ARTICLE 74 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE March 2024 tion assures a precise release in the digestive tract and offers a cost-effective dosage unlike any other currently available. This technology has been meticulously developed to optimize poultry performance and can serve as an alternative growth promoter or a means to enhance feed conversion ratios and overall performance, ultimately resulting in an improved return on investment for poultry operations. Numerous trials have validated the effectiveness of this technology in enhancing the performance of laying hens across diverse contexts and geographic regions. Concurrently, scientists have conducted assessments to gauge the technology's precise influence on feed digestibility. This research aims to provide formulators and nutritionists with greater flexibility in their decision-making processes. ENHANCING FEED DIGESTIBILITY IN POULTRY In a recent study conducted at the University of Berlin in Germany, researchers undertook a comparative analysis of four treatments: a negative control, two commercial products incorporating phytogenics (referred to as P1 & P2), and a novel technology, NUQO©NEX (NQ). The findings revealed that the NQ treatment not only enhanced the digestibility of nutrients like crude fat, crude protein, and starch but also contributed to increased mineral digestibility, including crude ash, calcium, and phosphorus, when compared to the negative control. The other two solutions also improved the digestibility of certain nutrients and minerals but to a lesser extent than NQ. Notably, the NQ treatment exhibited the most pronounced effects on nutrient and mineral digestibility, resulting in the highest overall performance improvement. In sum, the NQ treatment demonstrated enhanced feed digestibility, ultimately leading to improved performance, in contrast to conventional products relying on phytogenics. This underlines the significance of the formulation's composition (comprising both phytogenics and phycogenics) and the influence of manufacturing technology (micro-encapsulation) on product stability and release within the digestive system. CONCRETE IMPACT ON FEED COSTS WITH A CONSERVATIVE MATRIX VALUE The NQ technology underwent extensive testing in various global regions, including Asia, Europe, and Latin America, to evaluate its impact on the performance of laying hens. Additionally, to offer maximum flexibility to nutritionists and formulators, diverse scenarios were examined, involving the application of feed additives either "on top" of the formulation or using a "matrix value" approach, allowing adjustments to the feed formulation to reduce costs by decreasing energy and protein content. Two recent trials were conducted at Kasetsart University in Thailand under the guidance of Professor Yuwares. In the first experiment, the NQ technology was applied "on top" at a rate of 75 ppm. Two treatments were administered to the animals: 1) a standard control diet [NC] and 2) the same diet with the addition of NQ technology on top [NQ]. This experiment yielded consistent and noticeable outcomes: Laying percentage increased by 1%, while feed intake and egg mass remained stable. Notably, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) improved by 1 point, resulting in a noteworthy return on investment (ROI) of 3.5:1 for the producer. ‘On-top’ Performance results Laying % FCR Feed intake (g/b/d) NC NQ NC 104 103 102 101 1,84 1,83 1,82 1,81 NQ NC NQ NC P > 0,05 NQ +1% -1pt 90,0 89,5 89,0 88,5 88,0 63,2 62,8 62,4 62,0 Egg weight
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