New product to tackle coccidiosis

A new, non-prescription product to tackle coccidiosis has been launched in the UK and will be available exclusively via NWF Agriculture. Aliphos CxP™ is based on plant extracts including thyme (active ingredient thymol), oregano (carvacrol), liquorice
(anethole) and garlic (allicine), which are microencapsulated to ensure a slower release of the active ingredients along the intestine.

Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease of the intestinal tract of animals caused by coccidian protozoa. The disease spreads from one
animal to another by contact with infected faeces or ingestion of infected tissue; diarrhoea, which may become bloody in severe cases, is the primary symptom.

Research in France using the plant extracts in Aliphos CxP™ treated calves suffering from diarrhoea in the first days of life (almost all farms used in the trial were infected with cryptosporidiosis).Oocysts in the faeces were counted for 30 days, and those receiving the plants extracts mixture decreased the number of oocysts excreted in the faeces compared to the control group; average daily liveweight gain was also improved.After five days of treatment, almost 80% of sick calves recovered.

“Following this trial data from the continent on beef calves, and with reference to due diligence on the use of medicated feed, particularly Deccoquinate, NWF have completed farm trials using Aliphos CxP™,” says NWF Technical Co-Ordinator, Erin Wray.

“Two units rearing dairy heifer replacements were used, The units had a historical coccidiosis problem, and have been feeding a starter (creep) pellet with preventative Deccoquinate treatment levels included. Faecal analysis of the cocci oocyte presence of both units was completed on a fortnightly basis to ensure there was no risk to the youngstock with the withdrawal of feeding preventative level Deccoquinate, and replacing this with Aliphos CxP™. These tests and trials spanned a variety of weather challenges from September 16 to January 17, and under all circumstances, the faecal analysis returned as zero.”

“We are not recommending that Aliphos CxP™ is a cure for coccidiosis, however for units running on preventative Deccoquinate prescriptions, there may be an opportunity to replace Deccoquinate, and the associated cost of prescriptive feed, with the  inclusion (and support) of Aliphos CxP™,” says Miss Wray, who adds that increasing consumer and retailer pressure to reduce or eliminate the preventative use of medications in animal feeds means the greater emphasis is now being placed in alternative nutritional approaches.

“The poultry industry has seen the conventional coccidiostat application approach challenged in the past decade, resulting in a demand for alternative methods to reduce, or completely replace the use of coccidiostats in modern chicken production.
Alternative products which do not have negative implications via residues for consumer health are increasingly in demand, especially in organic poultry farming.”

“Inevitably, this demand for alternative approaches will not be restricted to poultry production. The opportunity to use supplement based on plant extracts, which has been proven to support the digestive tract, reduce oocyst excretion and aid animal performance is an exciting development for the ruminant market and one exclusively available in the UK to NWF customers.” said Miss Wray.