The broiler industry is undergoing significant change, influenced by shifting consumer demands, tighter regulations, advances in technology, and a growing emphasis on sustainability. These factors are shaping the way producers, suppliers, and industry stakeholders operate, creating both challenges and opportunities.
At ABN, we continue to invest in research and development, evolving our product range, in order to meet the changing needs of both our customers, and the animals we feed, as a result we have been exploring ways to refine our approach to broiler nutrition. In 2024, we relaunched our broiler feed brand, introducing ABN Compass, to ensure we remain well placed in the market to best meet our customers’ requirements.
The development of the ABN Compass range has been supported by numerous trials conducted in collaboration with commercial partners and universities. These trials aim to create the most effective and efficient feed, by ensuring birds receive the essential nutrients they need at every stage of their growth.
To introduce ABN Compass and explore the role of nutrition in bird health and performance, we collaborated with veterinary practices across the country to host a series of workshops. These sessions provided an opportunity to discuss current industry challenges, share knowledge, and review the latest developments in broiler feed.
Sara Perez from Poultry Health Services highlighted the importance of this collaboration:
“Open discussions between poultry veterinarians and nutritionists are essential to ensure that we are all working together to support birds’ health and welfare. By doing so, we can optimise production and performance in our clients' farms, review results, and continuously adjust the diets to drive improvements.”
The workshops covered a range of topics, including:
Changing market influences - How shifts in production practices, consumer demand, and external factors such as the cost-of-living crisis and global trade disruptions are impacting the industry. As a result, selecting the right feed supplier has become a critical factor in ensuring farmers’ success.
Gut health and nutrition - A central topic in these discussions, reflecting its vital importance to farmers, was the role of nutrition in supporting gut health and overall bird welfare, and how the raw materials in feed can help reduce stress on the digestive system. ABN is dedicated to enhancing gut health through its feed solutions, which is why the ABN Compass range includes Butyrate, a proven energy source for epithelial cells, which plays a crucial role in supporting gut epithelial cell development and managing inflammation. To further promote gut health, the ABN Compass range is designed to minimise stress on the digestive system during early development. By utilising high-quality raw materials, the feed reduces the risk of excess nitrogen reaching the lower gut, ensuring optimal conditions for healthy and efficient growth.
These discussions were all well attended in person and virtually, and brought together different areas of expertise. Collaborations like this help ensure that poultry production remains efficient, sustainable, and responsive to the evolving industry needs.
A big thank you to the veterinary teams who participated.
