SPACE 2018 attracts 108,347 visitors

In terms of French visitor numbers, there was a slight downturn on last year (-6.65%) which was mainly due to the fact that corn silage harvesting took place a fortnight earlier than expected this year and therefore clashed with the show. International attendance was up slightly (by 2.8%), showing how SPACE has unique international appeal, despite the market being particularly competitive this year. The exhibition was particularly strong this year in terms of international reach, its focus on innovation in working conditions and excellence in health and safety. Delegates came to Rennes from all over the world: India, Japan, China, Korea, Canada, Russia, Ukraine, North Africa and West Africa.

SPACE awards

Once again, innovation was central to this year’s exhibition. There were 39 Innov’Space prize winners and 5 of them were highly commended by the judging panel. Their achievements show how interested livestock farmers are in new solutions to improve working conditions, the wellbeing of animals, data management and more. Here are the animal nutrition award winners.

Probiotic solution for poultry

A 1 star award was given to Alterion NE®, an innovative probiotic developed by Adisseo in collaboration with Novozymes. Alterion® is a complete probiotic solution for poultry specifically designed to help deliver consistency. Made from a unique spore forming Bacillus subtilis strain, it has an innovative formulation that ensures a hassle-free usage as well as an optimal activation in the small intestine. By acting positively on the gut microbiota, the probiotic has a beneficial dual action on both performance and microbial balance. The innovation of the product is that the spores are “glued” on the particles of calcium carbonate, allowing a good quality of mixing and a better delivery to the animals.

Fodder transport equipment

A 1 star award was given to Gyrax for their new fodder transport equipment. The new Hyrax bale trailer can optionally be equipped with a system of side barriers. These barriers are intended to stabilise the load on the deck without being time consuming or be tedious for the user. This new device is the subject of a patent application. The stabilisation of the load decreases the risks of overturning the trailer and increases the driving comfort of the user. The system makes it possible to have a load securement regardless of the user (experienced or beginner) and exempts him from getting on the load or throwing straps over it.

Feed additive for better carcass quality

A 1 star award was given to Provimi Cargill. Heavier chicken, faster increasing growth and meat breast yield improvements have contributed to the advent of muscular disorders such as White Stripping and Wooden Breast Syndromes. These structural faults in the quality of carcasses can lead to major economic losses like, in severe cases, carcasses being downgraded at the slaughterhouse. Intella^TM Meat is a new nutritional solution, developed by Provimi experts, which reduces the impact of these carcass faults. Incorporated in the poultry feed, It helps to improve the vascularisation and oxygenation of the muscle cells in order to reduce the White Stripping and Wooden Breast incidence. The trials carried out with the product in the experimental station of Cugand (France) show a significant improvement of the breast meat quality and a reduction of the breast meat cost price due to the decrease of the number of downgraded at the slaughterhouse.

Probiotic yeast for better gut health

A 2 star award was given to Lallemand Animal Nutrition for their probiotic yeast. Levucell SB, is the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079, authorised in the European Union as a zootechnical additive for chickens and minor avian species for fattening (4d1703). The product helps to balance the gut microbiota and strengthens the animal’s natural defence system. In-vivo trials show a reduction of carcass contamination by Salmonella spp. It is the first and only probiotic authorised to date in the European Union with a specific function aimed at improving food safety. S.c. boulardii is widely documented and used for several decades in human medicine for the prevention and treatment of digestive disorders such as those associated with the use of antibiotics or infections related to Clostridium difficile.

Cow show

The livestock show is a big part of SPACE and this year 750 animals were presented in total (200 sheep and 550 cattle across 13 different breeds). The French national competition for the Parthenaise cattle breed was held at SPACE for the first time this year. 70 animals featured in what proved to be a first-rate presentation. The Challenge France Prim ‘Holstein breed competition was also a raging success showed how SPACE has become a unique genetic showcase for such breeds.

The next SPACE exhibition will take place from September 10-13, 2019.