FEED FOCUS: Animal feeding in the future: reaching genetic potential through smarter nutrition?

Digital Re-print - November | December 2013

FEED FOCUS: Animal feeding in the future: reaching genetic potential through

smarter nutrition?

www.gfmt.co.uk

Grain & Feed Milling Technology is published six times a year by Perendale Publishers Ltd of the United Kingdom.All data is published in good faith, based on information received, and while every care is taken to prevent inaccuracies, the publishers accept no liability for any errors or omissions or for the consequences of action taken on the basis of information published. ©Copyright 2013 Perendale Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior permission of the copyright owner. Printed by Perendale Publishers Ltd. ISSN: 1466-3872

In the last decade, animal protein production has faced all-time record high commodities prices, the occurrence

of serious diseases such as avian influenza (e.g. H7N9), porcine epidemic diarrhoea (PED), food scares, salmonella in dairy farming and campylobacter in chickens. Each of which is related to the increased intensification of farming, but can be mostly attributed to authorities' ability to analyse for contaminents at even lower levels. Indeed, the ability to detect polychlo-rinated biphenyls (PCBs), heavy metals and mycotoxins in feedstuffs has never been more sensitive, making us aware of risks we never used to imagine.

Against this backdrop, the increased restriction on the use of growth promoting compounds such as subtherapeutic antibiot-ics (AGPs) has been a worldwide phenom-enon. New limits on the incluson of AGPs in animal diets are now in place in the 28 European Union countries, the Middle East, Turkey, Japan, Chile, India and South Korea, and the United States will soon follow. Its Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is on course to implement restrictions in late 2016, either by removing antibiotic com-pounds from the market completely or by requiring their re-registration for therapeutic use, with veterinary oversight and prescrip-tion. It may seem that the only constant for those involved in the production of meat, milk and eggs is that these changes will continue to occur at an even greater rate.

In the meantime, the genetic improve-ments in animals continue to astonish even the hardiest of observers. While farm pro-ductivity yields have improved in the last seven years at half the rate of the previous 50 years, we continue to see extraordinary leaps in the ability to get more from less.

Historically, broiler producers talked

about the ideal of '2:2:42', which meant growing a two kilogram bird, with a feed conversion ratio of 2:1, in 42 days. With continued genetic advances, and a rhythm of improvements of 50 grammes or 2 percent extra weight for the same age per year, will it be possible to achieve that same weight with just one kilo of feed by 2025?

In a global context, this means we could use 30 percent less grain to produce 100 billion tonnes of broiler meat, or produce 45 percent more meat with the same feed, making chicken meat even more economi-cal, and thereby assuring its availability to a growing population. When we look at egg, turkey, duck, pork, dairy and even beef production, we see similar advances, albeit sometimes harder to quantify because of the multitude of feed sources used, and the less homogenised nature of their production systems. If genetic improvements can bring about a 30 percent reduction of the entire industrial feed market approaching one bil-lion tonnes', they have significant implications for the sustainability and availability of affordable food.

With the world's population closing in on eight billion by 2025, and set to exceed nine billion by 2050, the criti-cal importance of con-tinuing to improve food production efficiencies is clear. Sometimes, how-ever, the short-term focus takes precedence. Amid our current state of battling $350 per ton feed costs, and down-ward pressure on bird prices pulling down

profits, that target may be difficult to envi-sion. Animal protein producers are already efficient; for example, broiler integrated operations are reaching two kilogram mar-ket weight in 36 days, attaining an 85 percent yield, and achieving a 1.45 FCR. So where are the gaps between genetic potential and real animal performance? Is reaching a 1:1 FCR by 2025 in poultry, or 2:1 in pigs a dream, or a reality?

The possibility of a 1:1 FCR was first pro-posed by Foulds in 20052, and more recently by Brazilian nutrition and feed management consultant Ronei Gauer. The industry is, however, still struggling to reach that tar-get. At Alltech's 29th Symposium, speakers highlighted five obstacles in poultry that are estimated to represent as many as 40 points of lost feed conversion (0.40) in poultry.

