Formulating poultry diets for least cost and maximum performance
Sudipto Haldar, PhD
BASICS OF POULTRY FEED FORMULATION
PART - ISteps towards a least cost formulation
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Select the goal with a good home work
1. Establish the nutrient requirements
2. Establish the ingredient specifications
3. Selection and usage of major ingredients
4. Selection and usage of calcium and phosphorus sources
5. Selection and usage of oil
6. Selection and usage of enzymes
7. Selection and usage of additives
8. Suggestions on formulations
9. Suggestion on number of feeds
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Establish the nutrient requirements
• Determine the energy levels to be fed for the different periods.
• Energy levels will normally be in the range of 2900-3200 kcal/kg ME as these levels have been found to give the best growth and FCR.
– ME level may be determined by economic analysis which includes costs of energy so that with high energy costs a lower energy level may be chosen and vice versa.
• Establish the digestible lysine levels for these periods.
– This may be established as the ratio of digestible lysine to energy.
• Once ME and digestible lysine levels are established other essential amino acids are calculated by using the ideal protein ratios.
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Establish the energy to lysine (digestible) ratio
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Nutrients Starter Grower Finisher
ME kcal/kg (MJ/kg) 2900 (12.1) 3000 (12.6) 3150 (13.2)
Dig lysine g/MJ 4.17 3.39 3.02
Digestible Lysine % 1.21 1.02 0.95
Important:1. It is suggested to not to use a crude protein minimum as a constraint unless it is needed
to meet the requirement for a specific amino acid (especially serine and glycine) or toinclude a specific raw material (eg. Corn gluten meal) which is costly and gets generallyrejected considering the price of the main protein source (mainly soybean meal).
2. Putting a protein minimum as a constraining factor is likely to increase the cost offormulation.
3. Selecting a good quality soybean meal and using synthetic amino acids take care of mostof the amino acid needs leading to a good formula at lower cost.
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Select the essential amino acids : The 7 + 1 Concept
The primary focus should be on the following:1.Lysine2.Methionine3.Methionine + cysteine4.Threonine5.Tryptophan6.Arginine7.Isoleucine8.Valine
• These amino acids are essential which may be limiting in some situations when notformulating with a minimum protein level.
• However, amino acids beyond valine (serine + glycine) are gaining importance and theyneed to be considered provided accurate data is available.
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Balance the essential amino acids: The ideal protein ratio for broilers
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Amino acids Starter Grower Finisher
Lysine 100 100 100
Methionine 37 38 40
M + C 70 73 76
Threonine 62 64 68
Tryptophan 16 17 18
Arginine 105 108 110
Isoleucine 65 67 69
Valine 77 78 79
The above ratio is adopted from the works of Baker et al., Creswell and Tillman. There are other ratios suggested byEvonik and Ajinomoto and any of the ratios should work well provided the raw material quality is judged.
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Balance the essential amino acids: The ideal protein ratio for Layers
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Amino acids Chick Grower Developer Pre-layer Layer
Lysine 100 100 100 100 100
Methionine 37 38 40 46 47
M + C 72 75 78 76 90
Threonine 65 68 70 59 77
Tryptophan 16 17 18 21 22
Arginine 105 108 110 92 103
Isoleucine 67 69 70 62 79
Valine 77 80 81 72 93
Feed the layers to meet their daily requirement and fix the percentage of nutrients based on their daily feedintake. Close monitoring of daily feed intake is of utmost importance to formulate a good layer diet.
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Standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids
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Ingredient Lysine Methionine M+C Tryptophan Arginine Threonine Isoleucine Valine
Corn
Sorghum
Wheat
Wheat middlings
Wheat bran
Corn gluten meal
Corn gluten feed
DDGS
Rice bran, full fat
Rice bran, extracted
Brown rice
Lupins
Peas
Canola meal
Canola full fat
Cottonseed meal
Soybean meal1
Soybean meal2
Soybean meal 3
Sunflower meal
Full fat soy extruded
Full fat soy expanded
Full fat soy toasted
Groundnut meal
Coconut meal
Palm kernel meal
Sesame meal
Fishmeal
Feather meal
Meat and bone meal
Blood meal
Poultry meal
92
90
86
80
81
76
70
68
76
73
80
87
85
80
87
65
89
85
91
87
88
92
81
78
50
59
88
86
57
69
89
83
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83
80
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84
86
71
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51
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75
84
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76
51
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78
46
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67
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PART - IICritically assess the major raw materials
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Select the main energy source: Corn
• By far corn is the most important energy source for all categories of poultry in this subcontinent.
