March 19, 2013
ABCA brings experts together to tackle challenges of livestock production
ABCA, a division of UK-based AB Agri, held a full-day technical seminar 'The Next Paradigm Shift: Nutrition Innovation, Supply Dynamic and Food Chain Safety' on 12 March, to meet the growing interest in technological innovations in response to the recent raw material supply shortages and increasing food safety scandals.
Dr Paul Toplis, technical director of Primary Diets, presented on recent advances in piglet nutrition, particularly on the effectiveness of creep feeding and the importance of high quality diets. Dr Toplis was awarded the prestigious David Black Award in 2011 for his contribution to the UK pig industry.
Professor Ravi Ravindran, Professor of Nutritional Sciences at Massey University, New Zealand, and a member of the UN/FAO Expert Committee on new feed resources in animal nutrition, saw genome, genomics and nutrigenomics as the next big thing in poultry nutrition; while Gordon Butland, formerly from Rabobank International and currently the director of G&S Agri Consultants. Co. Ltd., presented his view on global poultry dynamics.
Dr Graham Yeo, technical director and co-founder of Premier Nutrition, spoke about the use of alternatives to antibiotic in feed; while Dr Judith Nelson, independent consultant of the Agricultural Industries Confederation, UK, spoke about the implication of EU feed and food safety regulation on Asian meat exporters.
Dr Yolanda Werner, global technical director of Ohly, with over 20 years in the yeast and yeast extract industry, focussed on yeast cell walls and the positive effects on piglets, broilers and multiple species of fish, include flounder, catfish and rainbow trout.
The aim of the event is to explore the growing need to recognise opportunities, adapt novel technologies and innovative techniques to help overcome some of the challenges feed and animal producers are facing today. British Ambassador to Thailand, His Excellency Mark Kent, lent support to the British company and delivered the opening address as guest of honour.
"We see this program as an excellent way to provide Asian producers with technology and technical information needed for long-term, sustainable growth," said, Mr James Charteris-Hough, managing director of ABCA. He highlights that current issues such as high feed costs, aflatoxins and the need for natural solutions will be answered by ABCA through its efforts in feed safety, security and sustainability.