Gut healthGut health plays a vital role in poul-

try production. Dr Peter Ferket of North

Figure 1: US agricultural output, inputs, and total factor productivity, 1948-2011 (USDA, Economic

Research Service)

Feed focus

POULTRYAnimal

feeding in the future:

reaching genetic potential through

smarter nutrition?

by Aidan Connolly, Vice President, Alltech Inc.

and Dr Alexis Kiers, poultry health consultant,

Washington, DC, USA

Grain&feed millinG technoloGy20 | november - december 2013

Carolina State University pointed out that only a healthy gut can digest and absorb the maximal amount of nutrients. If the digestive system is compromised, its requirements for energy and protein increase sharply. This can severely diminish the nutrients available to the bird for growth, slowing weight gain and leaving a plunge in feed efficiency. In addi-tion, most intestinal challenges will lead to reduced feed intake that can further impact bird performance.

Three components are important for a healthy gut and improving FCR: ecological environment, nutrient balance and symbiotic microbial stability. Poor intestinal health can increase moisture content of the excreta, negatively affecting litter conditions, increas-ing ammonia levels in the house and leading to respiratory problems. Wet litter has also been shown to increase footpad dermatitis, hock burns, processing downgrades and condemnations. Runting, stunting and other viral diseases can also be exacerbated by a poor house microflora.

With these repercussions, every poultry operation should be fine-tuning their gut flora management programmes. Recommended steps include seeding the gut with favour-able organisms, preparing the environment for digestion, excluding pathogens, enhancing resilience and decreasing feed passage. This involves applying a probiotic or competitive exclusion product as soon as possible after

hatching. In the absence of antibiotics, a key factor in maintaining an optimal gut microflora is to control the flow of nutrients down the gastrointestinal tract. Diet digestibility should be max-imised by ingredient choice and enzyme use, thus avoiding excessive substrate for bacte-rial growth. Also, consider the use of an appropriate organic acid in the diet and drinking water. Application in water can specifically address criti-cal phases, such as brooding or later in production, when the risk of necrotic enteritis is particularly high. Lastly, the gut flora management programme should include blocking the attachment mechanism of unfavourable organisms with a type-1 fim-bria blocker, thereby reducing their ability to contend with favourable organisms within the gut. The Alltech gut health programme is now being implemented by 25 companies worldwide, with half of those participating in North America.

D Steve Collett of the University of Georgia demonstrated the advantages of a program called 'Seed, Feed and Weed' in improving gut health and FCR. The programme consists of using lactobacillus probiotics in the hatch-

ery to seed the gut, while feeding beneficial bacteria with organic acids in the water, as well as enzymes to reduce non-digestible feed fractions that may cause the proliferation of clostridia, and weeding harmful type 1 fimbria bacteria (such as E.coli and salmonella) using a mannan-rich fraction of yeast carbohydrates (ActigenTM). In the absence of antibiotics, a key factor in maintaining an optimal gut micro-flora is to control the flow of nutrients down the gastrointestinal tract.

Quality controlConsidering the implications of poor

Figure 2: Recent FCR evolution of broilers (Ronei Gauer, 2013)

Grain&feed millinG technoloGy november - december 2013 | 21

POULTRY

Carolina State University pointed out that only a healthy gut can digest and absorb the maximal amount of nutrients. If the digestive system is compromised, its requirements for energy and protein increase sharply. This can severely diminish the nutrients available to the bird for growth, slowing weight gain and leaving a plunge in feed efficiency. In addi-tion, most intestinal challenges will lead to reduced feed intake that can further impact bird performance.

Three components are important for a healthy gut and improving FCR: ecological environment, nutrient balance and symbiotic microbial stability. Poor intestinal health can increase moisture content of the excreta, negatively affecting litter conditions, increas-ing ammonia levels in the house and leading to respiratory problems. Wet litter has also been shown to increase footpad dermatitis, hock burns, processing downgrades and condemnations. Runting, stunting and other viral diseases can also be exacerbated by a poor house microflora.

