NEWS 26 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE February 2025 The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) hosted a two-hour educational session exploring critical issues that worry feed industry professionals. Held in conjunction with IPPE 2025, the “What’s Keeping the Feed Industry Up at Night?” session featured speakers discussing African swine fever (ASF), quantitative risk assessments to predict the safety of feed ingredients and the challenges facing animal nutritionists. "The feed industry operates in a constantly evolving landscape, facing challenges ranging from disease threats to ingredient quality and regulatory pressures," said Paul Davis, Ph.D., AFIA’s Director of Quality, Animal Food Safety and Education. "This session provided an opportunity for industry leaders to gain insights and proactive strategies to address these pressing concerns." Jordan Gebhart, DVM, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Swine Production at Kansas State University, discussed the economic and biosecurity implications of ASF should the virus be detected in the United States. He highlighted the feed industry’s crucial role in ASF preparedness, as research indicates the virus can potentially survive in certain feed ingredients and spread within feed mills. Gebhart outlined efforts by the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan (US SHIP) to establish feed biosecurity standards, including a pilot program assessing current practices for sourcing ingredients from ASF-affected regions. He also reviewed ongoing surveillance efforts and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s response plan for ASF detection. Read more>> AFIA’s session addresses hot topics for feed industry One of the leading manufacturers of phytogenic and enzyme-based feed additives, VEMO Corp.’s solution, VemoZyme® Alternase+ was on display at IPPE 2025. The company points out that the solution offers farmers an effective, sustainable alternative to growth-promoting antibiotics while addressing the critical issue of antibiotic resistance. The global agricultural industry faces a mounting challenge: the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria fueled by the overuse of antibiotics in livestock farming. In response, VEMO Corp. introduced VemoZyme® Alternase+, a natural alternative to growth-promoting antibiotics (GPA) that offers unparalleled antibacterial effectiveness while addressing sustainability concerns, according to the company’s announcement. The company explains that this enzyme-based feed additive targets harmful pathogens like Clostridium, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus in the GI tract, enhancing livestock health without the risk of promoting bacterial resistance. Antibiotic resistance is a global concern, and the livestock sector has a key role to play in addressing it. VEMO states that With VemoZyme® Alternase+, farmers can maintain high levels of productivity while aligning with consumer demands for antibiotic-free, naturally raised meat and legal restrictions. The benefits of VemoZyme® Alternase+ have been explained as: • No Resistance Risk: Unlike traditional antibiotics, it does not contribute to the development of resistant bacteria. • Gut Health & Productivity: Enhances digestion, nutrient uptake, and immune function, leading to healthier, faster-growing animals. Read more>> VEMO displays its natural GPA alternative
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNjkxNQ==