Latin America (LATAM) has long been a significant hub for animal protein production, making it a key focus for those in the animal nutrition sector. Due to the vast size and diverse operational environments across LATAM, local expertise is crucial for international businesses. Danisco Animal Nutrition & Health (IFF) recognised this early on when it entered the Latin American market in 2005. Since then IFF has established multiple sites across the region, focusing on understanding local challenges and providing tailored support to its customers.
Feedinfo sat down with Natalia Fernandes, Regional Industry Leader for Danisco Animal Nutrition & Health business at IFF to explore the region's animal protein production trends, the challenges livestock producers face, and how localised R&D projects can address these concerns. We also discussed IFF's latest research on digestible calcium and phosphorus systems in commercial broilers and why this is a vital area of focus in LATAM.
[Feedinfo] Are there any animal protein production specificities we see in Central and South America?
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[Natalia Fernandes] Latin America is still one of the most important markets for animal protein production. Brazil, for example, is the third largest animal producer in the world (behind China and the US respectively), while Mexico is the highest per capita consumer of eggs globally. Spanning 20 countries and home to more than 500 million people, this large, diverse, and multi-cultural market demands an understanding of the different challenges faced by the many different operational environments. At IFF we work with big export companies that follow international standards, but also local farmers concerned with regional legislation. |
Natalia Fernandes, Regional Industry Leader, Danisco Animal Nutrition & Health business (IFF) |
Farming production systems can also vary widely depending on the scale of individual operations, from highly sophisticated to small and traditional. At the same time, animal products are not only traded as frozen but are also sold live in certain territories. IFF’s experienced team recognises the complexity of these issues and their impact on feed strategies, which is why we tailor our approach and work closely with customers to add value in every context.
[Feedinfo] What is IFF’s presence and product offering in the LATAM market?
[Natalia Fernandes] IFF first entered the LATAM market in 2005. Since then, we have opened offices in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru, an application lab in São Paulo, Brazil, and a manufacturing plant in Arroyito, Argentina. All of these ensure our customers in this important region benefit from local sales and technical support, as well as an agile logistics and delivery service.
We offer a broad multi-species portfolio of nutritional health solutions designed to help livestock producers address the challenges of antibiotic-free and sustainable production. This includes market-leading single enzymes, such as Axtra® PHY GOLD phytase and Axtra® PRO protease, as well as enzyme blends (Axtra® XAP and Axtra® XB), probiotics, enzyme and probiotic combinations (Syncra® AVI and Syncra® SWI), essential oils, and natural betaine. Crucially, our solutions are supported by science-based data to help customers make precision decisions and optimise feed strategies.
[Feedinfo] What are the biggest trends and challenges across the region? What do you believe are the priorities of livestock producers?
[Natalia Fernandes] We see three main trends in the region. The first is improving operational efficiency, with precision nutrition strategies, new procurement behaviours, strategic supplier partnerships, and investment in both process and people.
The second trend relates to food security strategies and biosecurity. Largely driven by major global health challenges over the last few years, such as African Swine Fever, Avian Influenza, Coccidiosis, and Salmonella, adopting biosecurity best practice has become critical to guarantee production standards and levels.
Sustainability also remains a priority, with many farmers across the region looking at processes, the use of local and regional raw materials, such as corn and soybean meal, and best practices to further improve the sustainability of their operations. Strategies include improving animal gut health to enable antibiotic-free production, reducing inorganic phosphate in diets, lowering nitrogen, phosphorus and CO2 emissions, as well as increasing the use of local and/or alternative raw materials. Interestingly, we have also seen several emerging trends, such as trace minerals-free diets and inorganic phosphorus-free diets in some animal-specific phases and will be monitoring these closely.
[Feedinfo] How can animal nutrition companies ensure their approach to innovation and product development is localised and reflects local challenges and concerns?
[Natalia Fernandes] We at IFF are acutely aware of the need to provide solutions that are tailored for local challenges and concerns, which is why our global and regional teams work together to offer the best products, data and information. As a leader in biosciences across key global industries, we have access to an exceptional range of enzyme developments and probiotic strains that can be used to develop new applications for specific customers and regions across Latin America.
In terms of R&D, we share feedback and run trials in different regions around the world that reflect the many differences such as dietary ingredients, climate conditions, farm management, and disease. We have also invested in building a robust infrastructure in Latin America to deliver on-the-ground local support to our customers. This includes a manufacturing site in Argentina, warehouses in many countries, several distribution partnerships across the region and a purpose-built laboratory in Brazil that provides a range of technical services including nutritional and health strategies, raw materials analysis, recovery analysis and qPCR data analysis.
Providing relevant regulatory support through our dedicated team of experts is equally important – especially when faced with region specific demands, such as the thermostability requirement at zone 4 in Brazil. In addition, IFF’s local sales and technical experts provide best-in-class support and a consultative sales process designed to add value to customers.
[Feedinfo] A focus for you in the region is the importance of calcium in poultry diets. Can you summarise why this is so vital and also the impact of excess calcium in diets?
[Natalia Fernandes] Calcium is a vital part of poultry diets. It plays a crucial role in many metabolic functions, such as bone structure, acid-base balance, and enzymatic systems. Plus, as the major component of egg shells, this nutrient is essential for optimal egg quality and production in laying hens.
Given its impact on poultry performance and wellbeing, providing the right amount of dietary calcium is key, but meeting nutritional requirements is challenging. Calcium deficit poses a threat to animal growth, but high calcium concentrations that are highly soluble can also severely impair productivity due to increased calcium-phytate binding in the early gut. This can lead to reduced digestibility of nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, trace minerals, and amino acids, which is why dietary calcium is a double-edged sword.
[Feedinfo] You are participating in the PSA Latin American Scientific Conference in October. Can you share with us your involvement and what you will be discussing?
[Natalia Fernandes] PSA Latin America is one of the most important technical conferences in Latin America and a great opportunity for the industry to discuss relevant issues and share updates on the latest research.
This year IFF is hosting a technical symposium about transitioning towards a digestible calcium (dCa) and digestible phosphorus (dP) system in commercial broilers, which will be presented on 8 October by Doug Korver from the University of Alberta, Peter Plumstead from Neuro Livestock Research, Mauricio Cunha from IFF, and Roselina Angel from the University of Maryland. It promises to be an interesting and highly topical discussion.
[Feedinfo] Ahead of the conference, can you share some of the research you have completed around transitioning towards a digestible calcium (dCa) and digestible phosphorus (dP) system in commercial broilers?
[Natalia Fernandes] The symposium will highlight the development of dCa and dP systems in broiler feed formulation and production. Transitioning to a dCa and dP system is paramount for optimising the skeletal health and integrity of modern broilers, as well as decreasing inorganic P usage and optimising performance and economic returns. With the current reliance on formulations based on total Ca and available P systems, there's a risk of under or over supplying these essential nutrients, potentially leading to leg abnormalities and reduced performance. Transitioning to a digestible system on the other hand allows for accurate formulation and consideration of limestone quality, which in turn leads to better nutrient usage and improved animal and commercial performance.
Interestingly, the Latin America market is largely applying a high dose phytase strategy. This means choosing a reliable phytase is vital because its characteristics - particularly optimum pH activity and rate of phytate degradation - play a crucial role in the level of nutrient release. In this context, we recommend the use of our highly efficient Axtra® PHY GOLD phytase which has been shown to improve nutrient digestibility and reduce the use of limestone and phosphate. For those who want to learn more about this fascinating area, we hope to discuss this with you at PSA Latin America later this month.