With these repercussions, every poultry operation should be fine-tuning their gut flora management programmes. Recommended steps include seeding the gut with favour-able organisms, preparing the environment for digestion, excluding pathogens, enhancing resilience and decreasing feed passage. This involves applying a probiotic or competitive exclusion product as soon as possible after

hatching. In the absence of antibiotics, a key factor in maintaining an optimal gut microflora is to control the flow of nutrients down the gastrointestinal tract. Diet digestibility should be max-imised by ingredient choice and enzyme use, thus avoiding excessive substrate for bacte-rial growth. Also, consider the use of an appropriate organic acid in the diet and drinking water. Application in water can specifically address criti-cal phases, such as brooding or later in production, when the risk of necrotic enteritis is particularly high. Lastly, the gut flora management programme should include blocking the attachment mechanism of unfavourable organisms with a type-1 fim-bria blocker, thereby reducing their ability to contend with favourable organisms within the gut. The Alltech gut health programme is now being implemented by 25 companies worldwide, with half of those participating in North America.

D Steve Collett of the University of Georgia demonstrated the advantages of a program called 'Seed, Feed and Weed' in improving gut health and FCR. The programme consists of using lactobacillus probiotics in the hatch-

ery to seed the gut, while feeding beneficial bacteria with organic acids in the water, as well as enzymes to reduce non-digestible feed fractions that may cause the proliferation of clostridia, and weeding harmful type 1 fimbria bacteria (such as E.coli and salmonella) using a mannan-rich fraction of yeast carbohydrates (ActigenTM). In the absence of antibiotics, a key factor in maintaining an optimal gut micro-flora is to control the flow of nutrients down the gastrointestinal tract.

Quality controlConsidering the implications of poor

Figure 2: Recent FCR evolution of broilers (Ronei Gauer, 2013)

Grain&feed millinG technoloGy november - december 2013 | 21

POULTRY

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gut health and the challenges crops faced this year in the field, finding good feed sources has become even more important to poultry production. Poor feed quality will always negatively impact intestinal health and the overall efficiency of the digestive

tract. Recent data shows that some types of mycotoxins can weaken the intestinal barrier and thus increase the risk of invasive microbes like Salmonella enteritis passing the gut wall and entering the bloodsteam. The extremely hot and dry growing season of

2012 was a precursor for Aspergillus, the mould responsible for aflatoxins. If the corn was further damaged or stressed by insects or hail, the chance of aflatoxin contamina-tion is greater still.

Poor feed quality will always negatively impact intestinal health and overall efficiency of the digestive tract. Feed quality is affected by many factors, including the way the grains and proteins have been grown and processed, and the way in which feed is manufactured. For example, more than 500 types of mycotoxin are known to induce signs of toxicity in avian species, and it is estimated that 25 percent of the world's crop production is contaminated.

Gary Gladys, former CEO of US poultry producer Allen Farms, mentioned that the main component of water management is making sure your birds are actually getting water. Dr Aziz Sacranie, poultry health director with Alltech, also spoke on the ben-efit of good water quality, often overlooked in terms of its impact on bird performance and FCR. Effective chlorination and acidifica-tion are essential, given that 70 percent of final bird weight is water. As mentioned above, the brooding phase is critical for water acidification, as are later stages in pro-duction when the risk of necrotic enteritis is particularly high.

The value of feedNear infrared technology offers the abil-

ity to properly determine the actual feeding value of the ingredients in the feed. With current corn and soybean prices at record highs, and easily influenced by market specu-lations, real time, accurate nutrition is at a premium. Gladys and Dr David Wicker of Fieldale Farms, USA, both highlighted the difference between real feeding values and the book values for raw materials. Variations in protein analysis, starch and moisture are just three examples. The FCR losses repre-sented by inaccurate or variable nutritional values can be considerable, and the use of NIR can clearly play a role in capturing value and eliminating losses. Feed materi-als need to be cleaned, ensuring that both broken grains and dust have been removed. Enzymes, especially those produced through solid state fermentation, can also address these variations.