• Corn sources:
– India: locally available
– Nepal and Bhutan: Highly dependent on Indian imports
– Bangladesh: Imports from USA, Latin America, Ukraine, and some times from India. Local sources are also exploited depending on the crop.
• There are alternatives to corn as well:
– Broken rice and millets in the Indian subcontinent market and wheat in many other parts.
– In the Indian subcontinent the decision on including the alternatives depend on corn availability and price to a large extent.
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Corn quality varies a lot: Fungus and moulds
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Excellent quality Corn Poor quality Corn
Poor quality corn with excessive dusts Doubtful corn
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Doubtful corn
Corn quality varies a lot: Moisture is inversely proportional to ME
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2950
3000
3050
3100
3150
3200
3250
3300
3350
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350
Moisture % and ME kcal/kg in Indian corn samples (n =323)
Moisture% AME kcal/kg
Min moisture: 9.96%, Max moisture: 19.70%;
Min ME: 2987 kcal, Max ME: 3313 Kcal
Predicted AME = 2864.1+21.5*Moisture
Type Moisture% Protein% Fibre % Fat % Ash% NFE % DM% ME Kcal/kg
Corn – 1 12 8.5 2.5 3.8 1.2 72.0 88.0 3386
Corn – 2 12 7.5 2.5 3.8 1.2 73.0 88.0 3386
Corn – 3 14 7.5 2.8 3.5 1.2 71.0 86.0 3285
Corn – 4 16 7.5 3.0 3.0 1.2 69.3 84.0 3177
How to predict ME of corn based on moisture and other nutrients
ME = (4.31*0.87*(CP*10)+9.298*0.92*(EE*10)+4.14*0.92*(NFE*10) Rostagno et al 2011
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Corn quality varies a lot: Starch digestibility
Corn starch content and digestibility values may vary up to 20%. This shatters the long standing myth surroundingthe corn’s consistent feed value and puts substantial economic implication for the poultry producers.
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Chose the correct energy value of corn
Nutrients Corn – 1 Corn -2 Corn -3 Corn -4
Lysine 0.24 0.23 0.23 0.22
Met 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15
M+C 0.32 0.32 0.32 0.29
Thr 0.26 0.24 0.24 0.20
Try 0.06 0.05 0.04 0.04
Arg 0.37 0.34 0.33 0.30
Ile 0.29 0.25 0.25 0.23
Val 0.39 0.34 0.34 0.35
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Corn has fairly constant amino acid profile (values in %) Adjust the value for ME lossMEL = -0.064+1.62BRK+6.98FRIM+10.06MOLD+12.28INS+5.87ADCBRK: Broken grain %FRIM: Fragmented grains%MOLD: Mould affected grains%INS: Insect infested grains%ADC: Grains affected by other causes%
Type BRK FRIM MOLD INS ADC ME-Loss ME-Calc ME-Act
Corn -1 1.0 2.0 3.0 1.0 2.0 69.7 3386 3316
Corn -2 3.0 4.0 5.0 2.0 3.0 125.2 3386 3262
Corn -3 4.0 5.0 7.0 5.0 4.0 196.6 3285 3088
Corn -4 5.0 6.0 9.0 5.0 3.0 207.2 3177 2970
Example of ME calculation in a correct way
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Oil is the bulk energy supplier: The right way to use oil
Is it necessary to use oil in formulations?
The answer is perhaps: YES … because
• Increase palatability and therefore intake of feed, perhaps mash feed only.
• Reduce dustiness and separation of ingredient particles in mash feed.
• Increase pellet mill output by lubrication, but reduce pellet quality (PDI).
• Decrease rate of passage of digesta, thereby increasing the utilisation of nutrients.
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Oil addition to broiler feeds is perhaps desirable but not essential and probably uneconomic at highprices. However, if oils are to be included in broiler feeds, ME values of available products should bemeasured, calculated or estimated and the most cost effective ones chosen for use.
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Determine the quality of oil through the following assays: 1. MIU: Moisture, insoluble impurities, un-saponifiable matter
Trading standards for MIU are usually < 2% for feed grade oils and < 1% for higher quality products.However, much higher MIU levels are possible because of poor processing (e.g. filtering) ordeliberate adulteration (e.g. water). Most MIU compounds have little if any nutritional value andshould not be allowed in ME calculation.
