Dairy Diary: November business update
What’s NEW in the dairy farming world? We report on the latest innovations, partnerships, and events shaping the industry, including the launch of dsm-firmenich’s Sustell Carbon Value Program, upcoming Dairy Tech 2026 in the UK with key discussions on cattle identification and labor solutions, and Zoetis partnering with Uniform-Agri to integrate genetic insights directly into herd management software. This and more.
dsm-firmenich launches Sustell carbon value program
dsm-firmenich Animal Nutrition & Health has announced the launch of its Sustell Carbon Value Program, designed to help the agri-food value chain reduce carbon footprints at low cost – or even at a profit. This program enables companies to decarbonise their value chains, meet sustainability targets, comply with reporting requirements, and benefit financially from the achieved emissions reductions. The program package includes ISO-assured footprint measurement via the Sustell life cycle assessment platform, the prerequisite protocols to credibly transfer emission reductions across the value chain, and expertise on animal nutrition and sustainability to deliver impact from farm to fork.
UK dairy farmers look forward to Dairy Tech 2026
Next year’s Dairy Tech, organised by the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF), will take place on 4 February 2026 at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. The event will offer dairy farmers a chance to engage with industry experts on key topics like the upcoming mandatory Electronic Identification for English cattle farmers in 2027, including detailed sessions on regulations and technology benefits. Milk market trends and solutions to labour shortages will also be featured, as well as the inaugural Farmers Weekly Question Time for audience interaction on industry developments. Zoetis and Uniform-Agri partner to deliver integrated genetics insights
Zoetis is joining forces with Uniform-Agri in a global partnership to make it easier for dairy farmers to access and act on genetic information. The collaboration will begin with the integration of Clarifide Plus results directly into Uniform-Agri’s herd management software, streamlining how producers use genetics to guide herd decisions. Uniform-Agri, headquartered in the Netherlands, specialises in management software for dairy and beef operations. Development is scheduled to commence at the end of 2025, with the data being made available through the MyHerdmanagement cloud platform of Uniform-Agri.
Novus refreshes logos
Novus has unveil its refreshed product logos, designed to improve visibility and align with the nutrition company’s corporate identity. The new logos and colors can be seen on company brochures, trade show booths, and the website. Senior director of Global Strategic Marketing, Laura Muñoz, says the new look is in service of the company’s diverse customer base, which includes nutritionists, poultry, swine, and cattle producers, veterinarians, as well as feed mills and distributors.
Agreement reached for Biochem’s acquisition of BASF’s global glycinate business
Biochem and BASF have entered into a binding agreement on Biochem’s acquisition of BASF’s global glycinate business. By acquiring this business, Biochem gains enhanced market access and a well-established network of distribution partners from BASF, guaranteeing a seamless transition for all customers worldwide. The transaction is expected to close during the first quarter of 2026.
Moving Floor enters into strategic partnership
Moving Floor, a Swedish company that develops automated, self-cleaning flooring systems for animal housing, has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Hunan Yuanhn Holdings Group in China. The agreement covers deliveries of Moving Floor technology with an order value of €50 million over 5 years.
Holstein UK Lifetime Achievement Award announced for 2025
Holstein UK‘s Lifetime Achievement Award honours individuals with over 20 years of service to the Holstein and/or British Friesian breeds who have made significant but modest contributions. This year, Ken Proctor of the Airfield herd in Norfolk, known for his stockmanship, judging, and leadership roles, and Robert Horton of the Hinton herd in Wiltshire, recognized for breeding numerous high-producing cows, received the award. Both are celebrated for their dedication and impact on the breed.
AHV International secures patent for QSI technology
Quorum-sensing-powered technology has received a patent, marking a significant advancement in animal health. AHV International’s patented QSI Technology Extract helps maintain animal health by modulating microorganism quorum sensing, enhancing resilience against biofilm-related disorders. This innovation reduces chronic disease incidence in ruminants, swine, poultry, and aquatic animals.
Minitube opens new headquarters
On 15 November, representatives from all 10 of Minitube’s global subsidiaries attended the official opening of the company’s new headquarters in Tiefenbach, Germany.
Agreement reached for Biochem’s acquisition of BASF’s global glycinate business
Biochem and BASF have entered into a binding agreement on Biochem’s acquisition of BASF’s global glycinate business. By acquiring this business, Biochem gains enhanced market access and a well-established network of distribution partners from BASF, guaranteeing a seamless transition for all customers worldwide. The transaction is expected to close during the first quarter of 2026.
Evonik upgrades logistics infrastructure for MetAmino in Antwerp
Evonik used the September-October shutdown of its Antwerp methionine facilities to modernise MetAmino (DL-methionine) logistics. A new filling installation and expanded big-bag storage boost packaging flexibility, occupational safety, and global supply security.
Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health increases micronutrition production capacity
Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health has announced the completion of a major expansion at its Engerwitzdorf facility in Austria, increasing current production capacity by 50% to meet the growing customer demand for micronutrition solutions. The facility has been operating with 2 large silos for raw materials since it opened in 2020. By adding 6 additional silos, the facility is now able to produce up to 30,000 mt per year, enough to fortify up to 200 million mt of feed.
Cross-sector collaboration discussed at Map of Ag roundtable
At a recent Map of Ag roundtable in London, panellists – including NFU president Tom Bradshaw, Sophie Throup of Myton Food Group, Kate Hosking of Barclays UK, and Arla board director and Arla UK Area chair Arthur Fearnall – agreed high-quality, consistent, and trusted data is the foundation for both resilience and environmental progress. They identified collaboration, shared metrics and farmer leadership as the principles to guide this work. They highlighted a gap in understanding what “good quality” data really means and how it should be used, and agreed that consistent data collection on productivity and sustainability is vital if the food system is to progress, but warned against duplication and the burden of reporting to multiple assurance schemes.
National Holstein Show judge selected for 2026
Holstein UK has announced that Gary Jones, from Gorey, Co. Wexford, Ireland, has been appointed as the judge of the National Holstein Show at UK Dairy Day 2026, which will take place at the Telford International Centre on 16 September. Gary was born and raised on his family’s farm, Hallow Holsteins. Together with his wife and children, they run their own farm with the Jones prefix, where they strive to breed and merchandise Holsteins and Jerseys with elite marketable pedigrees. Gary also works as a farm manager for a 500-cow dairy herd. The Jones prefix has owned, bought, sold and bred numerous National Champions throughout Ireland, the UK and Europe.
smaXtec announces leadership evolution
smaXtec has announced new leadership appointments as the company continues its global expansion in the US, Europe and New Zealand and completes 2025 with another year of double-digit growth. Charlie Sheppy has been appointed the company’s new CEO. Charlie is an experienced animal health executive with more than 25 years in the animal nutrition and livestock technology industries. He succeeds Stefan Scherer, CEO of smaXtec since 2020 and the architect of the company’s initial dynamic growth phase, who will execute his planned transition to the smaXtec Board as a non-executive director. In addition, Hein Schumacher, former CEO of Unilever and FrieslandCampina, has been appointed to the company’s Board as a non-executive director.
