SUSTAINABILITY FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE April 2025 73 contribution to the total carbon footprint per kilogram of animal live weight. For example, the carbon footprint of Excential Energy Plus, a digestibility promoter enhancing feed efficiency, was found to contribute only 0.02% of the total carbon footprint of the poultry feed. In broiler production, the inclusion of 0.035% of Excential Energy Plus reduced the carbon footprint of meat production by 4.22% and contributed only 0.02% to the carbon balance (Figure 1). Similar results have been observed in swine and turkey production (a 3.27% reduction in fattening pigs with a contribution of 0.05%). The reduction in the carbon footprint of animal production when supplementing Excential Energy Plus is due to its impact on feed formulation and animal performance. By improving the digestibility of nutrients (fat, protein, and fiber), this feed additive reduces dietary energy by decreasing the incorporation of vegetable oils and animal fats. For example, soybean oil cultivated in Brazil has a high carbon footprint due to its impact on land use change (94% of the total carbon footprint). From a recent meta-analysis, it was shown that the inclusion of Excential Energy Plus can reduce metabolizable energy by 79.4 kcal/kg, resulting in a 1.5% reduction of dietary crude fat (in the form of soybean oil, for example). Additionally, feed additives that improve the feed conversion ratio may enhance sustainability, resulting in less feed consumed and a lower impact from crop cultivation. Similar meta-analyses have shown improved feed efficiency by 4% in broilers and 5% in growing-fattening pigs with Excential Energy Plus. HOW TO SELECT A SUSTAINABLE FEED ADDITIVE? The feed additive market is characterized by a wide variety of products, many with similar characteristics or actions. For example, betaine is available from different origins (natural or chemically produced) and in different types (betaine anhydrous or On-farm emissions Other XC Energy Plus XC Energy Plus production: 0.02% Control 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Feed production Land use change Chicks XC Energy Plus production Figure 1. Carbon footprint per kg of broiler live weight, with or without Excential Energy Plus
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