Manhattan, Kan., and Plainview, Texas, operations to focus on corn drought testing

DES MOINES, Iowa, Sept. 23, 2009 - Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, announces the expansion of its corn drought research efforts in Manhattan, Kan., and Plainview, Texas, further strengthening the company’s commitment to bringing better genetics and traits that meet specific challenges facing growers.

These locations, traditionally focused on sorghum, now will be expanded to include additional research for corn drought testing. The expanded facilities will allow Pioneer to establish managed stress environments, including needed irrigation systems. Both native and transgenic traits will be evaluated and characterized at these research facilities. more

The Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization’s (PAACO) popular Meat Plant Welfare Auditor Course will return to Fremont and Schuyler, NE on Nov. 3-4 for two days of interactive training. Hormel Foods and Cargill Beef will host the event, which features both classroom training and hands-on experience at swine and beef plants.

Industry professionals will again comprise the instructional staff, which includes Glee Goodner, Hormel’s corporate manager of animal welfare and handling; Dr. Temple Grandin, president of Grandin Livestock Handling Systems; Collette Kaster, vice president of quality technical services for Farmland Foods; and Dr. Mike Siemens, leader of animal welfare and husbandry, Cargill. more

[Fresno, California]- With a growing need for natural animal health solutions, global animal health company, Alltech announced the launch of its annual Young Scientist Program today. Growing by leaps and bounds, past programs featured only undergraduate students, but expanded last year to include graduate students. This year the program is expanding once again as Africa and the Middle East will have their own local competition as well as adding an additional phase to the program. more

GREENFIELD, Mass. (Sept. 17, 2009)—The Organic Trade Association (OTA) today expressed delight at the selection of Miles McEvoy as the new Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) National Organic Program (NOP).

“As Organic Program Manager for Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Organic Food efforts, Miles has been very active as a long-time member of the Organic Trade Association (OTA). OTA is pleased that he will be filling this very important position in USDA. OTA is confident that, with his experience, he will provide invaluable guidance and clear thinking that will further the integrity of the National Organic Program,” said Christine Bushway, OTA’s Executive Director. more

PIERRE, S.D. – Scott Larsen, a native of Viborg, has joined the Governor’s Office of Economic Development as a Business Development Representative.

Larsen will specialize in Ag Business Development. Larsen recently graduated from the University of South Dakota with his Master of Business Administration. He received his bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University with degrees in Agriculture Business and Animal Science.

“Scott will be an instrumental part of our Business Development team. Larsen will work to create jobs in South Dakota by working with businesses that are ag-related or add value to ag products,” according to Kim Olson, director, Governor’s Office of Economic Development. “He brings a nice mix of skills to this job,” she said.

Larsen will be based out of Pierre and be the regional representative for businesses in the central part of the state in addition to his recruitment duties.

Larsen can more

Lallemand’s unique lactic acid bacteria recognized to improve performance in salmonids and shrimp

Milwaukee - Lallemand Animal Nutrition is pleased to announce that the European Standing Committee on Animal Nutrition[1] has voted for the authorization of its probiotic, Bactocell® (lactic acid bacteria strain Pediococcus acidilactici CNCM MA18/5M), for use as a zootechnical feed additive in salmonids and shrimp. Bactocell therefore becomes the first probiotic authorized for such use in aquaculture in the European Union. This authorization is based on the recognition of the quality and safety (QPS status) as well as the efficacy of Bactocell in beneficially enhancing salmonid and shrimp production. more

September 15th 2009: Bomac Vets Plus, Inc. (BVPI), a global leader in Animal Health & Nutrition, announced today that it has achieved ISO 9001: 2008 certification.

ISO 9001:2008 is an internationally recognized standard for quality management systems which has become the global benchmark for providing assurance about the ability to satisfy quality requirements and to enhance customer satisfaction in supplier-customer relationships. more

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 15, 2009 – Former USDA Undersecretary for Rural Development Thomas C. Dorr will serve as president and CEO of the Washington, D.C., based U.S. Grains Council. Dorr accepted the charge to head the country’s largest export market development organization for barley, corn, sorghum and their co-products on Sept. 8, 2009. He will officially assume the role on Nov. 16. Dorr said being an Iowa farmer for more than 30 years and serving seven years with USDA afforded him the opportunity to understand and value the nearly 50 years of export market development efforts orchestrated by the Council. more

Genesus Genetics is pleased to announce its first genetic multiplier in Mexico. DP Farm is a new 2400 sow facility on an isolated plateau in central Mexico.

This state of the art biosecure operation will produce Genesus gilts for existing and new customers in Mexico. Jim Long, President – CEO Genesus Inc “We have been sending breeding stock to Mexico for 15 years. Current transportation costs and logistic issues made it necessary for us to find a Mexican location and facility that would meet Genesus’ commitment of delivering top quality, healthy swine genetics to our customers. Mexican swine producers have been financially pressured, like many in other countries by H1N1, high feed prices, and financial losses.

Genesus believes that the future success in swine production is the adaption of technology that maximizes productivity and producer returns. Genesus’ Mexican genetic production is our commitment and belief in more