Advances in coating technologies and formulation design are transforming additives from generic enhancers into precision tools. These can deliver nutrients exactly where they’re needed, writes swine nutrition technology expert Dr Casey Bradley.
Let’s be honest – there’s a plethora of “me too” feed additives on the market today. The front-runners of innovation and research are no longer appreciated in many categories, and products that once stood out are now viewed as commodities.
Producing more private-label versions of enzymes
As patents expire and manufacturing know-how becomes more accessible, nothing prevents nutritionists like me from producing private-label versions of classic enzymes, vitamins, or specialty additives. The consolidation of the feed industry and rise of integrated systems have only accelerated this trend. Just as grocery chains moved toward store brands – think Walmart’s “Great Value” or Meijer’s early success in the US – animal feed and supplement retailers are following suit.
It’s the same concept: products manufactured in the same facilities as branded goods, but marketed under different labels. Given these realities, private-label feed additives are no longer a distant possibility – they’re here.
Still, there remains room for true innovation. I don’t believe the next breakthrough will be another “better phytase,” but rather, in how nutrients and additives are delivered.
Feed additives are no longer just about what they contain, but about how and where they work.
Coated vitamin and trace mineral premix
Recently, I sat down with a representative from Jefo to learn about their coated vitamin and trace mineral premix. This technology could reshape how we think about micronutrient delivery. Early research suggests up to a 3 year shelf life, compared to my personal 6-to-12-month standard. In poultry, early adopters report being able to reduce premix use by 50–75%. Imagine what this could mean for swine nutrition.
Here are a few advantages this kind of technology offers:
- Longer shelf life – Producers can purchase vitamins and trace minerals when prices are lowest, creating strategic cost savings;
- Improved biosecurity – Longer storage windows help manage risks associated with diseases such as ASF;
- Enhanced stability – Reduced degradation and fewer negative interactions with ingredients like organic acids.
What excites me most is how this coating technology – originally designed for gut health additives and rumen-bypass amino acids – opens the door to targeted nutrition. We can now deliver nutrients to specific sections of the digestive tract with precision.
From broad formulations to precision delivery
I’ve referred to this concept as “bioutility” in a project I’ve been collaborating on for the past 2 years. As a nutritionist and animal scientist, I find it thrilling to move from broad formulations to precision delivery, ensuring bioavailability exactly where it’s needed. Instead of relying on “super enzyme A” because company A’s data claims superiority over “super enzyme B or C,” we can now design systems tailored to specific biological and production needs.
This evolution marks a shift – from competing over marginal performance gains to truly engineering nutrition for purpose and profit. Feed additives are no longer just about what they contain, but about how and where they work.
And that’s the kind of innovation that keeps our industry moving forward.
