September 11, 2006

 

Health, nutrition and the future at the World Nutrition Forum

 

An eFeedLink Exclusive

 

 

The concept of animal "dignity", Marco Polo, world polarization and Asia's growing role in global business takeovers are hardly typical issues preoccupying the feed and animal production sector. But as a business that operates in the global playing field, commercial animal farming will continue to be shaped by such wider developments which, as in the past, have similarly charted the course of the industry.  

 

It was with such fodder-for-thought and variety of topics that the second World Nutrition Forum got underway in Austria, where a veritable United Nations-like gathering of over 500 participants from 65 countries congregated in Vienna for the extraordinary two-day conference event hosted and organised by Biomin. 

 

Adding to today's erratic geopolitical environment is the fact that animal production is little understood by a general public which views livestock farming activities with suspicion. This has created a certain misunderstood hostility, and has caused the sector to be the butt of unfavourable public opinion, notes Dr Roger Busch, CEO of the TTN Institute of Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich.   Countering the negative and communicating the correct and positive are what producers need to do to gradually erode the tide of public resistance encountered today, particularly in the developed world. Viewpoints of husbandry practices are often shaped by the mass media rather than the producers themselves. And while consumers buy into the concept of "natural" foods, the "efficiency" that is central to improving production is currently regarded in much lesser terms, if at all, muses Dr Busch.   On improving production efficiencies, much could still be done to realise the genetic potential of breeds and improve feed quality where the conversion of low quality components into highly digestible nutrients is concerned. And while producers will continue to spend on improving food safety, more focus could go towards tackling hunger and obesity, two food-related problems with more severe and widespread consequences than poor food hygiene.

Erich Erber, president of Biomin

 

As with Europe, the issue of public perception continues to plague producers in the United States, the single most important country for agriculture. Many in the US, for instance, believe that hormones are used to boost broiler growth, says Prof Nick Dale of the poultry science department in the University of Georgia. And while there have been no food poisoning scares or major bird flu outbreaks in the country to tarnish the poultry industry, producers in mature economies have had to realise that the stagnating plateau in meat consumption, along with higher costs of production, present a greater challenge in the longer term.

 

Nonetheless, potential investments in emerging markets, consolidation and integration are providing the industry fertile ground for expansion. How far the sector can go towards improving animal performance will hinge greatly on how producers pounce on such opportunities. Erich Erber, president of forum-host Biomin, deduces that several core factors--GDP and population growth, consolidation, integration, higher raw material prices and greater regulatory pressures--will shape the future of feed production. Asia's shift from an export-oriented economy to one which is increasingly driven by consumption is currently among the biggest proponents of the increase in feed and meat intake.

 

Participants at the Biomin Forum

Panellists at the Biomin Forum

 

At the same time, new raw materials like DDGS and evolving nutrients and nutrient requirements will add interesting complexities to nutrition and formulation trends. Advancing animal health through nutrition will be the direction for the industry, says Biomin's Franz Waxenecker, with research and development, the move towards antibiotic-free production and even "designer" meat products growing in importance.

 

As the link between human and animal nutrition becomes more apparent, nutritionists should learn to act, rather than react to their changing environment. At the same time, even with animal nutrition on a definite road to betterment, the same cannot be said for world commodity prices or consumer perception of the industry, two important confounding variables influencing the future of nutrition. Building a bridge between science and practical applications, and becoming a reliable partner in the entire scheme of things are how animal nutrition companies, like Biomin, see their role, says Waxenecker.

 

The World Nutrition Forum ended Sep 8 after two levels of mycotoxins, updates on markets in Russia, China, France, Thailand days of arresting presentations covering the global supply of nutrients, safety and the US, and the role of probiotics and phytobiotics. The next Forum will be held in Austria in 2008.