Green livestock farming trend: Effective use of biological products

Dual benefits of biological products

Dual benefits of biological products in recent years, poultry farms in Tay Ninh have actively adopted biological and microbial technologies to reduce the use of antibiotics, effectively treat waste, and minimize environmental impacts. Among these, biological additives and probiotics have proven to be low-cost, easy-to-implement solutions with significant economic benefits.

A prime example is the Duc Trong chicken farm located in Suoi Ngo commune, Tan Chau district. Despite raising nearly 200,000 broiler chickens, the farm is notably free of unpleasant odors. This is thanks to the use of probiotics mixed into feed, drinking water, and the application of biological bedding.

Nguyen Anh Tuan, the farm manager, emphasizes the importance of gut microbiota, particularly beneficial bacteria, in poultry farming. These microbes aid digestion, enhance immunity, and optimize animal growth in a safe and natural manner.

As the trend of antibiotic-free livestock farming grows, probiotics have become an essential part of poultry diets. They help improve digestion, boost immune systems, and aid in preventing and treating disease. This results in healthier chickens, fewer illnesses, lower mortality rates, and higher productivity.

Additionally, probiotics are highly effective in eliminating farm odors. Organic compounds in faeces, urine, and leftover feed are broken down by microorganisms into odorless substances. Treated waste can be reused as organic fertilizer, protecting the environment and optimizing resource use.

By using biological products, farmers can reduce veterinary drug costs, feed expenses, and labor needs, while increasing productivity and product quality—ultimately enhancing economic efficiency.

Biological bedding – An effective environmental solution

The Duc Trong farm also employs biological bedding made from rice husks—a readily available local material. Previously burned as waste, rice husks are now used in bedding where, thanks to probiotics, poultry waste does not require frequent cleaning. The bedding is replaced only every 4–5 months, significantly cutting labor and energy costs.

According to Tuan, keeping the barns clean and free from toxic gases helps prevent respiratory diseases, a common issue in poultry farms. However, to ensure optimal bedding performance, barns should be constructed with raised, well-drained floors to keep the environment dry and support microbial activity.

He also advises choosing the right type of biological product suited to each farm's specific needs, as different products have varying functions and applications.

High-tech farming and disease-free zones

Tan Chau is among the districts in Tay Ninh province certified as disease-free for avian influenza and Newcastle disease in poultry. In recent years, this area has attracted major investors such as De Heus (Netherlands), Hung Nhon Group, Masan, and QL, who have established high-tech poultry farming projects.

Nguyen Hoang An, Head of the Livestock and Veterinary Station in Tan Chau, notes that the district has a total poultry population of around two million. Alongside building disease-free zones, environmental protection in farming areas—especially in poultry—has become a top priority for local authorities.

Measures include relocating farms away from densely populated areas and licensing only those with waste treatment systems that meet environmental regulations. The district also promotes large-scale, high-tech, enclosed farming systems with climate-controlled barns.

Probiotics – a key to modern livestock farming

Probiotic technologies are drawing increasing attention from veterinary pharmaceutical companies, which are investing in research and production. Most probiotics contain microorganisms that enhance feed conversion and break down waste effectively—ideally suited to today's concentrated, semi-industrial farming models.

The benefits of probiotics are manifold. When mixed with feed, they enhance digestion, increase immunity, and reduce gastrointestinal diseases. Farmers report up to an 80% reduction in veterinary medicine use—especially antibiotics—compared to conventional methods.

According to An, modern poultry farms are implementing environmental protection measures more scientifically and effectively than small-scale or household farms. These high-tech operations have more structured production and waste treatment processes, leading to improved farm hygiene, better health outcomes for poultry, and higher-quality products.

The Tay Ninh Livestock and Veterinary Sub-Department reports that the province has over 10 million poultry. Most farms now operate enclosed barns equipped with automatic water and feed dispensers, ventilation fans, and biological products to reduce environmental pollution. This marks a clear move towards a more sustainable and responsible livestock sector.