We evaluate the potential economic impact of using high-oleic soybeans (HOS) in dairy rations based on a synthesis of results from 5 prior feeding trials. Milk Income Less Feed Costs (MILFC) per cow per day is calculated based on assumed increases in milkfat production and increased cost of rations including HOS. Impacts of changes in MILFC are evaluated for herds with different numbers of milking cows, and the total volume of HOS required to support different proportions of US dairy cows is calculated. A dynamic supply chain model assesses the potential market impacts of increases in butterfat supply. The increase in milkfat from the substitution of 5% of ration dry matter with whole HOS (1.4 kg cow−1 day−1) has the potential to increase MILFC by up to $0.27 cow−1 day−1, or an increase the average value of milk by $0.29/45.4 kg for a cow producing 41 kg /day. Changes in MILFC are highly correlated with the price of butter but were positive for butter prices observed from January 2014 to September 2020.
Article Quarter: FY24 Q2
Productive energy: Exploring reasons for its superiority beyond apparent metabo-lizable energy and classic net energy
Productive energy (PE) predicts performance better than apparent metabolizable (AME), N-corrected AME (AMEn), and classic net energy (CNE; CNE = AME – heat increment, HI). This study assessed the relationship between body composition, fasting heat production (FHP = net energy for maintenance, –NEm), and economics, and explored why PE outstands. 1920 chicks in 96 pens (8 blocks) were assigned to 12 dietary treatments with changing levels of total digestible amino acids (TDAA; T1-T3), digestible starch (sSt) coupled with TDAA (T4-T6), nutrient density (T7-T9: fat, TDAA; T10-T12, fiber). During one week, each block was restrict-fed treatment diets allowing similar energy intake; every block started the experimental period every seven days. Before that, all received standard diets. For each block, performance was recorded, body protein, fat, and energy (net energy for gain, NEg) and processing weights (i.e., breast meat, leg quarters; breast-to-leg ratio, BLR) were determined with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Heat production (HP) at fasting (FHP) and HI (HI = fed HP – FHP) were determined in calorimetry chambers, and PE (NEg+NEm) was calculated. Diet AMEn, non-starch polysaccharides fractions, and digestible nutrients (fat, crude protein –CP, starch, amino acids) were determined. Carcass market value (MKV) was calculated with market prices. Gross profit gain (GPG) was determined as MKV – feeding cost. Linear mixed models were fitted in JMP to quantify empirical relationships, and a mechanistic model was developed. Models indicated positive linear relationships (P<0.001) between dCP intake and NEm (kcal/bird/d; adj.R2 = 0.98), body gain leanness with NEm (adj.R2 = 0.96) and BLR (adj.R2 = 0.94), BLR and MKV (adj.R2 = 0.93), and MKV with GPG (adj.R2 = 0.99). The models indicated that in contrast with PE, AME (and AMEn and CNE) (i) do not acknowledge (P>0.05) changes in body composition, their influence on FHP and BLR, and its effect on MKV and GPG, (ii) mislead the influence of CP on energetics by ignoring (P>0.05) its effect on NEm, and (iii) assumes no variations in FCR (P>0.43; other than digestion) and actual metabolism.
