08/09/2009

Agrifood acquires FeedTest

Werribee based grain and food testing laboratory Agrifood Technology has acquired the rights to the commercial fodder testing laboratory FeedTest under a licensing arrangement with the Victorian Department of Primary Industries.

Agrifood Technology’s Manager Doreen Fernandez said that, “Agrifood Technology has been considering becoming involved in the fodder testing industry for some time.  When the Victorian Department of Primary Industries called for expressions of interest for the provision of fodder testing under a licensing arrangement earlier this year, we saw it as an excellent opportunity to expand into a market that was already known to us and a match for our current capabilities.  Agrifood Technology has been predominantly a grain and food testing laboratory but we have always had the capability to test fodder.  This licensing arrangement has provided Agrifood Technology with the perfect opportunity to expand our services into the large scale commercial testing of hay, silage, pasture and other types of fodder for the livestock industry”.

“FeedTest is recognised as one of the leading Australian fodder testing laboratories, evolving from a research testing facility into a commercial enterprise with over 20 years experience in fodder testing.  During this time FeedTest has developed robust and accurate testing protocols, gaining a reputation as a provider of a fast and accurate testing service.  Agrifood Technology intends to build on this reputation by utilising the resources and network of depots it has access to through its parent company, AWTA Ltd.”

Agrifood Technology is owned by the Australian Wool Testing Authority (AWTA Ltd). Operating for over 50 years, AWTA Ltd has earned a worldwide reputation as an impartial provider of consistently accurate wool test results with rapid, reliable service. AWTA Ltd is owned by the Australian wool industry and is essentially operated as a non-profit organisation. Test fees are kept to a minimum in order to encourage the uptake of testing and the use of objective measurement for the benefit of Australian agricultural and related industries.

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