Supplementation of a low level of organic zinc in finishing pigs

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Supplementation of a low level of organic zinc in finishing pigs decreased lipid peroxidation in their meat.

 

Abstract

By Khelil-Arfa, H., Natalello, A. Priolo, A., Biondi, L., Lanza,, M., Zoon, M.V., Blanchard, A., Menci, R., Luciano, G.

Zinc supplementation in finishing pigs affects nutrients repartitions due to its essentiality on protein, carbohydrate, lipid metabolism and as a component of metalloenzymes such as digestive enzymes and insulin. Additionally, Zinc is an essential compound of CuZn-super-oxide-dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant enzyme that can help to control lipid peroxidation and improve meat quality This study aimed to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of two levels of zinc chelate of glycine hydrate (ZnGly) on lipid peroxidation in meat of finishing pigs. Thirty finishing crossbred pigs (61.0 ± 4.02 kg body weight; 120-days old) were individually housed and assigned to 3 dietary treatments. Pigs were fed ad libitum for 56 days until slaughter a basal diet (Control) or a basal diet supplemented with 45 mg/kg (Zn45) or 100 mg/kg (Zn100) of ZnGly. Lipid peroxidation was evaluated by measuring the 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in fresh and cooked meat during 6 and 4 days of refrigerated storage, respectively. One-way ANOVA was used to test the effect of diet on animal performance, whereas a mixed model was applied to evaluate oxidative stability. ZnGly supplementation did not affect body weight and feed conversion ratio. Zn45 reduced water loss during cooling of the carcass (3.70% vs. 4.85%, P=0.001) and tended to increase the cold carcass yield (+1.4%, P=0.094), compared to Control. Zn100 reduced water loss during cooling of the carcass (3.59% vs. 4.85%, P<0.001) and during cooking of the meat (26.9% vs. 29.7%, P=0.029), compared to Control. Lipid peroxidation in cooked meat was lower after 4 days in Zn45 (1.58 vs. 1.93 mg of malondialdehyde/kg of meat, P=0.018), compared to Control. Our results showed that ZnGly supplementation level of 45 mg/kg in finishing pigs was able to reduce water loss and lipid peroxidation of meat after a strong oxidative challenges such us cooking.

 

About the presenter

Mieke Zoon, Msc. Product Manager, Pancosma

Mieke Zoon grew up in a rural area where her free time was spent with horses. Surrounded by animal and crop production the curiosity towards food and nutrition grew over the years. The interests for both animals and nutrition were combined in a BSc in Animal Sciences and a MSc in Animal Nutrition from Wageningen University, The Netherlands. Since then she worked 5 years as a swine nutritionist with the focus on piglet nutrition before joining Pancosma to support the organic trace mineral range in the global role of Product Manager Minerals

Mieke Zoon

 

 

 

Relevant articles

Benchmarking trace mineral levels in pig feed

Zinc oxide ban in pigs – now what?

Frequent monitoring reveals poultry resilience indicator

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Frequent measurements of body weight revealed a poultry resilience indicator. Body weight measurements have long played an important role in laying hen production. Research shows that if measured frequently, the resulting data can provide new insights into how breeding and feeding management can be further optimized in laying hens. This may also stimulate new methods for evaluating feed additives in commercial diets.

Published in International Poultry Production by Gwendolyn Jones, April 2021

Several disciplines in animal production, including genetics, veterinary sciences and nutrition are currently striving to find ways of positively influencing resilience in farm animals. There are two reasons for that: On the one hand developments such as reduction in the use of antibiotics, climate change and a shortage in farm labour are increasing the need for resilient animals. On the other hand, continuous breeding for improved animal performance has been shown to reduce the resilience of farm animals.

Resilience affects the animal’s response to changes in its production status (e.g. start of lay or peak lay) as well as challenges in its environment and diet. However, our ability to influence and improve resilience in farm animals depends on knowing how to measure it in the field. Advances in sensor technologies and automated weighing systems are enabling more frequent monitoring of birds increasing the quantity of parameters measured and data collected in poultry production systems. This is helping to gain new insights into the wellbeing of birds and make better decisions in real time on farms.

