Feeding Smarter, Not More !
By: Dr. Jean Fontaine: The past decade of animal nutrition has convinced us that feeding more is not always the right decision, and precision nutrition, especially precision at intestinal level synchronised, is essential to maximize the performance of animals and indeed overfeeding minerals and vitamins often results in fueling harmful bacteria. Microencapsulation like JEFO Matrix technology specifically has been shown through research to reduce the requirements for feed additives, improve animal health, cut costs and lower the environmental impact while maintaining productivity. The promise of microencapsulation is sustainable, efficient allied to higher performance in milk, meat and egg production.
What has triggered my interest as President of JEFO, and indeed our decision to invest $70 million to-date in in the technology, is that microencapsulation delivers the right nutrient form, at the right time, to the right place in the digestive tract. The importance of this cannot be underestimated. Fluctuations in pricing, for example of key vitamins, of supply concerns affected by geopolitical instability and trade wars, of the complexities of interactions between nutrients, for example those of enzyme stability in the presence of essential trace minerals, means I increasingly am convinced we cannot continue in a world feeding animals in the way that we have for the past 50 years. It is time to rebalance the books, reduce the losses of key nutrients in premix and the digestive process, and maximize their uptake. The science of microencapsulation is evolving, and my company JEFO is at the forefront of that. Our investments to date and planned demonstrate that I not only believe in it, I buy into that vision.
A Story 80 Years in the Making
To fully understand where we are, let's take a quick look back. From 1945 to the 2000s, the antibiotic era reigned. We first used them to treat, then discovered that at low doses, they improved performance. Practical, economical, but here's the thing: bacteria adapted, developed resistance, and we ended up with a public health threat.
In the 1980s-2000s, we looked for alternatives. Organic acids by the kilogram in formulations, plant extracts at high dosages. It worked... somewhat. But manufacturing equipment rusted, costs were prohibitive, results inconsistent.
The 2000s-2010s saw the arrival of first-generation coatings. We could finally reduce acid doses by a factor of 20. We also discovered that mixing essential oils and organic acids created interesting synergy. It was better, but still limited.
And then since 2015, everything is accelerating. Three scientific revolutions converge and create a unique moment in the history of animal nutrition.
First, genetic sequencing tools finally allow us to see in detail who inhabits our animals' intestines. We can identify good and bad bacteria, understand what they eat, measure what they produce. The microbiome is less of a black box.
Second, we discover the concept of targeted nutritional deprivation. It's almost counterintuitive: by reducing certain nutrients, we improve health and performance! But it works because we selectively starve pathogens while feeding the animal through protected delivery.
Third, matrix technology reaches a level of sophistication that makes all this possible. Patented lipid matrix, resistant to extreme conditions in the digestive tract, precisely releasable by intestinal enzymes, finally make it possible to put into practice what science has discovered.
This triple convergence completely changes the paradigm. We move from "more equals better" to "precise equals optimal." It's intelligent nutrition replacing compensatory overfeeding.
The facts Nothing but the facts!
- Research conducted by Jefo and Universities worldwide has demonstrated reductions of up to 75% in the levels of vitamins required when fed in the microencapsulated form
- Minerals fed in the Jefo Matrix have been reduced by 70% compared to traditional inorganic or free minerals, and can be used to replace Organic trace minerals on a 1:1 basis at lower cost.
- Microencapsulated enzymes activity remains stable in the premix compared to the expect lossed of 17% over 30 days with non-protected form, and as much as 95% over 90 days.
- Cows, in particular dairy, can avail of the control of intestinal bacteria and enhance nutrient uptake by by-passing degradation in the rumen and abomasum.
- Excretion of key nutrients by 60% in the manure reflects the increased bio-availability of Jefos encapsulated matrix, resulting from lower overall levels being fed.
In fact as one observer says ‘microencapsulation is capable of reinventing every aspect of animal nutrient feed’ and altering their uptake and activity at intestinal level. Given the essential nature of vitamins, minerals and the costs of these in the premix form, it is clear the cost to farmers and food producers.
SO what to do?
It is my belief that the coming decade will see every ton of feed being fed with microencapsulated technologies, and I am convinced that through its knowledge of the technology and the investments being made, Jefo will be the leader globally in this marketplace. Are you ready for that? If you are, we are willing to talk to anyone about any technology we can deliver or indeed develop with you to prepare the animal feed industry for this once in a lifetime opportunity.
