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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mississippi State, Mississippi » Poultry Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #292672
Title: Precise amino acid availability values key

Author
item HILL, B - Baker Consulting
item Kim, Elizabeth

Submitted to: Feedstuffs
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/15/2012
Publication Date: 1/28/2013
Citation: Hill, B., Kim, E.J. 2013. Precise amino acid availability values key. Feedstuffs. 85(4):20-22.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Historically, in early formulation of rations for the integrated poultry industry, the dominant ingredients included a grain or starch source (primarily Corn), a vegetable protein source (Soybean Meal), an animal protein source (Fish Meal), supplemental fats and oils, vitamins, and minerals. These ingredients were of high nutritive value, readily available and reasonably priced with fairly consistent values. Formulation was based upon crude protein values with an acknowledgement to the Total and Available Amino Acid values that were known. Because of the availability and cost of these ingredients, it was possible to over formulate the protein levels to supple enough available amino acids to maximize performance of the birds. The extra cost was minimal, environmental effects were not a consideration and profits were good. Let us fast forward to today’s production environment. Record high prices for corn, soybean meal (SBM) and fish meal have put constraints on formulations as never before. Fish meal has disappeared from broiler formulation due to cost. The use of blended animal proteins or commodity animal proteins supplemented with synthetic amino acids has replaced fish meal in the diets. Maximum performance is still the primary goal; however, over-formulation is simply too expensive and unacceptable from an environmental aspect to be viable. Over formulation of diets to ensure maximum performance is simply too expensive from a cost standpoint and unacceptable from an environmental aspect to be viable.