Alltech Ireland has appointed Dr Hazel Rooney as technical pig coordinator and Paula Mc Cooey as poultry manager.
Dr Rooney will be responsible for coordinating and developing technical solutions for pigs for the Irish and European marketplace, working closely with the Alltech Ireland sales and gut health management teams and also as a liaison between Alltech’s marketing and research teams, said the supplier.
“The Irish and European pig industry is currently facing a number of difficult challenges, and I look forward to working closely with those in the industry to overcome these challenges by improving pig health, welfare and growth performance.”
Prior to joining Alltech, Dr Rooney received a bachelor’s degree in animal science from University College Dublin (UCD) in 2016 and a PhD in swine nutrition from UCD and the Teagasc Pig Development Department in 2019. Her doctoral research focused on maternal feeding strategies during gestation and lactation to optimize annual sow output and promote the growth and development of progeny from large litters. She then spent a year working as a post-doctoral researcher in the Teagasc Pig Development Department in Ireland.
As the Alltech Ireland poultry manager, Mc Cooey is responsible for managing the poultry accounts across the island of Ireland. She will work closely with customers at all levels to advise, problem solve and provide solutions based on customer needs, said Alltech.
“The poultry industry is a thriving and progressive sector to be involved in. I look forward to working with producers and those in the industry to maximize on-farm potential and meet the challenges and demands that the industry faces.”
She received a bachelor’s degree in agriculture science from University College Dublin (UCD) in 2014. She then moved to England to work for Moy Park and spent two years learning about the business from the hatchery to the processing plant before becoming a broiler field advisor and was responsible for 36 farms across Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Shropshire. She continued to work for Moy Park in Northern Ireland as a farm compliance manager before moving to Western Brand in 2019 where she was responsible for driving performance and ensuring compliance on 75 broiler farms across Cavan, Monaghan and Mayo.
Skretting has promoted Truls Dahl to runs its land-based aquaculture division. He was global product group health manager at the fish feed player prior to this latest appointment.
"Skretting has always had a strong position in the land-based segment for smolt production," said Dahl. "We see that there is great activity in Norway both for increased post-smolt production and for the full production cycle on land.
"Much of this is based on recirculating aquaculture system [RAS] technology, but there are also several exciting projects that use throughput. We will use our knowledge and experience from the hatchery area and from our dominant position as a partner for international RAS projects, to support this technology development."
Bram Schuit has joined GMP+ International in the role of commercial director.
Schuit was previously with Kiwa where he served as international business development manager.
He has had diverse international marketing and commercial roles in a raft of other organizations in the testing, inspection and certification (TIC) space, including Eurofins, SGS, TLR, Peterson Control Union, and Bureau Veritas.
MD of GMP+ International, Roland van der Post, said: “Bram’s experience, drive and people-oriented approach will be a great addition to GMP+ International. As we continue to strengthen our worldwide position as the leading scheme for safe and responsible feed, Bram’s expertise will be invaluable."
Kent J Swisher has been named the incoming president and CEO of the North American Renderers Association (NARA).
He will also serve as president of the Fats and Proteins Research Foundation (FPRF), the rendering industry’s research organization. He will assume the leadership upon the retirement of current NARA president and CEO, Nancy Foster, on December 31.
Swisher brings extensive experience and expertise in agriculture, rendering, export marketing, trade policy, regulatory affairs, and management to his new position, said the organization. He has worked for NARA for over 18 years, directing the association’s export market development programs.
He will be a strong asset for the rendering industry and the trade body, added NARA chairman, Doyle Leefers, from the National Beef Packing Company. “His years of experience in international market development will complement the current staff to provide high value for our membership in the years ahead.”
Chair of Australian animal feed and nutrition company, Ridley Corporation, Mick McMahon, is to take on the role of chief executive of shrimp company, Seafarms Group.
Seafarms is directing the development of Project Sea Dragon, a huge Nissui-backed shrimp farm being built in northern Australia, and aiming to produce over 100,000 tons of shrimp per year.
McMahon has over 35 years management and director experience; he was CEO of Australian poultry producer, Inghams, and COO of Coles Supermarkets, a major retailer in that country. He also spent 19 years with Royal Dutch Shell both in Australia and in other regions.
US trace mineral supplier, Zinpro Corporation, has named Peter Close as its new vice president of global marketing.
Close will help grow the business and brand awareness while overseeing three critical business functions including marketing, sustainability and strategy, said the company.
He holds a master’s degree in surface chemistry and colloids from the University of Bristol in England and earned a professional certificate in finance and accounting from the London Institute of Banking & Finance in England. In addition to his educational background, Peter brings 20 years of experience in brand marketing, growth strategy and innovation, added the US firm.
Close will be based at Zinpro's headquarters in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
Paul Bestford has been appointed chief procurement officer at Nutreco. He joins the company from Burberry where he led the global procurement function.
The Dutch group said Bestford has a track record of delivering competitive advantage in procurement through innovation, agility and cost across diverse sectors.
His career has included leadership roles at Novartis, British Airways, Ernst & Young, John Lewis Partnership and KPMG. In addition, his contribution to the profession has been recognized with a Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, said Nutreco.
The new role of CPO will allow the Dutch feed and animal nutrition group tto fully use the scale of the business, it added.
“At Nutreco, our purpose is Feeding the Future, and to achieve this, we need a sustainable and competitive supply base,” said Nutreco CEO, Fulco van Lede. “We’re delighted that Paul is joining us to lead a truly global procurement function. In him, we have a CPO with the strategic knowledge and experience to help us achieve our company’s purpose.”
Bestford commented: “I am delighted to join Nutreco and build on the work already done by the ONE Procurement team. Our global supply chain is essential for our ability to deliver a world-leading portfolio of products to customers. I look forward to further driving synergies across the Nutreco organization to deliver greater value for the company.”