Body weight management

Body weight is one of the most important parameters to track in layer flocks. Breeding companies say this is true not just during the rearing period but also once the bird starts laying and throughout its life. Reaching the target body weight during rearing is key to production performance in the laying period. Whereas regularly monitoring body weight throughout the laying period provides insights into how well the environment is supporting the optimal productivity of the bird.

The sooner body weight deviations are detected the quicker adjustment can be made, which means the more frequent the measurements are made the better to prevent any long-term damage. Breeding companies recommend a minimum of weekly measurements of body weights in laying hens from day old to 26 weeks of wage, every two weeks from 26 to 35 weeks of age and every 4 weeks beyond 35 weeks of age.

Technological advancements in collecting data

New technologies and digitalization are paving the way for more frequent and precise monitoring of key parameters in birds for productivity and wellbeing.  Increasing the frequency of weighing and sample size will lead to more precise prediction of live weight in flocks. New sensor-scales can feed live, accurate weight recordings into analytics platforms, which helps to recognize any variation in growth rates to act on.

Computer vision technology is another area that is promising to facilitate frequent monitoring of birds in the field and has been applied to automation of house management, behaviour, disease detection and weight measurement. Computer vision uses computational models to gain high-level understanding from digital images or videos. It has been proposed that camera-based weighing systems may have the potential of weighing a wider variety of birds, in a flock that would avoid a platform weigher.

These new technologies can provide information on what is happening in real time compared to what should happen. So, if there are deviations from where things should be, it is a simple way of showing the farmer that he needs to act.

Poultry resilience indicator in laying hens – how to measure

Some of the economic value in improving resilience in farm animals is based on reduced labour and health costs on farms. Once we know how to measure resilience effectively in birds in the field, we can start managing for it. Researchers from the University of Wageningen are proposing natural logarithm-transformed variance (ln(variance)) of deviations in body weights measured over time as a reliable resilience indicator in laying hens.

More resilient animals are expected to show fewer and smaller deviations compared to less resilient animals, because they are less influenced by disturbances. Figure 1 illustrates the difference in ln(variance) in body weights of laying hens; a more horizontal standardized body weight line over time indicates a lower ln(variance) and thus a greater resilience.  The key to gaining these insights on bird resilience are regular body weight measurements as frequently as possible throughout the life of laying hens.

Best results for improved resilience in birds are likely to be achieved via a combination of breeding, nutrition and other management strategies. While we may only be at the beginning of being able to manage for poultry resilience, progress will certainly be accelerated as and when new monitoring technologies coming to the market are adopted on farms more widely.  However, in research trials these technologies and new parameters may already be used to evaluate not only genetic progress but also responses to new nutritional strategies in birds.

Illustrating the poultry resilience indicator

Figure 1 Example to illustrate differences in ln(variance) of body weight in laying hens. A more horizontal standardized body weight line over time indicates a lower ln(variance) and thus a greater (hypothesized) resilience. (adapted from Berghof et al 2019)

Related articles

Animal Resilience – economic value in livestock production

Combination of feed additives as alternative to high Zinc oxide

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Potential of a combination of bioactives, sweeteners and organic acids as alternative to high Zinc oxide concentration to support piglet*s growth performance

Abstract

By Arnaud E  , Ionescu C , Gomes Da Silva C  , Blanchard A , Kim I   

Feed supplementation of 2500 ppm zinc oxide (ZnO) is used for its effect on piglets’ intestinal health and performance after weaning. This level will be banned in Europe in 2022. The study objective was to assess the potential of bioactives (capsicum oleoresin, garlic tincture and eugenol at 5, 3.5 and 3.5 ppm, respectively) in combination with a saccharine based sweetener at 100 ppm and/or acids (medium and short chain fatty acids) at 5 kg/t weeks 1-3 and at 3 kg/t weeks 4-7, to support animal performance as alternative to high ZnO supplementation. A 7 weeks experiment was conducted with 200 weaned piglets (21 days), 8 pens/treatment and 5 piglets/pen. The treatments were: basal diets 1) with 125 ppm ZnO (NC), 2) with 2500 ppm ZnO (PC); NC 3) with acids, 4) with bioactives & sweetener or 5) with bioactives & sweetener and acids. Performance was measured at weaning, week 3 and 7. Fecal microbiota and fecal score were determined at week 3 and 7. Data were analyzed with S.A.S. using ANOVA followed by a Ducan’s procedure. 

