In a highly competitive industry where profit margins are razor-thin and production cycles are fast, broiler nutritionists are tasked with maximizing the genetic potential of poultry while also managing fluctuating feed costs. The key is not merely to focus on the lowest feed ingredient prices but to understand the actual costs of digestible nutrients and their impact on consistent, high-performance nutrition.
Broiler producers often prioritize cost-efficiency per unit of animal protein, potentially overlooking opportunities for revenue enhancement. The math behind production cycles is enlightening; with modern genetics enabling birds to reach market weight within 35-42 days, faster growth also means more cycles over time.
Optimizing revenue extends well beyond the frequency of cycles to include weight-range uniformity—especially in premium markets. For instance, KFC, one of the globe’s largest poultry buyers, mandates strict weight-range specifications to ensure food safety and quality. This adherence is crucial, as even minor deviations can lead to substantial penalties for suppliers.
Establishing the Foundation for Success
This is where the quality of ingredients becomes paramount. Today’s broiler nutrition operates with minimal margins for error. Ingredient consistency is non-negotiable; significant variations in nutrient composition force nutritionists to add safety margins, which effectively inflate feed costs without enhancing performance.
Utilizing US soybean meal provides a notable advantage. Research reveals that US soy consistently boasts higher levels of digestible amino acids and metabolizable energy compared to South American alternatives. In fact, US soy offers over 90% amino acid digestibility for key components, compared to 85-88% and 82-86% for Brazilian and Argentine soybean meals, respectively. Furthermore, the apparent metabolizable energy of US soybean meal averages 2,350 kcal/kg, exceeding its South American counterparts.
By incorporating a high-quality, digestible ingredient like US soybean meal and reducing safety margins, nutritionists can fine-tune diets, resulting in lower overall feed costs per kilogram of gain—even if US soybean meal is slightly more expensive. Analyses show that this ingredient can save producers between US$12-20 per tonne due to its superior nutrient density.
Nurturing Genetic Potential
The commercial broiler genetics available today are the product of decades of selective breeding for improved growth rates and muscle efficiency. However, these genetic advantages are contingent upon optimal nutrition. This is particularly true for breast meat, the most valuable part of the carcass.
Research confirms that higher digestibility of amino acids in US soy correlates to improved growth rates, feed efficiency, and breast meat yield, with gains of up to 3% in feed conversion ratios compared to South American soybean meals.
Recent comprehensive studies funded by USSEC have substantiated these findings by measuring digestive tract health alongside growth rates, uniformity, and feed conversion. Observations included healthier digestive tracts and more efficient nutrient absorption, culminating in faster weight gains and improved uniformity.
Understanding the Economics of Quality Ingredients
Feed costs typically account for 65-75% of total production expenses for broiler farmers. Therefore, rather than evaluating costs per tonne of soybean meal, it’s more effective to assess costs per unit of digestible nutrient. When calculated in this manner, US soy consistently emerges as the most cost-effective option for digestible lysine, methionine, and energy.
US soybean meal generally contains 47.5% crude protein with 3.0% lysine and 0.66% methionine, as opposed to 46% crude protein with 2.7% lysine and 0.62% methionine in Argentine soybean meal. More importantly, US soybean meal’s digestible amino acid content demonstrates substantial advantages, which supports faster growth and enhanced muscle deposition—critical factors for profitability.
Additionally, soybean meal offers significant metabolisable energy, approximately 2,400 kcal/kg AMEn, and a well-balanced amino acid profile rich in lysine and threonine. This balance maximizes growth potential and improves average daily gains while reducing formulation variability.
Perhaps one of the most critical economic advantages is risk mitigation. Reduced ingredient variability leads to fewer mid-cycle reformulations, more predictable bird performance, and greater assurance of meeting processor standards. In a sector where even minor improvements in feed conversion ratios can dictate profitability, consistency is not merely advantageous; it is vital.
Demonstrating Value in Real-World Conditions
While existing research provides a robust foundation, it is crucial for producers to witness tangible results within their unique operations. This is precisely why USSEC is committed to investing in commercial demonstrations that showcase the tangible benefits of US soybean meal under practical conditions.
References available upon request.
### Article Summary
This article delves into the challenges facing broiler nutritionists in maximizing the genetic potential of poultry while managing feed costs. It emphasizes the importance of ingredient quality, specifically US soybean meal, in improving growth rates and feed conversion ratios. Furthermore, it highlights how uniformity in weight ranges can significantly impact revenue in premium markets, especially for suppliers like KFC. The piece concludes by discussing the economic implications of using high-quality ingredients and the significance of demonstrating their value in real-world settings.
