In the wake of Hurricane Irene, US farmers have begun to survey the extensive damage inflicted on their crops. Farms in one state, North Carolina, are now reporting significant damage to many of their harvests, including the all-important cotton crop. North Carolina is the United States' fourth-largest cotton grower, but after Hurricane Irene the state is now facing devastatingly low numbers of the popular product as well as a loss in profits.

Importers have shown favor for cheaper Russian wheat, reducing demand for grain supplies and feed ingredients from the world's top exporter, the United States. Russia lifted the previously instilled ban on grain shipments on July 1. The August 2010 ban was imposed as a result from the damage to crop caused by drought.

Have you gone global?” More often than not the response is: “No, not yet.”

What’s the holdup? Responses generally fall into these top 10 excuses.

1. Fear of failure

For many companies, doing business overseas is outside the comfort level. There are a unique set of challenges in exporting, and the knowledge gap can paralyze domestic manufacturers. This is where Fornazor International can be of assistance. We know we can succeed on your behalf.

The Fornazor specialty food team just returned from the calorie- filled, Fancy Food Show in Washington DC. If you can think of a food, we probably tasted it. With over 180,000 products from 80 countries around the world, there was more than enough to keep us busy.

The popularity of alfalfa swelled around the turn of the 17th century and has proven beneficial when used either The popularity of alfalfa swelled around the turn of the 17th century and has proven beneficial when used either as a dietary staple or supplement. Alfalfa is chock-full of nutrients and vitamins due to its intricate twenty to thirty-foot deep root system that reaches nutrients unreachable by normal root systems. Alfalfa pellets and alfalfa bales can provide 100% replacement for dry hay, pellets and cubes and can be a complete forage supplement to traditional diets. However, consulting with a veterinarian about the best diet for your animals is usually a good idea before changing their diet, regardless of your livestock’s purpose, whether for show, work, leisure or other purposes.

With an increasing demand for organic and healthy ingredients, soybeans have risen into the spotlight over the last few years; however, soybeans and their byproducts have been known in the animal feed realm for centuries.

The soybean is a species of legume native to East Africa and has multiple uses including:

• animal feed
• soy milk
• tofu
• tofu skin
• soy sauce and more

Fishmeal is a beneficial nutrient-rich ingredient used predominantly as a feed ingredient for domestic animals and occasionally as a high-quality fertilizer. Fishmeal, a marine protein, is a brown powder or cake obtained by cooking, pressing, drying and grinding fish and fish trimmings—including the bones and offal—to remove the majority of the fish oil and water. Fishmeal has been used as a feed ingredient for poultry, pigs, cattle, cows, sheep, camels, horses and other animals for hundreds of years. Fishmeal is also used as an aquaculture feed ingredient. Almost any fish or shellfish in the sea can be made into fishmeal, as long as they are not poisonous or endangered.

In the last century, living a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and healthy food choices has become all the rage, and purchasing health supplements, herbal remedies and additives, like fish oil, have become increasingly popular. The popularity of health supplements, herbal remedies and additives derives from their proven benefits such improved heart function, improved vision and improved joint health.

With many consumers looking to make a switch from standard oil-based engines to a cleaner and “greener” approach to travel and commuting, Ethanol based products have risen in popularity. Deriving this liquid from corn, a renewable resource, helps countries reduce their dependency on foreign oil and petroleum. But what many people do not know is that the lifecycle of that corn does not end with the production of Ethanol.