Alltech pioneer dies aged 73

THE president and founder of global biotech, feed and animal nutrition company Alltech, Dr Pearse Lyons, has died aged 73, the company announced today.
He had been suffering from an acute lung condition that developed during his recovery from heart surgery.
Dr Lyons was the keynote speaker at the GOAL (Global Outlook for Aquaculture Leadership) conference in Dublin in October, organised by the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA).
He inspired the audience of seafood professionals with his upbeat message, urging the industry to continue to innovate to address challenges such as replacing fishmeal and fish oil, addressing environmental sustainability, and minimising pollution and fixing the sea lice issue.
‘I predict that we will conquer sea lice within six months because all things are possible now we have gene chips and novel nutritional solutions!’ he said.
‘Aquaculture is good because it is the most efficient protein converter out there and that means we are absolutely in the right business.’
Alric Blake, CEO and treasurer of Kentucky, US, based Alltech, said: ‘Dr Lyons was a visionary entrepreneur who transformed the agriculture industry, beginning with his innovative application of yeast technology in animal nutrition,’ said ‘From farm to field, from market to family dinner table, our world is immeasurably better because he was a man who never saw problems, only a challenge that had not yet been solved.
‘He inspired everyone he met with his energy, enthusiasm and passionate belief in possibilities. He instilled that positivity in his people, more than 5,000 Alltech team members around the world.’
Dr Mark Lyons, Pearse’s son and chairman and president of Alltech, said: ‘He saw farther into the horizon than anyone in the industry, and we, as his team, are committed to delivering on the future he envisioned. He planted seeds that will produce a bountiful harvest for the world in the years to come.’
Picture: Dr Lyons addressing last year\’s GOAL conference (Picture Nicki Holmyard)