At week 7, piglets’ weight were 29.36, 29.86, 30.25, 29.63 and 30.37 kg for NC, PC, acids, bioactive & sweetener and bioactive & sweetener with acids, respectively. Bioactives & sweetener with acids significantly improved weight compared to NC. Global FCR were 1.554, 1.533, 1.517, 1.539, 1.514 for NC, PC, acids, bioactive & sweetener and the bioactive & sweetener with acids, respectively. Acids complemented or not with Bioactives & sweetener significantly improved FCR compared to NC. Fecal microbiota and fecal score were not different. 

The study demonstrated promising results of the combination of bioactives, sweetener and acids as alternative to high ZnO level in feed to support growth performance in weaned piglets. Further studies are needed to understand the mode of action of the combination. 

 

About the presenter

Célia Gomes da Silva, MSc. Product Manager, ADM Animal Nutrition

Graduated in Animal Science with a MSc degree by the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (Portugal) and with a BSc Honours degree in Animal Husbandry obtained in the Netherlands, Célia acquired specific knowledge during her academic internships in mycotoxins incidence in feed and conducted the research project for her MSc thesis, focused on polyphenols and its effect on in vitro rumen fermentation.  

Célia started to work as Global Product Manager in 2016, with diverse feed additives categories applied to market solutions such us, microbial control, feed to food safety and gut health and actively involved in product development, research, technical support and sales trainings. In 2020, she joined ADM for her current role, as Product Manager working with innovative solutions based in Phytogenic Bioactives, to meet the requirements of modern livestock production, increasing sustainability focus and overcoming global challenges in the industry. 

Dietary supplementation with Pichia guilliermondii in gestation

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Dietary supplementation with Pichia guilliermondii yeast product during gestation and lactation improves sows’ body condition and litter performance

 

Abstract

 By Janvier, E. Oguey, C.,  Samson, A.

Sows’ prolificacy increased tremendously over the past decades, thereby inducing lighter weight piglets at birth and increasing pre-weaning mortality. The objective of this study was to evaluate if a whole cell inactivated Pichia guilliermondii (Pg) yeast product could improve the body condition of the sows and the performance of their litters through a modulation of the immune system in sows and piglets. A total of 51 gilts and sows were randomly allotted to either a control diet (Con) or a diet supplemented with 0.1% of Pg yeast from breeding to weaning (21 d). The optimal level of 0.1% of Pg yeast was defined in previous studies. Sow body condition and litter performance were analysed with ANOVA models considering the effects of diet, batch of sow, parity, backfat at breeding, and the interactions. Pre-weaning mortality and proportion of lightweight piglets were analysed with Chi-squared test. Average daily feed intake did not differ significantly between the two groups in gestation and lactation (P > 0.10). Weight gain was significantly higher for the overall reproductive cycle for the Pg sows compared to the Con sows (P = 0.05) and backfat loss was significantly lower (P = 0.05). The number of piglets born alive was significantly higher for the Pg group compared to the Con group (15.2 and 14.6 respectively, P = 0.02). The proportion of piglets weighing less than 0.8 kg at birth tended to be reduced in the Pg group compared to the Con group (P = 0.07) and mortality during the suckling period was significantly reduced (P = 0.03), resulting in more piglets being weaned from these sows. Finally, Pg supplementation of sows during gestation and lactation improves sows’ body condition, which could favour future reproductive parameters, and optimize litter performance at birth and weaning.

