S03 AF May June 2022 Jaarbeurs interview_Layout 1 16/05/2022 10:29 Page 14
A survey has found the reduction and elimination of antibiotics to be one of the greatest challenges to feeding programmes in the poultry industry.
Ditching antibiotics
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ECENTLY, THERE HAS been a focus on removing or reducing reliance on antibiotics within the poultry and feed industries. Feed additives can an alternative to antibiotics, but the main challenge that emerges is the need to ensure they perform consistently under commercial conditions. According to an article by Aurélie Moal, global marketing manager, Health by Nutrition at Adisseo and Pascal Thiery, the company’s head of Applied Nutrition & Feed Technology, a probiotic that has a consistent action and can enhance animal resilience through three lines of defence, is a good alternative to antibiotics and can help ensure sustainability of poultry production. A survey found the reduction and elimination of antibiotics to be one of the greatest challenges to feeding programmes by the poultry industry. Moal and Thiery have elaborated the challenges and solution to this problem in the article.
The overuse of antibiotics has caused many of the targeted bacteria to build up resistance to antimicrobial drugs, making animals more vulnerable to bacterial infections.
Challenges Poultry farmers face two significant poultry health challenges as a result of an antibiotic reduction/elimination: necrotic enteritis and coccidiosis. Alternative feed additives that promote a beneficial microbiome and support the immune function and gut barrier have a role to play in such challenges. Improved gut health and animal resilience will also help poultry deal with these challenges. A well-developed gut and optimal microbiome helps support poultry performance and enables birds to deal with challenges better – in turn reducing the need for antibiotics. Gut health is vital for the immune function and nutrient absorption, both of which have a positive impact on the health and growth of poultry. The use of probiotics has grown as antibiotic-free production has increased, along with a greater understanding of the importance of a healthy gut microbiome. The main apprehension while replacing antibiotics is inconsistent results from feed additive alternatives. The survey respondents utilised and/or combined probiotics (64%), with organics acids
14 African Farming - May/June 2022
www.africanfarming.net
