USA – American global food corporation Cargill is seeking to strengthen its capabilities in animal nutrition through a new US$50 million investment in its animal nutrition research centre located in Elk River Minnesota.

Opened in 1958, the Elk River Animal Nutrition Innovation Center has many innovative achievements in areas such as animal immunization and in the use of computers in agricultural and animal studies.

The center has always placed a strong emphasis on education and offers guided tours which give visitors a unique opportunity to learn about animal research from the experts.

It forms part company’s global network of 15 animal nutrition research and technology application centers that host over 500 research professionals spearheading innovation in livestock, poultry and aquaculture.

The investment, Cargill’s largest ever in animal nutrition business, will go towards the expansion of both the size and the study of the facility.

It will bring updated animal facilities in the form of a new dairy innovation unit, the construction of a larger onsite feed mill and state of the art nutrient research and development laboratory.

Designed to serve dairy, poultry, swine and aqua nutrition customers and the testing needs of other Cargill businesses, the Global Innovation Center hosts more than 2,000 visitors a year.

The update will therefore include the creation of a visitor’s space equipped with view corridors which will allow visitors a convenient view of the animal research and development facilities.

Animal producers are relying on research more than ever to navigate the increasingly complex and everchanging commodity markets, regulations and consumer needs.

This is happening against a backdrop of healthy market growth mainly driven by increasing use of animal nutrition in poultry feeds, ruminant feeds, pig feeds, aquaculture feeds.

The global animal nutrition market size is projected to reach US$76.41 billion by 2026, From US$60.73 billion In 2020, at a CAGR of 3.9% during 2021-2026, according to a report by 360 Market Updates

Adriano Marcon, Group Leader of Cargill’s animal nutrition business, said in a statement. “We are taking a significant step towards what is going to create state-of-the-art technologies for our world.

We want to be the best animal nutrition partner globally, and our customers expect us to bring innovations that make them more competitive, efficient, and sustainable.”  

The official groundbreaking ceremony for the facility was held on April 19th 2022 and the upgraded facility is set to open on the spring of 2023.

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