New developments in Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR)
technology are unlocking greater insights for the feed industry, which should
mean improved returns for producers.
Whilst NIR has been used in traditional ‘proximate analysis’
for some time to measure components such as fibre, protein and moisture, this
has recently been extended to include in vivo metabolisable energy
measurements, reactive lysine and phytic P.
Dr Sophie Parker-Norman, Global Technical Manager at ABVista, says this pioneering approach has far-reaching implications for the
industry.
“Any deviation from target feed formulation specification
translates directly into economic losses, through higher feed costs or lower
animal performance. At a time when feed production makes up 70% of variable
animal production costs, utilising NIR to measure metabolisable energy,
reactive lysine and the phytic P content of feedstuffs has real potential to
better support supplier selection, optimise rations and improve feed
efficiency.”
Dr Parker-Norman says the comprehensive measurements can
bring significant improvements to accuracy, quality and sustainability of feed
production.
“The use of NIR beyond proximate analysis looks set to
benefit the industry as a whole, providing valuable insights for those involved
in feed milling and quality control, as well as nutrition and animal
production.”
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| Image: US Department of Agriculture |
Measuring the levels of metabolisable energy, reactive
lysine and phytic P will enable more accurate decisions to be made about feed
formulation, particularly because there is significant potential for variation
in these components, Dr Parker-Norman says.
“The energy value of different cereals can vary by 1.5MJ/kg.
With this worth between €5 and €25 per tonne of feed and 500 million tonnes of
feed produced per year, measuring metabolisable energy using NIR is economically
important.
“Heat damage of proteins can also affect the precision and
cost effectiveness of feed formulation. NIR can be used to measure the reactive
lysine content of protein meals; an assessment of heat damage obtained during
processing as well as an indication of the usable protein content of
feedstuffs.
“Finally, phytic P varies between different feedstuffs and
within a single raw material – and it is an important figure to know when
deciding how much phytase to add to feeds. NIR technology can analyse that
content, giving the nutritionist better control and confidence that there is
enough substrate for the enzyme to act on.”Learn more HERE.
The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine GFMT
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.
For additional daily news from milling around the world: global-milling.com
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