 

About the presenter

Emmanuel Janvier, Msc. Pork Coordinator, ADM Animal Nutrition

Emmanuel Janvier became interested in swine production after an internship in a pig nucleus barn in Saskatchewan, Canada. Emmanuel earned his M.Sc. from the Higher Education Institute of Agriculture of Angers in 2016 (Groupe ESA, Angers, France). After the completion of his M.Sc., he had an experience in feed formulation and transitioned into his current role of Swine Product Development & Application Coordinator late 2017 at ADM Animal nutrition. He enjoys being involved in feed and feed additives research for all physiological stages of pigs, and supporting all the development needs of the different subsidiaries of ADM Animal nutrition around the world.

Meta-analysis of the effects of Pichia guilliermondii in sows

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Meta-analysis of the effects of inactivated Pichia guiliermondii yeast fed to sows on progeny performance before and after weaning.

Abstract

By Oguey, C., Thayer, M., Jones, D. and Samson, A.

A meta-analysis was carried out to determine whether feeding an inactivated Pichia guilliermondii yeast (Pg) to sows during gestation and lactation had the potential to consistently affect sow reproductive performance and performance of progeny from birth through the post-weaning period. Experiments included were randomized trials reporting side by side comparisons of an appropriate control with inclusion of Pg. Mixed model (Trial as random and Treatment as fixed effects) and Hedges’ g effect size (ES) calculations were used. After systematic review and exclusion phase, analysis included 8 trials for reproductive performance at birth and until weaning (1446 sows), as well as for progeny performance after weaning (2452 piglets). Sensitivity of results to individual trials was evaluated. Publication bias was assessed by creation of funnel plots and by performing Begg’s test. In case of publication bias, the Trim and Fill method was used. Pg dose ranged from 1 to 2 kg/t and did not influence the effect of the product on the outcomes. Overall, Pg increased number of piglets born alive per sow (+3.5%, P(ES) < 0.01), and did not influence survival during suckling (P(ES) = 0.89), resulting in more piglets weaned per sow (+3.0%, P(ES) < 0.01). When Pg was fed to sows during gestation and lactation, a carryover effect was observed for progeny after weaning (mean weight of 6.1 kg and age of 20.5 days at weaning). Piglets born from Pg supplemented sows had higher survival rate (+2.3%, P(ES) = 0.06), weight gain (+5.7%, P(ES) = 0.04), and numerically better FCR (-3.0%, P(ES) < 0.11) through the post-weaning phase (mean duration: 34.4 days). This carry-over effect may be related to fetal immune programming properties during gestation. Feeding Pg to sows during gestation and lactation can represent a nutritional tool to consistently improve sow reproductive performance, and pig performance after weaning.

About the presenter

Clementine Ogue, Msc., New solutions & Sustainability Manager, ADM Animal Nutrition

Following graduation with a Master degree in Agrofood and Health from French Engineering school ISAB (now called UniLasalle), Clementine Ogue joined Pancosma and the feed additives’ business 15 years ago. After having worked in applied research, technical product management & expertise, and business development for all products of the company portfolio. Clementine then worked for 4 years in a position of EMEA Technical Manager for Feed Additives Business Unit of ADM. Since the beginning of 2022, she joined the Business Development team as New Solutions and Sustainability manager of Feed Additives, in ADM Animal Nutrition.

Anco FIT Poultry proof of mode of action in broilers

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Scientific proof of the mode of action of Anco FIT Poultry in broilers.

The Animal Nutrition journal published a scientific paper with research involving the application of Anco FIT Poultry in broilers and its effects on the expression of cytoprotective genes at the gut level.

Link to full scientific paper published online in Animal Nutrition

Abstract

Priming of intestinal cytoprotective genes and antioxidant capacity by dietary phytogenic inclusion in broilers

