CLANA 2022 – Join us at our Seminar 4 talks for LIFE

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Join us at the IX CLANA 2022 Congress, at the International Congress Center of Mérida, Yucatán, México.

We are hosting a seminar:

4 talks for LIFE

Enriching L (Livestock), I (Innovation), F (Focused solutions) E (Ecosystem)

September 28th, 2022 from 3.00pm to 7.00pm , salon 22-CIC

CLANA 2022

 

At this seminar we will have 4 experts presenting on the following topics:

3:15pm  Sostenibilidad y producción animal: ¡socios para el futuro! Dr. Lúcio Francelino Araújo

4:00pm Como evaluar el impacto de los aditivos en la alimentación animal en términos de sustentabilidad  Dr. Victor Elizalde Luna

4:25pm Bioactivos fitogénicos: en la vanguardia de un futuro sostenible para la producción animal,

Dra. Celia Gomes Dasilva

4:45pm Como lograr una mayor productividad, con menor suplementación mineral,

Dra. Johana Ciro Galeano

Get to know members of our team and take the opportunity to ask them how our solutions can move your business forward.

Speaker profiles

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 as, 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.

Víctor Elizalde, Commercial Director North LATAM, Pancosma

Victor was born and raised in Zapopan Jalisco. Because his family owned a small pig farm, he became interested in studying Veterinary Medicine, a degree he obtained in 2007. From then on, he began his career as a pig farm manager, joining the industry as West Area Manager at La Hacienda Alimentos Balanceados. Later, he joined VIMIFOS as a technical advisor in the pig area, actively participating in the diet formulation department. It is at this moment that he decides to start a Master’s Degree in Animal Production. In 2015 he joined PANCOSMA MÉXICO as West Zone Sales Manager and over the course of 6 years he gained knowledge in the field of sales and business administration; experience that today positions him as Commercial Director for the North LATAM region (Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru).

Dr. Johana Andrea Ciro Galeano, Technical and Development Manager, North LATAM, Pancosma

Dr. Johana Andrea Ciro Galeano, obtained her zootechnical degree at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellin, and there she completed her master’s degree in Agrarian Sciences in the line of animal nutrition and her doctorate in Agrarian Sciences in the line of Intestinal Health. He has 12 years of experience in monogastric nutrition in Mexico and Colombia, and has served as a university professor.

Currently, he is technical and development manager for Latin America North of Pancosma Mexico. He is actively involved in ongoing feed additive research and supports the commercial team during key customer interactions.

 

Prof. Lucio Araújo

Lucio Araújo is full professor and has been teaching at University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, since 2002.

He got his degree in Veterinary Medicine from Goias Federal University in 1993, worked at Poultry and Swine Industry during five years, before he returns to Academy to get his master and PhD at Sao Paulo State University. From 2007 to 2009 developed a pos-doc program at Mississippi State University.

Enhancing transition period in dairy cows

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Enhancing transition period in dairy cows with phytogenics

by SÉBASTIEN  CONSTANTIN,  Business Development  Manager Phytogenic Bioactives, Pancosma, published in Livestock and Feed Magazine, August 2022

Glucose metabolism regulates the energy supply to cells and tissues for vital functions and, in ruminants, this process is characterised by low glucose concentrations, but also low insulin response in peripheral tissues (Bell, Bauman, 1997; Sasaki 2002).

In a short adjustment period between pregnancy and lactation, a great amount of glucose is required to be directed for milk production. During the transition period, dairy cows face an extremely intensive physiological process.

Glucose sources

The main glucose supply in monogastric species is absorbed in the intestines from ingested food, while ruminants mainly rely on glucose supplied by liver gluconeogenesis. From rumen fermentation, propionate is the main glucogenic precursor, representing over 60% of the substrates, followed by lactate, with approximately 20%, followed by amino acids, minor volatile fatty acids (valerate, isobutyrate) and glycerol (Drackley et al., 2001).

Glucose absorption in peripheral tissues and mammary gland

Glucose transporters (GLUT) exist to carry glucose molecules to be absorbed by cells. There are 13 different types of GLUTs, each with a specific role and operating mode. GLUT1 molecules respond to basal glucose concentration and are found in all body tissues (De Koster and Opsomer, 2013). Among the different GLUT, only GLUT4 responds to insulin stimulation, supporting glucose uptake by skeletal muscle, adipose and heart tissues. Glucose uptake in the mammary gland is very specific and is driven primarily by GLUT1 and GLUT8 and characterised by an absence of GLUT4. As a result, the glucose metabolism process is not modulated by insulin. In terms of quantity, the mammary gland absorbs over 50% of available glucose and can climb as high as 85% when production peaks.

Glucose sparing

Dairy cows exhibit insulin resistance as gestation ends and lactation starts. The cow’s internal processes change tack to ensure a sufficient glucose supply is produced for the calf by directing glucose to milk production and by limiting glucose absorption in peripheral tissue (De Koster and Opsomer, 2013). This phenomenon is known as “glucose sparing”.

