Innovations for sustainable animal nutrition

The overall increase (2010-2050) in animal and aqua protein production expectation is 60% ranging from 38% for pork to 104% for poultry (IFIF, 2017). But there is also a significant number of challenges facing the animal and allied industries with respect to sustainable global production of meat, fish, dairy and eggs where market demands and consumer needs will put more constraints on our production systems and methods (Alders, 2016). For an optimal utilization of earth’s surface for producing food, 35% - 40% of the recommended daily protein consumption of adults should come from animal protein (van Zanten, 2016). In addition, the on average worldwide productivity of farm animals is 30-40% below their genetic potential because of suboptimal conditions and health status. These challenges are dynamic and diverse and solutions and opportunities will require development of appropriate technology and using and advancing our knowledge base. Advances in animal nutrition will contribute to meet these challenges. Environmental and nutritional influences during early life have a profound and long-lasting effect on performance and health. The rapid development of antimicrobial resistance urges the need for effective strategies to reduce antibiotic use in animal production. A drastic reduction of antibiotic use can be achieved by moving to a new farming model based on an integrated and multi-stakeholder collaboration that integrates feed, farm and health management. Targeted feed additive strategies can be applied to control microbial quality of feed and water and support gut health. Precision nutrition methods and tools, such as dynamic feed evaluation and animal models, can be implemented to economically optimize the feed program and reduce emissions into the environment. Sustainable feed supply meeting market demands is feasible and will require a multidisciplinary approach of all stakeholders in the value chain.