-up to develop lab-grown fish meat.

The Kochi-based Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has entered into a collaborative research agreement with Neat Meatt Biotech, a start-up working on cultivated meat.

Although fish lovers may find it fishy, lab-grown fish meat is an area of research in several countries including Israel, US, Singapore and Korea, but none have commercialised it yet.

Lab-grown meat or alternative proteins is gradually attracting big investments globally. As of 2020, around USD 3.1 billion capital was invested in the smart proteins sector, according to reports. Some studies suggest that the niche market is projected to reach USD 290 billion by 2035. Major agencies also predict that it would make up 4 to 60 per cent of the world meat market by 2040.

In India, work is on to create cell-based meat of high-value marine fishes such as king fish, pomfret and seer fish, senior scientists said.

The CMFRI project aims to propel India in cultured marine fish meat, with a stated goal of meeting increasing demand for seafood while alleviating the excessive strain on wild resources, an official release said on Monday.

“Cultivated fish meat or lab grown fish meat is produced by isolating specific cells from the fish and growing them in the laboratory setting using animal component free media. The final product will replicate the original flavour, texture and nutritional qualities of the fish,” the statement said.

“We also call this ‘ahimsa fish meat’ as no actual fish is being harmed in the process. But, we are isolating fish cells to be developed in labs by activating the medium to grow,” Kajal Chakraborty, head and principal scientist at CMFRI’s marine biotechnology, fish nutrition and health division, told Business Standard.

He claimed that the lab-grown fish meat would taste exactly like real fish and also have the same texture and colour, if not the shape. “We can’t give any time frame as to when a final product will be available as it is an exploratory project,” Chakraborty said.

According to the Memorandum of Understanding, CMFRI will carry out research on early cell line development of high-value marine fish species. This will involve isolating and cultivating fish cells for R&D. CMFRI will also handle genetic, biochemical and analytical work linked to the project.

Neat Meatt, which has expertise in cell culture technology, will lead the optimisation of cell growth media, development of scaffolds or micro carriers for cell attachment, and scaling up production through bioreactors. The startup will also provide consumables, manpower, and any additional equipment needed for the project.

“This project aims to accelerate development in this field, ensuring India is not left behind in this emerging industry,” A Gopalakrishnan, director, CMFRI, said in the statement.

“Lab-grown fish offers immense potential for environmental and food security benefits, and this collaboration leverages CMFRI’s marine research expertise with Neat Meatt’s technological know-how in this field, paving the way for a sustainable and secure future for seafood production in India,” Gopalakrishnan said.

Sandeep Sharma, co-founder and chief executive officer of Neat Meatt Biotech, expressed confidence that the proof of concept of the project would be established within a couple of months.

Source: Business Standard

The post CMFRI Pioneering Effort: Introducing lab-grown Fish Meat to India appeared first on Benison Media.

]]>
Namakkal Poultry Owners Initiate Talks for Egg Exports to Russia https://benisonmedia.com/namakkal-poultry-owners-initiate-talks-for-egg-exports-to-russia/ Fri, 02 Feb 2024 07:14:07 +0000 https://benisonmedia.com/?p=13501 Talks regarding the exporting of eggs to Russia are still in the primary stage, and it is too early to confirm the possibility, said poultry owners in Namakkal district. Due to the war with Ukraine and other factors, egg production in Russia has significantly decreased. As a result, there are reports that Russia may need […]

The post Namakkal Poultry Owners Initiate Talks for Egg Exports to Russia appeared first on Benison Media.

]]>
Talks regarding the exporting of eggs to Russia are still in the primary stage, and it is too early to confirm the possibility, said poultry owners in Namakkal district.

Due to the war with Ukraine and other factors, egg production in Russia has significantly decreased. As a result, there are reports that Russia may need to import eggs from other countries, including India, and Namakkal could take advantage of this opportunity.

Valsan Parameswaran, secretary of the All India Poultry Products Exporters Association (AIPPEA), said that talks with Russia for exporting eggs are only at the primary stage. “There are many processes, including trade policies, certification process, quality standards, and many terms and conditions, that are to be discussed and finalized.

The latest information says that egg production is now better in Russia. At present, we cannot exactly say whether Namakkal eggs will be exported to Russia. Union and state governments are helping poultry owners export eggs to foreign countries. The major demand of poultry owners are incentives for egg exports as the price of eggs is changing everyday,” Mr. Parameswaran added.