2. Free fatty acids
3. Unsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratioIodine value (IV) is a measure of unsaturation (number of double bonds) but is not useful forME calculation because increased degree of unsaturation, generally is not associated withhigher digestibility.
4. NEM: Non Elutable Materials
Mostly found in over heated oils and recycled vegetable oils.
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The right way to use oil: Know the oil first
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The most practical way to predict the oil to be used is the Wiseman Equation which is based on FFA and U:S ratio.
ME (kcal/kg) = (A + B*FFA g/kg) + C*exp (D*U:S)/0.004184 where A, B, C and D are constants as follows
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The right way to use oil: know the energy value
Constant 1.5 weeks Bird 7.5 weeks Bird
A 38.1118 39.0245
B -0.0090 0.0056
C -15.3368 -8.5054
D -0.5089 -0.4025
ME values (kcal/kg) of fat varies with age of birds and type of oil
Fat type 1.5 week bird 7.5 weeks bird
Palm oil 6740 7870
Palm oelin 7070 8050
Soy oil 8800 9060
Poultry fat 8140 8620
Tallow 6800 7900
Agrivet Consultancy P Ltd
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40
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00 6
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65
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85
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90
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90
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42
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75
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79
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84
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43
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80
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84
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84
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38
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78
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83
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84
00
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The right way to use oil: ME value varies with age0
.37
0.6
5 0.7
4
0.7
4
0.5
9
0.8
9
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5
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5
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3
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3
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3
0.8
5
0.8
5
WEEK -1 WEEK-2 WEEK-3 WEEK-5
Tallow Soy oil Tallow:Soy oil Poultry fat Palm oil
Points to be noted:1. For accurate formulation age
specific ME values to be assigned tooils.
2. Given a choice palm oil is preferredover tallow. Presence of more C18fatty acids makes tallow lessdigestible.
3. Fats rich in stearic acid to beavoided as stearic acid is an inhibitorof intrinsic lipase activity.
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PART - IIIUnconventional raw materials …
Do they really reduce cost of formulation?
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• The unconventional raw materials refer to all those raw materials that have not been
traditionally used in animal feeding and or are not normally used in commercially produced
rations for livestock.
• These include commonly, a variety of raw materials from perennial crops and feeds of
animal and industrial origin.
Unconventional raw materials … what do it mean?
Unconventional raw materials: when are they considered?
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Perhaps never when raw material prices are soft.
With soft raw material prices when market is down.
Inclination remains more towards protein sources..
Options are more with protein than energy.
Rich protein sources are available.
Question remains about their amino acid profile and digestibility and presence of anti-nutritional factors.
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Unconventional raw materials : Examples … from an Indian perspective
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▪ There are many ... amongst protein sources
▪ Cotton seed meal
▪ Roasted guar meal/guar korma
▪ DDGS obtained from rice fermentation
▪ Leather meal
▪ Some may be considered as semi-conventional ... mostly energy
▪ Bajra (pearl millet)
▪ Broken rice
There are other sources as well but a comprehensive description of all may not be possible here.
Unconventional raw materials : the deciding factors
▪ Chemical composition of the test material.
▪ The price of the test material (unconventional).
▪ The price of the reference raw material.
▪ The shadow price of the test as well as the reference raw material.
▪ Target cost of the formulation.
▪ The basis of formulation.
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Unconventional raw materials : Look at the chemical composition
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45.26 47.2450.29
42.0044.64
49.55
32.33
81.75
59.61
90.03
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Soybean meal -1 Soybean meal -2 Soybean meal-3 Cotton seedmeal
Rice DDGS Guar meal Sunflower meal Feather meal Poultry Meal Blood meal
Vegetable proteinsSoybean meal
Animal proteinsCrude protein content (%)
Considering the protein values these meals are quite lucrative to a formulator
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Unconventional raw materials : Look at the chemical composition
0.00
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1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
4.00
4.50
5.00
Lysine Methionine M+C Tryptophan Arginine Threonine Isoleucine ValineSoybean meal Cottonseed meal Canola meal Guar meal Coconut meal Rice DDGS Sunflower meal
Amino acid (%) in protein meals – reference soybean meal (44-45% crude protein)
Compared to soybean meal the total amino acid profiles of the meals are not really poor.
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Unconventional raw materials : Look at the chemical composition
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Lysine Methionine M+C Tryptophan Arginine Threonine Isoleucine Valine
Soybean meal Cottonseed meal Canola meal Groundnut meal Coconut meal Palm kernel meal Sunflower meal
Digestibility of amino acid (%) in protein meals – reference soybean meal (44-45% crude protein)
Considering soybean meal as the reference all other protein meals have inferior digestibility of amino acids.
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Unconventional raw materials : Look at the chemical composition
Digestible amino acid (%) in protein meals – reference soybean meal (44-45% crude protein)
0.00
1.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
Lysine Methionine M+C Threonine Tryptophan Arginine Isoleucine Valine
SBM 45% SBM 47% SBM 50% Cotton seed meal Rice DDGS Guar meal Sunflower meal Feather meal Poultry Meal
The overall digestible amino acid contents, albeit a bit erratic, should not be a constraint towards their inclusion in the formula. Negative interactions between amino acids must be kept in mind while taking decision.
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Unconventional raw materials : Look at the chemical composition
1. High crude fibre, sand silica and phytate phosphorus impede the utilization of the unconventional raw materials.
2. Cotton seed meal may contain >13% crude fiber while sunflower meal may contain >18% crude fibre while a regular
soybean meal contain only 6-7% of crude fibre.
3. Excess fibre impedes nutrient utilization and should bring down the flock performance.
4. Intervention strategy (enzymatic) should be drawn while using these unconventional raw materials.
5. Though mostly free from toxic elements the anti-nutritional factors should be paid heed to – fortunately many of the
inherent anti-nutritional factors are destroyed while processing.
The other nutrients must not be ignored
▪ For an unconventional raw material sliding into the formula a softer cost of the
concerned raw material and an equally harder price of the conventional raw
material is needed simultaneously.
▪ Since the gap between these two cost factors are not very wide for cereals the
scope of unconventional cereals becomes limited unless there is some scarcity.
▪ The scope is wider for proteins as the pricing of main protein source – soybean
meal – undergoes frequent fluctuations and availability of alternatives are more.
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Unconventional raw materials : The cost factor and basis of formulation
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Unconventional raw materials : Apply the nutritional acumen
▪ Consider a broiler starter diet (1-14 d of age):
▪ ME 2925 kcal/kg, digestible lysine 1.28% (rest calculated according to ideal protein ratio),Ca 0.9%, av P 0.5%, Na 0.22%.
▪ Conditions:
1. Maximum level of guar meal inclusion fixed at 5%.
2. For all calculations soybean meal price was fixed at INR 29.00/kg.
3. Based on that Guar meal shadow price for a no CP minimum diet was calculated to be INR26.12 per kg.
4. Market price of guar meal was INR 26.20 per kg.
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Unconventional raw materials : Apply the nutritional acumen
BROILER STARTER DIET INGREDIENTS
Price INR/kg Inclusion Price INR/kg Inclusion Price INR/kg InclusionCase - 1 kg/t Case - 2 kg/t Case - 3 Kg/t
Maize 15.00 582.40 15.00 570.00 15.00 575.00SBM 46.5% CP 29.00 342.40 29.00 308.00 29.00 320.00Guar meal 55% CP 26.20 REJECT 26.12 50.00 26.20 31.30MBM 44% CP 26.00 25.00 26.00 25.00 26.00 25.00Rice bran oil 56.00 16.00 56.00 13.60 56.00 15.00DCP 38.50 9.80 38.50 9.30 38.50 9.30Limestone 2.30 4.90 2.30 5.00 2.30 5.00Lysine Sulfate 88.00 3.70 88.00 3.60 88.00 3.70DL Methionine 240.00 2.70 240.00 2.60 240.00 2.60L-threonine 160.00 1.00 160.00 1.00 160.00 1.00Salt 4.90 2.50 4.90 2.50 4.90 2.50Soda 30.00 1.50 30.00 1.50 30.00 1.50Phytase 5000 495.00 0.20 495.00 0.20 495.00 0.20NSPase 650.00 0.50 650.00 0.50 650.00 0.50Premix 242.20 7.40 242.20 7.40 242.20 7.40Cost/kg INR CP= 21.85% 24.07 CP = 22.88% 23.96 CP= 22.5% 23.96
NO CP MINIMUM PRICE NEGOTIATED 22.5% CP MINIMUM
1. Case – 1: Guar meal was rejected when diet was formulated on ideal protein ratio (CP = 21.85%).
2. Case -2: Guar meal price was negotiated by only INR 80.00 per ton and this slides into formula to the maximum
permissible limit of 5% (CP = 22.88%)
3. When keeping the same price (INR 26.20 per kg) the diet was formulated using a minimum CP of 22.5% roasted guar
meal was introduced by close to 3%.
