ISSUE FOCUS 50 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE January 2025 About Alexandra Experton Alexandra Experton is the Sustainability Leader for Cargill Animal Nutrition in EMEA, fostering strong customer relationships in sustainability and driving progress against Cargill’s sustainability goals. Prior to her role in Animal Nutrition, Experton worked across food and agricultural supply chain businesses at Cargill, leading global, cross-business strategic sustainability initiatives. Before moving to the Netherlands, she lived in Singapore for 12 years, where she spearheaded sustainability programs, primarily focusing on palm and coconut. Experton holds an MA (Hons.) in Arabic and International Relations from the University of St Andrews (Scotland). She has also completed courses on Sustainable Finance with the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and on Business Strategy and Financial Performance with INSEAD. For example, the EU's Circular Economy Action Plan encourages the use of by-products and waste materials in animal feed to promote sustainability. This regulatory push requires companies to innovate and adapt their practices to meet both sustainability and welfare standards. In many cases, improving welfare and sustainability go hand-in-hand. For example, optimizing protein efficiency in ruminants can create optimal conditions for animals to digest feed components, improving nutrient availability, reducing both feed costs and reliance on soy protein sources, which supports sustainable dairy production. In the poultry sector, using near-infrared (NIR) technology to non-invasively monitor hens' body condition provides real-time data for nutritionists and producers to adjust diets based on the flock's needs, reducing waste, improving performance, and lowering environmental impact. LOOKING AHEAD The agricultural sector faces challenges and opportunities, particularly as climate change continues to impact water availability, farmers’ ability to grow crops, and livestock health. Balancing increased productivity with high animal welfare standards and environmental responsibility requires innovative solutions and ethical practices. Nutrition is a critical factor in this balance. By prioritizing balanced and precision diets and adopting cutting-edge nutritional strategies, farmers can enhance the well-being and health of their animals.
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