Phytogenic and postbiotic feed additives have emerged as promising solutions, offering one effective way to support animal health and performance under good husbandry and farming conditions. Published research has shown that postbiotics, used as part of good on-farm conditions, may reduce the need for therapeutic interventions, as evidenced by studies in ruminants and poultry.
Strategic Marketing & Technology Director for MHS
Cargill Animal Nutrition and Health
Growing consumer interest in functional foods, probiotics, and gut health has significantly influenced practices in the animal nutrition industry. In this dynamic landscape, Cargill has consistently paved the way with innovative solutions that support animal health and productivity. Consumers, farmers and pet-owners alike want to see a holistic approach to animal health and welfare, demanding high-quality, functional solutions.
Meeting this demand, Cargill recently launched its Micronutrition and Health Solutions (MHS) portfolio, applying a holistic approach to animal nutrition going beyond just feed additives and considering all microelements impacting animal diets. Through our broad portfolio and deep expertise, we offer many solutions, such as phytogenic and postbiotic feed additives, that respond both to farmers’ expectations for animal performance and welfare as well as consumers’ demands. MHS combines our nutritional science, research, and innovation capabilities to maximize productivity and support the digestive function and nutrient utilization of the animal.
THE IMPACT OF THE “FUNCTIONAL FOODS” TREND ON ANIMAL NUTRITION
This growing consumer interest in functional foods and gut health is influencing consumer purchasing decisions and production practices in the animal nutrition industry. For example, the growing humanization of our pets has big implications for pet food manufacturers, with pet parents actively seeking out the latest nutritional solutions for gut health to meet their pets’ changing needs. Interest in animal well-being is driving an interest in immune-support products. Cargill’s MHS portfolio of feed additive solutions, along with a long history of product application expertise, makes us well-positioned to provide unique solutions that bridge the functional foods trend between humans and animal.
Phytogenic and postbiotic feed additives respond both to farmers’ expectations for animal performance and health, and to consumers’ demands. For example, recent clinical research evidence from our Epicor ™ portfolio highlights the efficacy of postbiotics in supporting gut health function in both humans and companion animals. In addition, phytogenics help animals eat more, which can support carcass weight and breast meat yield. Therefore, they have high growth potential as a component of healthy animal feed and constitute an extremely attractive area for investment.
Feed additives, such as postbiotics, can play a crucial role in supporting our animals’ health.
Phytogenic additives offer a wide range of beneficial effects that enhance animal performance and welfare. Postbiotics support multiple species for gut integrity, volatile fatty acid profiles and immune function.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO ANTIBIOTIC USE REDUCTION
The European Union’s ban on antibiotic growth promoters in 2006, followed by similar actions in other countries, has increased the focus on nutritional strategies and in particular on feed additives as a way of supporting health and performance and reducing reliance upon antibiotics. Phytogenic and postbiotic feed additives have emerged as promising solutions, offering one effective way to support animal health and performance under good husbandry and farming conditions. Published research has shown that postbiotics, used as part of good on-farm conditions, may reduce the need for therapeutic interventions, as evidenced by studies in ruminants and poultry. For example, postbiotic have demonstrated improvements in the average daily gain for steers and feed efficiency but without an increase in detectable antimicrobial resistance when compared with those fed the antibiotic.
Our focus on the Microverse has enabled us to accelerate our innovation pipeline with both new postbiotics and phytogenic solutions, leveraging interactions between very specific postbiotics and phytogenics to help address key customer unmet needs: zero nutrient waste, reducing livestock emissions, reducing antibiotic or ionophores usage, supporting immunity, and alternatives to zinc oxide, to name a few. Through in-house developments, partnerships like the one with BASF in enzymes, and mergers and acquisitions, we aim to strengthen our portfolio in existing product categories, as well as develop new and emerging offerings to meet evolving customer needs.
Phytogenic and other feed additives can help to significantly enhance animal performance. Studies have shown that phytogenic combinations improve feed digestibility, increase enzyme production, and provide antioxidant effects, leading to better performance in poultry and other animals. In a large meta-analysis of published research, postbiotic inclusion in the diets of dairy cattle showed improvements in milk yield, milk fat and protein yields and dry matter intake.
In poultry, postbiotics have been shown to support gut morphology, intestinal barrier function, microbiome balance and immune status, reduced stress responses, and other functions translating into performance benefits including, but not limited to, higher egg production, improved hatchability, improved bodyweights, meat yields and egg quality. In multiple species, postbiotics have demonstrated the ability to support animals with stress responses to heat, exercise, transport and other stimuli, aiding in their ability to maintain performance in response to suboptimal conditions.
It’s clear that additives can play a significant role in contributing to maintaining the health status of animals, making them more resilient and, as a result, helping to support a reduction in the use of antibiotics.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
Our customers face increased complexity as they balance animal health and welfare, performance, and business economics while meeting consumer preferences. Cargill’s expertise in phytogenic, postbiotic and plant-based feed solutions applied through a holistic approach to animal nutrition means that we can consider all microelements impacting animal diets, providing tailored customer solutions.
By leveraging our capabilities in sourcing, formulating, application and innovation, we continue to lead the industry in providing effective solutions. As consumer trends and regulatory landscapes evolve, Cargill remains dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of animals and consumers alike.
About Christos Antipatis
Christos Antipatis is the Global SMT Director Micronutrition and Health Solutions (MHS) for Cargill Animal Nutrition and Health, responsible for managing the additives portfolio, leading innovation, and building strategic partnerships. He joined Cargill in 2016 and previously held global and regional roles in strategic and commercial marketing at DSM Nutritional Products for around 15 years.
Antipatis holds a degree in agricultural engineering from the Agricultural University of Athens, a master’s in animal nutrition, and a PhD from the University of Aberdeen. He also conducted research at the Rowett Research Institute.
