Company News: CJ Bio, Babcock Genetics and Niman Ranch

CJ Bio to produce Arginine in Iowa

CJ BIO has announced it will produce feed-grade Arginine at the company’s Fort Dodge, Iowa, plant beginning in early Q2, according to a company release. L-Arginine use has grown as more customers consider increased amino acid use while lowering total crude protein in animal diets, it says. The company expects to supply both North and South America from the Iowa plant. CJ will now produce three amino acids in the United States, after starting threonine production at the original Iowa lysine plant in Q4 of 2019.   

“We are pleased to announce this growth in our United States manufacturing base, expanding our locally produced portfolio,” says Joe Lucas, Vice President and General Manager – Animal Nutrition at CJ BIO America in the release. “We will shift from lysine production for a period of time to launch locally produced L-Arginine to our customers in North and South America. They will now have a secure supply of L-Arginine to complement our other domestically produced amino acids. We have built adequate lysine inventory to supply our customer’s demand during this period, with some moderate growth expected.”

CJ BIO is a division of CJ CheilJedang, a core subsidiary in charge of the food and bioengineering business Unit of the CJ Group. For more, visit cj.net.

New swine genetics company coming to U.S.

Babcock Genetics introduces the French swine genetic company Axiom to the U.S, according to a company release. Axiom Genetics, which helped with the development of the hyper-prolificacy genetic selection program, has marketed swine genetics for over 40 years and in 40 countries throughout the world. The Axiom maternal line is known for producing large litters of robust, high birthweight piglets with excellent mothering ability that results in low preweaning mortality. The Axiom Duroc sire is known for excellent feed conversion ratio and meat quality, the release states. For more, visit axiom-genetics.com.

Niman Ranch launches sliced deli ham

Niman Ranch has debuted a convenient 6-ounce package of sliced deli ham, available in Black Forest, Applewood Smoked, and Honey flavors, according to a company release. The ham will join the company’s other pre-sliced deli items, which include Corned Beef, Pastrami, Roast Beef and a charcuterie line, the release states. It will be available in stores in April.

“I’m thrilled to at long last have Niman Ranch offer this convenient pre-sliced option for eaters across the country,” says Drew Calvert, Vice President of Innovation at Niman Ranch in the release. “For years, Niman Ranch fans have been asking for our delicious ham to come pre-sliced, but it took time to perfect the recipe and flavors and also to grow our farmer network to ensure we have enough pork to meet demand.”

For more, visit nimanranch.com