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Writtle University College merges with Anglia Ruskin

Member News
The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.

The merger will secure the long-term future for Writtle University College’s campus

Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and Writtle University College are delighted to announce a proposal to merge the two institutions.

The proposed merger will secure a long-term, sustainable future for Writtle, and unlock significant opportunities for growth and development by bringing together the two institutions’ strengths across education and research.

Now in its 130th year and located on the outskirts of Chelmsford, Writtle University College is one of the UK’s leading institutions for land-based studies.

It offers postgraduate, undergraduate, further education and short courses in the areas of agriculture and animal sciences, with students benefiting from a working farm, a specialist small animal unit and an equine centre based on campus. Writtle has also developed a range of degree programmes in applied life sciences, sport, and health subjects.

ARU’s campus in the heart of Chelmsford has grown strongly over recent years, and is now home to over 10,000 students, mainly studying a range of health, business, engineering, and law courses. The campus houses the School of Medicine, one of the UK’s newest medical schools.

ARU’s academic expertise in fields including health sciences, animal science, sport science and sustainability will help to support and grow both education and research at Writtle, improving the experience and outcomes for students and creating opportunities for new courses.

The Writtle estate will operate under the campus name ARU Writtle, taking its place alongside ARU Chelmsford, ARU Cambridge, ARU Peterborough, and ARU London. Writtle’s full range of Higher and Further Education courses will continue to be delivered on site, supported and enhanced by the wider resources of ARU.

Professor Roderick Watkins, Vice Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), said:

“We are delighted to announce our intention to merge with Writtle University College. With our shared values, considerable resources and geographical proximity, we are uniquely positioned to sustain and build on Writtle University College’s excellent reputation and vision. I look forward to achieving sustained growth and continued success at both Higher Education and Further Education levels.”

ARU and Writtle University College are working together to produce a comprehensive implementation plan, and will be consulting widely with staff, students and stakeholders. Subject to the approval of education regulators, the two institutions intend to enter a legally binding agreement to proceed with the merger.

Professor Tim Middleton, Vice Chancellor of Writtle University College, said:

“This proposed merger will provide a sustainable future for Further Education and Higher Education at the Writtle campus. It ensures continued provision of our specialist courses and a commitment to support the development of the estate for the benefit of students, staff, and the wider community. ARU has extensive expertise and resources, and is able to promote Writtle’s unique strengths to a wide, international audience.”

Writtle University College set to merge with Anglia Ruskin

Member News
The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.

The merger will secure the long-term future for Writtle University College’s campus

Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and Writtle University College are delighted to announce a proposal to merge the two institutions.

The proposed merger will secure a long-term, sustainable future for Writtle, and unlock significant opportunities for growth and development by bringing together the two institutions’ strengths across education and research.

Now in its 130th year and located on the outskirts of Chelmsford, Writtle University College is one of the UK’s leading institutions for land-based studies.

It offers postgraduate, undergraduate, further education and short courses in the areas of agriculture and animal sciences, with students benefiting from a working farm, a specialist small animal unit and an equine centre based on campus. Writtle has also developed a range of degree programmes in applied life sciences, sport, and health subjects.

ARU’s campus in the heart of Chelmsford has grown strongly over recent years, and is now home to over 10,000 students, mainly studying a range of health, business, engineering, and law courses. The campus houses the School of Medicine, one of the UK’s newest medical schools.

ARU’s academic expertise in fields including health sciences, animal science, sport science and sustainability will help to support and grow both education and research at Writtle, improving the experience and outcomes for students and creating opportunities for new courses.

The Writtle estate will operate under the campus name ARU Writtle, taking its place alongside ARU Chelmsford, ARU Cambridge, ARU Peterborough, and ARU London. Writtle’s full range of Higher and Further Education courses will continue to be delivered on site, supported and enhanced by the wider resources of ARU.

Professor Roderick Watkins, Vice Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), said:

“We are delighted to announce our intention to merge with Writtle University College. With our shared values, considerable resources and geographical proximity, we are uniquely positioned to sustain and build on Writtle University College’s excellent reputation and vision. I look forward to achieving sustained growth and continued success at both Higher Education and Further Education levels.”

ARU and Writtle University College are working together to produce a comprehensive implementation plan, and will be consulting widely with staff, students and stakeholders. Subject to the approval of education regulators, the two institutions intend to enter a legally binding agreement to proceed with the merger.

Professor Tim Middleton, Vice Chancellor of Writtle University College, said:

“This proposed merger will provide a sustainable future for Further Education and Higher Education at the Writtle campus. It ensures continued provision of our specialist courses and a commitment to support the development of the estate for the benefit of students, staff, and the wider community. ARU has extensive expertise and resources, and is able to promote Writtle’s unique strengths to a wide, international audience.”

NFU Mutual: Rural Crime Report 2023

Member News
The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.

The impact of rural crime on our communities

As the UK’s leading rural insurer, we understand the true impact of rural crime.

Our Rural Crime Report provides a unique insight into trends and the cost of rural theft.

Every year we gather claims statistics, survey people in the heart of our rural communities and seek views from experts from across police, farming unions and charities to provide a detailed picture of rural crime’s financial and social impact.

See the full report here

Agrisound and M&S partnership goes from strength to strength

Member News
The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.

M&S is expanding its partnership with agri-tech start-up AgriSound to provide 18 more farms with in-field noise sensor technology.

This will allow farmers to track the number of pollinators visiting their farm in real-time and target specific interventions, such as differing wildflower densities, to improve crop yields and maintain quality of crops, as well as benefitting the wider environment.

Specialist listening devices combine acoustic technology and environmental sensors to monitor the density of key pollinators, including bumblebees and honeybees.

The devices collect and send data, with users able to see results via a smartphone or web app.

Following two successful trials last year, the technology will now be rolled out to M&S Select farms such as East Seaton in Arbroath, which supplies Red Diamond strawberries to the retailer.

The wider launch will cover a range of M&S’ fruit, veg and salad farms and will make up 8% of its British growers, with monitors covering 120 habitats and over 1000 hectares.

The collaboration also forms part of the supermarkets Farming with Nature programme which launched in 2021 to support its Select farmerms to be more resilient to environmental challenges.

M&S Food technical director, Andrew Clappen, said: “At M&S, our Plan A target is to become a net zero business by 2040. M&S Food makes up the majority of our emissions, with 72% of this coming directly from agriculture. Sustainable farming is not just a nice to have but a necessity for our business.

“Improving biodiversity is at the forefront of our plans to help farmers become more resilient to the impact of climate change. Pollinators are the unsung heroes of British farming – helping to improve yields and quality while benefitting the wider environment.

“By expanding out our partnership with AgriSound, farms like East Seaton will have real-time data and valuable insights into what’s working and what’s not.”

Niab: New feasibility study on domestic chickpea production

Member News
The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.

A new research project aims to explore the potential for domestic production and pump-prime the UK’s first chickpea breeding programme.

‘Cicero – developing chickpea as a novel source of domestic UK protein’ is a two-year, £500,000 feasibility study led by the crop science organisation Niab, with collaborators from across the agri-food supply chain. Cicero has been awarded funding by Defra under the ‘Farming Futures R&D Fund: Sustainable farm-based protein’ competition, part of Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme managed by Innovate UK, and starts with immediate effect.

Research will focus on the cool-season legume, chickpea (Cicer arietinum). In common with other nitrogen-fixing legumes, the crop has the potential to reduce on-farm fertiliser requirements and the high greenhouse gas emissions associated with fertiliser production and application. Current domestic legume production is mainly restricted to field beans and combinable peas, which are not necessarily optimised for human consumption, with a large proportion destined for animal feed. In contrast, chickpea is familiar to our food industry but is rarely grown in the UK, largely due to the scarcity of adapted varieties and the lack of knowledge both growers and advisors have of the crop. UK food companies annually import 60,000 tonnes for products including stand-alone tins, pouches of cooked chickpeas and packets of dried pulses,  alongside use as ingredient in ready meals and bakery products. Cicero will explore the possibility of displacing imported chickpeas through domestic production.

Project lead and Niab’s Head of Breeding Dr Phil Howell explains that Cicero will take a muti-faceted approach. Variety trials and agronomy testing will be carried out by Niab and specialist seed company Premium Crops, ranging from small plots up to field-scale evaluation. End-use quality assessments will be undertaken by Norfolk-based grower Place UK, who has successfully grown chickpea crops to sell through its vertically-integrated food ingredients business.

“Whilst the two-year project timescale prohibits a full breeding cycle, new populations will be advanced rapidly through the glasshouse, with selections ready for their first field evaluation by spring 2025. Niab has already assembled a diverse collection of chickpea material, which will be evaluated in field nurseries over the project duration. These will be complemented by a unique population of novel induced variants developed together with biotechnology start-up Viridian Seeds. These new sources of diversity will all feed into a second cycle of new crosses to kickstart the development of UK-adapted material,” says Dr Howell.

“Chickpeas are a classic example of the challenges the legume sector is facing. Manufacturers must often rely on imports to service the increasing demand for healthy plant-based foods. While this crop can be grown in the UK, its yields and quality are unreliable because current varieties are not well-adapted. Ultimately, we need better varieties bred specifically for UK conditions, but we also need to improve our agronomy know-how to get the most out of varieties – now and in the future,” finishes Dr Howell.

Funding Success: Top tips from AgriSound’s CEO on securing grants and investments

Member News
The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.

We talk to Casey Woodward, award-winning Founder and CEO of groundbreaking agritech innovator, AgriSound, which has pioneered the Polly bioacoustic monitoring device, to listen to and track the well-being of pollinators providing data vital for environmental intervention and ESG planning.

AgriSound is a York-based Agri-tech start-up, partnering with several companies, including Dyson Farming, Innocent Drinks, National Trust Scotland and the Royal Horticultural Society. How have these collaborations impacted the business?

Casey Woodward, Founder & CEO at AgriSound

The collaborations with such large and prestigious organisations have taught us a lot over the last few years. Firstly, it’s given us improved access to expertise and a deeper understanding of the real-world environment and challenges faced by our customers. By working closely with established companies in the agricultural and horticultural sectors, we’ve gained valuable insights and knowledge that have helped us understand what exactly our market wants from our insect-listening device, Polly.

Secondly, these collaborations have expanded our reach in the market, providing us with increased exposure, facilitating business growth and the acquisition of new customers. The collaborations have strengthened our credibility and reputation within the industry, and we’ve been lucky enough to be considered a trusted player in the agritech sector, attracting more customers and opportunities for growth.

AgriSound has won awards for its innovation. What is your advice to up-and-coming innovators?

The most crucial thing is to be open to feedback. Embrace constructive criticism and actively seek out different perspectives. Feedback can provide valuable insights and help refine your ideas or projects.

You also can’t underestimate the value of building a strong network and finding mentors who have accomplished what you aspire to achieve. Surround yourself with experienced individuals who can guide and support you on your innovation journey. Their wisdom and expertise can offer invaluable advice and help you navigate challenges more effectively.

Remember to be persistent but also adaptable. Innovation often requires perseverance and resilience in the face of setbacks. However, it’s equally important to recognise when a change in approach is needed. Set clear milestones to assess progress and be willing to adjust your strategy if necessary.

Innovation is a dynamic process that demands continuous learning and improvement. By remaining receptive to feedback, cultivating a strong support network, and balancing persistence with adaptability, you can enhance your chances of success as a young innovator.

Intelligent Growth Solutions form Partnership with Cubic Acres and secure funding

Member News
The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.

Long Island-based vertical farming company, CubicAcres completed a $3.7 million funding round in partnership with Intelligent Growth Solutions. The funds are earmarked to facilitate a tenfold expansion in production capacity by CubicAcres in response to growing market demand for the company’s lettuce production.

Ryan McGann, CEO of CubicAcres, remarked, “Our partnership with IGS will bring cutting-edge vertical farming technology to Long Island to meet the insatiable demands we have experienced in the LI and NYC markets for high-quality produce year-round.” Ryan added, “Long Island has a unique, robust agricultural ecosystem. By situating our vertical farm within the heart of its agricultural districts, we aim to demonstrate an effective blend of vertical and traditional farming methodologies.”

The partnership will begin with the construction of a fully automated vertical farming facility on Long Island, slated to yield one million heads of lettuce annually. The farm will be capable of producing about 3 million heads of lettuce annually from an 11,000-square-foot production facility.

Steve Gereb, Head of North American Operations for IGS, said: “Working with Ryan and CubicAcres has been a significant step on our path to bringing IGS to the North American market, and we are delighted to see the business’ continued success. Since launching our US headquarters in November last year, we have grown our team to 15 deployment and operational experts in the region, supported by our more than 200-strong global team. We are excited to work with forward-thinking partners like Cubic Acres as we continue to deliver technology to customers across the world.”

CHAP project set to raise the bar in protected cultivation

Member News
The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.

REDEFINING greenhouse cultivation of horticultural crops in multi-faceted project following the launch of a new collaborative project.

Conventional greenhouse practises are optimised for growing warm-climate crops such as tomatoes and peppers. When attempting to grow cooler-climate crops such as lettuce, production and quality challenges arise due to the diminished light-exposure, warm air temperature and increased humidity. As a result, production of such crops remains primarily in open fields, where exposure to extreme weather conditions, pests and diseases have a major impact on cultivation and ultimately yield.

Funded by Defra through The Farming Innovation Programme and delivered via Innovate UK, the consortium is comprised of a diverse team: Crystal Heart Salad Company Ltd, the University of NottinghamUniversity of HullDurham University and Crop Health and Protection (CHAP).

This 21-month project will focus on designing a cutting-edge greenhouse that optimises natural light exposure for enhanced crop growth. By employing novel heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) principles and technologies, the resulting climate within the structure will closely resemble outdoor conditions with regards to air temperature and humidity.

By addressing the challenges linked to light exposure, temperature and humidity, the project will be able to establish a robust platform that enables year-round cultivation of lettuce and a wide range of horticultural crops, in typical English weather conditions.

James Bean, Managing Director at Crystal Heart Salad Company, who are leading the project, said: “We look forward to collaborating with expert research organisations to prototype a novel closed greenhouse that we hope will represent the future of protected cultivation.

“For growers, this solution will ultimately mean less risk and uncertainty, coupled with the ability for greater control over inputs across extending cropping seasons.”

The work will aim to provide physical validation of the novel greenhouse structure and HVAC systems as well as identify conditions for scaling-up in a commercial setting. This innovative system offers unparalleled climate control compared to traditional greenhouses and presents opportunities for implementing further novel functionalities.

Dr Harry Langford, Innovation Network Lead at CHAP, added: “The system is ingeniously designed with sustainability at its core and the need to reduce carbon emissions.

“The energy management systems are developed to seamlessly integrate with renewable sources which in turn provides a fantastic opportunity to cultivate a variety of crops under protective cover.

“We are confident that by collaboratively working alongside our industrial and academic partners, this project can provide a real step-change in enhancing profitability for growers whilst reducing energy and resource consumption.”


For more information about this project, contact CHAP at enquiries@chap-solutions.co.uk

WeedBot raises €425 000

Member News
The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.
In its latest investment round, WeedBot, the high-precision laser weeding technology startup, has raised €425 000 to fund the production of its first commercial machine. 

The prototypes developed so far were intended more for testing individual elements in the field wheras the new commercial version will enable WeedBot to perform real demos of the product in customers’ own fields. WeedBot co-founder Jānis Jaško shares that major organic carrot growers from France, Germany, Austria and the UK have already signed up to test the commercial machine.

Alongside manufacturing the commercial machine, the company is also preparing to raise further funding.

“We plan that after successful tests with farmers, we will need capital to scale up production. We’re also in talks with potential industrial partners to make use of their production capacity,” says Jaško.

To date, Weedbot has raised €400 000 from business angels in Latvia and the UK in several funding rounds. The company has also embraced the support instruments offered by Latvia’s Law on Support for Start-ups.

International pool of investors

Both existing and new investors have contributed to this round. The main investor is the Latvia-based Overkill Ventures, together with its Danish partners Accelerace, joined by several angel investors and a UK-based vegetable seed breeding and production company.

“We were attracted by the Weedbot team’s original insight into the problems that farmers are facing, their ability to execute and the potential for a far reaching impact of their product,” says David Ventzel, General Partner at Accelerace. 

The fund has previously invested in Latvia’s Kedeon and Vigo Health, and is on the lookout for more local investment opportunities. 

Tough times for attracting investment

The last year has been a turbulent one in the world of startups and investment, with the global economy shaken by Russia’s war in Ukraine. As a consequence, the startup environment has seen less investment. When asked how to go about attracting investment in these times, Jaško shares that, having spoken to other startups in the sector, he learned that many have struggled in the past year.

“In the middle of last year, it seemed that investor activity was starting to return, but data for the first quarter of this year show that investor activity around the globe still remains low compared to 2021,” says Jaško.

In addition, equipment manufacturing is not the most desirable sector from an investor perspective. They still prefer business software development, he says. “We can’t directly influence these things, so it’s not worth getting too upset about it. But it’s definitely something to be aware of and take into account in order to properly plan how much time and resources will be needed to complete the investment round,” Jaško emphasises.

