ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE January 2024 37 post-processing. Thus, corrective measures need to include different approaches: intensive feed quality monitoring to assess microbial risk situations, identification of critical control points and application of feed preservatives are important tools for microbial control, contributing to inhibit the growth of molds, and mycotoxins risk management. • Farm environment and management The adoption of proper farm biosecurity practices can considerably reduce the risk of infections and consequent use of antimicrobials. Important measures include defining zones of restricted access, limiting visitors, intensive cleaning and disinfecting between each production cycle, implementing a proper vector (wild birds, flies and rodents) control program, and coaching farm workers on the best biosecurity practices and risk awareness. Monitoring the water quality and ensuring hygienic conditions throughout the water system will also help reduce microbiological load in the water and prevent biofilm formation in the water lines. All these steps are critical to prevent vertical and horizonal pathogen transmission. • Vaccination Vaccination programs play an important role in mitigating antimicrobials use, as they block the transmission of pathogens, including potentially drug-resistant forms. However, vaccination represents a particular stressor, inducing a reaction of the immune system with temporary inflammation. This represents a costly nutritional resource and it is important to limit over-activation after vaccination to avoid a drop in growth performance. Different studies have highlighted the interest of supplementing low inclusion rates of combined phytonutrients, such as curcuminoids (present in turmeric oleoresin) and capsaicinoids (present in red chili pepper oleoresin) in boosting the effects of vaccination while limiting its negative subclinical effects (Lee et al., 2011; Awaad et al., 2019; Upadhaya et al., 2020). ENHANCING GROWTH AND FEED EFFICIENCY In the dynamic world of livestock production, the increase of antimicrobial resistance and consumer demand for high-quality food has raised the interest for sustainable and ‘natural’ alternatives to AGPs to
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNjkxNQ==