Insights from the 24th European Symposium on Poultry Nutrition (ESPN) 2025

In an era where food production must balance efficiency, sustainability, and animal welfare, continuous scientific dialogue and knowledge-sharing are more important  than ever. Scientific gatherings play a key role in this effort. They bring together researchers and industry professionals to share knowledge, discuss challenges, and explore innovative solutions. By connecting science with practice, such events help ensure that advances in poultry nutrition translate into real-world impact.

The 24th European Symposium on Poultry Nutrition (ESPN) took place from June 23rd to 26th, 2025, at the Maastricht Exhibition & Conference Centre (MECC) in the Netherlands. This year, the event was jointly organized by the Belgian and Dutch branches of the World’s Poultry Science Association (WPSA).

Shaping the future of poultry nutrition

A central theme of this year’s symposium was how the poultry industry can proactively prepare for future challenges and, importantly, influence the direction of those changes. The discussions covered a wide range of topics from sustainability, precision feeding, and feed efficiency to welfare-friendly solutions and alternative feed ingredients.

What sets ESPN apart is its strong focus on fostering dialogue – not only through presentations but also through interactive formats that encourage reflection and collaboration.

Hankkja FFI contribution to ESPN 2025

As part of the scientific program, we presented a research poster exploring the role of humic acid-rich peat in broiler diets. The study, conducted by Valkonen, J., Kettunen, A., Kiani, A., Vartiainen, J., Rinttilä, T., and Vuorenmaa, J. (2025), investigated the Effect of humic acid rich peat on broiler performance and cecal fermentation in diets containing low levels of Fusarium toxins.

The results contribute to the ongoing discussion on how natural feed additives can support gut health and performance under suboptimal dietary conditions. It was a valuable opportunity to share our findings with an international audience and engage in insightful discussions with fellow researchers and industry experts.

The value of discussion groups

A particularly appreciated feature of ESPN is the discussion groups following each plenary session. These smaller gatherings provide participants with the chance to:

• Reflect on the keynote presentations
• Discuss practical implications from multiple perspectives
• Formulate questions for the speakers during plenary discussions

Beyond the exchange of ideas, these sessions are an invaluable opportunity to broaden networks and connect with peers across academia and the feed industry.

Precision nutrition: still a journey ahead

One of the most engaging topics for us was the session on “Requirements, Responses, and Recommendations.” While this area might seem like a fundamental aspect of nutrition, it became evident that there are still significant knowledge gaps – especially when it comes to delivering truly precise nutrition tailored to the needs of each bird.

A persistent challenge highlighted in this session was the lack of standardization across nutritional systems, particularly regarding:

• Phosphorus evaluation systems
• Energy systems used in feed formulation

With multiple versions in use globally, comparing data or applying standardized recommendations remains difficult. As an industry, moving toward harmonized nutrient evaluation systems – or at least developing reliable translation tools between them – will be crucial to achieving precision nutrition and better benchmarking.

ESPN: More than just Science

As always, ESPN is not just a scientific conference but also a memorable cultural experience, offering the chance to enjoy local hospitality, cuisine, and traditions alongside professional learning.

Looking ahead, we are excited that the next ESPN will be hosted by the French branch of WPSA in Bordeaux in June 2027. We are already looking forward to continuing the conversation there – see you in France!