Where can we go with net energy in poultry?

Metabolizable energy (ME) is the main system used globally in poultry industry for feed formulation and for evaluating feed ingredients and mixed feeds (de Boer and Bickel, 1988). ME is considered a reliable index of what is available to the bird for maintenance and production but is not a predictor of how efficiently the bird uses the available energy (MacLeod, 2000). The ME system developed by Hill and Anderson (1958) was reported to provide less variation in energy values for feed and ingredients than the Fraps PE system, but MacLeod (1994, 1997, 1999) suggest that the low variation of ME values is because the ME system ignores the metabolic responses to feed. A dietary net energy (NE) system is needed that is sensitive to daily rapid protein gain plus changing daily energy maintenance needs caused by the accretion of lean mass (Hilton et al, 2019)

Development of Arkansas Net Energy Equation

The modern broiler is growing at a rapid rate generating tremendous amounts of heat. A sensitive Net Energy (NE) system is needed to measure body heat production (HP) generated primarily by daily maintenance and synthesis and degradation of myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic protein. The first two chapters present evaluation of the classic way to calculate NE versus a new methodology; the Arkansas NE (Ark NE) system, with birds from two genetic lines fed diets with different AA content or different ME content in two different environmental temperatures. Utilizing together the Net Energy maintenance (NEm), determined from indirect calorimetry, and Net Energy gain (NEg), evaluated through DEXA, provide valuable information about type of gain and current broiler genetics. This combination provides a deeper understanding of diet NE, rather than the small indigestible fraction differences which have been only measured through heat increment (HI). Taking advantage of understanding the genetics and appropriate environment is an advantage of NE formulation. In addition, protein, the source and type of fat (fat vs. starch vs. protein) makes a difference in how energy is metabolized by broilers. Research in feeding broilers exogenous composite enzyme, either alone or in combination with exogenous amylase, showed protein is primarily going to go into retained energy while energy coming from carbohydrate is going to be in a functional form, i.e. fuel for metabolic processes. Therefore, providing energy in the appropriate amount but also in the correct metabolic form will manipulate the amount of protein or fat deposited and ultimately the retained energy (NEg). Net energy calculations proved to be a sensitive way to evaluate enzyme addition to broiler diets. Lastly, utilizing digestible amino acids and other nutrient contents of the ingredients, even undesirable qualities, can be used to understand net energy calculations

\u27Process of using Arkansas Net Energy Formulations of Feed Ingredients for Broiler Production

This invention relates generally to a process of using Arkansas net energy formulations of feed ingredients for broiler production. In calculating energy requirements, the invention accounts for the heat generated due to maintaining body composition as well as the energy accretion from gain. The process is configured be incorporated into and utilized by a system for formulating feed rations

Process of using Arkansas Net Energy Formulations of Feed Ingredients for Broiler Production

This invention relates generally to a process of using Arkansas net energy formulations of feed ingredients for broiler production. In calculating energy requirements, the invention accounts for the heat generated due to maintaining body composition as well as the energy accretion from gain. The process is configured be incorporated into and utilized by a system for formulating feed rations

Global patterns of radiocarbon depletion in subsoil linked to rock-derived organic carbon

Organic matter stored in sedimentary rocks is one of the largest stocks of carbon at Earth’s surface. The fate of this rock organic carbon (OCpetro) during weathering in soils influences the geological carbon cycle, and impacts soil radiocarbon content that is used to quantify soil carbon turnover. Here, we assess the potential contribution of OCpetro to soils, using a mixing model generated by a global dataset of soil radiocarbon measurements (14C). Soils developed on sedimentary rocks (rather than on igneous substrate) have a paired OC content and 14C values consistent with OCpetro input, giving rise to apparent increase in soil residence time. We call for renewed assessment of OCpetro input to soils, in terms of its impact on soil radiocarbon inventories, and its potential to release carbon dioxide

Genetics and Production System Interaction Upon Carbon Balance of Growing Broilers

A total of eight hundred chicks were obtained from a commercial hatchery in Siloam Springs, AR. Half of the chicks were Cobb 500 and half were Ross 308 breed. Each of the four hundred birds was composed of half male and female. Chickens for the performance study were housed in two barns to represent two separate production systems. One barn was designed to simulate a Cobb 500 breed production system, a lower protein to energy ratio and light restriction (LRLP; light restriction, low protein) and the other barn was a Ross 300 breed production system, which specified a nearly constant lighting program (23 h) and a higher dietary protein to energy ratio (CLHP; constant light, high protein). For the carbon balance study, chickens were placed into forty metabolic chambers housed in two environmentally controlled separate rooms. Each room had 20 chambers, 12 broiler chambers (28.6 X 37.4 X 44) and 8 turkey chambers (46 X 63.8 X 66). One room was designated the LRLP environment while the other was the CLHP. Body weight, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, and carcass characteristics were determined for birds days 0-41.Birds under the CLHP treatment had greater (P0.10) carbon than CLHP birds. Ross birds retained more (P0.10) carbon than Ross birds. On days 7, 13, and 20, with CLHP birds produced more (P<0.05) gaseous carbon versus the LRLP birds and Ross birds produced more (P<0.05) gaseous carbon. On days 7, 13, and 20, CLHP birds excreted 12% more (P<0.05) carbon than LRLP. Little differences were seen on day 41, but lighting must be a factor in overall carbon emissions. Therefore, raising Cobb breed males under light restriction and lower protein diet will produce a viable product in efficient time with a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions.Animal Scienc

Limestone Solubility: What Can You Do About It?