4. There was some price reductions in cases 2 and 3.
5. Should one go for this now? – Lets have a look below:
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Unconventional raw materials : Apply the nutritional acumen
Guar Meal
Galactomannan
Trypsin inhibitor
Saponin etc.
Should one invite so many anti-nutritional factors tosave something in the formula cost?The answer should be NO.
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Unconventional raw materials : Apply the nutritional acumen – a case study
Treatments:1. All SBM diet2. SBM was replaced by 2% in starter and 5% in grower
and finisher by roasted guar meal (RGM).3. Soybean was priced at INR 38/kg and guar at INR 32/kg
Nutrient specs (starter, grower and finisher respectively):1. CP% = 22.2, 20.2 and 18.5.2. ME kcal/kg = 2900, 3000 and 3100.3. Ca 0.9, 0.85 and 0.80% .4. Available P 0.50, 0.48 and 0.45%
Diet BW 14 d BW 28 d BW 35 d Feed intake g FCR
Control - SBM 529.4 1440.0 1872.2 3191.1 1.812
RGM 20/50 524.4 1427.1 1836.6 3441.8 1.953
• Feed intake was higher in the guar fed group. • Plausibly guar meal induced viscosity depressed digestibility of starch and other nutrients and birds attempted to
compensate for that by consuming more feed.• In this case reduction of formula cost did not pay any dividend.
Source: Mishra et al. 2013
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Unconventional raw materials : The cost factor
▪ The diets were formulated without any CP minimum.
▪ Cotton seed meal was introduced at 5.0, 7.5 and 10%.
▪ The diets were balanced according to the SID of the diets.
▪ Soybean meal was priced at INR 34.50/kg and CS meal
was priced at INR 26.00/kg.
Nutrients Starter Grower Finisher
ME kcal/kg 2900 3000 3150
Crude Protein%* *** *** ***
Lysine 1.22 1.10 0.98
Methionine 0.45 0.42 0.40
M+C 0.85 0.80 0.74
Threonine 0.78 0.70 0.66
Tryptophan 0.20 0.19 0.18
Arginine 1.28 1.18 1.08
Isoleucine 0.79 0.73 0.67
Valine 0.94 0.85 0.77
Calcium% 0.90 0.80 0.70
Available P % 0.45 0.40 0.36
Diet CS-0 CS-5.0 CS-7.5 CS-10
Starter 25.33 25.57 25.72 25.84
Grower 24.11 24.49 24.62 24.93
Finisher 23.81 24.36 24.66 24.96
Introduction of CS meal increased cost.
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Unconventional raw materials : The cost factor
37.00
38.00
39.00
40.00
41.00
42.00
43.00
44.00
1.00
1.20
1.40
1.60
1.80
2.00
2.20
2.40
CS-0 CS-5 CS-7.5 CS-10
Final BW FCR Feed cost/kg BW
Inclusion of cotton seed meal almost linearly depressed body weight leading to poorer feed conversion and increased feedcost/kg live weight (Source: ACPL, Internal Research)
Decision: Cotton seed meal proves to be infeasible at this level of pricing when diet was formulated for adjusting theSID% of amino acids.
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Unconventional raw materials : A compromised approach
A volume to volume replacement of soybean meal with cotton seed meal reduces cost of formulation
25.37
24.18
23.63
25.24
24.04
23.5
25.15
23.95
23.41
25.07
23.87
23.36
24.98
23.78
23.27
23.00
23.50
24.00
24.50
25.00
25.50
Starter Grower Finisher
CSC-0 CSC-15 CSC-25 CSC-35 CSC-45
• Soybean meal was replaced with Cotton Seed meal volume to volume by 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5% without any othercompositional changes.
• Soybean meal was priced at INR 34.50/kg and CS meal was priced at INR 26.00/kg.
