April 24, 2025

 

Shaping the future of agriculture: EW Nutrition's approach to livestock and feed innovation

 

As the agricultural industry faces new challenges and opportunities, companies like EW Nutrition play a crucial role in shaping the future of livestock and feed nutrition.

 

With a strong emphasis on sustainability, productivity, and health, EW Nutrition has been innovating to address some of the most pressing issues in modern agriculture, from the reduction of antibiotics in feed to the use of cutting-edge phytogenics.

 

As demand for more efficient and cost-effective farming solutions rises, EW Nutrition continues to lead the charge in advancing gut health, improving feed quality, and enhancing digestibility to meet the needs of an evolving industry.

 

In this exclusive interview, eFeedLink speaks to Gert-Jan Gerrits, Regional Director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, to discuss how the company is addressing the dynamic challenges facing farmers and feed producers today.

 

From overcoming regional differences to pioneering next-generation products, EW Nutrition is committed to driving the future of farming through innovation and a customer-centric approach.

 

It began as a family-owned business in northern Germany, with a single product line that was developed in Japan. This highly technological line of products is still a core offering that we continue to own today. From this starting point, we've grown both organically and through mergers and acquisitions. Over the past 20 years, we've expanded our reach globally.

 

What really attracted me to EW Nutrition is its customer-centric approach. As a family-owned business, decisions are made quickly, allowing for agility and adaptability. This dynamic environment was one of the key reasons I transitioned to EW Nutrition after 23 years with another company. I was seeking an organisation where entrepreneurship and a customer-first mentality were at the forefront, and I found that here.

 

Over the past two decades, the livestock, feed, and poultry industries have undergone significant changes. How has EW Nutrition played a pivotal role in these transformations?

 

Gert-Jan Gerrits: One of the key areas where the industry is focusing its efforts is feed and food safety, with a particular emphasis on reducing the use of antibiotics. This aligns with our focus on gut health and improving the digestibility of raw materials.

 

As the market continues to seek alternative raw materials, many of which are less digestible and have higher concentrations of non-starch polysaccharides, we must ensure that enzymes are available to help effectively utilise these materials in feed nutrition.

 

Also, the level of productivity in the industry has increased dramatically over the last few decades, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) has improved significantly. As a result, it's becoming increasingly difficult to achieve incremental progress.

The challenge isn't just in improving conditions on farms with subpar standards, as that's relatively straightforward—there are clear benefits to be gained in such cases. The real challenge lies in adding value to high-performing farms, optimising the profitability of companies and the genetic potential of production animals.

This is where our background as part of the EW Group, a large agribusiness that also covers genetics, plays a crucial role. We're able to leverage our knowledge and expertise to help not only unlock genetic potential but also use nutrition to enhance farm profitability.

  

Could you elaborate on the use of phytogenics in feed additives? How do they work, and what role do they play in feed formulations?

 

Gert-Jan Gerrits: Phytogenics are still a relatively new development in the field, emerging in feed additives over the last decades. The development of phytogenics is ongoing, not only within our company but across the industry, as we optimise the right mix of extracts and their applications.

 

Products like Pretect D and Activo, which have been very well-received, answer today's challenges. But we're already working on the next generation of phytogenic products, for the next generation of challenges. Our company is actively developing 2.0 and 3.0 versions, alongside exploring new innovations to meet emerging market challenges that could be addressed through phytogenic solutions.

 

Phytogenics are increasingly popular, and many companies are incorporating them into their offerings. However, the key challenge lies in protecting these molecules because they originate in nature. In nature, their quality, dosage, and effectiveness can vary considerably, and even how much of the molecule can be released in the organism can fluctuate from one season to the next.

 

What sets us apart is our approach to these natural molecules. While they have been used for centuries in traditional medicine, we apply advanced technology to standardise them. As a German company, we employ precise, strict processes to ensure consistency. We ensure these molecules are reliable in every batch, that they are released at the correct moment, and that they are thermostable when included in compound feed. This technological enhancement makes all the difference in maintaining quality and effectiveness.

  

The agriculture industry faces several challenges such as inflation, climate change, and new diseases emerging every few years. How does EW Nutrition address these issues?

 

Gert-Jan Gerrits: I think one of our key strengths in addressing these challenges is our Globigen product line. Globigen is based on immunoglobulins derived from egg yolk, and it allows us to mitigate pathogen activity. This is one challenge that will remain relevant for decades to come.