Productive energy (Arkansas Net Energy) value of diet and soybean meal for broilers as predicted by digestible nutrients
Productive energy (PE) predicts performance and economics better than N-corrected apparent metabolizable (AMEn) or classic net energy (CNE; CNE = AME – heat increment, HI). This study developed models to predict diet net energy for gain (NEg), CNE and PE, and soybean meal (SBM) PE from digestible (dig.) nutrients. 96 pens (8 blocks) with 20 chicks each were set to 12 dietary treatments: varying total dig. amino acids (TDAA; T1-T3) or dig. starch (dSt) and TDAA (T4-T6), or increasing (T7-T9; fat, TDAA) or decreasing (T10-T12; crude fiber) nutrient density. Every 7 days, one block started receiving treatment diets for one week; all were fed standard diets before. Feed was restricted to allow similar energy intake. Feed intake was recorded, body protein, fat and NEg were measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and heat production (HP) at fasting (FHP = net energy for maintenance = NEm) and HI (HI = fed HP – FHP) in calorimetry chambers. PE was NEg + NEm. Diet AMEn, non- starch polysaccharides (total, tNSP; insoluble, iNSP; soluble, sNSP), dig. fat (dFat), dig. crude protein (dCP), dSt and TDAA were determined. Linear mixed models were fitted in JMP. A reference SBM was used to evaluate SBM PE models. Anabolic (ACPV; gain) and overall (OCPV; gain and maintenance) caloric-equivalent predictive values of dig. nutrients were calculated, defined as the number of calories for gain (NEg; ACPV) or gain and maintenance (NEg+NEm; CVO) that each g of dig. nutrient predicted. Models were validated for diet NEg (dCP, TDAA, dFat, sNSP; adjR2>0.86), CNE (dFat, dSt, tNSP, iNSP, sNSP, dSt-to-tNSP or -sNSP ratios; adjR2>0.55) and PE (dCP, TDAA, dFat, dSt, sNSP; adjR2>0.80), and for SBM PE (dCP, TDAA, dFat, dCP- or TDAA-to-tNSP ratios; adjR2>0.57). CNE was not influenced by dCP or TDAA (P>0.39). SBM PE models showed high precision (deviation ≤72 kcal/kg) and accuracy (error ≤2.2%). dCP, TDAA, and dFat explained 92, 88 and 10% of diet NEg, 85, 81, and 12% of diet PE, and 96, 96, and 0.7% of SBM PE, and showed ACPV of 4.9, 5.3, and 1.8, and OCPV of 8.4, 9.2, and 4.3 kcal/ kg, respectively. SBM contributed 44% of diet PE but 19% of AMEn.
Optimizing protein sources in reduced-protein diets to improve the immune responses during coccidiosis in broiler chickens
High dietary crude protein concentrations increase coccidiosis severity, and reduced-crude protein (RP) diets, supplemented with essential (EAA) and nonessential amino acids (NEAA), can improve the broiler’s immune response, which may depend on the plant protein source. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of soybean meal (SBM), canola meal (CM), or corn-DDGS (cDDGS) inclusion in RP diets for broiler chickens during an Eimeria challenge. A total of 1120 broiler chicks were distributed in a 4 × 2 (four diets × with or without challenge) factorial arrangement until d28 in seven replications. The four dietary treatments, fed between 7 and 28d, were (i) a standard diet with 20% crude protein (SP); (ii) RP (16%) corn-SBM (RP-SBM); (iii) a RP diet in which 8% CM replaced 6% SBM (RP-CM); and (iv) a RP diet in which 10% cDDGS replaced 5% SBM (RP-cDDGS). On d15, birds were challenged with 12,500 oo- cysts of E. maxima, 12,500 oocysts of E. tenella, and 62,500 oocysts of E. acervulina Eimeria (+E) oocysts. Samples were collected on d21, and the data were analyzed by a two-way ANOVA. There was a significant diet × Eimeria challenge interaction (P < 0.05) on bile anti-Eimeria IgG concentrations, splenocyte proliferation, macrophage nitric oxide (NO) production, and cecal tonsil IL-17 mRNA amounts. Birds in the RP-SBM +E group had higher (P < 0.05) bile anti-Eimeria IgG concentrations compared to the SP +E group. Though birds in the SP group had higher (P < 0.05) splenocyte proliferation than all other treatment groups, birds in the RP-SBM +E group had comparable splenocyte proliferation to the SP +E group. Within the E+ group, birds in the RP-SBM +E group had higher (P < 0.05) macrophage NO than the other groups. Birds in the RP-SBM +E group had higher (P < 0.05) IL-17 mRNA amounts in the spleen and cecal tonsils compared to the other treatment groups. Birds in the RP-cDDGS +E group had a lower (P < 0.05) CD8+:CD4+ ratio compared to the RP- SBM+E group.
