Animal Feed Additives & Ingredients: Page 149

Ergot alkaloids found in 12% of cereals studied

Ergot alkaloids were found in 12% of samples taken during a Food Standards Agency study investigating the presence of mycotoxins in foods, prompting the European Commission to request an assessment of the risks to human and animal health related to the presence of the alkaloids in food. There are currently no maximum levels for ergot alkaloids in EU legislation, said the report, but they may exert toxic effects in certain animals.

FDA denies citizen petitions regarding animal antibiotics

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has denied two citizen petitions urging the FDA to withdraw the approvals for antibiotics given to animals in feed or water for purposes other than disease treatment if the antibiotics are also used in human medicine. The petitions were filed by Environmental Defense, Center for Science in the Public Interest, Food Animal Concerns Trust, and the Union of Concerned Scientists along with other groups.

Ranchers urged to watch animal feed for dangerous nitrate levels

Ranchers are being urged to pay attention to the nitrate levels in the animal feed they're giving their cattle, because drought-stressed plants harvested as feed ingredients may contain dangerous levels of nitrates, according to University extension officials in Kansas and Missouri. Extension agents said they have been receiving reports of cattle succumbing to what appears to be nitrate poisoning.

Commodity Futures Trading Commission limits trading on agriculture commodities

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has voted to limit speculative trading for agricultural commodities, including corn, wheat and soybeans, according to the American Feed Industry Association. Part of the Dodd-Frank Act, the new rules establish speculative position limits on futures and swaps, and clarify rules for derivative clearing organizations.

China sheep feed tainted with chemical clenbuterol

Farmers in East China's Shandong province have been illegally adding the chemical clenbuterol to their sheep feed to produce leaner meat, according to reports. The tainted sheep have been sold to buyers in 17 municipalities and provinces, including Beijing, Henan and Jiangsu.

South Africa company testing maggots as alternative feed protein

South African company Agriprotein Technologies is testing maggots as a potential alternative animal feed protein for livestock and fish. According to the company, the common household fly lays up to 750 eggs in its life (up to one month), and 1 kilogram of eggs will turn into 380 kilograms of protein within three days of hatching.

Deepwater transit terminal would aid US grains export market

Louisiana State Senator A.G. Crowe, speaking to a meeting of agricultural journalists in New Orleans, proposed building the Louisiana International Gulf Transfer Terminal, a deepwater facility that would allow for new, large containerized cargo vessels, such as those exporting U.S. grains, to offload at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Citing the rapid increase in the use of containers in shipping, the senator feels the terminal would be especially helpful for those in the U.S. grain export market.

Thailand lifts animal feed raw material import quotas

The Thailand government will lift import quotas for animal feed raw materials for up to three years in an effort to help manufacturers make longer-term business plans, according to reports. In addition, soybean meal and fishmeal import quotas, which have always been reviewed every year, will now be reviewed every three years.

Antibiotics symposium focuses on use, safety, education

Researchers and experts in animal health and human health focused on antibiotics use, safety and education during the “Antibiotic Use in Food Animals: A Dialogue for a Common Purpose” symposium, held October 26 and 27 in Chicago and sponsored by the National Institute for Animal Agriculture. Antibiotic resistance was a central topic of the symposium, with 13 animal and human health experts speaking on the subject.

Kiotech International changes company name to Anpario

Feed additive manufacturer Kiotech International plc will change its company name to Anpario plc as of December 1, 2011. Anpario plc will continue to trade through its brands Optivite, Kiotechagil and Vitrition, according to the company.

Novus International AGRADO Plus

Novus International Inc.

Novus International offers AGRADO Plus feed ingredient. The feed ingredient is designed to help mitigate the negative effects of mycotoxins.

Grain, feed group NGFA endorses speculative position limits

The National Grain and Feed Association issued a preliminary statement after the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s October 18 approval of final regulations implementing speculative position limits for agricultural and other commodities under the Dodd-Frank regulatory reform law. NGFA said: “While the text of the CFTC’s final regulations has not been released yet – and will warrant close examination once it is – the National Grain and Feed Association does conceptually support the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s action to continue to apply speculative position limits for enumerated agricultural commodities, which include grains and oilseeds.

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