Gut Microflora, Diet, and Pathogens: Key Factors in Swine Digestion

Anouschka Middelkoop, swine nutrition researcher at Schothorst Feed Research (SFR) in Lelystad, the Netherlands. I joined the R&D team of SFR in 2020 and I am mainly responsible for pre- and post-weaning piglet trials with a focus on gut health and ETEC diarrhoea. Before that, I studied early nutrition and the weaning transition in piglets during her PhD, understanding the effects of fibrous creep feed and developing strategies to get more piglets to eat before weaning.

I am the Deputy Director of the National Pig Centre and currently work as a lecturer in the School of Biology in Sustainable Livestock Production with a particular interest in improving the sustainability of pig production, with emphasis on the effect of early life. I joined the University in 2018 as a Research Fellow in Animal Nutrition and Physiology in the monogastric nutrition group. I also completed both my PhD (2014-2018) and integrated masters and BSc in Biology (MBiol, BSc 2010-2014) at the University of Leeds, specialising in gut microbiology of livestock. My broad interest is animal science and nutrition. I have a strong interest in understanding what influences efficient utilisation of feed and how this is influenced by the animal’s resident microbial community. I am interested in the way in which the gut microbiota interact with the host animal in health and disease and in turn, how the microbiota are controlled and selected for by the host. More broadly, I am interested in studying sustainable ways of improving animal health, efficiency and productivity whilst reducing feed waste, minimising land use and decreasing environmental pollution.

As a Research Scientist - Nutrition at Prairie Swine Centre with nearly 20 years experience conducting studies in swine, I lead a research program that aims to enhance the environmental, economic, and social sustainability of animal agriculture and improve human health. I am also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Animal and Poultry Science at the University of Saskatchewan where I contribute to graduate training. My research focuses on four main themes: the interaction of nutrition and health, the effect of early-life nutrition on lifetime performance, factors affecting nutrient utilization, and the incorporation of alternative feedstuffs and feeding programs. I have published multiple peer-reviewed articles, received several awards and grants, and collaborated with industry partners and stakeholders. I am passionate about advancing the knowledge and innovation in swine nutrition and contributing to the well-being of animals and humans.

Jane has more than 20 years of experience as a journalist on news titles and trade press. She now writes about the international feed industry, including innovation, start-ups, regulation, and anything else that bites.