SPECIAL STORY FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE June 2023 39 fertiliser use, irrigation, etc., are French national averages. Thanks to its internal calculator, Techna can also customise the environmental values of its customers' raw materials according to the regions and information available to them (yield, irrigation, growing location, etc.). WHAT IS AT STAKE FOR FEED FORMULAS? The feed manufacturer must offer a product that is attractively priced and that meets the needs of the animals according to species, age, physiological stage, outlet, etc. It is now possible to also take into account the origin of the raw materials and the environmental impact of the formulas. This characterisation makes it possible to meet societal demands while maintaining zootechnical performance and avoiding economic waste. But acting on the environmental impact of the formula still has an impact on the cost. AN INDEX THAT GROUPS TOGETHER DIFFERENT INDICATORS To make it easier to read, the environmental criteria have taken the form of an index. This index was constructed by Techna's experts and takes into account current issues and the main demands of our clients. The different indicators are weighted to give an overall grade for the feedstuffs ranging from A to E. To keep a global view on the environment, the index is always accompanied by the details of its six indicators. FEED ADDITIVES CAN PLAY A KEY ROLE TO MANAGE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Techna has worked on developing products that can also help with reducing the environmental impact. Techna nutritional concepts for monogastric species are evaluated at its research station, where multiple nutritional trials are performed each year. Fine tuning existing concepts routinely leads to a saving in feed cost, with the additional benefit of decreasing the environmental impact. For example, in swine, various enzyme combinations tried at different concentrations, allow formulators to employ the most optimal strategy in term of matrix values and feed optimisation. This enzyme efficiency leads to energy and nutrient release allowing savings to be made from other raw materials, including using less of those with phosphorus content which is ultimately better for the environment. On the poultry side, Techna uses Aviance, a blend Environmental impacts of secondary meals and protein crops GHG (kg eq. CO2) Energies (MJ) Water Consumption (L) TFI Land use (ha) Rapeseed Meal Source: Techna Sunflower Meal LP Phosphorus Consumption (kg P) Peas Field Beans Sunflower Meal HP
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNjkxNQ==