//11 Jul 2011
Drug giant Pfizer Inc. said it is exploring strategic options including sales and spinoffs for its animal-health and nutrition units, but will hold onto its generic-drug and consumer health-care businesses.
The decisions are part of Pfizer's efforts to partially unwind the diversified business line-up it had amassed through years of mega-mergers, and to hone its focus on its core business of developing and marketing prescription drugs and vaccines.
The animal-health and nutrition units together generated less than 10% of Pfizer's 2010 revenue of $67.8 billion.
"Both Animal Health and Nutrition are strong businesses with attractive customer bases and solid fundamentals, but distinct enough from our core businesses that their value may be best maximized outside the company," Pfizer Chief Executive Ian Read said in a company press release.
Showing posts with label Nutrition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nutrition. Show all posts
26 June 2011
Nutrition targeting animal health boosts productivity and sustainability
//24 Jun 2011
A gathering of top animal scientists at the InnoVision meeting organised by animal nutrition specialist Nutreco saw promising evidence that there is far greater potential for functional feed ingredients to support animal health, delivering benefits for farms and the environment.
Nutreco organises this biennial meeting to gain new insights based on the open discussion with international experts for its own R&D agenda.
Timed on 21 June 2011 to precede the multi-stakeholder biennial Agri Vision conference, also organised by Nutreco, InnoVision brought together animal science researchers from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands. Their topic was 'Nutritional solutions for gut health'.
Clear evidence
Professor Leo den Hartog, Nutreco's Director R&D and Quality Affairs: "Research into the status of the animal gut and the role of its microbial population is revealing clear evidence of crucial roles in animal health and well being.
“For example, the scientists agreed that natural ingredients can maintain the balance and moderate disruptions of the intestinal microbiota with beneficial effects on the immune system and disease resistance.
“Through this science we can reduce the likelihood of animals developing disease and spreading it to others in the flock or herd, and reduce mild infections that impact welfare and performance without diagnosable symptoms.”
Functional ingredients
"At the previous InnoVision in 2009 we concluded that farm animals were performing 30 to 40 percent below their full genetic potential because of sub-optimal digestion and diseases,” Den Hartog said.
Using functional ingredients in feed and devising formulations to optimise gut health targets both factors, leading to healthier and more robust animals that are better able to fulfil their genetic potential.
“In turn, that means they make more efficient use of feed raw materials, reducing waste and pollution.”
Feeding to genetic potential
Den Hartog said that research in this area will deliver benefits for animals, farmers and the environment. “For example, it will help to reduce the need for antibiotics on farms. Maximising the value we get from feed raw materials by enabling livestock to fulfil their genetic potential will be a vital factor for success in feeding nine billion people in 2050.
“Development and implementation of these technologies require close collaboration between the feed industry, research institutes and universities, the regulatory authorities and other stakeholders," Den Hartog concluded.
A gathering of top animal scientists at the InnoVision meeting organised by animal nutrition specialist Nutreco saw promising evidence that there is far greater potential for functional feed ingredients to support animal health, delivering benefits for farms and the environment.
Nutreco organises this biennial meeting to gain new insights based on the open discussion with international experts for its own R&D agenda.
Timed on 21 June 2011 to precede the multi-stakeholder biennial Agri Vision conference, also organised by Nutreco, InnoVision brought together animal science researchers from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands. Their topic was 'Nutritional solutions for gut health'.
Clear evidence
Professor Leo den Hartog, Nutreco's Director R&D and Quality Affairs: "Research into the status of the animal gut and the role of its microbial population is revealing clear evidence of crucial roles in animal health and well being.
“For example, the scientists agreed that natural ingredients can maintain the balance and moderate disruptions of the intestinal microbiota with beneficial effects on the immune system and disease resistance.
“Through this science we can reduce the likelihood of animals developing disease and spreading it to others in the flock or herd, and reduce mild infections that impact welfare and performance without diagnosable symptoms.”
Functional ingredients
"At the previous InnoVision in 2009 we concluded that farm animals were performing 30 to 40 percent below their full genetic potential because of sub-optimal digestion and diseases,” Den Hartog said.
Using functional ingredients in feed and devising formulations to optimise gut health targets both factors, leading to healthier and more robust animals that are better able to fulfil their genetic potential.
“In turn, that means they make more efficient use of feed raw materials, reducing waste and pollution.”
Feeding to genetic potential
Den Hartog said that research in this area will deliver benefits for animals, farmers and the environment. “For example, it will help to reduce the need for antibiotics on farms. Maximising the value we get from feed raw materials by enabling livestock to fulfil their genetic potential will be a vital factor for success in feeding nine billion people in 2050.
“Development and implementation of these technologies require close collaboration between the feed industry, research institutes and universities, the regulatory authorities and other stakeholders," Den Hartog concluded.