Konstantinos C. Mountzouris, Vasileios V. Paraskeuas, Konstantinos Fegeros

The potential of a phytogenic premix (PP) based on ginger, lemon balm, oregano and thyme to stimulate the expression of cytoprotective genes at the broiler gut level was evaluated in this study. In particular, the effects of PP inclusion levels on a selection of genes related to host protection against oxidation (catalase [CAT], superoxide dismutase 1 [SOD1], glutathione peroxidase 2 [GPX2], heme oxygenase 1 [HMOX1], NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 [NQO1], nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 [Nrf2] and kelch like ECH associated protein 1 [Keap1]), stress (heat shock 70 kDa protein 2 [HSP70] and heat shock protein 90 alpha family class A member 1 [HSP90]) and inflammation (nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1 [NF-kB1], Toll-like receptor 2 family member B (TLR2B) and Toll-like receptor 4 [TLR4]) were profiled along the broiler intestine. In addition, broiler intestinal segments were assayed for their total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Depending on PP inclusion level (i.e. 0, 750, 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg diet) in the basal diets, 1-d-old Cobb broiler chickens (n = 500) were assigned into the following 4 treatments: CON, PP-750, PP-1000 and PP-2000. Each treatment had 5 replicates of 25 chickens with ad libitum access to feed and water. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and means compared using Tukey’s honest significant difference (HSD) test.

Results

Polynomial contrasts tested the linear and quadratic effect of PP inclusion levels. Inclusion of PP increased (P≤ 0.05) the expression of cytoprotective genes against oxidation, except CAT. In particular, the cytoprotective against oxidation genes were up-regulated primarily in the duodenum and the ceca and secondarily in the jejunum. Most of the genes were upregulated in a quadratic manner with increasing PP inclusion level with the highest expression levels noted in treatments PP-750 and PP-1000 compared to CON. Similarly, intestinal TAC was higher in PP- 1000 in the duodenum (P= 0.011) and the ceca (P=0.050) compared to CON. Finally, increasing PP inclusion level resulted in linearly reduced (P≤ 0.05) expression of NF-kB1, TLR4 and HSP70, the former in the duodenum and the latter 2 in the ceca.

Conclusion

Overall, PP inclusion consistently up-regulated cytoprotective genes and down-regulated stress and inflammation related ones. The effect is dependent on PP inclusion level and the intestinal site. The potential of PP to beneficially prime bird cytoprotective responses merit further investigation under stress-challenge conditions.

 

Related articles

Pancosma gut agility activators

Effect of a gut agility activator on underlying mechanisms for adaptive capacity of organs vital for resilience in chickens

 

ADM preconference symposium at ANCC in Canada

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ADM is organizing a preconference symposium at the Animal Nutrition Conference Canada (ANCC).

We are looking forward to sharing insights on the latest trends in animal nutrition through our panel of invited external and internal experts.

 

Preconference Symposium, sponsored by ADM

Emerging trends in Animal Nutrition

Wednesday 11th of May, 2022

8am to 12pm

Agenda

Influence of an antibiotic alternative on immunity and microflora to support poultry gut health

Dr. Morgan Farrell, Texas A&M, University

Intestinal permeability, immune response and inflammation in dairy – nutritional solutions

Dr. Lance Baumgard, Iowa State University

Viral viability and infectivity in contaminated feed and opportunities for feed additives

Dr. Scott Dee, Pipestone Veterinary Services

Moderating the effect of coccidia and necrotic enteritis challenge employing non-pharmaceutical means

Dr. Milan Hruby and Dr. Mohamed Mortada, ADM Animal Nutrition

Climate change, methane and life cycle analysis – nutrition and production

Dr. Frank Mitloehner, University of California Davis

 

 

Where to meet our team in 2022

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This year we are out and about again, visiting events to come. We are excited to meet up with you and engage with you. Find out where to meet members of our team in person.

 

JANUARY

25th-27th JANUARY –  IPPE International Production & Processing Expo , Atlanta Georgia

24th-25th JANUARY  –  IPSF  International Poultry Scientific Forum ,  Atlanta Georgia

MARCH

22nd-24th MARCH – XIX Congresso de Produção e Comercialização de Ovos, São Paulo

APRIL

14th APRIL – Necrotic enteritis webinar, online

5th-07th APRIL – SBSA Brazil South Poultry Symposium , Brazil

MAY

11th-12th MAY – International Fair of Graxarias FENAGRA Animal Recycling , Campinas, Brazil

11th-12th  MAY –  XXI Congresso CBNA PET ,  Campinas – SP

11th MAY – Animal Nutrition Conference Canada, ANCC, ADM Presymposium Conference

17th-20th MAY – International Symposium on Digestive Physiology of Pigs , Rotterdam ,The Netherlands,