Gluconeogenesis inhibition

Gluconeogenesis is the major glucose- producing metabolic process in ruminants. This pathway is regulated by substrate availability and hormones such as insulin and glucagon. Insulin’s role is to inhibit gluconeogenesis and decrease glucose output when necessary.

Phytogenic supplementation to promote milk production

Milk production can be improved by promoting the glucose sparing effect and limiting gluconeogenesis inhibition. We hypothesised that lower insulin levels could lead to a change in glucose distribution, directing more towards the mammary gland and thus improving milk production.

A study was conducted to assess the effect of rumen-protected capsaicinoids (RPC) supplementation responding to a glucose tolerance test measuring blood glucose and insulin concentration (Oh et al., 2017). Glucose concentration was not affected by RPC supplementation post glucose challenge.

Compared to the control, RPC decreased serum insulin concentration post glucose challenge. The area under the insulin concentration curve was decreased by 25% (RPC; see figure 1). In this study, dry matter intake was not affected by RPC supplementation and milk yield tended to increase for RPC treatments compared to the control. Dry matter intake was not affected by RPC and feed efficiency was linearly increased by RPC supplementation. Meanwhile, there was no significant difference observed in NEFA and BHB levels.

insulin concentration in dairy cows

Figure 1 Effect of RPC on insulin concentration following intravenous administration of glucose in cows

Rumen-protected capsicum and transition period performance

In 2020-2021, a trial was performed to evaluate RPC supplementation from 21 days before calving through 60 days in milk under commercial conditions.  Overall, performance was improved for cows receiving RPC with an 8.6% increase in energy-corrected milk (See figure 2 daily milk yield). Additionally, increased blood glucose, which occurred three days after calving, points to a potential change in insulin response and liver gluconeogenesis.

Promoting glucose sparing and gluconeogenesis

Overall, results suggest that by decreasing the amount of insulin secreted, RPC may have redirected glucose for milk production in lactating dairy cows.

Related articles

Scientific abstract: The effect of feeding rumen-protected capsicum during the transition period on performance of early lactation dairy cows.

Discover our feed additives for cattle

 

Benefits of Pichia guilliermandii in shrimp feeds

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Research and benefits of Pichia guilliermandii in shrimp feeds

By François Jégou, Sarah Cooper and Delphine Weissman, ADM Animal Nutrition, published in Hatchery International, August 2022

Functional feeds offer synergistic opportunities to reduce the effects of adverse situations, environmental conditions, or potential disease – such as Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND), also known as Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS), or White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) disease.

Recent ADM studies have demonstrated how Pichia guilliermondii (PG) inactivated yeast is leveraged in aqua feeds and used to alleviate disease stress through a modulating effect on gut microbiota and immune functions.

Cardozo et al. 2018 compared in vitro bacterial aggregation capacity of inactivated PG and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc), with Mannose as the positive control. PG demonstrated twice the aggregation capacity at all commercial dosages compared to that of Sc. Pathogen aggregation is critical in innate immunity and homeostasis.

To assess the bacterial aggregation cap- acity of PG in vivo, we conducted a bacterial clearance study where Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp were injected with Vibrio harveyi. After three hours, the concentration of V. harveyi was more than three times lower compared to the control-fed shrimp. The study also showed that granular hemocyte blood cell concentration in hemolymph was 56 per cent higher after four weeks in PG fed shrimp compared to the control.

In order to confirm these results and the potential benefit of PG in shrimp culture, two separate disease studies were performed. These showed that survival of Litopenaeus vannamei five weeks after either Vibrio parahaemolyticus or white spot syndrome virus challenge was increased by 76 per cent and 84 per cent respectively, com- pared to control without PG inclusion. In a field condition test without any specific pathogenic challenge, vannamei shrimp fed supplemented diets showed a significant 10 per cent increase in growth performance compared to a control diet at the end of a seven-week trial.

Additional studies also show that PG yeast has the potential to further support other aquatic organisms with adaptive immune functions, opening opportunities for ADM to develop formulations for fish as well.

For the aquaculture industry, science and evaluations definitely help determine how functional feeds affect the health and performance of the animals, thus creating optimal technical and economic results for farmers. Incorporating functional feed additives like Pichia guilliermondii yeast as early as possible into aquaculture feeds offers unique traits for use in shrimp cultures and daily management, improving growth while significantly helping the shrimp to better cope with constant physiological and disease stress.

Find out more about how we help to improve aquafeeds for sustainability, human nutrition and fish well-being.

Aquaculture feed additives

Sustainable shrimp production with trace minerals

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Reducing mineral excretion is important for sustainable shrimp production as it reduces the environmental impact.  Half doses of organic trace minerals have shown to help maintain shrimp growth performance and feed efficiency, while reducing mineral excretion

By Mieke Zoon, Product Manager Trace Minerals

 

Strategies for more sustainable shrimp production

The predictability of quality and availability of shrimp has greatly improved, with aquaculture.  However, higher inputs and outputs resulting from intensifying production have led to new challenges. In recent years, there has been a lot of attention on more sustainable shrimp production through the use of the following strategies:

  • replacing fish meal and fish oil in feed (with vegetable-based and even insect-sourced substitutes),
  • reducing environmental effects (with water recycling systems),
  • preventing disease (via biosecurity)
  • and improving feed efficiency (by optimizing feed and management).

