We were pleased to attend the BISAS Annual Conference 2026 that took place in April, represented by Hsueh-Lui Ho, Global Technical Manager for Feed Additives, and Freya Webber, Key Account Manager for Scotland & Northern England. A key event in the animal science calendar, the conference brought together researchers, industry experts, and innovators to share the latest thinking on sustainable livestock production, animal nutrition, and the future of farming systems.
With delegates travelling from across the UK, Europe, and as far afield as the US and Mexico, the event highlighted not only the global importance of these challenges, but also the value of collaboration in addressing them.
Bridging the Gap Between Industry and Academia
A consistent message throughout the conference was clear - stronger collaboration between industry and academia is essential.
While both sides are working toward the same outcomes, there remains a need for better understanding of each other’s priorities, timelines, and expectations. Discussions emphasised that aligning these perspectives is key to delivering meaningful progress in animal health, welfare and productivity.
Sessions exploring partnerships tackling challenges such as bovine TB (bTB), alongside conversations around public perception of research and the role of data transparency, reinforced the importance of working together more effectively.
A Broad Spectrum of Research and Innovation
The conference programme covered a wide range of topics across ruminant production systems, reflecting the complexity of modern livestock farming. These included:
Dairy nutrition and health, from mycotoxins to parasite challenges such as nematodes
Forage management and its role in performance
Feed additives and their impact on efficiency and resilience
Rumen function and strategies to reduce emissions through nutrition
Grazing systems and their contribution to sustainability
Advances in precision technology, microbiology and genetics
Precision Feeding, Genetics and Long-Term Efficiency
A key takeaway was the importance of balancing short-term performance gains with long-term improvements in livestock production.
Nutritional strategies and feed additives were consistently highlighted as practical, on-farm tools to support animal performance, resilience, and efficiency—particularly in managing day-to-day challenges and variability. Alongside this, genetic progress continues to play a role in driving longer-term improvements.
The consensus was not to view these approaches in isolation, but to combine nutritional innovation with genetic advancement to deliver sustainable productivity gains.
The Rumen Microbiome: Unlocking Future Potential
One of the standout areas of discussion centred on rumen microbiology, including the ambitious “Rumen Gateway” project led by Sharon Huws at Queen's University Belfast.
This initiative brings together 27 partners with the goal of isolating, sequencing and characterising rumen microorganisms, creating a comprehensive global culture collection. The long-term aim is to unlock new opportunities to optimise rumen function, improve efficiency, and reduce environmental impact through a deeper understanding of the microbiome.
Sustainability, Resilience and Emissions
Sustainability remained central throughout the conference, with a strong focus on improving resilience within livestock systems.
Discussions explored how nutrition, management and genetics can work together to:
Importantly, the conversation has moved beyond single solutions, instead recognising that progress will come from integrating multiple approaches across the production system.
The Growing Influence of Social Media
An increasingly relevant topic was the role of social media in shaping industry perception.
It was highlighted that scientific publication and regulatory approval alone are no longer sufficient to demonstrate product efficacy or safety. The industry must be prepared to communicate clearly and respond quickly in a fast-moving digital environment.
The example of Bovaer was discussed, illustrating how quickly misinformation can spread and the importance of having a proactive communication strategy in place.
With younger generations relying heavily on digital platforms, both industry and academia must adapt how they share knowledge and engage with wider audiences.
Strengthening Connections Across the Industry
Beyond the formal sessions, the conference provided valuable opportunities to reconnect with existing collaborators and build new relationships. Engagement with partners from organisations including University of Reading, University of Nottingham, and Queen's University Belfast highlighted the strength of ongoing collaboration, while conversations with new contacts across the supply chain opened the door to future opportunities.
Looking Ahead
The BISAS Conference 2026 reinforced that the future of livestock production will be shaped by collaboration, innovation and communication.
By bringing together expertise from across industry and academia, the sector is better positioned to tackle its biggest challenges - from improving efficiency and resilience to meeting sustainability goals and maintaining public trust.
The conference will return in 2027, this time in Scotland, where the conversation will no doubt continue.