117 Nutrition Modelling: What Can the Pet Field Learn (or Steal) from Recent Directions in Other Species?

Abstract

Abstract Nutrition modelling has been the cornerstone of feed formulation and diet optimization in animal production systems for decades. Since the 1970s and 1980s, mechanistic models of nutrient digestion, absorption, metabolism, growth and milk/egg production have been developed and implemented to (1) amass our cumulative biological knowledge and develop theories of regulation, (2) identify knowledge gaps, and (3) propose means to manipulate nutrient dynamics in the animal. At the nutrient and metabolite level, many commonalities exist and parallels found between species. In fact, several second generation models originate from other species or research fields, and many current/existing models may be advanced by examination and consideration of models developed in other species. Many such mathematical models are implemented in practice as ‘decision support systems’ or ‘opportunity analysis tools’, in order to examine a variety of (feeding or management) scenarios for their potential outcomes, with the goal of providing targeted nutrition, improving performance, reducing cost and minimizing environmental impact. More recently, partnering artificial intelligence/machine learning modelling methodologies with newly available big data streams has ushered in a new era of possibilities for data extraction and modelling in animal systems. The niche for this type of modelling in animal production appears to be (1) pattern recognition (e.g. disease detection, activity) and (2) strong predictive/forecasting abilities (e.g. bodyweight, milk, egg production). There also appears strong potential for these two seemingly divergent modelling approaches to be integrated – for example, in precision feeding systems, or in utilizing the abundance of sensor data to better drive or develop causal-pathway based mechanistic models. This talk will broadly review trends and advances in agriculture animal species modelling, and suggest what may be borrowed, stolen or serve as inspiration to advance nutrition models in companion species.