Major improvements have been made in all these areas, but there is still more to be done (FAO, 2018). For example, the lack of an adaptive immune system in shrimp provides an additional challenge for their biosecurity when compared to livestock, as this means that they cannot be vaccinated. The reduction of fish meal and fish oil in shrimp feeds leads to other challenges, not only in replacing high quality protein, but also other nutrients, like minerals, as they are no longer provided in a highly available form.

Trace minerals are known to be important for several metabolic functions, improving not only growth, but also development, fertility, final product quality and immunity. Organic forms of trace minerals, for example B-TRAXIM minerals (PANCOSMA, Switzerland), have been shown to offer higher bioavailability and additional benefits in livestock species compared to traditionally used inorganic forms (Spears et al., 2004; Hansen et al., 2008; Leeson et al., 2008; De Marco et al., 2017; Zhang et al, 2017; Männer & Schlegel, 2006 and Jang et al., 2010). Organic trace minerals may also contribute to improved efficacy in feed formulations and to a reduction in the environmental impact of shrimp production.

Benefits of organic trace minerals (OTM)

In line with more sustainable production methods, OTM can help to reduce the impact of waste from shrimp production on the environment by reducing mineral excretion. Although aquafeeds already contain much less fish meal and fish oil than before, they remain as important ingredients, especially for high value and more carnivorous species, such as for shrimp and salmon production (FAO, 2018). The high levels of unsaturated fats from fish sources are a challenge to the stability of aquafeeds. Metal ions, and especially zinc, iron and copper, are known to be major catalyzers of oxidation (McDowell, 2008). If metals are stabilized with an organic bond, this may not only increase their bioavailability, but reduce oxidation of important nutrients as well.

OTM on growth and immune parameters in shrimp

After earlier confirmation of the practical advantages and the potential positive impact of using OTM on shrimp performance, commercial use of glycine based OTM has begun both in Latin America and Southeast Asia. To confirm the positive benefits of OTM, a new trial in a controlled environment was set up in Thailand by Professor Orapint Jintasataporn (Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, Thailand). In this trial, the effect of OTM on the growth performance and immune parameters of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) was studied. The shrimp were fed either a non-supplemented diet (negative control, NC), or subjected to one of the following treatments: a full dose of inorganic minerals (positive control, PC), a full dose of B-TRAXIM minerals (BT1X), or a half dose of B-TRAXIM minerals (BT0.5X). Shrimp fed BT1X showed the fastest growth, best feed conversion and numerically the highest survival. The total shrimp production per tank will be of interest to shrimp producers, as it combines the result of growth performance and survival rate in one parameter. The glycine based OTM (BT1X) consistently showed the highest production.

Optimizing dose levels of organic trace minerals in shrimp production

Another interesting trial carried out in this study was to reduce inorganic mineral supplementation by 50% and instead use OTM (BT0.5X). This has been shown to maintain growth performance and feed efficiency, while reducing mineral excretion. This is fully in line with results from other species, e.g. in broilers (De Marco et al., 2017). In the same trial some important immunity parameters were checked. This is of interest as disease-related mortality in shrimp production is a common issue. Stimulating general immunity and optimizing the immune response are important, as vaccination is not possible because shrimp rely only on their innate immune system. Lysozyme is an enzyme with antibacterial properties which acts as part of the innate immune system by cutting the carbohydrate chains forming the main structure of bacterial cell walls (Lacono et al., 1980).

The BT1X shrimp showed a significant increase of lysozyme activity in the hemolymph (which plays the same role as blood in mammals). Also, superoxide-dismutase (SOD) activity, as part of the antioxidant system, showed a trend towards higher levels in the hemolymph of BT1X shrimp. The increased levels of lysozyme and SOD activities showed that the BT1X shrimp had an improved ability to protect themselves against bacterial and oxidative challenges. More sustainable shrimp Summarizing the results from available trial data as well as practical experience, the glycine based

Reducing environmental impact of shrimp production with organic trace minerals

Organic trace minerals have been shown to be able to support shrimp producers in mitigating some of their main challenges towards better sustainability. Mineral excretion into the aquatic environment by shrimp can be reduced with OTM supplementation in shrimp feeds. An efficient immune response was also supported, which could reduce the impact of disease and improve growth and feed efficiency, allowing for a better return on investment. OTM will not solve all the challenges faced in aquaculture, but it can be used as a solution to support shrimp producers on their path towards a more sustainable way to provide high quality food globally.

