ARTICLE FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE April 2022 53 Table 3. Crude protein content of 10 samples of soybean meal from 3 different suppliers Supplier C 47.56 48.63 47.25 46.75 47.18 47.36 48.51 46.93 45.21 46.87 47.23 45.21 48.63 Supplier B 47.53 45.68 44.33 45.69 46.58 45.27 46.24 46.32 44.87 46.93 45.94 44.33 47.53 Supplier A 45.68 47.84 44.68 46.52 46.99 47.56 45.63 44.86 48.56 47.53 46.59 44.68 48.56 Average Min Max Another benefit to screening all incoming samples is the monitoring of incoming ingredients, which could highlight trends. For example, the NIR allows to compare ingredient quality between suppliers. The table below shows 10 samples of soybean meal from 3 different suppliers with an expected crude protein content greater than 46.5%. It is clear that supplier B tends to provide a lower crude protein level. This information can be passed to the procurement team, and these materials may be sorted into silos based on protein content, allowing for a more consistent finished feed product, or rejected at intake (Table 3). CONCLUSION NIR instruments can be used for several applications within the feed manufacturing process. Sending samples to a laboratory at a different location however can induce time delays, which may mean that fewer samples are sent and batches which are low quality may be accepted. Introducing a handheld NIR instrument can increase the number of samples analysed, which can create enough data to spot trends and generate more insight into the feed manufacturing process, maximising the consistency and quality of the feed. For references please contact emea@abvista.com About Virginie Blanvillain Rivera Born and raised in France, Virginie moved to Canada after completing her PhD in poultry nutrition and modeling and learning about the poultry feed industry in different parts of the world. She pursued her carrier in the animal feed industry by working in feed formulation, research and development, technology transfer and quality assurance, with strong focus on monogastrics. Over the past years, she has been involved in the development of innovative products and services in Europe and America, while consistently focusing on the end customer needs to provide sustainable and practical solutions to the feed industry. As part of her current role at AB Vista, she supports customers in understanding and optimizing the carbon footprint of their livestock production systems worldwide. About Gwyneth Jones Gwyneth studied Animal Science at Aberystwyth University, with a focus on animal production and nutrition. After a short period travelling in New Zealand, she joined AB Vista as a Laboratory Analyst in 2016 where she analysed enzymes and feed for the company’s customers. Since 2020 Gwyneth has been working as the Technical Services Coordinator for AB Vista, with responsibility in Europe, Middle East and Africa. She is based in West Wales, where she enjoys spending time in the countryside with her horses and dogs.
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