Phytogenics: Plant power for a sustainable future
Phytogenic feed additives are the key to a future profitable production of feed and food. Why? Because the only way to safeguard businesses against future crises and to succeed in the long-term lies in sustainability and welfare. Phytogenic additives will help us to achieve this.
BY DR BERNHARD ECKEL, VP, DR ECKEL ANIMAL NUTRITION, GERMANY F 200
Control Anta Phyt
58 1.75 100 57 1.70 56 0 32 ▶ SUSTAINABILITY AND WELFARE | OCTOBER 2020 55 ADG (G) Control Anta Phyt 1.65 96.0 FCR Control Anta Phyt 95.5 96.5 97.0
or decades, the global demand in animal protein has been on the rise, corresponding to the growing world population. In our united fight against hunger and malnutrition, the production of high-quality animal
protein is of crucial importance. In addition to quality, it is above all a question of using and utilising the available re- sources in the best possible way. Thanks to the constant devel- opment work of feed manufacturers, new and better processes and technologies have been established over the years to en- sure that existing resources are used more efficiently and that the growing demand for animal protein can be met without any significant increase in production volumes. Here, effective feed additives help to ensure that feed is optimally utilised, emissions are reduced and nutrient management is improved in regions with intensive livestock farming.
Healthy animals=healthy people Healthy animals are the foundation for healthy people. And healthy people are the basis for a stable and productive
society, not only during or shortly after a pandemic like the one we have been witnessing. As a result, the question of animal welfare is becoming increasingly important for feed manufacturers as well. After all, animal feed as the first link in the food chain is the right starting point for measures to improve animal welfare and thus animal health. Companies in the agricultural and food industry are increasingly including animal welfare in their sustainability strategies. Phytogenic additives are the hidden champions of animal nu- trition. They stimulate the animal’s immune system, making it more resistant to disease and external environmental factors, while also affecting barn hygiene and climate. The right feed additives prepare the animal to cope better with infection. This enables the farmer to reduce medication use, especially that of antibiotics, helps prevent the formation of uncontrol- lable microbial resistance and promotes both human and ani- mal well-being and health. Furthermore, improved animal welfare increases livestock efficiency, thus saving resources, increasing margins and profits, and enabling the develop- ment of new markets and access to new customers.
Helping the climate using feed additives According to all expectations, in the future more people will have to be fed with less resources (water, farmland and/or ru- ral labour). Therefore, we need more efficiency in production to ensure that resources and raw materials are used effective- ly, emissions are reduced and feed and food losses are pre- vented. Again, sustainability and animal welfare are the way to achieve this. Here are two examples. First, take dairy products. Milk production is a major source of
Figure 2 - Impact of a phytogenic feed additive on performance in chickens.
59 1.80 97.5
Survival rate Control Anta Phyt
1000 cells/ml
PHOTO: DR ECKEL
+ 4 %
- 4 %
+ 1 %
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