 

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Pancosma organic trace minerals

References

FAO, 2018. The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2018 – Meeting the sustainable development goals. Rome. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO De Marco, M., M.V. Zoon, C. Margetyal, C. Picart, C. Ionescu, 2017. Dietary administration of glycine complexed trace minerals can improve performance and slaughter yield in broilers and reduces mineral excretion. Animal Feed Science and Technology 232: 182- 189. Hansen, S.L., P. Schlegel, L.R. Legleiter, K.E. Lloyd, J.W.

Spears, 2008. Bioavailability of copper from copper glycinate in steers fed high dietary sulfur and molybdenum. Journal of Animal Science 86: 173-179.

Jang, Y.D., H.B. Choi, S. Durosoy, P. Schlegel, B.R. Choi, Y.Y. Kim, 2010. Comparison of bioavailability of organic selenium sources in finishing pigs. Asian-Australian Journal of Animal Science, Vol. 23, No. 7: 931-936.

Lacono, V. J., B.J. MacKay, S. DiRienzo, J.J. Pollock, 1980. Selective antibacterial properties of lysozyme for oral microorganisms. Infection and Immunity, 29: 623-632. Leeson, S., H. Namkung, L.

Caston, S. Durosoy, P. Schlegel, 2008. Comparison of selenium levels and sources and dietary fat quality in diets for broiler breeders and layer hens. Poultry Science 87: 2605-2612.

Männer, K., O. Simon, P. Schlegel, 2006. Effects of different iron, manganese, zinc and copper sources (sulphates, chelates, glycinates) on their bioavailability in early weaned piglets. In: M. Rodehutscord (Hrsg.): 9. Tagung Schweine[1]und Geflügelernährung, 28.-30, 2006. Institut für Agrar- und Ernährungswissenschaften, Universität Halle-Wittenberg. ISBN: 3-86010-833-6.

McDowell, L.R., 2008. Vitamins in Animal and Human Nutrition. John Wiley & Sons, p. 714-716.

Spears, J.W., P. Schlegel, M.C. Seal, K.E. Lloyd, 2004. Bioavailability of zinc from zinc sulfate and different organic zinc sources and their effects on ruminal volatile fatty acid proportions. Livestock Production Science 90: 211-217.

Zhang, L., Y.X. Wang, X. Xiao, J.S. Wang, Q. Wang, K.X. Li, T.Y. Guo, X.A. Zhan, 2017. Effects of zinc glycinate on productive and reproductive performance, zinc concentration and antioxidant status in broiler breeders. Biological Trace Element Research 178 (2): 320-326.

Improve palatability of aquaculture feed

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Palatability of aquaculture feed is key in determining efficient nutrient utilization and reducing economic losses in aquaculture. By controlling this characteristic it is possible to improve the performance of aquatic species and the amount of waste.

by Gwendolyn Jones

Why is aquafeed palatability important?

Feed palatability is one of the first criterions checked by fish and shrimp farmers to determine the quality of aquafeed. Feed palatability affects feed intake and as a result influences nutritional, health and environmental key performance indicators in aquaculture.

Palatability of aquafeed reduces feed loss

Feed makes up for 30-60% of the total variable cost in aquaculture. Hence minimizing feed loss is important for the economic performance of fish and shrimp farms. On top of that feed loss plays a major role in the environmental impact of aquaculture and the health of the pond. A nutrient overload of the pond as a result of excessive feed loss and nutrient leaching leads to deterioration of the rearing environment and pollution.

Improved aquafeed palatability and attractiveness helps to reduce the time that shrimp and fish spend approaching the feed and increases feed intake. It therefore limits nutrient leaching and feed loss.

Reduction in the use of fishmeal reduces feed palatability

Due to economical and sustainability reasons the proportion of dietary fish meal in aquafeed formulations is continuously decreasing and is replaced by alternative protein sources based on plant raw materials. However, this has negative consequences for optimal feeding behavior that needs to be compensated for especially in carnivorous feed formulations.

Reduced growth in aqua species when fed diets with alternative protein sources is caused by:

  • reduced protein digestibility
  • amino acid deficiency and imbalance
  • anti-nutritional factors
  • unpalatable properties

Strategies to improve aquaculture feed palatability

In order to improve palatability of shrimp and fish feed, palatants/stimulants gained increased attention especially when plant proteins are included at a high level.

Palatants/stimulants characteristically are low molecular weight, water-soluble, and amphoteric or compounds that are released from potential prey. Free amino acids have been found to elicit strong feeding behaviour, as well as organic compounds with low molecular weight, such as organic acids, nucleotides and small peptides. Reports have shown that L-Amino acids were more stimulatory than the corresponding DL-amino acids.

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The Physiology of Taste in Fish: Potential Implications for Feeding Stimulation and Gut Chemical Sensing

Precision feeding in poultry

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Precision feeding in poultry, or formulating diets as close to the bird’s requirement as possible is effective economically and environmentally. Homogeneity of nutrients, especially trace minerals because of their low inclusion rates, is critical for the success of precision feeding.