According to a poultry owner, there was a long-pending demand to declare Namakkal an avian influenza disease-free zone, because an outbreak of bird flu in any part of the country would affect the export of eggs from Namakkal. Declaring Namakkal an avian influenza disease-free zone will save poultry owners from losses, and precautionary measures introduced by the government and animal husbandry department were being followed, he added.

It is notable that Tamil Nadu is the second largest producer of eggs in the country after Andhra Pradesh. But in terms of exports, Namakkal is first place in India with 95% of its table eggs being exported.

Source: The Hindu

The post Namakkal Poultry Owners Initiate Talks for Egg Exports to Russia appeared first on Benison Media.

]]>
California Poultry Industry Faces Existential Threat as Avian Flu Spreads https://benisonmedia.com/california-poultry-industry-faces-existential-threat-as-avian-flu-spreads/ Fri, 02 Feb 2024 07:01:07 +0000 https://benisonmedia.com/?p=13498 Avian flu is back at it, and once again it’s taken a toll on the ‘Egg Basket of the World’. Experts advise Californian farm owners to take adequate measures. Mike Weber, co-owner of Sunrise Farms received a devastating news in January that put his commercial business in jeopardy. The chickens in his farms tested positive […]

The post California Poultry Industry Faces Existential Threat as Avian Flu Spreads appeared first on Benison Media.

]]>
Avian flu is back at it, and once again it’s taken a toll on the ‘Egg Basket of the World’. Experts advise Californian farm owners to take adequate measures.

Mike Weber, co-owner of Sunrise Farms received a devastating news in January that put his commercial business in jeopardy. The chickens in his farms tested positive for avian flu. As per government rules, his company was left with no choice but to euthanize all the egg-laying hens in his farms.

“It’s a trauma. We’re all going through grief as a result of it”, claimed Weber after slaughtering his entire flock of 550,000 birds. The deed was done to prevent other farms in California‘s Sonoma County from being infected by the pathogenic flu. Weber further reminded that despite Petaluma being the ‘Egg Basket of the World’, its egg baskets had been subjected to such pain.

This heartbreaking grief follows a year after the bird flu had already resulted in the poultry industry being majorly struck with record high prices. Reportedly, a state of emergency has been declared in Sonoma County due to the destruction caused by the contagious virus.

More than a million birds have been euthanized in the last two months, further resulting in an economic crisis for the farmers and even the customers. The outbreak has also spread further to California‘s Merced County.

How to prevent Avian flu from spreading further?

Flocks of ducks, geese and other waterfowl are responsible for carrying the virus without getting affected themselves. Their dropping propagate the deadly virus to chicken farms. Therefore, curbing the disease on a human level isn’t as easy as it may seem.

State Veterinarian Annette Jones has still come up with some ways to handle the issue. One of these measures requires the farmer to locks their bird indoors till June. This will especially play a huge role in cutting down the cases as migration will still continue for a few more months. California Poultry Federation’s president Bill Mattos also seconds this notion (AP).

A UC Davis researcher – Rodrigo Gallardo – has even advised the farm owners to be wary of simpler factors that may be taken for granted in this case. Farmers should keep their clothes and shoes clean as another means to keep infections at bay. Chickens being tested for avian flu is a second obvious if the birds drop in masses.

Source: Hindustan Times

The post California Poultry Industry Faces Existential Threat as Avian Flu Spreads appeared first on Benison Media.

]]>
Maximising Poultry Feed Performance: A guide https://benisonmedia.com/maximising-poultry-feed-performance-a-guide/ Thu, 01 Feb 2024 06:09:39 +0000 https://benisonmedia.com/?p=13494 With 142.86 crore people, India today has emerged as the most populous nation in the world. As per the latest United Nations(UN) report, by 2050, our country is projected to reside nearly 166.8 crore people. A rising population with higher disposable incomes, changing food preferences, urbanisation, and enhanced productivity have created a robust domestic demand […]

The post Maximising Poultry Feed Performance: A guide appeared first on Benison Media.

]]>
With 142.86 crore people, India today has emerged as the most populous nation in the world. As per the latest United Nations(UN) report, by 2050, our country is projected to reside nearly 166.8 crore people. A rising population with higher disposable incomes, changing food preferences, urbanisation, and enhanced productivity have created a robust domestic demand for poultry products. Though, globally, India ranks low in per capita meat and egg consumption, as per a study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Indian consumers are recommended to consume 180 eggs and 10.5 kilos of poultry meat per annum. India can only meet the rising demand by lowering the discrepancies between consumption and production.

