Animal husbandry ‘can be just as profitable using antibiotic-free feed’

Animal husbandry can be just as profitable with the use of algae and other alternative feeds and the exclusion of antibiotic growth promoters in feed, say leading scientists.

Aidan Connolly, Alltech vice-president and professor at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, says that, despite evidence to the contrary, many producers still wonder if truly antibiotic-free production is possible.

“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 Mr Connolly, one of the principal speakers at Glimpse 2020, the annual Alltech International Symposium in Lexington, Kentucky, US, from May 19 to May 22.

“Many leading international poultry and swine producers have long resolved this challenge, however, by successfully implementing antibiotic-free programmes.

“Delegates to the Alltech Symposium will have an opportunity to learn from these practitioners about their experiences in three decades of antibiotic growth promoters-free production.”

At this year’s Glimpse 2020, leading international poultry and swine producers will share their experiences of more than 30 years of animal production without using antibiotic growth promoters.

New this year, the Alltech International Symposium will offer breakout session tracks to attendees, instead of the traditional species or subject breakouts.

Breakout session tracks will offer participants a more holistic experience in which they take part in discussions ranging from algae and agriculture’s carbon footprint to nutrition and marketing.

Alltech was founded in 1980 by Irish-born Dr Pearse Lyons.