E.T. Kornegay discussed ways to reduce the amount of nutrient excreted through careful nutrient management in an article prepared for Feedstuffs. He suggested that diet formulation and feeding must be integrated into total production systems so poultry and swine production is environmentally safe and economically viable. He suggested several strategies for reducing nutrients excreted. Included in the list were 1) improving feed efficiency, 2) developing more accurate nutrient requirement information and composition data on feed ingredients, 3) formulating feeds with less excess nutrients compared to minimum nutrient requirements, 4) feeding for optimal performance rather than maximum performance, 5) using crystalline amino acids and high quality proteins, 6) improving the availability of phosphorus and some other minerals, 7) using phase feeding and separate-sex feeding, 8) reducing feed wastage, and 9) reducing biological stresses that may adversely effect production efficiencies. Management will be central to making sure that the diets are formulated and feeding practices integrated into production systems that minimize environmental problems associated with livestock and poultry production.

Kornegay, E.T. 1998. Nutrient management can reduce nutrient excretion. Feedstuffs, May 25, p14-15.