Characterization, processing, and nutrition performance of dry extruded full-fat soybean meals from six different states in the U.S.
A study was conducted to determine the nutritional composition of US soybeans from six different states processed through extrusion technology. Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, and Pennsylvania soybeans were selected respectively. Urease, KOH, Protein Dispersibility, and Trypsin Inhibitor were measured for over and under-processing of FFSBM. Afterward, the effects of FFSBM on nutrient profiles and energy content were determined in 1800 birds. Eighteen treatments of different FFSBM inclusion levels (4, 8, 12) were tested in 90 pens of 5 replicates. Birds from each treatment were placed in metabolic chambers to determine heat production. Separate birds were selected to determine body composition by DEXA. SID for AA, fat, P, starch, and total tract digestibility was utilized for determining ME. Data was collected from metabolic chambers and DEXA to determine the productive energy (PE) values for the six FFSBM samples. The processing quality of the FFSBM samples was all within the standard range expected except the KOH value was 67.21, 63.03, and 66.14 for 3 sources of FFSBM. Iodine value ranged between 105-120, Thiobarbituric acid ranged between 1.2-1.7 mg/kg and Total Dietary Fiber ranged from 16.4-19.1% for the 6 sources of FFSBM. Proximate analyses revealed that the extrusion process increased DM, Ash, CP while reducing NDF and ADF compared to raw soybeans. Starch ranged between 0.57-1.31% and stachyose was between 3.7-4.2% after processing compared to the raw soybeans. Dry extrusion increased the mineral content and amino acid content (especially lysine 2.46-2.63%); however, fatty acid content showed a slight reduction in all FFSBM sources compared to the raw soybeans. Higher inclusion levels of FFSBM produced a higher BW at 28 and 42 days of age. Feed intake and FCR for chicks fed 12% inclusion level was significantly (P= 0.001) lower compared to 8 and 4 percent, respectively. There were no significant nutrition-feeding effects of different FFSBM samples on broiler performance.
Comparison of the nutritional value of soybean meal from five origins
Soybean meal (SBM) is the main source of protein and amino acids (AA) in diets for monogastrics. Still, its quality and nutritional value can fluctuate based on regional agronomic factors and processing. Consequently, this study evaluated the nutrient and energy composition of SBM from North Carolina (NC), Western and Eastern US Corn Belt, Brazil (BRA), and Argentina (ARG). Samples of solvent-extracted SBM produced in NC from soybeans grown in NC in 2020 (n=35) and 2021 (n=45) were collected and analyzed by NIRS with 15 replicates per sample. Proximate composition, total AA content, energy, and quality parameters were determined using AMINONIR® (Evonik) calibration curves. The nutrient and energy values of SBM produced in the Eastern (n = 74 and 94) and Western (n = 150 and 220) Corn Belt regions in the USA, BRA (n = 2,874 and 9,497), and ARG (n = 87 and 110) were obtained from the AMINONIR® 2020 and 2021 reports, respectively. Nutrient and energy data were analyzed in a one-way ANOVA and means separated using Tukey’s HSD test. Significant differences between SBM of different origins were observed for all parameters evaluated (P<0.001). The NC SBM had the highest ME values for poultry, between 29 and 218, and 57 to 167 Kcal/kg more for 2020 and 2021, respectively. Also for swine 170 Kcal/kg more in 2020 and 33 to 200 Kcal/kg more in 2021 were observed in NC SBM compared to all other sources. SBM produced in NC also had the highest crude protein content in both years, between 0.18 and 1.79% in 2020 and 0.72 and 1.65% in 2021 more than other SBM sources. NC SBM had slightly lower total AA content (P<0.001) than BRA SBM. The AA of NC SBM were between 0.01 and 0.06% points lower than BRA SBM, but higher than ARG and Western US SBM and very similar to Eastern US SBM in lysine and TSAA. The arginine content was 0.05 and 0.11% points better in NC SBM than BRA SBM. Digestible AA for poultry and swine followed the same pattern since AMINONIR use similar AA digestibility coefficients per specie, independently of contents of other nutrients.
