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 With well over 130,000 visitors and more
than 1,400 exhibitors from 45 nations, EuroTier again proved that it is one of the
world’s top agricultural fairs. In the runup to this event Berg+Schmidt held its
feed symposium, the second of its kind. Sales representatives and agents of the
Hamburg company from all the corners of the earth accepted the invitation to hear
the latest information on the use of fats, lecithin and enzymes in the nutrition of
farm animals. In the pleasant atmosphere of the Sheraton Pelikan Hotel, prominent
speakers presented their findings from research and practical trials and took part in
lively discussions.
At the start of the symposium Bernhard Chilla from Toepfer International described the
changing market for agricultural products, concentrating his remarks on bioenergy. The changes mean limited growing areas for the production of food, feed and bioenergy.
Central theme: create incentives for farmers to enlarge their area under the plough and make use of new plants;
a better infrastructure and less promotion of bioenergy might be useful too.
Prof. Dr. Klaus Männer from the Free University of Berlin then demonstrated the efficacy
of functional lipids in animal nutrition on the basis of convincing results achieved with
LipoVital 20 in trials on weaner pigs. LipoVital 20 appears to enhance the taste of feed for
sucking and weaner pigs, since both feed intake and overall growth increased. In nursing
sows, weight loss during lactation was reduced. LipoVital 20 may also have an effect on
the performance of sows and sucking pigs, since the level of pathogenic micro-organisms
in the faeces was reduced.
Josep Minguell from Biocon Española S.A. reported on his positive practical experience
with Bergazym C-100 in Spain. The product is used for poultry and pigs as it has proved
effective in this field and asserted itself against its competitors.
The last lecture of the morning was held by Antje Reichetanz from Dr. Pieper Technologie-
und Produktentwicklung GmbH. On the basis of research work carried out at the
University of Rostock she showed how rumen-protected (bypass) feed fats can influence
both the milk yield and the composition of the milk. The products Bergafat T-300 and
MegaLac were compared against each other and a control group in a high-performance
Holstein-Friesian herd. Read our article on this on page 6 of this newsletter.
After the lunch break Prof. Dr. Klaus Eder from the Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenburg
spoke on the growing significance of deoiled lecithins as digestants for human
beings and animals, and Dr. Keith Agnew from United Feeds Limited, Belfast, reported
on the successful practical use of BergaFat T-300 at farms in Northern Ireland. Prof. Eder:
“Deoiled lecithins consist largely of phospholipids. In living organisms they are constituents
of biological membranes. When they are used as ingredients of food or feed,
this property improves the digestibility of fats, in particular, and boosts feed conversion
in various animal species. That in turn influences growth and laying performance. And
phospholipids also prevent fatty liver degeneration in laying hens.” Dr. Agnew reported
on the use of Bergafat T-300 to obtain greater value from milk with larger quantities and
more milk fat at much the same protein content. Further positive effects are reflected in
the cows’ physical condition and fertility.
Dr. Willem van Nieuwenhuyzen from Lecipro Consulting in Limmen, NL, concluded the
series of lectures in the afternoon. Taking LipoVital C92 as an example he described his
findings on the efficacy of medium-chain triglycerides in human nutrition and drew
the conclusion that they might have uses in animal nutrition too. The medium-chain
triglyceride LipoVital C92 is obtained from palm kernel or coconut oil. Besides having
various technical applications, medium-chain triglycerides are used in food for athletes
and children and also in cases of disturbed nutrient absorption. They are digested easily
and rapidly but do not form depot fat. In animal nutrition LipoVital C92 is used as a
technical adjuvant to achieve more homogeneous end products, but it is also a functional
constituent of special feeds such as milk replacers, where it stabilizes the animals’
performance. Used in feed for sows it improves the survival rate of the piglets, especially
the weaker ones.
This “food for thought” was then complemented with “real food” at a dinner for all the
participants.
For a printed version of the lectures and further information on the products please phone
+49 40 2840 3979 or mail fpohl@berg-schmidt.de.
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