Feeding Phytase Reduces Costs
UK - Adding more phytase to feed could help pig producers offset some of the addtional costs of feed phosphate prices. New generation bacterial phytases have been shown to be more effective at releasing plant-bound phytate phosphorus - so accessing valuable nutrients.
25 February 2008
3 minute read
These enzymes have been shown to be more efficient at traditional fungal phytases and could there fore help producers reduce inclusion rates and so formulation costs of pig rations, says nutritional specialist Danisco Animal Nutrition.
"With the current phenomenal rise in the price of feed phosphates, producers should consider increasing the inclusion of phytase in their feed", explains Dr Peter Plumstead, Danisco's Technical Services Manager.
The demand for phosphate fertilizers, due to increases in global crop production, is squeezing supplies for livestock feed. Producers face a challenge in sourcing sufficient quantities elsewhere.
Feed phosphate prices have rocketed in recent months, reflecting the imbalance between global supply and demand. The UK's Agricultural Industries Confederation has recently reported that supplies of feed phosphate will continue to be limited during the coming months, which means prices will continue to rise.
Inclusions Equal Savings
At a standard inclusion rate of 500 FTUs/kg feed, Danisco's bacterial phytase (Phyzyme XP) can replace an additional 1.3 kg dicalcium phosphate (DCP) in pig feed formulations."We have a wealth of data to show that doubling the dose of phytase in pig and poultry feed allows at least an additional 1.9 kg dicalcium phosphate to be removed from the feed, without negatively affecting animal performance," says Peter.
500 FTUs/kg feed tends to be the standard phytase inclusion rate in pig feeds, but with current DCP prices at around €550/tonne, the economic optimum phytase inclusion rate is currently around 1000 FTUs/kg feed for young pig feeds.
"Using a 1000 FTUs/kg feed will currently reduce young pig feed costs by around €4.67 per tonne. This allows a further 39 per cent reduction in dicalcium phosphate, resulting in an additional feed cost saving of €0.95/tonne compared to the standard inclusion rate of 500 FTUs/kg feed," Peter concludes.
Danisco Animal Nutrition's range of products are used by poultry and pig producers throughout the world. The company's mission is to deliver innovative, sustainable solutions that increase efficiency and safety of the food production chain in an environmentally sensitive way.