Pellet die thickness and the use of a throughput agent interacted to demonstrate that high frictional heat increased apparent ileal amino acid digestibility but did not influence trypsin inhibitor activity or male broiler performance
The inclusion of Azomite® (AZM) in broiler diets containing dicalcium phosphate has been shown to increase apparent ileal amino acid digestibility (AIAAD). These findings are likely due to die-scouring and lubrication properties that decreased the frictional heat exposure of feed. Past research indicates that modifying pellet die thickness (PDT) affects the frictional heat exposure of feed. Therefore, it was hypothesized that PDT and AZM would interact to influence AIAAD and broiler performance. The study’s objective was to determine the effect of AZM (0.0% or 0.25%) and PDT (32 and 45 mm with a common pellet diameter) on broiler performance and AIAAD from 0 to 21 days of age. Live performance did not differ due to the interaction or main effects (P > 0.05). However, AIAAD was influenced by AZM and PDT interactions (P < 0.05), with 11 amino acids demonstrating increased digestibility in the 45mm control treatment. The AIAAD increase was likely not enough to influence performance. The increased frictional heat was presumed to deactivate trypsin (TI) and chymotrypsin inhibitors (CTI), ultimately increasing AIAAD.
Effect of a slow vs a fast soy protein source in starter diets on broiler performance
Previous research has shown differences in various soy-based proteins based on in-vitro protein hydrolysis (Bible et al., 2023). But, the impact of an ingredient’s hydrolysis rate on broiler performance has yet to be established. The effect of two soy-based protein sources characterized by different rates of protein hydrolysis (slow vs fast) in starter diets on broiler performance was evaluated. 1,560 Ross 308 one-day old male broilers with initial weight of 39.5 ± 1.9 g were randomly allocated to one of two dietary treatments (30 pens/treatment; 26 birds/pen). Treatments were: corn-wheat-based starter diets containing 28.95% soybean meal (SBM) and 4.68% of a soy protein concentrate (SPC; slow protein) or 28.83% SBM and 5.00% of an enzyme-treated soy protein (ESPI; fast protein). All birds received the same corn-wheat-SBM grower and finisher diets. Diets were formulated to meet breed nutrient recommendations. The starter diets were formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous with the inclusion of SPC and ESPI balanced on protein contribution. Birds were weighed on d 10, 28 and 42 and overall unadjusted (FCR) and mortality adjust- ed feed conversion ratios (mFCR) were calculated. Protein hydrolysis rate was determined for the two starter diets in-vitro using pH-stat method as described by Bible et al., 2023. Performance data were analyzed using GLM in the statistical software R (v.4.0.2) with means separated using Tukey’s test. pH-stat data were analyzed using a pairwise t-test. Signifi- cance was declared at P<0.05. The speed of protein hydrolysis (k-value) was greater with ESPI in the diet compared to SPC (111 vs 85 μL/mole∙s; p=0.04). Birds fed ESPI weighed significantly more on d 10 (271 vs 248 g), 28 (1.58 vs 1.48 kg) and 42 (2.99 vs 2.89 kg) compared with the SPC- supplemented birds (p<0.05). Overall FCR and mFCR did not differ significantly (p>0.05).