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Unconventional raw materials : The compromised approach worked better
47.01
45.6846.83
45.8146.53
35.00
37.00
39.00
41.00
43.00
45.00
47.00
49.00
1.00
1.20
1.40
1.60
1.80
2.00
2.20
CSC-0 CSC-15 CSC-25 CSC-35 CSC-45
Body weight kg Feed conversion ratio Feed cost per kg live weight
A volume to volume replacement of soybean with a modest amount of CS meal (3.5%) yielded better return on investmentwithout impacting performance (Source: ACPL Internal Research).
• The scope of using unconventional raw materials in poultry feedingsystem comes mostly with the protein sources.
• The driving force for using the unconventional raw materials isdefinitely the price of the main protein source used in diet.
• Variability in the composition of the unconventional raw material is aconstraining factor towards their inclusion in diets of broilers.
• Presence of anti-nutritional factors confounds their inclusion further.
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Unconventional raw materials : The final call
1. The decision of using unconventional raw materials in any formulations must be very cautious and
judicious.
2. Simply going by the price and cost of formulation may not pay back always and there may be
severe down fall in flock performance leading to overall loss in profitability.
3. Judgment must be based on nutritional acumen and that should take into account the chemical
composition of the unconventional raw materials and their digestibility values and presence of
anti-nutritional factors.
4. In cases where their usage becomes inevitable owing to non-availability of the conventional raw
materials, there must be an upper cap to prevent any untoward effect on flock performance.
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Unconventional raw materials : The final call
PART - IVThe right way to use enzymes in formulations
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Variability in raw material composition: The biggest enemy
• In animal production systems feed is the biggest single cost, and on-farm profitability depends onthe relative cost and nutritive value of the feed ingredients available.
• If feeds are not digested by the animal as efficiently as they could be, there is a cost to theproducer.
• Variability costs a lot to the producer….
• It limits the inclusion level of many potential raw materials to avoid risk in feed formulation.
• It increases the use of amino acids as overages.
• Overall cost of formulation increases
Enzyme application offers an excellent solution to fight against the variabilityby unwrapping the bound nutrients.
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Variability in raw material composition: The biggest enemy
43.0
44.0
45.0
46.0
47.0
48.0
49.0
50.0
51.0
52.0
2.50
2.60
2.70
2.80
2.90
3.00
3.10
3.20
3.30
Soybean meal crude protein % Soybean meal Lysine %
35.0
40.0
45.0
50.0
55.0
60.0
1.40
1.60
1.80
2.00
2.20
2.40
2.60
2.80
3.00Meat-bone meal crude protein % Meat-bone meal Lysine %
Enzymes commonly used in formulations
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Enzyme Substrate Target raw materialsPhytase Phytic acid All plant derived ingredients
ß-glucanase ß-glucan Barley, oats and rye
Xylanase Arabinoxylan Wheat, rye, triticale, barley, fibrous plants
α-galactosidase Oligosaccharides Soybean meal, grain legumes
Proteases Proteins All plant protein sources
Amylases Starch Cereal grains, grain legumes
Mannanase, cellulase Cell wall matrix Plant derived ingredients, fibrous plant materials
Source: Ravindran, 2013
How these enzymes are used?
Option I
• Reformulation of feed to reduce feed cost without impacting the growth,production and feed conversion efficiency … the matrix concept.
Option II
• Addition of the enzyme on top of a standard feed formulation to improve betterfeed utilization efficiency and improved performance ... Over the top application.
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• In practice matrix values for least cost feed formulation are assigned to the enzyme.
• These matrix values are generated from animal studies and are typically for calcium, phosphorus, sodium, amino
acids and energy.
• The authenticity of these matrix values depends to a great extent on the stability of the enzyme product during the
steps of feed processing.
Should enzyme use be prioritized? - YES
1. Phytase: To destroy all the phytates and yield some extra-phosphoric effects.
2. Xylanase and β-Glucanase: To degrade the fibrous caging of the plant materials and make the
trapped starch and protein available for digestion.
• The decision should be based on the targeted effects to be obtained over and above
those already achieved by the phytase.
• The selection is governed by the raw materials – in a wheat based diet xylanase is a must.
3. Proteases: To make the protein of relatively lower digestibility available to the host and get
some extra-protease effects.
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Phytase is the first choice: A good phytase offers a lot
How a phytase works?
• Making P available from ingredients…from plant materials P digestibility goes hardlybeyond 30% and its unwrapping can open up a Pandora’s Box.
• Makes Ca released from the calcium phytate complex
• Makes Na and many other trace elements released from the claws of phytate.
