Probiotics have made tremendous leaps in progress both in technical efficacy as well as marketing in becoming the second ingredient after organic acids in preference for antibiotic-free diets.

Global animal nutrition and health company Alltech will gather representatives of leading international poultry and swine producers at GLIMPSE 2020, the 29th annual Alltech International Symposium in Lexington, Ky., May 19–22, to share their experiences of more than 30 years of antibiotic growth promoter-free animal production. “The last 20 years have clearly shown us that antimicrobial resistance is a reality, and that even if much of this relates to human decisions, our industry is under the microscope,” said Aidan Connolly, Alltech vice president and professor at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. 

A special feature of VIV Asia 2013, being held March 13–15, in Bangkok, Thailand, is the VIV Animal Health Summit on March 14 that will focus on reducing the use of antibiotics in livestock production. Antibiotics are still widely used in food animal production in many parts of the world.  

The top U.S. broiler companies increased chicken production significantlyin 2012, with the 15 largest firms reporting the biggest increases.

Tyson Foods executives say the chicken segment of their company is thriving, and they are optimistic that increased focus on value-added poultry products will be a key component to the company’s growth.

More restrictions on antibiotic use in food animals are inevitable, and the search for alternatives has to take into account the integrity of both the upper and lower intestinal tracts. A shift in the understanding of where in the intestinal tract nutrients become available to the bird is important in devising an effective new antimicrobial strategy, said Dr. Stephen R. Collett of the Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center at the University of Georgia, as part of his presentation on organic acids, held during the second day of the Antibiotic Conference – Current Issues for the Poultry & Egg Industry at the 2013 International Production & Processing Expo. 

The new normal for animal feed costs will be at least $5 corn and $300 soybean meal, according to Thomas Elam of FarmEcon during his presentation on the Economic State of the Industry.