NEWS 22 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE September 2025 A team of researchers at the University of Missouri in the US is on a mission to better understand which immune cells in pigs are most responsive to an influenza infection. Because swine and humans share genetic similarities, their research may one day lay the groundwork for improved therapies or vaccines to protect both pigs and humans against influenza, which has major implications for the pork industry and human health. “While pigs and humans are very similar at the cellular level, they are not identical,” said John Driver, an associate professor in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. “A better understanding of how the immune system of pigs responds to influenza infection and how that immune response may differ in humans opens up a new world of potential for improved therapies and vaccines for both species.” Despite T cells and B cells in the immune system having millions of different receptors that recognize and respond to various viruses, only a tiny fraction of these cells have the right receptors to recognize the always-evolving influenza virus. So, in a recent study, Driver and his team sought to identify which immune cells in pigs have receptors that are most reactive to influenza. Read more>> Pig immune system insights could boost influenza vaccine development Photo: University of Missouri Bewital Agri GmbH & Co. KG and MartinBauer GmbH & Co. KG entered into a strategic partnership, aiming to develop innovative solutions based on plant-derived and functional components to enhance acceptance and efficiency in livestock nutrition. Phytogenic ingredients are playing an increasingly important role: They can improve feed conversion, positively influence the well-being of livestock, and at the same time meet the growing expectations for natural and sustainable feeding. In addition to their versatile effects, technological aspects are coming into focus: The quality, stability and processability of the ingredients must meet the highest standards. With their partnership, Bewital Agri and MartinBauer highlight that they are making a clear commitment to forward-looking, scientifically sound feeding solutions. By combining botanical expertise with specialised processing technologies, they create products that can sustainably support animal health, welfare and performance. According to the announcement, the collaboration combines the know-how of two strong partners and creates a synergy of their respective strengths: • On one side, Bewital Agri brings over 60 years of experience as a specialist in the production of fat-based speciality products and the development of modern feed concepts in animal nutrition. • On the other side, MartinBauer is one of the world’s leading experts in botanical solutions for both human and animal nutrition, with many years of expertise in the cultivation and processing of highly sensitive botanical products. Read more>> Bewital Agri and MartinBauer partner Photo: Bewital Agri
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