Carrots for now but other crops to follow

WeedBot’s solution uses a concentrated light or laser beam to kill weeds. It looks like a typical agricultural machine and connects to the rear of the tractor. For now, the machine is tailored to weeding carrots. The idea is that, as the AI continues to be trained, its use could be extended to other similar crops like lettuce, beetroots and onions.

“To ‘catch’ the weeds, we’ve trained the AI to recognise what a carrot looks like at different stages of growth. The rest of the plants are treated with a laser beam. The weed is heated from the inside and dies completely or is so badly damaged that it takes a week to recover,” Jaško shares.

Jaško and colleagues came up with the idea while working on a research project at university, investigating how to use lasers to control weeds. To ensure that the results didn’t just stay on the shelf gathering dust, they decided to continue their work by going the commercial route.

Currently, WeedBot’s laser weeder runs at speeds of up to 1.2 kilometres per hour, which is up to five times faster than weeding by hand. Last year, the company ran a trial on partners’ fields in the Bordeaux region of France. Customers are queuing up.

Author: Lelde Beņķe, Anda Asere (www.labsoflatvia.com).

Rural Enterprise Hubs: creating a home for business and communities

Member News
The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.

Supporting Scotland’s rural and island communities in ways that make financial sense while also benefitting those living and working locally requires a thought-out approach and careful planning. That’s where Rural Enterprise Hubs can come into their own. Multi-use, person-led and available in all shapes and sizes, these spaces bring unused or under-utilised buildings back to life and give the opportunity for often isolated people to come together.  
 
Rural Enterprise Hubs are physical spaces that provide rural businesses and entrepreneurs with workspaces (offices or workshops), communal spaces to network and socialise, meeting rooms, coworking spaces, shared kitchen facilities, networking groups and business support opportunities. They vary in terms of ownership (public, private or third sector owned/managed), size (five tenants up to 40 in this research) and management strategies. Rural Enterprise Hubs can also provide community services such as library and ICT facilities, drop-in sessions (from Citizens Advice or GP surgeries, for example) and cafes. 
 
Networks of successful Rural Enterprise Hubs can be found in Ireland (Connected Hubs) and Northumberland (see work from NICRE), where there are good stocks of Hubs, as well as a joined-up approach of co-advertising and sharing of best practices between Hub managers.  

Rural Enterprise Hub provision has been steadily increasing in Scotland and examples are starting to emerge – such as Scottish Borders Council’s plans to transform its headquarters at Newtown St Boswells into a civic hub. Media attention is also beginning to gain momentum. Indeed the £12.5 million pound Rural and Veterinary Innovation Centre (RAVIC), which is being led by SRUC and due to open in Inverness later this year, recently announced its plans to help bridge the gap between science and business in a rural setting housing several commercial business incubation units as part of its collaborative hub. 
 
Hubs can become a focal point in small towns or villages to develop and enrich entrepreneurial ecosystems. They can encourage new businesses to start-up (potentially having a role in encouraging young people to remain or move into rural areas), be a social destination and offer a place from which business support agencies can deliver their services. As such, they could be considered key infrastructure in community wealth building and as a tool for placemaking 
 
Town and village centres are an ideal place to create Rural Enterprise Hubs, and many examples of best practice are available elsewhere. However, perhaps novel to Scotland, estates could also be a vital place to create new Hubs for isolated and dispersed businesses. There are examples of Hubs being built on farms, often repurposing disused barns (see Orwell Farm or Windmill Farm Business Hub) and some emerging examples on Scottish estates (see Balcaskie Estate and Crichton Central), but more could be done to utilise these places. With the right support in place, Rural Enterprise Hubs offer solutions to the multitude of challenges facing rural communities. 

 
You can read Dr Ian Merrell’s Policy Spotlight ‘Supporting Scottish Business through Rural Enterprise Hubs and Coworking Spaces’ here. 
 
Dr Merrell’s research on Rural Enterprise Hubs, which informed the writing of the Policy Spotlight and this blog, was undertaken at the Centre for Rural Economy and National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (both Newcastle University) and sponsored by the ESRC. It involved 40 interviews with Hub tenants, eight interviews with Hub Managers and ten Regional Development Officers and policymakers. 

Timac Agro: Build Better Soils to Help with SFI Funding

Member News
The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.

Farmers will need to gain a better understanding of their soils to meet the new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) ‘arable soils’ standard.

David Newton, Timac Agro technical manager, says this knowledge will be key to accessing future funding, but also for supporting future crop growth.

“The SFI funding aims to encourage activities which improve soil health, but it can be hard to know where to even begin,” he says.