Predicting processing weights and broiler economics with productive energy (Arkansas Net Energy)
Nutritionists need an energy system to enhance feed formulation and impact broiler sustainability and economics. This study developed models for the growth rate of processing weights (carcass, breast fillet, tenderloins, wings, leg quarters), carcass mar-ket value gain (MVG), and gross profit gain (GPG) of broilers. 96 floor pens (20 chicks each) were assigned to one of 12 treatment diets (within 8 blocks), which consisted of changing levels of total digestible amino acids (TDAA; 1-3) or TDAA and digestible starch (4-6), or increasing (7-9) or reducing (10-12) diet density. Blocks initially received a standard diet, followed by consecutive weekly treatment periods, one block at a time. Feed was restricted to ensure similar energy intake. Feed intake was recorded. Body energy gain (NEg) and weights of each processing part were determined with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and heat production (NEm, fasting) in calorimetry chambers. Diet N-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) was determined, and CNE (AMEn – heat increment) and PE (NEg + NEm) were calculated. MVG was calculated with the market price of each part, and GPG was the difference between MVG and daily feeding cost. One-way ANOVA (12 treatments, 8 blocks, and 1 replication per block) and Tukey tests, along with linear mixed modeling, were used to analyze the data in JMP. MVG and GPG data was Ln-transformed. The growth rate of all processing parts, MVG, and GPG were positively influenced by TDAA (P<0.05). PE (not AMEn or CNE) efficiency to produce carcass or breast gains showed no change among treatments (P>0.05). AMEn and CNE showed no influence on the growth rate of processing parts (P > 0.40 and 0.06, respectively), MVG (P = 0.66 and 0.13, respectively), or GPG (P = 0.10 and 0.13, respectively). Simple linear models were validated to predict the growth rate of processing parts (adjR2 > 0.97), MVG (adjR2 > 0.99), and GPG (adjR2 > 0.98). The PE model for MVG indicated that per each continuous +100 kcal/kg diet PE, each 56-d-old bird gained +3.53 cents of market value ($35,000 per million birds produced).
Productive energy (Arkansas Net Energy) is more sensitive than classic net energy determination to performance and actual net energy fractions for gain and maintenance
An energy system is needed to optimize feed formulation and influence economics and sustainability. This study assessed the sensitivity of productive energy (PE) and classic net energy (CNE) to BW gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and net energy for gain (NEg) and maintenance (NEm), and developed models to predict BWG, FCR, and protein accretion (PAC). 1920 chicks in 96 pens were assigned to one of 8 blocks and 12 experimental diets, which varied in total digestible amino acids (TDAA; T1-T3) or digestible (dig.) starch and TDAA (T4-T6), or increasing (oil, TDAA; T7-T9) or reducing (soy hulls; T10-T12) densities. Blocks received a standard diet before transitioning to successive one-week treatment intervals, starting after the previous block. Birds were control-fed to control energy intake. In each block, BWG and FCR were assessed, body protein, fat, and energy gain (NEg) were determined with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and heat production (NEm, fasting one) in calorimetry chambers. Diet N-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn), non-starch polysaccharides and dig. fat, dig. starch, dig. crude protein (dCP), and TDAA were determined. CNE was calculated as AMEn – heat increment and PE as NEg + NEm. A Completely Randomized Block Design with 12 treatments, 8 blocks, and 1 replication per block was used. ANOVA and Tukey tests were run. The sensitivity of the energy systems was determined by comparing Tukey outcomes for PE and CNE with those of BWG, FCR, NEg, and NEm. Linear mixed modeling used JMP. BWG, FCR, PAC, NEg, and PE were positively influenced (P<0.05) by TDAA or diet density (P<0.05) and negatively by diet dilu- tion. The PE (not AMEn or CNE) efficiency to produce BWG and PAC was stable (P>0.05) across treatments. PE was 2.3, 1.8, 1.8, and 1.8 times more sensitive to BWG, FCR, NEg, and NEm, respectively, than CNE. Models to predict BWG, FCR, and PAC based on digestible nutrients were validated (adjR2>0.95). Models to predict BWG (adjR2=0.99), FCR (adjR2=0.86), and PAC (adjR2=0.98) based on PE were validated. The one for FCR also included dCP.