Cocci controlCoccidiosis control has always been

a key concern in poultry farms, but was also mentioned by eight of the ten Alltech symposium speakers when discussing FCR, particularly given the growing demands to produce antibiotic-free broilers. Any programme must address the question of whether to use a chemical, antibiotic or vac-cine option. Natural control compounds are arriving in the marketplace, but it seems that natural solutions will involve multiple active ingredients and not any one single ingredient. The development of necrotic enteritis is a

Table 1: Summary of live performance results from broiler trials with negative control (nCON) versus Actigen-supplemented (ACT) diets

Age Actigen Body wt or gain, kg FCR or F/G ratio Mortality, % Reference (Year)

days1 g/tonne2 nCON ACT nCON ACT nCON ACT

42 800/400/200 2.382 2.501 1.947 1.852 4.83 4.46 Mathis (2009)

42 400 2.081 2.134 1.825 1.784 3.69 4.77 Kill et al. (2010)

42 400/2003 2.763 2.865 1.872 1.82 5.6 3.8 Kill et al. (2010)

42 200 2.37 2.516 1.74 1.66 13.9 12.5 Kill et al. (2010)

40 800/400/2004 2.37 2.552 1.74 1.66 13.9 11.5 Nollet and Kay (2010)

42 200 2.37 2.441 1.74 1.7 13.9 17.4 Perić et al. (2010)

42 400 3.317 3.437 1.746 1.708 5.56 3.89 Perić et al. (2010)

42 800 2.066 2.065 2.02 2.01 6.25 6.25 Perić et al. (2010)

35 400/2005 2.066 2.234 2.02 1.95 6.25 2.3 Venkatesh (2010)

49 400 2.066 2.151 2.02 1.96 6.25 4.93 Corneille (2011)

42 400 2.521 2.657 1.636 1.603 4.3 6.2 Gernat (2011)

42 400/200 1.877 1.901 1.658 1.654 4 4 Gernat (2011)

42 200 2.515 2.847 1.741 1.694 6.67 6.67 Gernat (2011)

42 200 2.515 2.677 1.741 1.729 6.67 3.33 Lea et al. (2011)

42 400 2.515 2.749 1.741 1.725 6.67 5 Lea et al. (2011)

42 800 1.6 1.65 1.89 1.87 5 5 Lea et al. (2011)

34 800/500/3006 2.743 2.825 1.942 1.939 3.34 5.5 Lausten et al. (2011)

34 800/500/3006 2.469 2.478 1.79 1.75 8.51 4.07 Lausten et al. (2011)

42 800/400/2007 2.469 2.468 1.79 1.75 8.51 5.99 Mathis (2011a)

52 400 2.469 2.451 1.79 1.77 8.51 4.46 Mathis (2011b)

42 800/400/200 2.165 2.2 1.52 1.49 5 6.4 Munyaka et al. (2011)

32 400 2.118 2.135 1.61 1.56 3.9 3.3 Nollet (2011)

49 800/400/2005 2.79 2.799 1.96 2.02 6.3 7.6 Sasou & Corneille (2011)

42 400 2.349 2.346 1.75 1.72 5.3 3.79 Guo et al. (2012)

42 800/400/2008 2.349 2.264 1.75 1.76 5.3 3.79 Guo et al. (2012)

42 200 2.397 2.383 1.83 1.83 4.39 3.72 Ivkovic et al. (2012)

42 400 2.397 2.392 1.83 1.79 4.39 2.7 Ivkovic et al. (2012)

52 800/2008 2.832 2.992 1.846 1.772 0.83 1.04 Mathis (2012)

35 800/400/2009 2.541 2.699 1.494 1.481 8.3 8.3 Swick et al. (2012)

Comparison (n=) 29 29 29 29 29 29

Mean 2.396b 2.476a 1.792a 1.759b 6.41a 5.61b

P value <0.001 <0.001 0.031

Difference +0.080 -0.033 -0.8

Diff. from nCON, % +3.34 -1.84 -12.5

1Average age was 41.72 days (number = 29). 2Actigen in starter 0-21 days, grower 21-35 days, and finisher 35-42 days unless otherwise stated. 3Actigen at 400 g/tonne from 0-21 days and at 200 g/ton from 21-42 days. 4Actigen in starter 0-10 days, grower 10-25 days, and finisher 25-40 days. 5Feed phase ages not given. 6Actigen in starter 0-7 days, grower 7-28 days, and finisher 28-34 days. 7Actigen in starter 0-17 days, grower and finisher 17-52 days. 8Actigen in starter 0-7 days, grower 7-21 days, and finisher 21-42 days. 9Actigen in starter 0-10 days, grower 10-24 days, and finisher 24-35 days.

