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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Lexington, Kentucky » Forage-animal Production Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #404325
Research Project: The Roles of Forage and Phytochemicals at the Plant-Microbe-Animal Nexus for Sustainable Ruminant

Location: Forage-animal Production Research

Title: Editorial: Natural products in animal feed and production systems

Author
item Klotz, James
item MACADAM, JENNIFER - Utah State University
item Flythe, Michael

Submitted to: Frontiers in Animal Science
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/21/2023
Publication Date: 5/1/2023
Citation: Klotz, J.L., MacAdam, J.W., Flythe, M.D. 2023. Editorial: Natural products in animal feed and production systems. Frontiers in Animal Science. 4. Article 1204663. https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2023.1204663.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2023.1204663

Interpretive Summary: The use of natural products in livestock production systems has a limitless number of opportunities that can range from replacement of a synthetic product to creating a value-added product by finding a use for something previously viewed as an unwanted or waste product. However, as with other additives, care must be taken to thoroughly research the impact that inclusion of even natural products has on the livestock consuming or receiving them and the impact on their production. This research topic and the articles that comprise it are examples of the ingenuity and research needed to further the productive incorporation of natural products in to feeds and livestock production systems. This editorial and this research topic will be of benefit to any individual interested in learning more about the use of natural products in livestock production systems.

Technical Abstract: Natural products are a broad and diverse group of compounds with an even more diverse range of biological activities and can originate from bacterial, fungal, plant, animal, or marine sources. Use of various products such as antibiotics in animal feed for their growth-promoting effect has been commonplace in modern animal production. Although there were and continue to be tangible benefits to the use of antibiotics as feed additives, issues with public perception and increasing implementation of regulations have begun to limit chronic subclinical use of these compounds. This has stimulated a surge in the study of various natural products with the goal of finding a suitable replacement. In addition to improving livestock productivity, there is also an interest in identifying natural products that improve animal health, alter the nutritive qualities of animal products, and improve the sustainability of livestock production by reducing the impact on the environment.