JUNE

8th-10th JUNE – World Pork Expo, Iowa, USA

9th-10th  JUNE –  XV Simposio Goiano de Avicultura , Goiânia – GO

16th-17th JUNE- Foro Mascotas, Guadalajara, Booth 92

19th -22nd JUNE- ADSA, American Dairy Science Association, Kansas City, USA

22nd-23rd JUNE – Avicultor 2022,  Belo Horizonte – MG

JULY

11th – 14th JULY –  PSA Annual Meeting 2022, San Antonio, Texas, USA

AUGUST

9th-11th AUGUST SIAVS 2022 – Salão Internacional da Avicultura e Suinocultura, Anhembi Parque – São Paulo

10th-12th AUGUST China Animal Husbandry Expo, Chengdu, China

16th– 18th AUGUST SBSS Simpósio Brasil Sul de Suinocultura, Chapecó , SC

SEPTEMBER

26th-1st OCTOBER Asociación Mexicana de Especialistas en Nutricion Animal, Mérida

 

OCTOBER

20th-22nd OCTOBER 10th Leman China Swine Expo and symposium ,Chongqing, China

NOVEMBER

8th-10th NOVEMBER SBSBLC 10th Brazil South Symposium on Dairy Cattle,  hapecó ,(SC)

9th -10th NOVEMBER 34ª Reunião CBNA – Aves, Suínos e Bovinos , Campinas-SP

15th-18th NOVEMBER –  EUROTIER – Hannover-Germany

How can Biomimicry help innovate sustainable solutions?

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Biomimicry has already generated many new technologies inspired by nature. Is there something that we can take away from it for the design of animal feed solutions for sustainable animal nutrition?

by Gwendolyn Jones

What is biomimicry?

Biomimicry, or biomimetics, is the study of nature and leveraging solutions that have evolved in nature to innovate and solve problems for the benefit of humans.  So essentially it is about piggy backing on nature or emulating what has already been proven by nature to work and to be sustainable throughout time.

Biomimicry is thought of as a field with potential to bring answers to many different disciplines, including medicine, architecture, agriculture, industry. It can pretty much apply to all sectors. Examples for innovations stemming from the application of biomimicry are architectural designs with improved thermoregulation inspired by termite mounds, robotics inspired by motor mechanisms of insects or velcro, which is derived from the observation of hooks implemented by certain plants that stick to animal coats. Aircraft engineers are inspired by birds and sharks to design lighter and more fuel-efficient aircrafts.

Advantages of applying biomimicry to innovation for sustainability

The field of biomimicry has experienced significant growth in recent years and has been popularized by Janine Benyus. It is now a tool to accelerate innovation for small and large companies.

Biomimicry is explained to be different from other bio-inspired design, because of its focus on learning from nature how to be sustainable. Designs following biomimicry are thought to be more efficient, resilient and sustainable, if they emulated biological lessons on form, process and ecosystem. The outcome is superior to that developed through any artificial means.

Biomimicry applied to the design of sustainable animal feed solutions

Farm animals possess limited physiologic responses to challenges such as for example high ambient temperatures, reproduction, oxidation or infections. However, amongst the millions of other species on earth facing the same challenges, we can find many other strategies or adaptations, which could be superior. This means that, within nature there are not just a handful of solutions, but a huge variety of strategies we could potentially adapt to solve physiological needs and equip animals to cope better with stressors.

How did nature solve this?

Plants evolved with sophisticated strategies to cope with stressors, since they can not move away from them and are bound to their locations. We can also learn from other organisms and species in nature that survive under extreme conditions, which strategies give them an advantage. What can we leverage from that in animal nutrition to support adaptive and coping mechanisms in animals?

New benchmarks in animal production and better ways of measuring improvements call for new approaches in the design and evaluation of feed solutions. Biomimicry offers a framework for innovation with sustainable outcomes. There is certainly no harm in asking how nature solved something as a source of inspiration.