Grain&feed millinG technoloGy22 | november - december 2013

Grain&feed millinG technoloGy november - december 2013 | 23

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gut health and the challenges crops faced this year in the field, finding good feed sources has become even more important to poultry production. Poor feed quality will always negatively impact intestinal health and the overall efficiency of the digestive

tract. Recent data shows that some types of mycotoxins can weaken the intestinal barrier and thus increase the risk of invasive microbes like Salmonella enteritis passing the gut wall and entering the bloodsteam. The extremely hot and dry growing season of

2012 was a precursor for Aspergillus, the mould responsible for aflatoxins. If the corn was further damaged or stressed by insects or hail, the chance of aflatoxin contamina-tion is greater still.

Poor feed quality will always negatively impact intestinal health and overall efficiency of the digestive tract. Feed quality is affected by many factors, including the way the grains and proteins have been grown and processed, and the way in which feed is manufactured. For example, more than 500 types of mycotoxin are known to induce signs of toxicity in avian species, and it is estimated that 25 percent of the world's crop production is contaminated.

Gary Gladys, former CEO of US poultry producer Allen Farms, mentioned that the main component of water management is making sure your birds are actually getting water. Dr Aziz Sacranie, poultry health director with Alltech, also spoke on the ben-efit of good water quality, often overlooked in terms of its impact on bird performance and FCR. Effective chlorination and acidifica-tion are essential, given that 70 percent of final bird weight is water. As mentioned above, the brooding phase is critical for water acidification, as are later stages in pro-duction when the risk of necrotic enteritis is particularly high.

The value of feedNear infrared technology offers the abil-

ity to properly determine the actual feeding value of the ingredients in the feed. With current corn and soybean prices at record highs, and easily influenced by market specu-lations, real time, accurate nutrition is at a premium. Gladys and Dr David Wicker of Fieldale Farms, USA, both highlighted the difference between real feeding values and the book values for raw materials. Variations in protein analysis, starch and moisture are just three examples. The FCR losses repre-sented by inaccurate or variable nutritional values can be considerable, and the use of NIR can clearly play a role in capturing value and eliminating losses. Feed materi-als need to be cleaned, ensuring that both broken grains and dust have been removed. Enzymes, especially those produced through solid state fermentation, can also address these variations.

Cocci controlCoccidiosis control has always been

a key concern in poultry farms, but was also mentioned by eight of the ten Alltech symposium speakers when discussing FCR, particularly given the growing demands to produce antibiotic-free broilers. Any programme must address the question of whether to use a chemical, antibiotic or vac-cine option. Natural control compounds are arriving in the marketplace, but it seems that natural solutions will involve multiple active ingredients and not any one single ingredient. The development of necrotic enteritis is a

Table 1: Summary of live performance results from broiler trials with negative control (nCON) versus Actigen-supplemented (ACT) diets

Age Actigen Body wt or gain, kg FCR or F/G ratio Mortality, % Reference (Year)

days1 g/tonne2 nCON ACT nCON ACT nCON ACT

42 800/400/200 2.382 2.501 1.947 1.852 4.83 4.46 Mathis (2009)

42 400 2.081 2.134 1.825 1.784 3.69 4.77 Kill et al. (2010)

42 400/2003 2.763 2.865 1.872 1.82 5.6 3.8 Kill et al. (2010)

42 200 2.37 2.516 1.74 1.66 13.9 12.5 Kill et al. (2010)

40 800/400/2004 2.37 2.552 1.74 1.66 13.9 11.5 Nollet and Kay (2010)

42 200 2.37 2.441 1.74 1.7 13.9 17.4 Perić et al. (2010)

42 400 3.317 3.437 1.746 1.708 5.56 3.89 Perić et al. (2010)

42 800 2.066 2.065 2.02 2.01 6.25 6.25 Perić et al. (2010)

35 400/2005 2.066 2.234 2.02 1.95 6.25 2.3 Venkatesh (2010)

49 400 2.066 2.151 2.02 1.96 6.25 4.93 Corneille (2011)

