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.

Various parts of the yeast cell have been demonstrated to have beneficial effects in livestock performance. Now a unique processing method that yields the cell wall and contents can be linked to specific pathogen control measures.

If you feed probiotic bacteria continuously, clearly there is no need to feed it as well. However, when a specific strain of enterococcus is fed with a pre-biotic specially chosen to feed the indigenous microflora- the result is a truly synergistic effect for claves and piglets.

Intensive research has focused on the potential of natural growth promoters (NGP) to replace antibiotics. The beneficial effects of NGP are mainly attributed to their potential to promote a beneficial gut microflora which protects the host against pathogens and helps to alleviate periods of stress. Tobias Steiner of Biomin argues that a well-adjusted combination of different strategies will maximise the efficacy of NGP in antibiotic-free feeding systems.

On the brink of stopping the use of antibiotic growth promoters, acidifiers turn out to be a relevant solution. But this effectiveness could be optimised by clever use of a carrier composed of vegetable extracts.

The research data is accumulating to explain why some carbohydrates are not just feed ingredients- they are effective feed additives, affecting specific metabolic functions. One in particular, appears not only to be able to prevent pathogens getting hold in the intestine, but can improve gut-associated immune function too.