ISSUE FOCUS 26 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE March 2023 “Technology can help determine the best formulation by helping you understand ingredient nutrient levels as they arrive at the feed mill and how to change and adapt the formulation based on how the nutrient levels change.” As new consumer demands and regulations arise, feed formulation complexity increases, as does the need to better optimize the cost of feed. In addition, animal welfare and sustainability variables must be considered in the formulation process. To make the best decisions, the use of digital solutions is key. Still, it may seem like too many digital technologies to wade through to deploy confidently for feed formulation. Technology can help determine the best formulation by helping you understand ingredient nutrient levels as they arrive at the feed mill and how to change and adapt the formulation based on how the nutrient levels change. Technology can help you use this data to select the best and most reliable suppliers to deliver the precise formulation needed for animals. But before tech deployment, you must be mindful of your overall strategy. Look at how you reach your customers, consider the ingredient market, and explore all the scenarios available to optimize margins. In some cases, a formulation might be more expensive, but this will drive more results and profitability. Or you may need to build a diet that has less carbon output. Whatever digital solution you deploy should align with that strategy. Here are some technologies helpful for feed formulation: Digitalized mycotoxin data: Tap into a large dataset tied to species, region, and ingredient to solving one of our industry's biggest ongoing systemic threats. You can access a comprehensive report for free taken from more than 300,000 data points through Cargill's world mycotoxin report. Near-infrared technology (NIR): Use NIR to precisely estimate and analyze the nutritional levels of different animal feed ingredients to formulate diets more precisely. Today NIR is available through benchtop NIRs, handheld NIRs and inline NIRs. In addition, NIR analytics and mathematical modeling advancements are now connected to the NIR instruments to measure nutrient digestibility, a better predictor of nutrient availability that supports faster and more efficient growth. Precision nutrition platforms: Get real-time, accurate data that uses extensive research and development expertise. This data supports mathematical models to precisely calculate nutrient levels of ingredients beyond traditional NIR analysis for more precise nutritional design and formulation. These DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY DELIVERS DECISION-MAKING DATA FOR FEED FORMULATORS Vinicius Chiappetta Global Digital Commercial Director Cargill
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