Alltech…More than Nutrition Research

Recently I had the opportunity to attend the North American Lecture Tour on Surviving Turbulence: Turning Crisis into Opportunity in Stratford Ontario. Being the only undergraduate student in attendance, and the only attendee interested in both animal nutrition and communications I thought I would try to take away a deeper message than just scientific facts. The company is one of the world’s leading animal health companies in the world, who prides themselves on innovation, cutting edge technology and research in relation to nutrition. In addition to nutrition, Alltech is involved in other enterprises such as beer and whiskey production

sponsorship of large events like the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games

They are involved in charity work within the community and globally, helping survivors of Katrina and re-building a small town after the boxing day Tsunami.

Dr.Pearse Lyons, the founder and CEO of Alltech, stressed the uncertainty of the North American and global economy and the stress it can potentially put on human health. Lyons links the basis of animal nutrition to human health, that is when safe, quality and traceable products are feed to livestock the chance of human health implications decline. Mycotoxins are toxins produced from bacteria which can decrease efficiency and be detrimental to the health of livestock, even eventually entering the human food chain. According to a study conducted by Health Canada, many commercial cereals were found to contain one or more mycotoxins released on CTV, Gary Lombaert with Health Canada told CTV

“There is no concern about the levels of mycotoxins in breakfast cereals, the levels are very low,” adding that the levels found were parts per billion and of the 50% found just 3 per cent exceeded European safety limits.

However, some scientists believe the presence of mycotoxins in daily staples such as cereals and their products is set to become a major health issue.

“I am very, very concerned about mycotoxins in the food. You can’t see them you can’t smell them.

said, Food Science Professor Massimo Marcone, of the University of Guelph, Ont. In an article from CBC about Organic produce it was stated that many are worried about the occurrence of mycotoxins on organic produce with the use of manure as fertilizer, which could carry harmful bacteria producing mycotoxins. Alltech’s new technology of growing yeast cell walls will create a binder for these toxins and prevent the absorption of mycotoxins therefore protecting both livestock and humans.

Alltech pride’s themselves on supporting education and research, including the emerging science of nutrigenomics. Below is a video of Dr.Lyons at the opening of the “Alltech Nutrigenomics Center” at Kentucky State University.

The importance of attending this event, and others such as it goes further beyond the scientific results, or the recruitment of potential researchers and nutritionist or the well planned marketing strategies to brand the Alltech logo. The networking relationships formed are much more beneficial, in my short time at the meeting I meet at least 10 people from feed sales representatives, to marketing professionals and professors some originating from Egypt or close to my hometown. These relationships posses endless opportunities for future development and enhancement in the diverse sector that is agriculture, and this is the message and the opportunity Alltech is trying to create.