SPECIAL STORY 48 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE February 2021 Antibiotic reduction: WHAT CAN PHYTOGENIC ADDITIVES DO? The conventional variant to support performance is the use of antibiotic growth promoters. Feed additives have already been successfully implemented for years in exchange for AGPs. Among those alternative feed additives, one of the most promising is the group of phytogenic products. One of the main objectives in livestock production is to reduce the use of antibiotics, which is also driven by consumer demand. In addition to therapeutic application, a high proportion is still used as an antibiotic growth promoter (AGPs). Reducing antibiotics, and especially AGPs, is an important factor in the reduction and prevention of resistances and supporting the sustainability of production. In this regard, a holistic approach should always be aimed for. This includes the farm management, farm health, the gut flora and integrity and the feed and nutrient intake. With the feed, industry and research are decisive in the development of innovations. A suitable AGP replacement should protect animals from negative effects and improve the health of the digestive system. COCCIDIOSIS: A MAJOR CHALLENGE One of the biggest challenges, for instance, in broiler production are still enteric infections. Coccidiosis and clostridium are the most economically important diseases. Usually they are diagnosed between the 3rd and 6th week. As soon as one of these diseases occurs, it stimulates an infection with the other. In consequence, animals are mostly stricken with both. In order to prevent an outbreak at all, it is therefore important to support and strengthen animals’ general condition. To compare the efficiency of preventive measures, one possible method is to conduct challenge trials. In such challenge evaluations, Eimeria species are frequently used as a trigger for coccidiosis. In poultry there are seven actual valid species. One of them is Eimeria tenella, which is known to infect the caecum with a high pathogenicity and hemorrhagic inflammation. It causes a high morbidity and mortality. Eimeria tenella includes Eimeria spp., which is a well-known acquisition parameter in trials. PHYTOGENIC ADDITIVES: A PROMISING ALTERNATIVE The conventional variant to support performance is the use of antibiotic growth promoters. Feed additives have already been successfully implemented for years in exchange for AGPs. Among those alternative feed additives, one of the most promising is the group of phytogenic products. These additives often contain medical plants, which have been in use for centuries all over the world for the treatment of human diseases. But does a phytogenic additive have the same effects as an antibiotic program during a challenge assessment with Eimeria spp.? Anne Möddel Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition GmbH & Co. KG
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