Webinar – Necrotic enteritis: advances in control

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Watch a virtual discussion on necrotic enteritis control. What are the latest strategies for non-antibiotic control of necrotic enteritis and how effective are they?

To answer this and other burning questions related to necrotic enteritis we invited Dr. Charles Hofacre, to speak at our webinar. In addition to this renowned expert on necrotic enteritis control in poultry production systems, two technical and research managers from ADM Animal Nutrition are part of the discussion panel.

Webinar hosted by Misset Group through Poultry World media.

Necrotic enteritis – current status and advances in non-antibiotic control

Watch the recorded webinar

Watch the recorded webinar

 

Agenda

Necrotic enteritis (NE) prevalence under an antibiotic free (ABF) and “no antibiotics ever” (NAE) environment 

  • Overview of necrotic enteritis and its impact in ABF and NAE programs
  • Management and alternatives to overcome necrotic enteritis
  • Current research and methods to evaluate NE outcome

 Performance as underlying response to gut health and immunity

  • The impact of necrotic enteritis on gut health
  • The impact of necrotic enteritis on immunity

About the speakers

Charles Hofacre, Ph.D.

President of Southern Poultry Research Group, Inc and Professor Emeritus

Charles Hofacre , commonly known as Chuck, is from a small Ohio farming community, Wooster.  He holds  a  B.S.  in  Agriculture,  an  M.S.  in  Poultry  Science,  and  Doctorate  in  Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University.  He also has a Master of Avian Medicine and PhD in Veterinary Medical Microbiology from The University of Georgia.

His career to date included positions as  Director  of  Veterinary  Medicine  at  a  turkey  production  company,  cuddy  Farms,  Inc.  in  Marshville,  NC, Vice-President  and member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  for  Ross  Breeders,  Inc.,  in  Huntsville,  Alabama and Manager  of  Technical  Service  for  Bayer’s  poultry  business  in  the  U.S.   Chuck also served as the  Executive  Vice  President  of  the  poultry veterinary  organization,  the  American  Association  of  Avian  Pathologists  (AAAP),  from 2003 to 2016. Chuck retired from The University of Georgia after 19 years as a Professor in the Department  of Population  Health and  the  Director  of  Clinical  Services  for  the  Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center in Athens, Georgia. In  May  2013,  Chuck and  his  wife  Christa started  a  private  contract  research company The Southern Poultry Research Group near Athens, Georgia.

 

Jose Charal, Ph.D. 

Technical Services Manager, ADM Animal Nutrition 

Jose Charal is from an agricultural region around Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala, and currently resides in Georgia, US. He holds a B.S. in Agribusiness from El Zamorano University, a M.S in Animal Sciences from the University of Illinois, and Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from the Louisiana State University.

He has held positions in the private sector managing procurement and nutrition development for multinational companies and has served as scientific research associate in the education sector.  He is an active member of the Poultry Sciences Association and American Association of Animal Sciences, and continues to be active in basic and applied research internally and in collaboration with Universities and Research Partners. During the last 6 years, he has been involved in developing ADM’s Animal Nutrition portfolio of services and feed additives and providing technical support to the North American market and worldwide. 

 

Mohamad Mortada, Ph.D 

Monogastric Research Scientist, ADM Animal Nutrition 

Mohamad Mortada is a monogastric research scientist at ADM. He received his Ph.D. from the Department of Poultry Science at The University of Georgia and his master’s degree in poultry science from the American University of Beirut in Lebanon.

During his Ph.D., Mohamad focused on mitigating Campylobacter in poultry by characterizing chickens’ immune response to Campylobacter and evaluating different on-farm control strategies, including probiotics and symbiotics. During his master’s research, Mohamad developed an autogenous vaccine for Newcastle Disease Virus in poultry. Mohamad is trained in One Health from Duke University, where he became an advocate for the multidisciplinary approach to health that includes human, animal, and environmental health. 

Mohamad’s broad research interests are focused on maintaining gut health in chickens through supplementing innovative feed additives. At ADM, Mohamad is focused on developing microbiome solutions for poultry, screening animal feed enzymes, and understanding the mode of action of different feed additives.