by
Anne Möddel, Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition, Germany
Improving both animals’ well-being and profitability
The growing demand for more animal-friendly production has developed into a global phenomenon. Animal welfare organisations, food retailers and consumers are all calling for solutions to improve animals’ well-being.
Relevant efforts have often been focused on production systems and management. However, there are many other ways to improve animal welfare. Examples thereof are breeding, transport, medication and, most of all, feeding. The common denominator in all these is that they require investment. The obvious question is: What’s the bottom line? We need solutions to increase animal welfare and profitability at the same time. And this is where phytogenic feed additives come into play.
From nature, for nature
Antibiotics are still the typical product of choice in many countries, since they appear to be a safe bet to ensure profitability. Their use in feed throughout the decades has shown that production can be increased by suppressing negative environmental factors. The penny has dropped: we have finally come to realise that this is not the way to go. In fact, it is a dead end. The incidence of antibiotic resistance, constantly on the rise, puts even more pressure on the production chain.
The focus on animal welfare in modern agriculture is no mere trend but a requisite, both from an ethical and from an economic point of view. It is a far-reaching issue that concerns all stakeholders in the food value chain, including suppliers, retailers and consumers.
Considering that feeding is the first link of the production chain, it seems logical to intervene at this level to improve animal welfare. Research has shown that feed additives can have a positive effect on animal welfare. And here, phytogenic substances are in the vanguard. Meanwhile, a number of studies have shown that combinations of phytogenic active ingredients could effectively replace antibiotics, preventing bacterial resistance and improving safety and animal welfare.
Depending on their components, phytogenics possess a broad spectrum of activities. For example, some support gastrointestinal health, others are anti-inflammatory. And they can achieve even more. Specific phytogenic feed additives have a positive effect on feed digestibility, on the gut microflora and, last but not least, on growth and performance. Since the available resources are used more efficiently, productivity increases.
Ultimately, it benefits both humans and animals because a healthy gastrointestinal tract improves litter quality, decreases emissions, reduces the amount of medication administered and makes food safer and healthier overall.
Read more HERE.
Improving both animals’ well-being and profitability
The growing demand for more animal-friendly production has developed into a global phenomenon. Animal welfare organisations, food retailers and consumers are all calling for solutions to improve animals’ well-being.
Relevant efforts have often been focused on production systems and management. However, there are many other ways to improve animal welfare. Examples thereof are breeding, transport, medication and, most of all, feeding. The common denominator in all these is that they require investment. The obvious question is: What’s the bottom line? We need solutions to increase animal welfare and profitability at the same time. And this is where phytogenic feed additives come into play.
From nature, for nature
Antibiotics are still the typical product of choice in many countries, since they appear to be a safe bet to ensure profitability. Their use in feed throughout the decades has shown that production can be increased by suppressing negative environmental factors. The penny has dropped: we have finally come to realise that this is not the way to go. In fact, it is a dead end. The incidence of antibiotic resistance, constantly on the rise, puts even more pressure on the production chain.
The focus on animal welfare in modern agriculture is no mere trend but a requisite, both from an ethical and from an economic point of view. It is a far-reaching issue that concerns all stakeholders in the food value chain, including suppliers, retailers and consumers.
Considering that feeding is the first link of the production chain, it seems logical to intervene at this level to improve animal welfare. Research has shown that feed additives can have a positive effect on animal welfare. And here, phytogenic substances are in the vanguard. Meanwhile, a number of studies have shown that combinations of phytogenic active ingredients could effectively replace antibiotics, preventing bacterial resistance and improving safety and animal welfare.
Depending on their components, phytogenics possess a broad spectrum of activities. For example, some support gastrointestinal health, others are anti-inflammatory. And they can achieve even more. Specific phytogenic feed additives have a positive effect on feed digestibility, on the gut microflora and, last but not least, on growth and performance. Since the available resources are used more efficiently, productivity increases.
Ultimately, it benefits both humans and animals because a healthy gastrointestinal tract improves litter quality, decreases emissions, reduces the amount of medication administered and makes food safer and healthier overall.
Read more HERE.
The Global Miller
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