Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR): Integrated Approach for optimum solution

AMR (Anti-microbial resistance) refers to antimicrobial adaptation of a microorganism (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa and helminths) to which it was previously sensitive. It is estimated that globally every year at least 700,000 deaths are attributable to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Given the current rate, the annual death toll can climb to 10 million by 2050. Given the rapid zoonotic prevalence, AMR bacteria may also spread from animals to humans through food. That’s why World Health Organization (WHO) in 2017 has recommended to stop rampant usage of antimicrobials for growth promotion purpose. As a response to AMR reduction, Asian regions like India, China, Indonesia, and Vietnam banned usage of Colistin (antimicrobial) as a growth promoter. By limiting the use of antimicrobials, poultry producers can help to maintain the efficacy of AMR prevention interventions, protecting animals’ health and humans. Trouw Nutrition’s global experience in working with integrators who are leaders in antibiotic reduction have demonstrated that it is possible to produce broilers without antibiotics and realize improved health performance of chicken for improved integrators profitability.

A successful AMR prevention requires a systematic integrated approach. Trouw Nutrition’s Feed-Farm Health programme has been effectively demonstrated to reduce the reliance on antibiotics and eventually result in rearing without antibiotic approach (RWA). This programme includes analysis of critical control points across entire poultry production chain.  Assessment of each component in the production value chain needs to be customized to provide a solution that addresses each integrators needs.   This integrated approach underlines Trouw Nutrition’s commitment to help poultry producer reduce need for antibiotics while maintaining profitability. This tailor-made intervention helps to overcome challenges while reducing antibiotics usage. Below six steps approach will help to achieve high performing flocks without the use of antibiotics.

Step 1: Define the purpose of AMR prevention:

First define and clarify the purpose of desired outcome of an antibiotic reduction, for e.g., Rearing without Antibiotics (RWA),  reducing antibiotics or stop only antibiotic growth promoter (AGP).  The purpose could be a result of objectives like certification on raising chicken without antibiotics, sustainability measures, or consumer demand etc.  Successful antibiotic reduction efforts require commitment across the organization and high-level meetings to set out expectations at the start. Trouw Nutrition believes that this is an important step before designing the tailor-made programme as per poultry producer requirements.

Step 2: Audit feed, farm, health baselines:

Measuring progress requires establishing a benchmark for comparison. There are certain parameters to be evaluated at the level of feed, farm and health.

Feed management:

The breed type (Rosss, Cobb and HUbbard etc), needs to be considered whilst evaluating feed inatke and feeding schdeule. Information such feed form, feeding phase, daily feed intake, feeding pattern needs to be colected. Raw material and feed samples would be collected for nutritional, mycotoxin and microbilogical anlysis. Basis the pre-assessment results, necesasary actions would b etaken with respect to modulation of feed formulation, inclusion of opt feed additives/ supplemenrs etc.

Farm management:

All the aspects related to management would be assessed her. It starts from checking the day-old chicks for their quality, weight, uniformity and body tempature. Other parameters that would be considered for evaluation are climate of the house, brooding tempature, floor tempature, ventilation, air quality, feeder and drinker arrangement, litter management, hygiene, biosecurity etc.

Health management:

The current antibiotic program including that of anticoccidials will be evaluated for their purpose of use, effectiveness, type been used, rotation/shuttle program etc. The health status of birds will be assessed through evaluation of dropping consistency, gut vaccination schedule wil be reviewed along with evaluation of water quality and the water treatment/medications followed.

Step 3. Introduce tailor made solutions

Only after an audit (preferably after completion of batch) should targeted solutions be introduced. Following programs, models and services can be implemented.

Feed management:

Solutions for optimal feed management would be targeted towards precision nutrition concepts with equal emphasis been placed on feed safety and quality. At Trouw Nutrition, we incorporate NutriOpt - a precision nutrition strategy that aims at providing quick insights of raw material and feed nutrient matrix (NOA,NIR), optimal diets (FaaS, Bestmix) and optimal performance (Animal Models), Feed safety programme of Trouw Nutrition helps to mitigate mycotoxin risk and microbial contamination through Toxo range (Toxo MX/Toxo XL), Fylax Forte HC and/or Fysal MP/selacid GG and would be advised depending on risk assessment review.

Farm management:

With 90 years of global expertise, Trouw Nutrition provides services like advice on house climate, Feeder and drinker management and feeding pattern according to age of birds and other environment challenges. An effective water cum gut acidifier concept like selko pH from Trouw Nutrition can be introduced to improve water quality along with gut health benefits.

Health management:

For overall good animal health, ensuring good gut health is a primary challenge. Trouw Nutrition's 5-pillar approach (Fig 1) for ensuring eubiosis through a strategic use of synergistic combinations helps to achieve the desired health status. Products like selko pH, selacid GG, Presan-FY and IntelliBond C can support in ensuring healthy life. In addition, our gut health experts can help in Dysbacteriosis gut health scoring, providing advice on vaccination and biosecurity.

Figure 1: Trouw Nutrition’s 5 pillar to support gut health

Step 4: Calculate Return on Investment (ROI)

A solid AMR strategy must also make sense in terms of efficacy and producer economics. It is important to assess the same in regular intervals while also ensuring that there is a systematic approach in achieving the final objective.

Step 5: Implementation is key point

Continuous collaboration, sharing of information and communication between the two parties is essential in ensuring the desired results. Trouw Nutrition with the help of local, regional and global experts ensures the maximum knowledge sharing to meet poultry producer’s requirements.

Step 6: Evaluate, Adapt, Repeat AMR programme

Finally, we assess whether the implemented intervention meets the customer’s need as outlined in step 1. When this has been achieved, we proceed to the next step until we reach the next level of antibiotic reduction. The process is repeated until the final goal is achieved. In a dynamic market- place, the initial goal will inevitably be fine-tuned over time. Consistently deploying a six-step cycle which integrates feed, farm and health management, can take an AMR programme from vision to achievement.

For further information, kindly write to us at customercareindia@trouwnutrition.com or visit our website: www.trouwnutrition.in