[Lexington, KENTUCKY] – Alltech, a global leader in animal nutrition, will once again embark on its annual North American Lecture Tour (NALT) beginning January 7, 2008. The theme for the tour is "The Feed Cost Puzzle: Performance or Profitability," and will provide a forum to share and learn how the latest technologies and practices can sustain and elevate our businesses.

According to the New York Times, the United States Congress, as part of a new energy bill, is proposing huge increases in the amount of ethanol to be used in the nation’s fuel supply. Traditionally made from corn, production of seven billon gallons of ethanol per year has dramatically reshaped the American agricultural market and sent corn prices rising. Congress is calling to more than double current production to 15 billion gallons per year, a large jump when you consider that 20 percent of the nation’s corn crop is already devoted to ethanol.

Such high levels of ethanol production promise to drive corn prices even higher and make it more difficult for producers to feed their animals. Alltech’s NALT will address these issues by examining ways to maintain performance and profitability in the midst of increasing raw ingredient costs, as well as presenting a strategy to maintain and grow our business in the midst of the new energy crisis. 

"I’m thrilled to be going back out on the road and taking Alltech’s message around North America," said Dr. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech. "There are a lot of issues coming to the forefront of American agriculture and I’m looking forward to sharing our ideas with others in the industry."

Joining Dr. Lyons to speak as part of NALT will be:

• Dr. Karl Dawson, director of worldwide research, Alltech
• Dr. Kate Jacques, director of nutrition, Alltech
• Dr. James Pierce, coordinator of monogastric research, Alltech
• Steve Elliott, global director of Alltech’s Sel-Plex® product division
• Juan Gomez, North American product champion for Alltech’s NuPro®
• Paulo José Rigolin, global product champion for Alltech’s SSF®
• Paul Groenewegen, global manager of Alltech’s NuPro
• Kevin McBride, regional sales manager, Alltech Southeast

Dates and locations for the 2008 NALT are:

Jan 7

East Syracuse, N.Y.

Burlington, Vt.

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Jan 8

St. Hyacinthe, Quebec

Guelph, Ontario

Abbotsford, B.C.

Jan 9

Wausau, Wis.

Pendleton, Ore.

Loveland, Colo.

Jan 10

Twin Falls, Idaho

Fresno, Calif.

Knoxville, Tenn.

Jan 11

Amarillo, Texas

Clovis, N.M.

Springfield, Mo.

Raleigh, N.C.

Jan 14

Columbus, Ohio

Lancaster, Pa.

Jan 15

Gainesville, Fla.

Thomasville, Ga.

Jan 16

Auburn, Ala.

Lincoln, Neb.

Jan 17

Brookings, S.D.

Owatoona, Minn.

Jan 18

Cedar Falls, Iowa

Lafayette, Ind.

Last year’s tour, which focused on the growing debate over ethanol between the food, feed and fuel industries, drew more than 2,000 people across the United States and Canada.

For over 27 years, Alltech has been a leader in providing natural nutritional solutions to promote improved animal health and performance. For more information, visit www.alltech.com/nalt.

Alltech is the proud sponsor of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010™ to be held September 25-October 10, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky.

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