ISSUE FOCUS 38 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE September 2025 In the dynamic world of animal nutrition, the challenges facing livestock production are no longer just about maximizing output. Today, producers must navigate a complex web of sustainability goals, regulatory constraints, consumer expectations, and animal welfare concerns. This shift has transformed animal production from a predictable, clockwork-like system into a complex, interconnected environment — one that demands equally sophisticated solutions. At Trouw Nutrition, we acknowledge that phytotechnology, the science of using plant-derived compounds to support animal health and performance, offers a powerful and timely answer. But to unlock its full potential, we must move beyond the traditional view of phytogenics as antimicrobial replacements. Instead, we focus on supporting the animal, not targeting the pathogen. Our proprietary PhytoComplexes are designed to interact with the animal’s physiology through signal transduction pathways, triggering host-mediated responses that enhance resilience, productivity, and well-being. FROM CLOCKWORK TO COMPLEXITY: A PARADIGM SHIFT Historically, animal nutrition has operated under a reductionist paradigm — a “clockwork universe” where outcomes were predictable and linear. Feed a balanced diet, optimise genetics, and expect consistent performance. However, this model no longer holds. Modern production animals live in complex environments, where variables such as climate stress, feed variability, and microbial challenges interact in unpredictable ways. Tackling these challenges requires a system-thinking approach, one that embraces complexity rather than simplifying it. Plants, with their vast biochemical compounds, are uniquely suited to this task. They produce hundreds of thousands of specialized metabolites, many of which have evolved to help them survive and adapt. These compounds can be decoded by animals through receptors in the gut, enabling a form of integrated intelligence between species. Phytotechnology supports animal health by leveraging plant-derived compounds to enhance resilience, productivity, and well-being. Through complex interactions with intestinal receptors and signal transduction pathways, these compounds modulate immune function, gut integrity, and metabolism. Precision dosing is critical, as effects can vary with inclusion levels. This host-focused, preventive approach moves beyond antimicrobial replacement, highlighting the potential to navigate modern livestock production’s complexity and challenges. Whispering to the Gut: HOW PHYTOTECHNOLOGY SUPPORTS ANIMAL HEALTH AND RESILIENCE Dr. Ellen Hambrecht Global Product Manager PhytoComplex Solutions Trouw Nutrition
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