SPECIAL STORY 52 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE February 2023 WHEAT BY-PRODUCTS ARE OPTIMALLY USED WITH ENZYMES Wheat by-products can also be a substitute for whole grains in poultry feeds; however, their NSP content can affect the viscosity of the digesta (Knudsen, 2014). When combined with enzymes (e.g., xylanase), wheat midds can be included in broiler and layer diets up to 30% without changes in performance (Abudabos, 2011; Salami et al., 2018). Dietary fiber has gained special attention due to its various beneficial effects on poultry. In this direction, moderate amounts of wheat bran - a source of insoluble fiber - have shown improved antioxidant status, gizzard development, intestinal digestive enzyme activities, and morphology in broilers (Shang et al., 2020). BY-PRODUCTS SUPPORT PIGS’ PERFORMANCE When by-products are fed to pigs, swine nutritionists have reported that many of them can support pig growth and finishing performance and meat quality as well as immune response, milk yield, and milk quality in reproductive animals, among other productive parameters (Yang et al., 2021). For instance, Dong et al. (2019) concluded that, from a nutritional perspective, ingredients such as highland barley, buckwheat, glutinous broomcorn millet, non-glutinous broomcorn millet, and Chinese naked oat could potentially substitute corn in livestock feeding. Or as another example, Liu et al. (2019) suggest in their study that mulberry leaf can contribute to improvements in meat quality, with no adverse effects on the growth performance of finishing pigs. (Dong et al., 2019). ESPECIALLY PIGS ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO ANTI-NUTRITIONAL FACTORS There are many different types of anti-nutritional factors that work in various ways. In swine feed, common anti-nutritional factors lower protein and amino acid digestibility and increase endogenous amino acid losses (Souffrant, 2001). This effect causes reductions in carcass yield for finishing pigs (Soto et al., 2019). High NDF, as reviewed by Coble et al. (2015), decreases carcass yield in finishing pigs by an average of 1.6%. A further study was conducted by Soto et al. (2019) to evaluate the ability of pigs to recover from a high NDF diet. They noticed that when feeding a moderate or high level of NDF and then switching to a low NDF diet during the last 40 days, the carcass yield mostly recovered but still was slightly lower than in pigs fed a low NDF diet for all of the finishing period. OPTIONSAREAVAILABLETOCOMPENSATE FOR THE HIGHER FEED PRICES Nutritionists have several options to optimize animal performance in the context of price increases. However, it is necessary to have a more holistic view of the business to know which of all the alternatives are the most suitable for each system. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each ingredient and feed additive and considering them in the light of literature and field data will yield the best understanding of how to use them effectively in successful animal production. About Marisabel Caballero Marisabel Caballero has around 20 years of experience in the animal production industry, including management of breeder farms (Cargill Meat Solutions), with an emphasis on poultry nutrition (Cargill Animal Nutrition) and toxin risk management (EW Nutrition GmbH). Marisabel has a background in agriculture (EAP-Zamorano, Honduras) and post-graduate studies in animal welfare, production (The University of Edinburg), and business (EADE, Spain). Her focus as Global Technical Manager for Poultry with EW Nutrition GmbH is to improve broiler and layer breeder’s health and welfare and day-old chick quality through nutrition, including with the use of feed additives. Marisabel also works on developments related to toxin risk management for several animal species, conducting practical trials and advising in these fields. Pigs are susceptible to antinutritional factors
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