Hankkija present at EAAP2021 annual meeting

European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP), is an international non-governmental organization which works for improved knowledge and dissemination of research results on animal farming. This week, the 72^nd annual meeting EAAP2021 gathers scientists from all over the world to the beautiful city of Davos in Switzerland. Due to Covid-19, the meeting also takes place virtually.  

Sustainability and environment are central themes in the scientific program of the event. The production systems of all farm animals, from insects to poultry, pigs and ruminants, are being streamlined to meet the demands of the future. Animal genetics are heavily involved in improving the efficacy and reducing the climate impact of animal production. But the event also hosts many other themes, such as gut physiology,  meat quality, animal behavior and equine breeding.

Hankkija is also present in the event with two presentations. Tomorrow, September 1^st, two resin acid studies will be presented at the session “Good health of pigs and poultry: increasing robustness through feeding and management”. In the morning session (no 35, at 9:15 CET), Dr. Xiaonan Guan from Schothorst Feed Research will present her study titled “Effect of dietary resin acid and zinc oxide in weaned piglets subjected to an immune challenge”, co-authored by H. Kettunen, R. Santos, J. Vuorenmaa and F. Molist. In this study piglet feeds were amended either with a medical dose of zinc oxide or resin acids, and the systemic immune response of LPS-challenged animals was followed over time.

In the afternoon session (no 53, at 15:15 CET), Dr. Hannele Kettunen from Hankkija Oy will give a presentation titled “Immunomodulatory and performance-enhancing effects of dietary resin acids in broiler chickens”, co-authored by S. Vartiainen, K. Vienola, J. Apajalahti and J. Vuorenmaa. This study, conducted by Alimetrics Research Ltd, Finland, showed that a feed additive candidate based on coniferous rosin improved the growth performance of broiler chickens. The effect of the dietary treatment on the expression of several inflammation-associated genes in ileal tissue was studied to elucidate the mechanism-of-action of the in-feed resin acids.

Both studies suggested favorable effects for the in-feed resin acids. Welcome to listen to the results at the EAAP2021 meeting!