However, feed is the single most significant cost-incurring aspect of poultry production, accounting for nearly 60-70% of the total production cost. India’s climactic conditions, erratic monsoon, volatility in commodity markets, export obligations, and rising inflation pose mighty challenges to procuring quality raw materials at affordable prices to produce poultry feed. Feeding chickens is no joke.

To ascertain the protein and nutrient requirements of a growing population increasingly dependent on poultry products, implementing a sound feed strategy to ensure quality in poultry production is the need of the hour. Let’s dive into the current trends in the Indian poultry feed industry and probe the steps taken towards optimising and improving the obtainability of feed.

Steps Taken to Optimise Poultry Feed Production

  1. Process Optimisation in Poultry Feed Mill

A simple way to suffice the rise in demand for poultry feed is to optimize the efficiency of the existing feed, i.e., enhance productivity. Feed comprises 5 crucial stages: procuring ingredients (Monitoring the availability and pricing of required raw materials Check raw material while receiving and during storage, Sampling, Physical & Chemical check of ingredients, Protein & fat% check in soya, Carbohydrate, Fat & protein percent check in maize, check for adulteration etc.),grinding, blending, pelleting, and storage. But, the quintessential part of the manufacturing process is the pellet stage. Pelleting is converting fine mash feed into free-flowing, dense capsules. However, massive feed pellet manipulation exists during storage, transfer, and transportation. Hence, the number of pellets reaching the feeding sites is significantly lower than optimum.

Multiple factors affect pellet quality, like grinding, mixing, conditioning, and techniques. A sound way to improve feed efficiency and productivity is to enhance the Pellet Durability Index (PDI) by using an ideal combination of raw materials and implementing different machinery settings.

What Can Be Done?

  • Optimize the crushing process to achieve uniformity. Opt for roller mills instead of hammer mills in crushing. The former produces more uniform-sized particles and a homogenous ingredients mixture.
  • The steam conditioning system, usually the ranging from 80 to 85 degree celsius,must be fine-tuned to achieve adequate moisture content in the mash.(proper conditioning plays important role in the selection of the die)
  • Select the appropriate die specification, such as the closed-hole pattern. It comprises 25% more die-holes than the standard pattern and increases pellet quality. (A. Amin & Nahed Sobhi, 19th June 2023, “Process Optimisation in Poultry Feed”)
  • Prevent post-pelleting heat damage with an efficient cooling system and maintain the ideal temperature (After leaving the pellet mill, the temperature of pellets ranges between 70-90o Efficient cooling is requiring to reduce this temperature to 8oC above ambient temperature (Zimonja et al., 2007), along with reducing moisture from 15 to 17 percent down to 10 to 12 percent using a stream of ambient air (Robinson, 1976).The ambient temperatureis the temperature of the surrounding air. It can vary depending on the location and time of the year).
  • Monitor production parameters like pellet mill load, motor amperage, and feed rate (In most cases for producing large quantity of feed the feed manufacturers increases the rate of feed process which results ultimately in lower pellet quality).
  • Raw materials grinding should result in correct/uniformparticle size, and premium quality materials should be used.
  1. Integration of Technology in Feed

Optimizing feed production involves carefully breaking down the feed manufacturing process and analyzing and identifying the scope of improvement. The ideal goal is to reduce nutrient volatility in finished feed without affecting cost and quality. From batching and grinding to pelletization, automation can change the game in assessing feed quality and maintaining nutrition.

Amidst strife competition and feed comprising nearly 70% of operating costs, high-performing precision feed is necessary. To bolster feed production in these changing times, reliance on data and technology can save the day.

What Can Be Done?

  • Automated ingredient measurement: Automation permits precise weighing and management of ingredients. It minimizes the manual load and reduces errors.
  • Data analysis can accurately study the nutritional contents of raw materials, ingredient availability, and potency to maximize feed formulation efficiency.
  • Remote and real-time monitoring is possible with sensors and the Internet of Things (IoT). Machinery checks and tracking equipment performance can save costs and result in preventive preservation.
  • Use RFID to tag, track, and manage inventory. It reduces the error margin to a great extent and provides accurate ingredient availability.
  • Pellet automation reduces variability while enhancing energy consumption.
  1. The importance of RnD

Accentuating poultry feed production stands on a robust barometer of research and development. It is one such sector constantly backed by innovation and enhancing the formulation to achieve desirable FCR, eggshell strength, and increased egg production. Thus, RnD is the key to premium animal nutrition. Today, the poultry industry has transformed from a mere backyard activity to a full-fledged commercial operation, and there is a growing demand for scientific, research-backed products.