 

Globigen is an immunoglobulin Y product, which offers an advantage over other alternatives like immunoglobulin gamma or blood plasma, which are significantly more expensive. Using immunoglobulin Y allows us to optimise the formulation, creating space for other beneficial products that can enhance gut health or improve digestibility. That's why I believe this product is highly effective.

 

Beyond pathogens, another key challenge we face is improving digestibility. With inflation and rising costs, formulation adjustments are necessary, and producers are increasingly turning to raw materials that might not be as easily digestible. This is where we make a substantial impact—particularly in recent volatile times. We are also seeing a growing reliance on byproducts from wheat, corn, and beer production. These byproducts often have lower digestibility, which can be a challenge for animal nutrition. By identifying specific enzymes that enhance the digestibility of these products, we can provide added value while helping reduce costs. The ultimate goal is to improve digestibility and health without increasing costs.

 

In essence, we're tackling challenges from two angles. First, we address health-related issues through tailored pathogen solutions, and second, we focus on improving nutritional quality to help customers manage costs while enhancing feed efficiency.

  

What do you consider to be the biggest region for your products and solutions?

 

Gert-Jan Gerrits: I would say it's global, as our products offer value in various ways across different regions.

 

However, if I had to highlight emerging markets, I would point to Asia and Africa as key growth areas. These regions are experiencing rapid development and offer significant potential.

 

While markets like Mexico and South America are already somewhat established, there is still a lot of room for growth. In my opinion, Africa and Southeast Asia are the real growth frontiers.

  

Do you adjust your marketing approach for different regions? Do you tailor your strategies depending on the market?

 

Gert-Jan Gerrits: Absolutely. The approach varies greatly between regions. Customers, their needs, and even the level of complexity of customer practices differ from one place to another. Health status, raw material availability, and local practices all play a role in shaping our strategy. For example, we've just discussed digestibility. In regions like Africa or Europe, the raw materials available for feed are different.

 

In Southeast Asia, corn and soy are the primary components of diets, while in Europe, wheat and barley are more common. These differences in raw materials, alongside variations in animal genetics, environmental factors, animal welfare practices, and the use of antibiotics, mean we need a distinct approach for each region, and often even for each country.

 

That's one of my key tasks—to define and implement strategies tailored to each country. We start by understanding the "why" behind the market needs, and only then do we determine which products to focus on and why.

  

How do you foresee the future of farming, and what role will EW Nutrition play in the future of the livestock and feed industries?

 

Gert-Jan Gerrits: In Southeast Asia, we're already seeing a consolidation of companies, particularly in Vietnam and Thailand, and this trend will gradually extend to other countries like the Philippines and Indonesia. We'll likely see larger integrators and bigger feed mills emerge, which will slowly phase out the traditional mixing market. This shift will require us to adapt and focus on these changes, as our approach to working with feed mills or integrators will differ significantly from working with home mixers.

 

Another significant challenge is antimicrobial resistance. As regulations around antibiotic use become stricter, we need to find solutions to replace antibiotics both on the farm and in feed. While antibiotics are still widely used, especially in certain regions, we're moving towards alternatives.

 

However, it's also important to consider regional differences. In a past meeting in the Philippines, I was given a compelling perspective on the challenges in the country. Many people in the Philippines still live on just US$2 a day, so concerns like animal welfare and environmental sustainability are secondary to meeting basic needs. This context is important when we talk about farming in these regions.

 

In addition to antibiotic reduction, the future of farming will also hinge on how we can protect animals without relying on medication. This goal centres on maintaining animal health through nutrition, at an affordable cost. Consumers aren't willing to pay significantly more for higher-cost products, so the key will be delivering health through cost-efficient solutions.

 

While high-cost, slow-growing, antibiotic-free products are becoming more popular in niche markets, the reality is that animal welfare and environmental concerns must be addressed with a balanced approach, considering the economic circumstances of different regions.

 

The future of farming will undoubtedly involve more smart farming and smart nutrition, but there will always be room to improve productivity and animal health through low-cost, cost-efficient solutions, especially in maintaining gut health. The key will be how we can cost-effectively sustain animal health without relying on medication. Smart farming is the way forward, but there's still a long way to go before it becomes mainstream.

 

And with smart farming, we can also expect advances in digital farming. One factor driving this evolution is the growing labour shortage in agriculture. Finding skilled workers to maintain farms is becoming increasingly difficult, which will push the industry towards more automated, digital solutions.

- Gemma Delmo and Nicholas Yong, eFeedLink