Animal production in the U.S. continues to evolve as domestic consumption patterns change and global export markets grow. The sector experienced a difficult few years as high commodity prices dramatically decreased profitability. As always is the case in a cyclical industry, this resulted in closure of many protein production operations and a reduction in the collective production animal population. It also dramatically increased the industry focus on feed efficiency, providing an impetus for product innovation in the feed additives category. The growth of the biofuels industry resulted is significant focus on production by-products such as dry distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). In many cases these materials are sub-optimal feeds, so product innovation in the feed additives sector is an important factor in increasing their usefulness in animal production.
Public and regulatory challenges to the traditional use of growth promoting antibiotics (GPAs) in poultry production have resulted in a renewed focus on sustainability and a flurry of product innovation. Use of prebiotics, probiotics, and natural solutions have increased dramatically in the protein production sector.
In addition to productivity and sustainable production, many highly publicized cases of food borne diseases (E. coli, Salmonella, etc.) have created a renewed focus on food safety solutions, many of which start in the production operation.
MacroGain Partners seeks value-added technology-based solutions in the animal inputs sector which can increase protein production efficiency, decrease routine use of antibiotics or growth promoters, and increase food safety.