• Releases amino acids and energy by direct and indirect ways.
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As a thumb rule, phytase comes in the formulation as an automatic choice. The selection of the secondenzyme may be a bit tricky but always a xylanase/beta glucanase/NSPase combination is a better bet. Thechoice of the third enzyme is optional. If the diet contains a substantial quantity of un-conventionalprotein sources, then protease should pay the dividend. The benefits of protease applications are in manycases intangible yet substantial.
Trademark Quantum Blue Phytaverse Axtra Phy Hi Phos Ronozyme NP Natuphos
Manufacturer AB Vista Novus Danisco DSM DSM BASF
Donor E. Coli Buttiauxella Cytrobacter P. lycii A. niger
Produced in T. reesei T. Reesei A. niger A oryzae A. niger
Available P 0.15 0.15 0.14 0.15 0.12 0.12
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Phytase is the first choice: A good phytase offers a lot
The above information is for illustration purpose and states the values for 500 ftu phytase. Does not include the new variants of the products.
All commercial phytases come with very lucrative matrix. The matrix must be judged very carefullycrosschecked if the matrix is an exaggeration or is a reality.
Apply the phytase matrix requires nutrition acumen
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Price = RS 27.76/kg
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Price = RS 26.83/kg
Apply the phytase matrix requires nutrition acumen
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Apply the phytase matrix requires nutrition acumen
Increasing the phytase concentration from 500 to 1000 and
then to 1500 ftu increases phytase activity. The response is
curvilinear. However, enzymes need substrates – and phytase is
not an exception. To get better responses from a higher dose of
phytase either phytate affinity of the phytase should be high or
the amount of substrate (phytate) to be increased.
• Keeping a similar matrix increasing phytase activitylowers the feed cost.
• The savings comes through reduction of inclusion ofmainly oil and also to some extent the P source.
• Remember, phytase can release P from plant sourcesand not from animal protein sources.
• Hence, a complete removal of P sources will not beprudent at all.
• Similarly, the formulator must keep in mind that aminimum quantity of oil is also needed in formula.
Price = RS 26.31/kg
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Pay attention towards increasing phytase efficacy
• Lowering Ca level according to phytase matrix ...
• Gives space in formulation
• Alleviates the negative interaction with other minerals
• Increasing the energy and protein digestibility
• Increases P digestibility and improves performance.
• Thus, by playing with the Ca matrix of phytase it is possible to reduce unnecessaryinclusion of limestone in formula and maintain a good performance with a lower feed cost.
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Pay attention towards increasing phytase efficacy
• Applying the energy matrix of phytase takes away some quantities of energy rich rawmaterials like corn and oil.
• Allows inclusion of low energy raw material like de-oiled rice bran.• This in turn increases the volume of the feed … if it is a mash feed and birds spend more
time on feed (increased clean up time).• Thus, indirectly, flock uniformity should be better when the trick is applied.
• Xylanase + B-glucanase make substrates available for digestion
• Not only energy but also amino acids become digested
• Realistically there should be both energy and amino acid matrix for this category of
enzymes
• The decision should be based on the targeted effects to be obtained over and above thosealready achieved by the phytase.
• The selection is governed by the raw materials – in a wheat based diet xylanase is a must.
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The second enzyme – xylanase and β-glucanase ?
A xylanase + β-Glucanase or NSPase is apt to be the second most important enzyme provided enough digestible substrates are there in the formula the enzymes can work on.
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Application of the combined matrix must be done cautiously
Phytase + Xylanase (full matrix) Price = RS 25.32/kg Phytase + Xylanase (part matrix) Price = RS 26.37/kg
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Phytase Ca, P + Xylanase Price = RS 27.19/kg
Application of the combined matrix must be done cautiously
• Not all undigested energy can be digested by any enzymeor enzyme combination.
• If a xylanase has the potential to increase digestibility by80 kcal the effect will be augmented by addition of aphytase.
Total energy contribution by a combination of phytase 6xylanase will be 50+70 = 120 kcal and not 50 + 80 = 130 kcal – asub additive effect.
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Phytase and xylanase complements each other
Nutrients in raw materials are notisolated criteria. They exist ascomplexes with various linkages toprotein, fat, fiber and other complexcarbohydrates. Multiple enzymeapplication results in synergisticeffects by providing greater substrateaccess and reducing the anti-nutritiveeffects of the substrates.