Calcium (Ca) is essential for bone development mineralisation, as well as for eggshell formation, muscle and neural functions. Depending on the type of diets (veggie vs. non-veggie), species (turkey, chicken, duck), and age of animal (young vs. adult), limestone can contribute up to 95% total Ca in the final diet, with more Ca from limestone for younger animals with veggie diet. Despite the significant contribution of limestone to total diet Ca levels, the bioavailability variation of limestone Ca is rarely considered. Phosphorus (P) is a limited resource and is the third most costly ingredient in poultry diets. Improving P utilization in poultry diets will decrease the amount of inorganic P needed, reduce P excretion and feed costs, as well as increase the sustainability of poultry production. Studies in the past two decades have clearly demonstrated that Ca can be detrimental to P utilization. Some recent studies suggested that phytase, if used correctly can partially or even completely alleviate such detrimental effect. In addition, recent evidences also showed that formulating on bioavailability of Ca, instead of total Ca, could be more favourable in regard to feed cost, animal performance, and sustainability. The global limestone survey started in 2018, primarily to understand the variation of: 1) Ca concentration from the most significant Ca source and probably the cheapest ingredient limestone; 2) solubility and potentially bioavailability of the Ca from limestone. In parallel, a series animal studies were carried out to determine: 1) correlation of in vitro limestone solubility and in vitro Ca digestibility; 2) the impact of solubility profile on P digestion and phytase efficacy. It has been four years since the survey started, with over 1500 samples collected globally. It is a good time to review the results from and learnings so far

Recent Findings on Phosphorus Digestibility of Feed Ingredients in Broilers

Accurately meeting the dietary P needs of broilers is critical to ensure optimal bird performance, health, and welfare without causing undue environmental burdens associated with excess dietary P excretion. Phosphorus is commonly supplied in broiler diets from inorganic phosphates derived from non-renewable sources, but it has been estimated that peak P production will occur between 2030-2040 and that the global supply of P could be depleted within this century (Cordell and Drangert, 2009; Nest and Cordell, 2012). To address these concerns, inorganic P use in agriculture, including use in broiler diet formulation, requires careful stewardship. To this end, the dietary inclusion of animal protein meals can help reduce or eliminate the need for inorganic phosphate use, especially when paired with phytase (van Harn et al., 2017). However, the proportion of P available to the bird within commonly used inorganic phosphate and animal protein sources is often not well-defined.With increasing adoption of ileal digestibility of P in feed formulation, additional data are needed to develop robust databases for commonly used and important sources of P. Therefore, the aim of this study was to generate values of AID and SID of P for different inorganic phosphates and meat and bone meal sources using the direct method. In addition, relative P digestibility of these sources was determined using monosodium phosphate as the reference ingredient to provide a basis for comparing quantitative digestibility results with relative values

Mass media and risk factors for cancer: the under-representation of age

BACKGROUND: Increasing age is a risk factor for developing cancer. Yet, older people commonly underestimate this risk, are less likely to be aware of the early symptoms, and are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stage cancer. Mass media are a key influence on the public's understanding health issues, including cancer risk. This study investigates how news media have represented age and other risk factors in the most common cancers over time. METHODS: Eight hundred articles about the four most common cancers (breast, prostate, lung and colorectal) published within eight UK national newspapers in 2003, 2004, 2013 and 2014 were identified using the Nexis database. Relevant manifest content of articles was coded quantitatively and subjected to descriptive statistical analysis in SPSS to identify patterns across the data. RESULTS: Risk was presented in half of the articles but this was rarely discussed in any depth and around a quarter of all articles introduced more than one risk factor, irrespective of cancer site. Age was mentioned as a risk factor in approximately 12% of all articles and this varied by cancer site. Age was most frequently reported in relation to prostate cancer and least often in articles about lung cancer. Articles featuring personal narratives more frequently focused on younger people and this was more pronounced in non-celebrity stories; only 15% of non-celebrity narratives were about people over 60. Other common risks discussed were family history and genetics, smoking, diet, alcohol, and environmental factors. Family history and genetics together featured as the most common risk factors. Risk factor reporting varied by site and family history was most commonly associated with breast cancer, diet with bowel cancer and smoking with lung cancer. CONCLUSION: Age and older adults were largely obscured in media representation of cancer and cancer experience. Indeed common risk factors in general were rarely discussed in any depth. Our findings will usefully inform the development of future cancer awareness campaigns and media guidelines. It is important that older adults appreciate their heightened risk, particularly in the context of help-seeking decisions