42 400 2.521 2.657 1.636 1.603 4.3 6.2 Gernat (2011)

42 400/200 1.877 1.901 1.658 1.654 4 4 Gernat (2011)

42 200 2.515 2.847 1.741 1.694 6.67 6.67 Gernat (2011)

42 200 2.515 2.677 1.741 1.729 6.67 3.33 Lea et al. (2011)

42 400 2.515 2.749 1.741 1.725 6.67 5 Lea et al. (2011)

42 800 1.6 1.65 1.89 1.87 5 5 Lea et al. (2011)

34 800/500/3006 2.743 2.825 1.942 1.939 3.34 5.5 Lausten et al. (2011)

34 800/500/3006 2.469 2.478 1.79 1.75 8.51 4.07 Lausten et al. (2011)

42 800/400/2007 2.469 2.468 1.79 1.75 8.51 5.99 Mathis (2011a)

52 400 2.469 2.451 1.79 1.77 8.51 4.46 Mathis (2011b)

42 800/400/200 2.165 2.2 1.52 1.49 5 6.4 Munyaka et al. (2011)

32 400 2.118 2.135 1.61 1.56 3.9 3.3 Nollet (2011)

49 800/400/2005 2.79 2.799 1.96 2.02 6.3 7.6 Sasou & Corneille (2011)

42 400 2.349 2.346 1.75 1.72 5.3 3.79 Guo et al. (2012)

42 800/400/2008 2.349 2.264 1.75 1.76 5.3 3.79 Guo et al. (2012)

42 200 2.397 2.383 1.83 1.83 4.39 3.72 Ivkovic et al. (2012)

42 400 2.397 2.392 1.83 1.79 4.39 2.7 Ivkovic et al. (2012)

52 800/2008 2.832 2.992 1.846 1.772 0.83 1.04 Mathis (2012)

35 800/400/2009 2.541 2.699 1.494 1.481 8.3 8.3 Swick et al. (2012)

Comparison (n=) 29 29 29 29 29 29

Mean 2.396b 2.476a 1.792a 1.759b 6.41a 5.61b

P value <0.001 <0.001 0.031

Difference +0.080 -0.033 -0.8

Diff. from nCON, % +3.34 -1.84 -12.5

1Average age was 41.72 days (number = 29). 2Actigen in starter 0-21 days, grower 21-35 days, and finisher 35-42 days unless otherwise stated. 3Actigen at 400 g/tonne from 0-21 days and at 200 g/ton from 21-42 days. 4Actigen in starter 0-10 days, grower 10-25 days, and finisher 25-40 days. 5Feed phase ages not given. 6Actigen in starter 0-7 days, grower 7-28 days, and finisher 28-34 days. 7Actigen in starter 0-17 days, grower and finisher 17-52 days. 8Actigen in starter 0-7 days, grower 7-21 days, and finisher 21-42 days. 9Actigen in starter 0-10 days, grower 10-24 days, and finisher 24-35 days.

Grain&feed millinG technoloGy22 | november - december 2013

secondary concern, and the gut microflora management programme was demonstrated as essential by Dr Collett and Dr Ahmad Mueez of Neogen, Inc. Diet digestibility should be maximised by ingredient choice and enzyme use, thus avoiding excessive substrate for bacterial growth.

Feeding the genesStudies have indicated that it is possible to

imprint the genes of a bird at a very early age, and turn it into a more efficient animal later. One way of doing this is through in ovo feeding.

Administration of highly digestible nutri-ents into the amnion of embryos can bring an improvement in chick quality, increased glycogen reserves, advanced gut develop-ment, superior skeletal health, advanced muscle growth, higher body weight gain, improved feed conversion and enhanced immune function. Using nutrigenomic data, almost 30 percent of genes expressed dif-ferent activity over time by in ovo feeding (Oliveira et al. 2008).

Dr Karl Dawson, vice president of research at Alltech, presented data show-ing that limiting nutrient intake post-hatching is another way to imprint genes at a very early age. Production traits, such as

tolerance to immunological, environmental or oxidative stress, or energy and mineral utilisation, can be imprinted by adaptive conditioning of gene expression. During the first 24 hours post-hatching, the small intestine, liver and pancreas develop at a faster rate than body weight. The chick needs to be fed as soon as possible to provide substrate for gastrointestinal development, weight gain and immune system development. High quality ingre-dients, mannan-based oligosaccharides, nucleotide-rich ingredients, mycotoxin adsorbents and organically complex min-erals can generate significant FCR changes.

