Next-level poultry nutrition: An interview with a poultry expert
Poultry producers today operate in one of the most challenging environments the industry has ever seen. Rising feed costs, disease pressures, and sustainability demands are reshaping how businesses think about nutrition and health strategies. At the same time, performance targets and tight margins mean every decision must deliver measurable results.
To understand how producers can navigate this complexity and build profitable operations, we spoke with Christine Maziero, Senior Director, Global SMT – Poultry at Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health.
Q: Production seems more complex than ever. What are the biggest challenges producers face today?
You’re spot on – poultry production today is incredibly dynamic. Producers are dealing with rising feed costs, increasing pressure on gut health, and performance targets that demand precision and correct strategies. On top of that, there’s volatility in feed ingredients, disease pressures, and sustainability demands. Every decision matters because a single misstep in nutrition or health management can ripple across the flock, impacting growth rates, feed conversion, and overall profitability.
Q: How can producers navigate this complexity effectively?
The key is an integrated approach. Instead of looking at nutrition, health, and technology in isolation, we need to connect science, expertise, and digital tools across the entire value chain. Integrated solutions simplify complexity by aligning everything – from feed formulation to flock health – into a system that works together. This holistic approach ensures decisions are backed up by data and expertise, reducing risk and improving outcomes.
Q: Producers often talk about ROI. How do integrated solutions deliver measurable results?
In an industry where margins are tight, every investment must prove its worth. When nutrition strategies are supported by accurate data and feeding programs are optimised for efficiency, the impact is tangible: better-performing flocks, improved feed conversion, and stronger resilience. These outcomes translate directly into profitability. It’s about moving beyond promises to real-world performance.
Q: Modern poultry operations generate a lot of data. How do you help producers turn that into actionable insights?
That’s a great point. Raw data alone doesn’t solve problems – it needs to be transformed into decisions. This is where digital platforms are crucial. By connecting advanced analytics with expert interpretation, we help producers turn complexity into clarity. Data-driven decisions enable proactive management of poultry nutrition, health, and business strategies, reducing risk and improving performance. Every decision is backed by science and real-world understanding.
Q: Once producers have insights, what’s next?
The next step is precision – applying feed strategies at the right time, in the right amount, with the right product. This is critical for maintaining flock health, optimising feed efficiency, and achieving consistent performance. Integrated solutions make this possible by connecting people, platforms, and proven practices into one system.
Q: How does Cargill’s integrated approach stand out in the industry?
At Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health, we deliver an end-to-end system built on 3 pillars: Products, People, and Platforms.
- Products: Our science-backed nutrition solutions are proven in real-world conditions. From targeted micronutrition through Biostrong to risk management tools like Notox, we address critical challenges such as gut health, feed efficiency, and food safety. These solutions are designed to deliver measurable outcomes.
- People: Behind every solution is a team of experienced poultry-focused experts –nutritionists, gut health specialists, and field consultants – who know the industry inside and out. They listen, understand challenges, and work alongside producers to tailor strategies that fit each operation’s unique needs. This partnership ensures that science and technology translate into practical, profitable actions.
- Platforms: Decision-enabling digital tools like Galleon and Reveal Layers transform complexity into clarity. Galleon unlocks microbiome intelligence to inform feeding strategies, while Reveal Layers provides real-time body composition insights for laying hens. These platforms empower producers to make confident, data-driven decisions that improve performance and profitability.
Q: Any closing thoughts?
By connecting these 3 elements – science-backed products, expert people, and innovative platforms – Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health help poultry producers go beyond solving today’s problems. This is further reinforced by our exceptional, cutting-edge R&D that is based on a legacy of scientific rigour. We are always striving to find the best ways to help poultry producers globally, because ultimately, it’s about building a foundation for sustainable, resilient, and profitable operations for the future.
