It is known that replacing major feed ingredients to some extent with cheaper raw materials results in more complex diets. Increased complexity means diets can contain more antinutrient factors, become more fibrous, less digestible and more variable in nutrient value. Two of the major antinutrients found in more complex diets are arabinoxylan and betaglucan. Depending on the feedstuff used, the levels of each can vary dramatically (table 1).

This can have a negative impact on feeding value to the animal, performance as well as manure management. Fortunately, many of the factors which affect digestibility and variability of feed ingredients can be targeted by appropriate enzyme supplementation.

Carbohydrase enzyme combinations, such as new Axtra XB from Danisco Animal Nutrition, are specifically designed to target and negate the effects of antinutrients minimising variability of the diet and improving performance. Maximum feed cost savings are achieved when Axtra XB and phytase enzymes, such as Phyzyme XP, are used in combination. Independent studies have shown that using Axtra XB and Phyzyme XP in combination for grower/finisher pig diets allows feed cost savings of up to ~14Euro per tonne to be achieved, while consistently maintaining excellent animal performance.

Danisco Animal Nutrition’s enzymes work together to increase feed cost savings by enabling a greater inclusion of higher fibre, lower cost ingredients, enhancing the feeding value of the diet by improving digestibility, and by reducing the amount of expensive supplementary minerals required. Enzymes are effective tools to counter the impact of raw material price volatility on profitability. The correct inclusion of enzymes specific to the substrates within the diets allows producers and feed companies to switch to alternative cheaper energy and protein sources, saving money without compromising animal performance.