Probiotics are microorganisms such as bacteria or yeast that can be added to the feed with the purpose of regulating the intestinal flora. The efficacy has been shown in many trials. However, the interest in finding new strains and better strains is still growing. Here we summarize some new data.

Ars scientists Mullaney and Ullah at the southern regional research centre (SRRC) have rebuilt the enzyme phytase to make it more effective, especially in the unique environment where it needs to perform, like cold temperatures or extreme acidity. If livestock and poultry could retain more of the phosphorus in their plant based feed by using this newly shaped enzyme, less would be excreted. This means less potential nutrient waste and pollution. By Erin k.

Research continues to show increasing benefits of feeding yeast culture products to beef and dairy cattle, swine, poultry and horses, as well as fish and shrimp. As the restrictions on antibiotics get tighter, producers are looking for ways to manage animal health and resistance through yeast products. Which yeasts are on the market, and what effect does pelleting have on these products?

As the use of organic acids is becoming more widely accepted by feed Manufacturers, animal producers and the public, there is a developing interest in using them as substitutes for antibiotic growth promoters. However, the mode of action of organic acids and salts is not always completely understood. In this article we delve into the mechanisms of organic acids and salts to gain a better insight into what they are and how they work.

Between November 2005 and January 2006, over 700 nutritionists from 12 countries across Europe, including EU and noneu countries, participated in a telephone survey, assessing their attitudes to the implementation of the new EU regulations and the AGP ban. This was one of the largest attitudinal survey of its type. Feed mix examines the findings.

Enzymes are vital for life and the use of these natural catalysts to speed up biochemical reactions in animals is an ongoing area of research. Some of the recent studies in poultry and pigs are listed here.

Adding undigestible sugars such as inulin and oligofructose has been shown to be very beneficial in human diets. Animals can also profit from this authentic ingredient and over the years more evidence has been gained on using inulin as a prebiotic in animal diets. Feed Mix went to Beglium to visit one of the major inulin producers to find out more.

Choosing between various growth-promoting feed additives in broilers requires extensive testing, also under challenged conditions. Ángela Gutiérrez del Álamo Oms, Gerard Santomá and Marko Schuring explore their effects in three trials.

What should an effective feed additive do? Establishing the goals of new additives should be the first step in their development. Then it's a case of filling in the gaps. But is this easier said than done? Sarah Mellor went to Noordwijk aan Zee in the Netherlands in search of some expert opinion.

No one would dispute that safeguarding the benefits of antibiotics for treatment of human diseases is paramount. But is banning on their use as growth promoters a wise move? What can Europe expect now? And what can we do to smooth the transition? Sarah Mellor joined some of the world's experts in the Netherlands to find out…