WELCOME
This month I attended my first opportunity for networking as Alltech Ideas Conference (One like-minded peers from across the 19) in Lexington, Kentucky USA. world discover new ideas in the First off, I have to say I was very agribusiness industry. The focus impressed by three days of nosessions were split over two days. expense spared entertainment and On Tuesday, the first day of the seminars showcasing the very latest conference, the sessions were research in feeds. While there, I dedicated to terrestrial species: was one of the 3,000 attendees (yes, poultry, swine, ruminants (beef and really) who were bussed to various dairy), equine, companion pets and events including a tour of Alltech’s crop science. With many conferences stunning corporate headquarters going on at the same time, I was Vaughn Entwistle Managing Editor, International Aquafeed and their research facility. spoiled for choice and chose to divide (Alltech’s production facility is also my time between poultry, beef, and located in Nicholasville, KY, but for swine. On the Wednesday, the focus food safety reasons could not be included in the tour). I was exclusively on aqua feed. Look for a complete have worked in many different industries, but I have to report in next month’s issue. say that Alltech’s HQ building was easily amongst the In this issue we continue our coverage of the five-year, most impressive I’ve ever visited. 1.8 Million Euro DIVERSIFY Project, which explored The love of science is a theme carried through campus the biological and socio-economic potential of six new statuary and even the building’s architecture, which and emerging candidate fish species for the expansion includes double helix staircases. Alltech’s status as a of the European aquaculture industry. This month’s major international company is reflected in the design featured species is Pikeperch. of individual rooms, such as the South Africa room, Aquaculture continues to see the rise of RAS, and this which boasts objet d’art and paintings by South African month we have a nutrition story about sophisticated artists. And as a reflection of the founder Dr Pearse feeds being formulated specifically for this application. Lyons’ Irish roots, the HQ even enjoys an authentic In an industry that stresses the need for sustainability, Irish pub (complete with a bar equipped with Guinness our article on fish waste as a profitable income stream taps!) to host relaxing, after-hours meetings. Even more shows some innovative thinking. And we also take impressive is the fact that the company has grown from an in-depth look at Zeigler’s ambitious feed mill an 8,000 square foot facility back in the 1970s to this licensee program, which allows an existing aquaculture stunning, 200,000 square foot showpiece. production facility to produce its own feed. I hope you As always, the Alltech event offers a tremendous enjoy the read.
www.aquafeed.co.uk