By CHRISTIAN BOIGUES, MIEKE ZOON and CÉLINE ROBIN

The trend towards more efficient production of food has a significant impact on animals production sector. Not only due to economic pressure, but also because of societies quest for reduction of environmental impact. At the same time, we have become more aware of the risks of using antibiotics as a means to improve efficiency due to the development of multi-resistant bacteria. And finally the welfare and quality of life of animals is a growing concern especially in the Western world. These challenges seem very different and sometimes even contradictory and a variety of solutions are suggested to improve either one of them. The concept of “precision feeding in poultry” is growing in popularity and could address more than one of these challenges.

Definition: Precision feeding in poultry

Precision feeding means feeding every animal according to its individual requirements. Not only on average, but every single day, and throughout the day. This is very much related to efficiency, as the closer nutrients are provided to the animal’s requirements, the more the animal is supported to use its full genetic potential. Providing less than its requirements for any important nutrient (e.g. energy, amino acids, vitamins, (trace) minerals) will reduce performance. Providing all the nutrients the animal needs, when it needs them, ensures optimal performance and limits the waste of nutrients. This is not only affecting input efficiencies but also welfare and health.

Precision feeding and uniformity

Uniformity of animals within a group is becoming increasingly important for producers. In many sectors production becomes more integrated and automated on large scale operations, a more uniform group of animals has many benefits.
For example, in broilers a uniform flock with the correct average bodyweight will grow more uniformly when provided the same feed and will reach the ideal slaughter weight (or close to it) on the same day.

This is very important for the increasingly automated slaughter houses which are designed to optimally handle specific weights, as well as for uniform final meat products. Bodyweight (BW) is not only important at slaughter, but also a main factor for onset of reproduction in breeding animals, such as the start of lay in poultry.

So how does this link to precision feeding in poultry?

More uniform animals have more uniform nutrient requirements. This makes sense because if animals are of similar size, age, breed, have similar performance levels and are kept in similar conditions, it is likely that their nutrient requirements will be close as well. Practically It is much easier to fulfill the individual requirements of animals if these are close to the group’s average.

The other way is the opposite and as important for producers and uniformity of animals and their performance over time. If precision feeding is applied well, it can improve animal uniformity. A heterogeneous group of animals in which the animals are provided with their individual requirements, will make the best use of their full genetic potential and their performance will be increasingly uniform. Precision feeding and uniformity in animals in addition to their performance is therefore very much interconnected, both as cause and consequence.

Mineral homogeneity in particles

One of the main challenges in precision feeding is the low inclusion of essentials nutrients like minerals. In fact, the inclusion level can be so low that the homogeneity of the distribution can be challenged.
Therefore, if it is not homogenous, animals won’t get all the nutrients needed. The latest development and new generation of multi-mineral products is B-Traxim All-in-j. Using Pancosma’s Iso-Fusion technology (IFT), every particle contains a combination of different minerals at the exact same ratio, for a perfect distribution and homogeneity in premix and feed.

Using Scanning Electron Microscopy associated with Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) at the Centre Suisse d’Electronique et Microtechnique (CSEM) in Neuchatel, Switzerland, it was possible to identify the four different minerals in one of B-Traxim All-in-j products. Minerals (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn) were identified and represented with different colors. All four metals are present, not only in every particle, but very homogeneously distributed throughout every single particle.

In the end, the final user is looking for homogeneity in providing nutrients and its effects on the uniformity in animals, their performance and products. A series of tests based on the coefficient of variation confirmed a much lower deviation to the mean with All-in-j products compared to traditional blends (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Homogeneity in feed – coefficient of variation of copper and zinc contents in B-Traxim All-in-1

organic trace minerals in cattle

 

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Precision feeding in cattle

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Precision feeding in cattle boosts production efficiency since every animal is fed according to its individual requirements. Providing the right amount of nutrients ensures optimal performance and reduces the environmental footprint of cattle production by cutting down on waste of nutrients.

BY MIEKE ZOON AND CÉLINE ROBIN, PRODUCT MANAGERS FOR MINERALS

Today’s consumers demand increasingly efficient, low-impact food production, and that includes animal production. This means that in addition to cost efficiency, the sector must also find effective ways to reduce environmental impact. Meanwhile, we have become more aware of the risks of using antibiotics to improve efficiency, due to the development of multi-resistant bacteria. Not to mention animal welfare and quality of life. Each of these challenges may seem very different, even contradictory, but there are solutions which ideally address several issues at once. It’s no surprise that the concept of “precision feeding” is becoming one of the industry’s go-to solutions.

Precision feeding in cattle

Precision feeding in cattle means feeding each and every animal according to its individual requirements. Not only on average but at every feeding, every single day. It boosts efficiency, since the closer feed meets animals’ nutritional requirements, the easier it is for them to reach their full genetic potential. Providing less than the required amount of any important nutrient (e.g. energy, amino acids, vitamins, and trace minerals) will negatively impact performance. Providing the right amount of nutrients is a sustainable way to use resources, ensure optimal performance and reduce the animals’
environmental footprint through less waste of nutrients.

