Adding phytogenic substances to feed not only increases the palatability, it also improves nutrient digestibility. Therefore, these plant based concentrates can smoothen the lactation period of sows explains Jörg Perner.

Livestock require a constant supply of high-grade nutrients. Christian Lückstädt, Gwendolyn Jones and Walter Nies believe that combining of organic acids with their salts and phytobiotics have proved promising in economic antibiotic-free feeding, via improved feed safety, digestion and intake.

Together with legislation to reduce on-farm levels of salmonella, the EU's ban on antibiotic growth promoters will intensify pressures to rethink pig nutrition and herd health management. Feed enzymes represent a key element when working towards a strategy of replacing AGPs, explains Gary Partridge.

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.

The piglet is born in a state of iron deficiency, normally rectified in practice by injection. In nature, however, oral intake is adequate. Research into iron absorption means that new oral supplements can be developed.

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…

Feed formulation should take into account the amount of substrate available for the microflora and can partly compensate for the negative effects of the ban on antibiotics. Other alternative additives can then be incorporated, say Paul Bikker and Piet van der Aar.

Appearance is one of the most important attributes affecting consumer choice, ranking along-side freshness. Adding naturally-occurring carotenoid pigments to feed thus has cosmetic effect, but, Argue Remi Baker and Christoph Gûnther, they also benefit animals and have carry over effects to human health.

Pig meat is not the first culprit that springs to mind when thinking of he salmonella risk to human consumers. But it is still a risk and most contamination arises at the farm level. Sarah Mellor caught up with Hendrix UTD's Maarten van der Heijden in Amsterdam, where he was presenting new data on salmonella control for pig farms.

Soybean protein is a valuable resource, but it is not always used to best effect. Different processing methods produce varying quality products. Choice and assessment of soy proteins for feed applications are essential.