“Under the current guidelines, farmers and growers can receive £22/ha at an introductory level, or £40/ha at an intermediate level for the ‘arable and horticultural soils’ standard, so it’s well worth investing in your soil health.”

Mr Newton shares his top tips to help meet the new arable soils standard:

  1. Take soil testing to the next level 

Mr Newton recommends going above and beyond when it comes to getting soil tested, and to seek advice from someone who can determine the soil analysis results.

“Don’t just test for soil pH and macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) – the scheme requires a test for organic matter levels, so why not test trace elements and assess your soil structure at the same time?” he says.

  1. Understand your soil type 

“Understanding your soil type means understanding it’s advantages and challenges; how best to work with it and improve its health and biology,” says Mr Newton.

Soil type influences structure and its consequent ability to retain nutrients and water, as well as its workability.

He explains that lighter, sandier soils can be more acidic and prone to leaching due to their porous nature; they can also have lower organic matter levels, which consequently affects soil biology.

“On the other hand, heavier clay soils are more prone to compaction and poorer water drainage due to smaller particle sizes and are heavier to work. However, often they are more fertile and retain organic matter more efficiently,” says Mr Newton.

Therefore, understanding your soil type will help you find ways to improve soil structure.

  1. Understand your trace elements 

Mr Newton says crops require a host of essential nutrients for growth and requesting a more detailed soil analysis for nutrients, such as sulphur, calcium, manganese, copper, iron and boron, can help you predict any deficiencies and limitations to plant growth in the future.

  1. Maximise your soil biology 

Encouraging soil biology to thrive is paramount to soil processes, such as the mineralisation of organic matter to provide nutrient availability for plants.

“Using a soil conditioner, such as Humistart+, can help provide a better environment for fungi and bacteria to thrive, in turn encouraging rapid break down of organic matter and the release of nutrients,” he explains.

  1. Maximise nutrient use efficiency 

Mr Newton says taking steps to better understand your soils and carrying out practices which enhance soil biology and fertility will lead to maximised nutrient use efficiency.

“Under the current circumstances where the cost of fertiliser is still high, improving your nutrient use efficiency is paramount, as well as reducing risks such as soil run-off and leaching – an ultimate goal the SFI standards are wishing to achieve,” he adds.

For more information, please see Humistart+ on the Timac Agro UK website.

Endotoxin and animal health; a hidden threat in animal feed

Member News
The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.

Endotoxin can have detrimental effects on susceptible animals leading to an increase in illness, death rate and economic losses. Regular testing & monitoring of endotoxin levels in raw ingredients and finished feed can enhance animal welfare & improve livestock productivity. Developing endotoxin-specific binders would reduce the burden on animal health & provide financial benefits for the grower & farmer.

Endotoxin is a complex molecule consisting of lipid and polysaccharide moieties present on the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria.  

Certain Gram-negative bacteria (such as Enterobacteriaceae, Bacteroidetes, and others) are present as normal flora in the intestinal tract of humans and animals. Endotoxin is constantly shed from Gram-negative bacteria during multiplication through binary fission or when they die. Other potential sources of endotoxin contamination include water, feed, certain feed additives produced by E. coli (including vitamins and amino acids), faeces from farm animals, and the environment.

Endotoxins can translocate from the animal gut to the systemic circulation when the tight junctions between gut epithelial cells become compromised. This can occur due to dietary components, injury or stress. Additionally, endotoxins can translocate to the bloodstream from the mammary gland (Dosogne et al., 2002) and uterus (Mateus et al., 2003, cited in Eckel and Ametaj, 2020). This will lead to various health problems such as:

Did you know that Endotoxins pose a significant risk to animal health and can lead to a range of detrimental effects, including:

• Increases death rates in herds

• Increases diseases in herds

• Reduces animal feed conversion by 15%

• Increases maintenance energy requirements by 23%

• Decreases lipid deposition by 27%

• Decreases average daily gain by 26%

To improve livestock productivity, reduce the risks associated with endotoxin-related diseases and increase financial benefits to the grower, it is recommended to:
A- Regularly monitor endotoxin levels in animal feed
B- Develop endotoxin binders and include them in the feed
C- Adhere to best practices established by the industry and scientific community
D- Seek guidance from experts to provide specific recommendations for minimizing these risks

Contact us today to discuss how we can help you Achieve Greater Profits and Optimal Animal Health with our Endotoxin Testing technology.

Anas.sattar@molendotech.com