Mineral homogeneity

One of the main challenges in precision feeding is the low level inclusion of essential nutrients such as minerals. In fact, the inclusion level can be so low that it is difficult to ensure homogenous distribution. This can lead to some animals not getting all the nutrients they need.

The latest development and new generation of multi-mineral products is B-Traxim All-in-1. Using Pancosma’s Iso-Fusion technology (IFT), every particle contains exactly the same ratio of each different mineral, resulting in perfectly uniform distribution and homogenous premix and feed. The four different minerals in one B-Traxim All-in-1 product were identified using Scanning Electron Microscopy together with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) at the Swiss Centre for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM) in Neuchatel, Switzerland. These minerals (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn) were identified and represented with four different colours.

Figure 1 shows that not only are all four metals present in every particle, but they are very evenly distributed throughout each one.  Farmers are looking for a way to provide nutrients homogenously and positively impact animal uniformity, performance and products. A series of tests based on the coefficient of variation confirmed a much lower deviation to the mean with All-in-1 products compared to traditional blends (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Homogeneity in feed – coefficient of variation of copper and zinc contents in B-Traxim All-in-1.

organic trace minerals in cattle

 

Multi-mineral benefits

Multi-mineral products can also facilitate the day-to-day work of feed mills and on-farm mixers. Having all the necessary minerals in one more concentrated formula reduces the number of silos used and stocks held on site. Plus, administratively, there are fewer orders and registrations to keep track of. B-Traxim PRO4 is an All-in-1 solution containing Zn, Mn, Cu and Co, designed to meet ruminants’ needs. It is based on Pancosma’s glycinate technology that provides higher bioavailability and support to physiological functions compared to inorganic minerals.

Three scientific studies show the added value of B-Traxim PRO4 in ruminant production.” First, a study carried out at North Carolina State University focusing on the bioavailability of minerals in ruminants showed that apparent absorption and retention of Zn and liver zinc concentration were higher for steers supplemented with these organic trace minerals than for animals fed zinc sulphate or another organic source. In another study comparing the organic zinc source to zinc sulphate, North Carolina State University concluded that the organic form had a positive effect on immune parameters. Lastly, a study in Spain investigated vitamin B12 synthesis by micro-organisms in the rumen. Cobalt is a key component of this synthesis and therefore needs to be supplemented and available in the rumen. Compared to an unsupplemented feed, the study showed a significantly greater formation of B12 by the rumen microbial population provided with a feed supplemented with B-Traxim PRO4.

Precision feeding in cattle is a hassle-free approach to consistently providing animals with the nutrients animals need – not more, not less. An effective way to improve performance while reducing waste, it’s good for the animals, good for the environment and good for production.

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Pancosma organic trace minerals

 

How some cows can give heat stress the cold shoulder

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Some cows are cooler than others in the face of summer heat. What is their secret to resist heat stress? Scientists are beginning to discover that resilience plays an important role in dairy cows, when it comes to coping with rising temperatures.

by Gwendolyn Jones, Product Manager Gut Agility Activators

Climate change drives research into heat stress

As June approaches temperatures are rising and so is the risk for heat stress in cows. Temperatures are rising, not just now, because we are at the end of May, but also in general. Our climate is changing, and we can expect to see increases in temperature over the coming century. According to recent predictions, global temperatures are expected to rise by 1.4–3.0°C by the end of this century. Not surprisingly several large-scale research projects are currently under way in different parts of the world for a better understanding of heat stress in cattle and more importantly to find ways of managing it more effectively. The goal being to maintain cow welfare, health and productivity in a sustainable way as temperatures rise. Strategies to mitigate heat stress include physical protection, nutritional management and more recently the potential for genetic improvement in heat tolerance is researched.

Milk yield and quality spoils with heat stress

Heat-stressed dairy cows produce less milk and the quality of their milk is reduced. On top of that heat stress can interfere with the cow’s ability to conceive and can increase susceptibility to disease. This can lead to significant economic losses. Consequently, there is considerably incentive to increase the capacity of dairy cows to maintain productivity and fitness in the face of stresses associated with climate change to support food security.

Science turns to resilience for heat tolerance

Several research groups across the world, for example in the UK, India, United States and Australia are researching the challenge of enhancing the resilience of livestock to climatic variability and climate change. They all essentially agree that animal agriculture’s adaptation to climate change should involve technological advances for climate resilient animals. However, continued selection for greater performance in the absence of consideration for heat tolerance will result in greater susceptibility to heat stress.

Scientists at the University of Armidale claim that for the concept of resilience the animal’s reactions with its environment are central. They characterise resilience as the capacity of the animal to return rapidly to its pre-challenge state following short-term exposure to a challenging situation. Therefore, resilience is a comparative measure of differences between animals in the impact of a challenge. Resilience can arise due to lower sensitivity or better adaptability to the challenge. Thus, resilience relies particularly on the reaction of the animal to stressors. Since, stress responses increase disease susceptibility, improving resilience of farm animals could also provide benefits for their health.