The above citation shows that supplementation of xylanase alone may not be as beneficial as it would be when goes along with a phytase (Selle et al. 2003).
However, the effects may not be 2+ 2 = 4.Rather it may be 2 + 2 = 3 or evenless.
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Protease the third enzyme: does it work ?
• Despite inconsistency reported in literature protease has enough potential to augment the actions of
phytase and xylanase.
• Phytin (the storage form of P in plants) is a globoid protein which is possibly resistant to phytase and
protease facilitates the breakdown of the phytin globoid and helps phytase to access the phytate.
• Allows inclusion of low digestible protein sources and makes some NEAA available – like glycine and
glutamine thus boosting up the growth of enterocytes which depend on glutamine.
• Cuts supply of protein to potential gut pathogens leading to a ‘good gut’.
• Proteases preferentially target the cereal portion of the ration and also the trypsin inhibitors and the
lectins.
• Unfortunately, either their matrix values are exaggerated or they are too complicated to apply on a day
to day basis.
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Definitely it does but … note the following points:
• Protease significantly improves amino acid digestibility but a concomitant improvement in performance may
not be there always (Angel et al., 2011; Liu et al., 2013).
• Variation in protease responses might be due to the ingredients used in ration and may not be discernible if
tested at the background of a phytase and/or xylanase (Sultan et al., 2011; Kalmendel, 2012).
• Effects are likely to be more when used together with a phytase and a carbohydrase.
• Diet formulation is extremely important to elicit the maximum benefit from a protease. Inclusion of some
less digestible protein meals should yield more discernible effects from a given dose of protease.
Protease the third enzyme: does it work ?
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Protease the third enzyme: does it work ?
2188.33
2033.182095.70
1850
1900
1950
2000
2050
2100
2150
2200
2250
2300
PC NC NC + Protease
Body weight (g) of chickens at 42 d of age The experimental diet contained de-oiled mustard cakewhich is rich in phytate and is less digestible than soy.Protease was supplemented on top.
Without protease and phytase FCR showed severedepression. The recovery in FCR suggested thepositive effect of protease + phytase.
1.725
1.801
1.754
1.68
1.7
1.72
1.74
1.76
1.78
1.8
1.82
PC NC NC + Protease
Feed conversion ratio 1-42 d
The data indicates that when de-oiled mustard cake wasincorporated into the diet protease got a better opportunity towork owing to a greater availability of substrate to work on.
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Protease the third enzyme: a xylanase makes a protease more effective
Protease along with xylanase and phytase improves bodyweight, feed conversion and nutrient digestibility inbroilers (28-d trial period)
The nutrient release effect should be kept in mind whileformulating the diets especially when body weight is aconcern.
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Protease the third enzyme: when it will not work ?
Phytase + Protease + Xylanase full matrix Price = RS 25.82
Phytase Ca and Av P/Protease + Xylanase full matrix Price = RS 27.48
FORMULA-1 FORMULA-2
A nutritionally marginal diet allows the enzyme to work efficiently
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• The maximum efficacy of a feed enzyme is obtained when the digestibility of the diet isat a lower plane.
• Enzyme efficacy drops by 50% for every 10% increase in digestibility of diet.
• If the digestibility of a diet is 70% then by enzyme intervention it can be increased to77% - a clear improvement of 10%.
• But, if the digestibility of a diet is as high as 90%,
• then enzyme supplementation can increase the digestibility by a meagre 2% only to91.8%.
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Source: Cowieson et al . 2012
A nutritionally marginal diet allows the enzyme to work efficiently
Combination of enzyme matrices – the paradox
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Combination of enzyme matrices is an art and formulation advise must not result in loss in performance.
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Combination of enzyme matrices - the correct approach
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The most important part is to reduce reliance on the virtual matrices and judge how much actual nutrient is supplied to the bird – here lies the importance of nutrition acumen.
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Points to remember while going back
• Realistically, it is really difficult to increase nutrient digestibility beyond 88-90% by applying enzymes in
formulations.
• Extraction of the maximum benefits from enzyme application depends totally on the raw material being used in
formulations.
• Nutrition acumen is very important when enzyme matrix values are applied and an over-simplification may prove
suicidal.
• In breeding hen feeding programs enzyme application should be used as a tool to get the benefits which are more
of satellite in nature though in commercial broilers and layers the main focus should be cost reduction without
any impact on productivity.
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