Nutrigenomics enables the bird's response to a feed product or diet to be recorded, by detecting and measuring the change in expression of several thousand genes all at the same time. This allows a far more comprehensive understanding of how diet affects the metabolism and health of the bird. Among the many changes in gene expression observed, a general carbohydrate was seen to regulate intestinal enzyme pro-duction, and reduced both cell cycling and heat shock protein production when tested in a challenge model with increased intestinal viscosity.

ConclusionsA new frontier is being reached in animal

production, with increased feed prices and a global movement towards antibiotic restric-tions. A healthy digestive tract is the new West to be conquered, and is the only way animals can reach their full genetic potential. Animal protein operations need to optimise the basics of hygiene, management and feed programmes in order to properly take care of the gut micro-flora, while looking towards new technologies to improve gut health, increase feed efficiency and maximise performance. The implications of bridging the gap between genetic potential and actual performance represent as much as one-third of the feed required to produce a kilo of meat, milk or eggs today, with a commensurate effect on the costs of production. With the challenges of a burgeoning global population alongside the opportunity of continued genetic advances, bridging this gap and attaining the much awaited 1:1 in feed efficiency has never been so important.

References available on request

Table 2: Global timeline for restrictions on antibiotic growth promoters and bans on their use for food animal production

Year Legislature Growth promoter

1972-74 European Union Ban on tetracycline, penicillin and streptomycin for growth promotion use

1986 Sweden Ban on antibiotics use for growth promotion in agriculture, as requested by Federation of Swedish Farmers

1988 Sweden End of use of all general prophylactic medications

1995 Denmark Ban on routine prophylactic use of antimicrobials, ban on use of avoparcin for all agricultural purposes

1995 Canada Carbodox banned due to being a human carcinogen

1996 Germany Avoparcin banned

1997 European Union Avoparcin banned

1997 The Netherlands Olaquindox and carbadox banned

1998 Denmark Virginiamycin banned

1999 Denmark and Switzerland Ban on all subtherapeutic AGP in feed

1999 European Union Olaquindox and carbadox banned, suspension of authorisation for bacitracin, tylosin, spiramycin and virginiamycin

1999 Sweden Ban on use of remaining AGPs flavophospholipol and avilamycin

2000 Philippines Olaquindox, carbodox, nitrofurans and chloraphenicol banned

2000 Taiwan Avoparcin banned

2001 European Union Avilamycin, bambermycin banned

2001Chile, Brazil, Japan and Middle

Eastern countriesAvoparcin banned

2005 Turkey Complete ban on subtherapeutic AGP use in feed

2006 European Union Complete ban on subtherapeutic AGP use in feed

2006 Thailand All AGPs banned in line with European Union

2010 Bangladesh All AGPs banned in new Feed Act

2011 South Korea All AGPs banned

2012 India Official ban with AGP withdrawal periods

2013 USA Ban on the use of roxarsone, carbarsone and arsanilic acid in poultry and pig feeds

2013 China Without official regulation, Ministry of Agriculture has announced a forthcoming ban on AGPs in animal feed

2013 Japan Monitoring AGPs but no clear timeframe

2013 USA Preventing Antibiotic Resistance Act of 2013. Dateline of end of 2016 / early 2017 has been clearly stated

More inforMstion:www.alltech.com

Grain&feed millinG technoloGy24 | november - december 2013

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A subscription magazine for the global flour & feed milling industries - first published in 1891INCORPORATING PORTS, DISTRIBUTION AND FORMULATION

In this issue:

• Single or twin-screw extruder: what are the options?

• Animal feeding in the future: reaching genetic potential through smarter nutrition?

• Market-aware farming: commodities training at Writtle College

Nov

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• Fit-for-purpose grain and feed packaging: an environmental perspective

• PORTS: VIGAN industry report

• Organic feeds: the future for sustainable poultry farming?

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