26 May 2011
Nutrition for obtaining 35 piglets per year
//25 May 2011
Denmark is the most efficient pig producer of the world and farms achieve 35 weaned piglets per sow per year. At the Alltech Symposium in Lexington, Kentucky (USA) Gunner Sorensen of the Danish Pig Research Centre talked about the prerequisites to achieve this high number.
“We use a highly specialised production system and a unique breed, Danbred, which allows us to breed extremely high performing sows that produce many piglets< “ Sorensen said.
“At the same time these sows have a very high feed utilisation compared to other countries. It is crucial that sows are capable of properly tending to the majority of the pigs,” he added.
According to Sorensen efficient productivity levels on sow farms depend on:
•Skilled and reliable staff who cooperate and act with care
•Uniform work procedures in the farrowing facility
•An adequate gilt population of a satisfactory quality
•A farrowing rate above 90
•Efficient management of sow body condition
•An animal welfare policy ensuring treatment of weak sows aiming at a culling rate below 5%.
15 pigs per litter
“Sows must be able to tend to more piglets per litter without jeopardising sow health,” Sorensen said.
He said that in a recent trial it was demonstrated that healthy sows are capable of handling 15 piglets per litter, without compromising the number of weaned piglets. As the number of piglets in the litter increases, the piglets can be supplemented with dry feed.
Body condition
Management of sow body condition is of utmost importance and reduces feed use and the necessity to cull sows early. Body condition should be evaluated through the entire cycle and take place at farrowing, at weaning, at first gestation check and approximately at 70 days in gestation. As a result of the scores individual feed doses should be adjusted.
Digestion and transport of feed in the sow’s gastro-intestinal tract must function in a healthy manner, which requires a balanced diet.
“Otherwise sows might develop gastric changes such as pale and unthrifty pigs, black or dark faeces, failure to finish the feed and possible vomiting, or suboptimal performance,” Sorensen said.
Stomach ulcers
Sorensen emphasised that the content of fibre and starch must be correct in the diet, and also that the feed must not be ground too fine. Finely ground feeds are the cause of stomach ulcers.
“Wheat is the feedstuff that has the greatest effect on gastric health and should be used with care,” he said.
Sorensen also noticed that limited water supply can also attribute to stomach ulcers, which is a management issue that is often overlooked.
Lactation diets
It was found that piglets have different needs shortly after birth and a week later. Sorensen therefore said that a special “sow colostrum feed” would add to the liveability of the piglets and after approximately a week followed by a feed for the rest of the lactation period
Denmark is the most efficient pig producer of the world and farms achieve 35 weaned piglets per sow per year. At the Alltech Symposium in Lexington, Kentucky (USA) Gunner Sorensen of the Danish Pig Research Centre talked about the prerequisites to achieve this high number.
“We use a highly specialised production system and a unique breed, Danbred, which allows us to breed extremely high performing sows that produce many piglets< “ Sorensen said.
“At the same time these sows have a very high feed utilisation compared to other countries. It is crucial that sows are capable of properly tending to the majority of the pigs,” he added.
According to Sorensen efficient productivity levels on sow farms depend on:
•Skilled and reliable staff who cooperate and act with care
•Uniform work procedures in the farrowing facility
•An adequate gilt population of a satisfactory quality
•A farrowing rate above 90
•Efficient management of sow body condition
•An animal welfare policy ensuring treatment of weak sows aiming at a culling rate below 5%.
15 pigs per litter
“Sows must be able to tend to more piglets per litter without jeopardising sow health,” Sorensen said.
He said that in a recent trial it was demonstrated that healthy sows are capable of handling 15 piglets per litter, without compromising the number of weaned piglets. As the number of piglets in the litter increases, the piglets can be supplemented with dry feed.
Body condition
Management of sow body condition is of utmost importance and reduces feed use and the necessity to cull sows early. Body condition should be evaluated through the entire cycle and take place at farrowing, at weaning, at first gestation check and approximately at 70 days in gestation. As a result of the scores individual feed doses should be adjusted.
Digestion and transport of feed in the sow’s gastro-intestinal tract must function in a healthy manner, which requires a balanced diet.
“Otherwise sows might develop gastric changes such as pale and unthrifty pigs, black or dark faeces, failure to finish the feed and possible vomiting, or suboptimal performance,” Sorensen said.
Stomach ulcers
Sorensen emphasised that the content of fibre and starch must be correct in the diet, and also that the feed must not be ground too fine. Finely ground feeds are the cause of stomach ulcers.
“Wheat is the feedstuff that has the greatest effect on gastric health and should be used with care,” he said.
Sorensen also noticed that limited water supply can also attribute to stomach ulcers, which is a management issue that is often overlooked.
Lactation diets
It was found that piglets have different needs shortly after birth and a week later. Sorensen therefore said that a special “sow colostrum feed” would add to the liveability of the piglets and after approximately a week followed by a feed for the rest of the lactation period
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)