The industry has witnessed a staggering increase in Soybean and Maize prices, creating an alarming situation for poultry farmers. While the raw material prices were surging, the market rates for eggs and meat were unfavorable, posing a challenging situation for the entire industry. These situations require immediate attention to alternatives to commonly used raw materials. Let’s look at how dedicated RnD has many benefits for feed production.

What Can Be Done?

  • Optimise Nutrition Availability – With focused research, enhanced feed formulation can improve poultry health, gut, and growth.
  • Ingredient Discovery – Research can lead to the discovery of novel ingredients that have better nutrition matrices and are cost-effective. It reduces the dependency on Soybean and Maize.
  • Alternative Protein Sources – Apart from fish and bone meal, various other sources can meet the protein requirements of poultry without affecting protein digestibility.
  • Sustainability- Imbibing greener practices by switching to eco-friendly ways of developing feed and using raw materials with a lesser carbon footprint.
  • Feed processing techniques – Research is the key to developing technologies that improve pellet quality and nutrient bioavailability.
  1. Sustainable and Organic Feed formulation

Sustainability is the buzzword of the decade. Today, feed production must be economically viable and environmentally and socially conscious. Transforming feed into supreme quality poultry protein sustainably requires understanding nutrient metabolism, determining feed ingredients’ nutrient content and availability, and establishing a nutrient equilibrium.

In poultry production, where feed entails the majority of production cost, feed wastage due to disease, poor bio-security, and poor feed digestibility, among other reasons, results in poor feed digestion. It generates massive economic losses since the bird receives sub-optimal nutrition, resulting in higher FCR or high egg breakage. Feed wastage also results in increasing the nitrogen level in the environment. Thus, sustainability and organic feed formulations can positively impact feed production.

What Can Be Done?

  • Raw material Sourcing – Responsibly source ingredients with minimal carbon footprint and less environmental impact.
  • Circular economy – Recycle, repurpose, and reuse materials and by-products whenever possible. Create a closed-loop mechanism for nutrient utilization.
  • Tailored feed formulations – Veterinarians and nutritionists are constantly altering feed formulations per the poultry breed and using them to meet their genetic requirements. It reduces unnecessary feed wastage.
  • Waste Management – Utilising poultry waste as fertilizer or biofuel generation will minimize the environmental impact.
  1. Disease Mitigation in Feed

The disease poses a major challenge in producing feed. Often, the quality of raw materials is subpar, leading to anti-nutritional components that can severely affect the gut health of poultry. If preventive measures are overlooked, it can cause the death of an entire flock.

Moreover, seasonal factors are directly correlated to the susceptibility of poultry feed to diseases. For instance, during monsoons, the poultry feed can get infected with toxins. With specific feed additives, the disease can be prevented and cured. A sound feed formulation strategy can nullify the detrimental effects of disease and infection in feed. Look at the probable diseases impacting poultry feed and their combat mechanism.

What Can Be Done?

  • Salmonella & coli Contamination – These bacteria can contaminate feed ingredients commonly seen in the poultry’s gut. A consortium of probiotics, organic acids, AGPs, and non-AGPs can limit the pathogenic load of these harmful bacteria.
  • Mycotoxin Contamination – Fungal infections can contaminate the feed with mycotoxins i.e. aflatoxins, ochratoxins, trichothecenes, fumonisins, and zearalenone, which hampers the production & health of poultry. Use of toxin binders or detoxifiers in poultry feed can prevent the harmful effects of mycotoxins.
  • Fat Utilisation- Emulsifiers can improve the digestibility of fat & fat-soluble nutrients, promote enhanced absorption, and better utilization of dietary energy. It also boosts uniform nutrient distribution.

How Can We Help?

For a poultry farmer, feed plays a central role in deciding the successful performance of their flock. Since it constitutes the majority of production costs, constructive importance should be given to improving feed productivity and efficiency. In a country like India, multiple factors can impact feed quality, from procurement, raw materials, and disease load to climactic conditions. However, careful inspection, preventive measures, focused RnD, sustainable practices, and reliance on technology can be a game changers for this industry.

As a rule of thumb, poultry production naturally is receptive to disease challenges. With preventive measures, accurate poultry management, and advanced and reliable animal nutrition solutions, poultry farmers can ensure the health and productivity of their flocks, leading to a thriving and sustainable industry.

By Meghana Mukherjee Salvi, Glamac International Pvt Ltd

The post Maximising Poultry Feed Performance: A guide appeared first on Benison Media.

]]>