The Thai Society of Animal Nutritionists (Thai SAN) is a professional, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the science and practice of animal nutrition in Thailand. Formed by academics, researchers, and professionals in the livestock and feed industry, the society plays a vital role in enhancing animal health, productivity, and feed efficiency through evidence-based nutritional practices.
Core Mission and Objectives
Thai SAN's core mission is to promote the development of animal nutrition science and to serve as a bridge between academia, industry, and policymakers. The society provides a collaborative platform for nutritionists, veterinarians, feed manufacturers, and livestock producers to share knowledge and apply innovative nutritional strategies.
Key objectives include:
- Facilitating research and development in animal nutrition
- Organizing scientific conferences and symposiums
- Providing technical training and certification programs
- Supporting national policy and regulation on animal feed and health
- Enhancing sustainable livestock production through nutritional innovation
Research and Academic Collaboration
Thai SAN collaborates extensively with leading academic institutions such as:
- Kasetsart University
- Chulalongkorn University
- Chiang Mai University
- King Mongkut’s University of Technology
These partnerships enable the society to promote high-quality research in areas such as:
- Nutrient digestibility and metabolism
- Feed additive development (e.g., probiotics, enzymes, phytogenics)
- Precision feeding systems
- Alternative protein sources such as insects and algae
- Gut health and microbiome modulation in livestock
The society supports peer-reviewed publications, thesis supervision, and data sharing platforms for members.
Industry Linkages and Events
Thai SAN serves as a key knowledge partner for Thailand’s USD 10 billion animal feed industry. Through its activities, it contributes to enhancing feed formulation practices and reducing feed costs while improving livestock performance.
Notable activities include:
- Annual Thai SAN Scientific Conference – A national forum featuring over 300 professionals, researchers, and students to present new findings and best practices.
- Workshops on Feed Formulation – Hands-on training using industry tools and software for poultry, swine, and ruminant diets.
- Joint Seminars with Feed Associations – Co-hosted sessions with the Thai Feed Mill Association and Department of Livestock Development to align on policy and practice.
Contributions to Livestock Productivity
Through its technical guidelines and training sessions, Thai SAN has had a measurable impact on improving feed conversion ratios (FCR), optimizing nutrient utilization, and reducing overreliance on antibiotic growth promoters.
Examples of outcomes influenced by Thai SAN guidance:
- Poultry farms adopting improved amino acid balancing strategies reduced feed costs by 8–10%.
- Swine operations applying phase-feeding principles achieved up to 12% improvement in growth rates.
- Ruminant producers utilizing Thai SAN-recommended total mixed ration (TMR) formulations saw milk yield increases of 1.5–2.0 liters per cow per day.
Policy and Regulatory Support
Thai SAN members actively contribute technical inputs to Thailand’s national livestock and feed safety regulations. The society provides expert consultation to agencies including:
- Department of Livestock Development (DLD)
- National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS)
- Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI)
Recent policy contributions include:
- Formulation of maximum residue limits (MRLs) for feed additives
- Development of guidelines on the use of herbal feed additives
- Drafting of standards for precision livestock feeding systems
Global and Regional Engagement
While primarily focused on domestic advancements, Thai SAN maintains academic and technical exchanges with international bodies such as:
- Asian-Australasian Association of Animal Production Societies (AAAP)
- Federation of Asian Veterinary Associations (FAVA)
- International Scientific Forum on Livestock Feed Safety (FAO)
These connections ensure Thai SAN is aligned with global advancements in animal nutrition and sustainable feed production.
Membership and Community
Thai SAN's membership includes:
- Over 300 individual professionals (nutritionists, veterinarians, academics)
- 20+ corporate members (feed manufacturers, premix suppliers, livestock integrators)
- Graduate students and early-career researchers
Membership benefits include access to exclusive journals, training materials, software tools, and discounted rates for conferences.
Strategic Importance
As Thailand positions itself as a regional hub for livestock production and animal feed exports, Thai SAN’s contributions are central to enhancing productivity, feed sustainability, and food safety. The society's multi-disciplinary approach and science-backed recommendations continue to shape best practices across commercial and academic livestock systems in Thailand.
By promoting responsible and innovative nutritional strategies, the Thai Society of Animal Nutritionists strengthens the resilience and competitiveness of Thailand’s livestock sector in both domestic and international markets.