Dr. Germán Bertsch, in representation of Biovet S.A. Laboratories, travelled to Bolivia and Paraguay between March 31st and April 3rd, where he visited some of the main poultry and egg producers and feed mills in Bolivia and a leading Paraguayan poultry producer.

Although Bolivia and Paraguay have a great geographical and climatological diversity, some of the predominant climates are subtropical and tropical savanna characterized by mild winters and hot and especially humid summers. In the Bolivian case, the southeast of the country is characteristic by its fertile plains where an important part of the national livestock production is concentrated. The case of Paraguay presents an arid west and a rainier east with fertile plains where the agricultural sector, focused on exports, has grown exponentially in recent decades.

Relationship between climatic conditions and prevalent pathologies: the case of Bolivia

There is a direct relationship between environmental factors – high temperatures and humidity – and greater predisposition in the appearance of specific pathologies. In this case, those related to feed and raw materials contamination by mycotoxins tend to be more prevalent in livestock farms in these latitutdes. For this reason, the Bolivian agri-food industry and especially the poultry and pork sectors require solutions for better feed preservation and additives designed for the prevention and mitigation of the effects of pathologies such as coccidiosis.

In his visits to farms, Dr. Bertsch advised about the correct operation and effects of Biovet’s natural preservative, Alquermold Natural. This product acts as a feed bactericidal and fungicidal and can be used as an intestinal biocide when mixed with feed. For the prevention of harmful effects related to the presence of mycotoxins in the digestive system of the animal, such as possible intestinal irritations – enteritis – and to avoid its absorption, Dr. Bertsch recommended the use of mycotoxin binders such as Alquerfeed Antitox, with a molecule of Silicoglycidol as active ingredient.

For the prevention of coccidiosis, Dr. Bertsch presented the intestinal optimizer, Alquernat Zycox. This product is designed to replace coccidiostats and acts on the local immune system of the digestive tract braking the reproductive cycle of coccidia and the damages caused in the intestinal mucosa of the animal.

A market with great growth potential: the case of Paraguay

Paraguay’s agri-food industry faces problems similar to those of its neighboring country, largely due to climatic similarities. The visit to the countri consisted of a first contact between Biovet S.A. and one of the main poultry producers in the country.

Although current legislation in this South American country is not as strict as in other latitudes regarding the prophylactic use of antibiotics and other chemical additives , there is a growing interest in new products such as pronutrients and other natural additives designed specifically for animal physiological improvement, as well as substitutes for substances prone to be prohibited by new regulations in the mid and long-term.

Dr. Bertsch also presented Biovet’s natural preservative and mycotoxin binder in addition to the intestinal conditioner, Alquernat Nebsui, which applied to feed or drinking water can act as a substitute for antibiotic growth promoters (AGP). This product is designed to regenerate the enterocytes, which helps for a better absorption of nutrients present in the diet.