18/08/2016: Enhancing the nutritional value of feed - the antibiotic free movement

by Eloise Hillier-Richardson, Milling and Grain

The use of antibiotics in animal feed was first approved in 1950 after it was proven that they were effective in reducing mortality and morbidity, increasing feed utilisation, and encouraging an increased growth rate.

www.novusint.com

Now, many experts are expressing concerns that the sub-therapeutic use of antibiotics, as opposed to therapeutic or disease treating uses, is having an adverse effect on the animals and are further reporting the development of antimicrobial resistant bacteria - a state of affairs which ultimately compromises treatment of human bacterial infections (LM Gersema et al).

In June this year Darren Parris and I visited Novus in St Charles, Missouri, to celebrate their 25-year anniversary. Among the revelries (including a personal highlight of a Cardinals baseball match) we were invited to some insightful talks at the Novus Media Jam. 

One of these talks specifically concerned the Antibiotic Free Movement or ABF, where the sub-therapeutic use of antibiotics and the many alternatives Novus offer were discussed.

The Antibiotic Free Panel included Dr Mercedes Vazquez-Anon, Senior Director of Animal Nutrition and Facilities at Novus, Dr Nasser Odetallah, Executive Manager for Global Technology Services at Novus and Dr Bob Buresh, Technical Manager of Poultry for North America at Novus. 

Amassing an impressive 70 plus years in the animal feed industry, this panel of experts offered an abundance of knowledge on the movement away from antibiotics, and outlined Novus role.

All three panellists agreed that the movement away from antibiotics would not be easy for many customers, citing cost and psychological aspects - ie. the understanding that sub-therapeutic antibiotic use is almost guaranteed to prevent disease whereas less is known about the alternatives - as major aspects in the reluctance to move towards an antibiotic free future. 

As a result, Novus' approach to create a culture of feed that is less reliant on the use of antibiotics, they knew, would have to centre upon the customer and their needs.
 
 

www.novusint.com

“Everything is focused around customer focus is central to Novus Triple S bottom line approach - Solution, Service and Sustainability. Our customers are currently faced with the growing challenge of considering the implementation of the production of their animals with reduced or removed antibiotics," said Dr Buresh.


Read the full article HERE.

 

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