The research will concentrate on ingredients that support immunity and gut health.
In this collaboration, scientists from ADM and the University of Illinois will work together to explore alternative ingredient solutions. Specifically, the collaboration will focus on using innovative and versatile ingredients such as ancient grains, edible beans, peas, complex proteins, and vegetable-based omega fatty acids, along with ADM’s ever-expanding portfolio of proprietary ingredients.
“The collaborative work between the Companion Animal Nutrition Program in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois and ADM aims to generate scholarly projects that will support the education of undergraduate and graduate students and to advance the education and dissemination of scientific findings and innovative solutions for the pet food industry,” said Maria R. Cattai de Godoy, assistant professor in the Companion Animal Nutrition Program at the University of Illinois. “This is a synergistic initiative that combines the scientific expertise and research capabilities of our program with ADM’s extensive ingredient portfolio to offer nutritional and health benefits for pets.”
Additionally, scientists from both groups will examine ways to enhance companion animals’ overall well-being by taking a closer look at ingredients that support immunity and gut health by creating favorable conditions for digestion.
“We are thrilled to work with the team of researchers at the University of Illinois,” said Mike Cecava, research director at ADM. “Their expertise in the field of companion animal nutrition is unmatched. I look forward to our discoveries in 2017.”
ADM has been focusing on its pet food and animal nutrition services in the past few months. In mid-January ADM signed an agreement to acquire Crosswind Industries, Inc., a Kansas, U.S.-based producer of dry-expanded, dual-texture, semi-dry and semi-moist treat products for pets.
ADM Animal Nutrition also recently expanded its technical teams. Dr. Jose Charal joined the company as technical business manager in Latin America in mid-December. Daniel B. Jones and Reza “Ray” Poureslami were added to the poultry and swine technical teams.
The company also announced it is investing to expand and modernize its pet food and specialty livestock feed operations in Effingham, Illinois, U.S. The Effingham facility is expected to be fully operational in late 2017 or early 2018.
In November, ADM announced plans to build a new, modern feed facility to replace its current operations in Quincy, Illinois, U.S. The new facility will include expanded warehouse space, enhanced capability to serve increased demand for the company’s products, a dedicated feed line for non-medicated product, automated packaging and process controls, and pressed tubs for multiple species. It is expected to be completed in mid-2018.
ADM Animal Nutrition is a manufacturing, nutrition and marketing business offering a range of products for the animal nutrition market. Known as a leader in amino acids, ADM Animal Nutrition offers consistent, high-quality feed products, supplements, premixes, custom ingredient blends and specialty feed ingredients.
