ISSUE FOCUS 44 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE October 2024 “Preventing and controlling feed-borne pathogens is vital for the health and productivity of our production systems, as the introduction and spread of pathogens can compromise intestinal integrity, leading to inflammation, dysbiosis and increased disease susceptibility. An integrated feed biosecurity approach is essential for keeping the feed safe.” A high-quality feed includes essential elements like balanced nutrients, excellent digestibility, and safety. The quality of feed significantly influences the overall health of poultry and swine by providing essential nutrients that support growth and physiological functions, including maintaining a functional immune response. In contrast, poor-quality diets can lead to nutrient deficiencies and introduce harmful contaminants such as pathogens, toxins, and chemical residues. These contaminants can compromise animal health, cause dysbiosis, and negatively impact overall health and productivity. FEED BIOSECURITY CHALLENGES Feed contamination and recontamination can occur from various steps within the feed supply chain, from sourcing raw materials, storage, to transporting finished feed. Pathogen contamination by bacterial, fungal and viral organisms negatively impacts the microbial quality and compromises feed biosecurity. Understanding the types of pathogens that can contaminate feed and their effects on animal health is crucial for developing effective management strategies. For instance, Salmonella in poultry is frequently associated with animal feed and poses significant health risks to both animals and humans. Salmonella-positive ingredients are more prevalent in animal-based products. However, plant-based ingredients can also be contaminated from storage, transportation, or handling. Since there are no trading rules specifically addressing Salmonella in these ingredients, implementing an effective monitoring program to screen incoming ingredients carefully remains the most responsible approach to prevent Salmonella from entering the system. Although we may encounter limitations in sourcing ingredients, preventive measures and treatments applied to these ingredients can prevent the pathogen from entering our production system. Another feed-source pathogen, Clostridium perfringens, can cause subclinical symptoms that affect the uniformity and performance of the flock, while clinical symptoms lead to necrotic enteritis and high mortality rates. Escherichia coli is often a food safety concern in poultry and enterotoxigenic IMPACT OF FEED QUALITY ON ANIMAL HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY Dr. Yun-Mei Amy Lin Technical Director Anitox
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNjkxNQ==