Beat the Squeeze：A Botanical Solution for Feed Efficiency
Author：Lachance
Time：2025-10-21
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In recent years, with the development of the aquaculture industry, the competition for grain between humans and livestock has become increasingly intense, leading to a more severe shortage of feed resources. At the same time, the feed industry is facing intense internal competition. To achieve cost reduction goals, feed companies are compelled to use unconventional raw materials to replace part of the corn and soybean meal.
However, due to variations in the quality and composition of these unconventional raw materials, animals may experience health issues such as liver and intestinal problems when consuming them. Additionally, differences in the indicators of different batches of raw materials can affect animal growth performance. To ensure that production efficiency is not compromised while reducing costs, the development and utilization of functional feed additives have become particularly important. Through the rational application of functional feed additives, a balance between cost control and production efficiency can be achieved, playing a positive role in advancing the stable development of the feed industry and animal husbandry.As a characteristic plant in China, the application of Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract in animal husbandry is being widely studied. Relying on its natural active ingredients, it serves as an auxiliary feed additive, offering new ideas for the industry to address the dual challenges of cost and quality. Extensive practice has shown that Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract demonstrates potential value in supporting animal health and assisting in the optimization of breeding efficiency. Li Jinbao et al. found that adding 250 mg/kg of Eucommia ulmoides extract to the diet of weaned piglets as a substitute for antibiotics increased the average daily gain by 5%, reduced the feed-to-gain ratio by 5%, had no significant impact on daily feed intake, and reduced the cost of meat production by 0.27 RMB/kg.
Wang Jianhui et al. discovered that adding 1500mg/kg of Eucommia ulmoides extract to pig diets significantly reduced the average daily diarrhea scores during the 9.96-20kg and 20-60kg phases, significantly increased the average daily gain during the 20-60kg phase, and significantly reduced the feed-to-weight ratio during the 20-60kg and 60-90kg phases. Additionally, Eucommia ulmoides extract significantly increased serum globulin levels during the 20-60kg and 60-90kg phases.
Another study by Wang Jianhui showed that adding Eucommia ulmoides extract to pig diets significantly increased intramuscular fat, total amino acids, and umami amino acid content in pork, reduced drip loss, and improved loin eye area, meat color score, and muscle marbling score.
Chen Yumin et al. found that adding 0.15% Eucommia ulmoides extract to the diet increased the average daily gain of AA broilers aged 8–14 days by 7.42% and those aged 29–35 days by 24.94%, while reducing the feed-to-gain ratio by 19.34%.
He Mingxian et al., in their study on the active ingredients of Eucommia ulmoides, found that components such as syringaresinol diglucoside can effectively reduce fat synthesis, while pinoresinol diglucoside, syringaresinol diglucoside, and geniposidic acid can promote protein synthesis in chickens.
Numerous experts and scholars have experimentally verified that Eucommia ulmoides can also enhance immunity by promoting the growth and development of immune organs, regulating intestinal microecology, and altering the levels of serum immunoglobulin M and serum immunoglobulin G in chickens. Research has shown that adding Eucommia ulmoides extract to livestock and poultry feed helps optimize feed utilization efficiency, supports healthy animal growth, and has a positive impact on meat quality.[1] Li Jinbao, Cao Aizhi, Sun Zhiliang, et al. Effects of Eucommia ulmoides Leaf Extract as a Substitute for Antibiotics on the Growth Performance of Weaned Piglets [J]. Guangdong Feed, 2013, 22(04): 28-29.[2] Wang Jianhui, He Jianhua, Yi Xuan, et al. Effects of Eucommia ulmoides Extract on Growth Performance and Blood Indicators in Pigs [J]. Feed Research, 2007, (02): 1-4.[3] Wang Jianhui, He Jianhua, Yi Xuan, et al. Effects of Eucommia ulmoides Extract on Carcass Quality and Muscle Amino Acid Content in Pigs [J]. Journal of Animal Nutrition, 2007, (03): 269-276.[4] Chen Yumin. Effects of Eucommia ulmoides Leaf Extract on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Function, and Meat Quality of AA Broilers [D]. Jiangxi Agricultural University, 2015.[5] He Mingxian, Li Shilin, Fang Mingying, et al. Research Progress on the Active Ingredients of Eucommia ulmoides and Their Application in Chicken Feed [J]. Feed Review, 2018, (10): 47-49+52.
