The gut is a complex ecosystem that harbors trillions of microorganisms known as microbiome. These microorganisms play a crucial role in digestion, nutrient absorption, immune function and overall animal health. Therefore, gut health in livestock farming is considered to be the cornerstone of welfare and productivity.
A healthy gut microbiome helps break down complex nutrients, making them available for absorption. This efficient digestion leads to better feed utilization, lower feed costs and increased weight gain. In addition, healthy intestines support a strong immune system, enabling animals to better resist diseases and infections, thus reducing the need for antibiotics and supporting a sustainable production system.
On the other hand, poor gut health can lead to a range of problems, including malnutrition, increased sensitivity to disease and behavioral changes due to discomfort or pain. Focusing on gut health therefore represents a paradigm shift that emphasizes the interlinked nature of health, welfare and productivity in livestock production.
With the understanding of the key role of gut health on the rise, research has made significant progress, especially in recent years. Scientists are investigating the composition and function of the gut microbiome, identifying key microbial species that contribute to optimal health, and developing strategies to manipulate the gut microbiome for beneficial outcomes. Supplements such as probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics are being closely monitored for their potential to improve gut health and enhance livestock performance. Similarly, enzymes, organic acids and plant extracts that can improve nutrient digestibility and modulate the gut environment are some of the supplements being evaluated for gut health.
In summary, as we continue to face global challenges such as food security, climate change and animal welfare concerns, it has become a necessity to prioritize gut health to build a sustainable livestock system without compromising productivity.
To help producers with this challenge, experts have discussed the factors that pose risks to gut health and solutions to address them. The details are in our magazine…
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