At the cellular level, acute environmental change initiates a “heat shock” or cellular stress response. Changes in gene expression associated with a reaction to an environmental stressor involves acute responses at the cellular level as well as changes in gene expression across a variety of organs and tissues associated with the acclimation response.

Gene expression profiling belongs to novel the approaches to identify higher number of transcripts and pathways related to stress tolerance mechanisms. It is known that genes reacting to a certain stress differ between organisms, species, breeds and even genotypes. The differences show in more efficient stress signal perception and transcriptional changes that can lead to successful adaptive response and adaptations and eventually further tolerance. Newer genomics approaches like next-generation sequencing (NGS) hold great promise for accelerating search for genes related to heat tolerance-related traits. NGS has been used to study variants in cattle to identify genes that contribute to heat tolerance.

Cows love a good on-off sprinkle

Of course, also physical strategies to help reduce heat stress are continuously being evaluated and improved. One of the most effective methods of cooling cows during summer is the use of water sprinklers. When given the choice, cows spend more and more time under sprinklers as the ambient temperature rises. Not having the sprinklers on continuously is more effective in terms of cooling cows, and it also helps to conserve water. The sprinklers should cycle on and off to wet cows and then let them dry off. Cooling is more effective if cows are soaked to the skin during the on time and then evaporative cooling occurs during the off time with fan air. Sprinkler and fan cooling resulted in lower body temperatures and respiration rates, improved dry matter intake and milk yield. However, sprinklers are not recommended in environments where relative humidity could reach over 75% due to the increase in humidity associated with these systems.

by Gwendolyn Jones, 2019

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Early laying period – off to a good start in laying hens

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The early laying period plays an important role in how a flock will perform and how long laying hens can be kept in production. So, getting hens off to a good start in lay is key to feeding strategies aimed at extending laying cycles. Feeding for adaptive capacity can be a great facilitator to give your laying hens a head-start in the pre-peak phase.

by Gwendolyn Jones, Product Manager Gut Agility Activators

500 eggs in one laying cycle is within reach

Prolonging the laying cycle balances the costs of egg production (e.g. price of pullets and feed) by the earnings of a longer productive period. On top of that it reduces the frequency required to replace hens and to clean houses. As a result of that producers are now aiming to extend the laying period beyond 72 weeks of age. But it is not just to improve the economics of production, it also makes sense in terms of reducing the environmental impact of egg production for more sustainable egg production. Some breeding companies are already reporting flocks with egg production cycles of 100 weeks producing more than 500 eggs. Schothorst Feed Research reported that a flock of Dekalb White hens produced 510 eggs per hen in 100 weeks in October last year. While improved genetics facilitate such ambitious goals, it goes without saying that the right management and nutrition play an important supporting role in this too.

Importance of pre-peak challenges for extended laying periods

The pre-peak period of the laying cycle lasts from the time when hens arrive at the production house (15-18 weeks of age) until the age the laying hens reach peak egg production (24-26 weeks of age). This is a very challenging period for the hens, because they are still growing while they are starting to produce eggs. On top of that the hens are going through many other changes as they transition from rearing pullet to production. This means that they have to adapt to new environments, diets, different lighting as well as having to go through the stresses of transportation. This can result in negative nutrient balances, which can affect performance but can also have longer-term effects for health and laying persistency if it negatively affects bone, liver metabolism and ovarian health. For example mobilization of calcium for eggshell formation from bone can lead to a reduction in skeletal mass of the hen and will reduce shell quality late in late lay. Increasing free radical production in the liver can eventually lead to fatty liver as a result of prolonged oxidative stress, which again can impair egg production and laying persistence. Missed targets in the rearing phase such as target body weight and high uniformity or stressors such as high temperatures and mycotoxins can amplify potential problems.

Feeding for adaptive capacity of hens in the early laying period

To get the laying hens off to a good start at the beginning of the laying period and to correct the effects of suboptimal rearing, nutrient intake should be maximised to prevent the mobilisation of body nutrient reserves at the start of the lay period. This also means that any impact environmental or nutritional stress factors may have on feed intake needs to be minimized. Stress reactions such as oxidative stress, reduced gut integrity and reduced feed intake can all contribute to negatively impact the resilience of the laying hen and can thus further diminish the chances for producers to successfully extend the laying period.

For example oxidative stress will affect the functioning of the liver and hence the ability to maintain high egg laying rates and egg quality over time.  Furthermore oxidative stress can also lead to accelerated aging of the hen’s ovaries reducing the capacity to maintain high egg production and egg quality over longer laying cycles. High gut integrity in the duodenum is crucial to maintaining egg shell quality in longer laying cycles as it is the main site for absorption of Ca and P.

The gut agility concept in Anco FIT Poultry was specifically developed to increase the capacity of the bird to adapt to challenges more efficiently and to minimize responses at the cellular level that would otherwise reduce the hens’ performance and potential to sustain longer laying cycles.

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Tail biting in pigs – How to spot early warning signs

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Tail biting is an unpredictable and costly problem in pig herds. Understanding the early warning signs can help to reduce the associated losses. New precision livestock farming tools can make it easier to continuously monitor for the early warning signs on pig farms.

by Gwendolyn Jones

Causes for tail biting in pigs

The causes behind tail biting are highly complex and multi factorial. The lack of a single clear cause makes the problem hard to control.

It can be the result of aggressive attacks from other pigs caused by frustration. This can be due to management errors, e.g. overcrowding, ammonia levels, competition for feed or not enough enrichment materials.

Secondary tail biting involves tissue that has already been damaged e.g. through necrosis and inflammation. The smell of the injured tissue and appearance of blood attracts pigs to start nibbling and biting the affected area. This is how Swine Inflammation and Necrosis Syndrome (SINS) can be associated with it. More recent work suggests that oxidative stress causing inflammation and related death of cells could also play a role in the development of secondary tail biting. If there are too many dead cells, typically occurring at the ear tips and tails of the pigs, again the smell becomes different, thus attracting other pigs.

Cost of tail biting in pigs

Tail biting affects the welfare of pigs, but also causes significant economic losses for pig producers. Tail wounds can be a source of infection resulting in morbidity and mortality, with negative impacts on pig growth estimated at €0.59 per pig. On top of that there are labour and veterinary costs to consider, as well as losses due to carcass condemnation at slaughter. It has been proposed that on-farm prevalence is higher than what abattoir data suggests. Tail bite wounds are often treated with antibiotics, so being more in control of tail biting outbreaks can also help to reduce the use of antibiotics on pig farms.

Early warning signs for tail biting in pigs

To effectively reduce the negative effects of tail biting, it must be diagnosed at an early stage. Tail biting behaviour is usually not detected until tail lesions are present, which increases the difficulties in stopping outbreaks. The identification of early warning signals helps to reduce the unpredictability of an outbreak.

Several studies have shown that tail posture can predict tail damage. Pigs observed with their tails between legs were more likely to show bite marks or a tail wound 2-3 days later compared to pigs observed with a curled tail. This was true for weanling pigs and fattening pigs. Others reported that a hanging tail posture at feeding was significantly correlated to wounds on pig tails. Pigs with tail wounds were four times more likely to have hanging tails compared to pigs with undamaged tails.  Findings from additional studies also provided insights of predicting how close a herd is to an outbreak. In this study 15% of pigs in the herd had a hanging tail posture 7 days before an outbreak, which changed to 20-25% one day prior to the outbreak.

These findings suggest that tail posture can be used as an early warning indicator. Checking tail postures on a regular basis, increases early recognition of tail biting and can prevent further escalation of the problem.

Precision livestock farming tools to detect early warning signs

With a shortage in farm staff and an increasing number of pigs kept per farm, individual monitoring of animals becomes more difficult in the field. When stock people on large farms can on average only spend 5 seconds per day per finisher pig inspection, being able to automate the detection of tail posture for continuous monitoring would make a big difference on farm.

Researchers from SRUC Edinburgh investigated the effectiveness of a 3D machine vision system to automate tail posture detection. 3D cameras and machine vision algorithms were used to automatically measure tail posture in groups of pigs before, during and after tail biting outbreaks.  The findings of the study confirmed that the technology was accurate enough to provide early warning of tail biting on farm. Furthermore, the proportion of low tails increased over time pre-outbreak, was greater in outbreak groups than control groups and was associated with increased tail injury.

At Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands, behavioural researchers are currently looking into applying similar technologies and using tail posture as an indicator for resilience in pigs.

Models assessing the risk for a tail biting outbreak

A different approach to prevent a tail biting outbreak on pig farms was proposed using a model based on Classification and Regression Tree (CRT) methodologies.  CRT analysis showed five main variables (stocking density, ammonia levels, number of pigs per stockman, type of floor and timeliness in feed supply) as critical predictors. It was suggested to help farmers and veterinarians to manage the predisposing variables for acute tail biting lesions on farm.

Preventing tail biting related to oxidative stress

Oxidative stress and related inflammation in the pig is often the result of the pig’s response to stress factors such as weaning, increasing stocking density, high ambient temperatures, but also dietary stressors such as mycotoxins. Generally, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) increases within body cells and if the pig’s own defense system is overwhelmed it will lead to oxidative stress, which again can lead to an increase in inflammatory responses. Therefore, supporting the pig’s antioxidative capacity by nutritional means, may help to reduce the risk of tail biting which is related to oxidative stress. It would be even more effective, if inflammatory responses could be blocked or inhibited at the same time. Plant extracts with proven capabilities to improve the antioxidative capacity in pigs can form part of a nutritional solution.

By Gwendolyn Jones, 2021

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A cross-sectional study for predicting tail biting risk in pig farms using classification and regression tree analysis (2017) 

Automatic early warning of tail biting in pigs: 3D cameras can detect lowered tail posture before an outbreak (2018)

Tail Posture as an Indicator of Tail Biting in Undocked Finishing Pigs (2019) 

Resilience in pigs – new benchmark to reach genetic potential