Mycotoxin Risk Management Programme
This programme aims at providing comprehensive and integrated knowledge to manage mycotoxins effectively.
Assessing raw material quality
The quality of the raw materials in feed is a crucial part of formulating a consistent, high-quality diet that provides the essential nutrients for optimal health, layer performance and egg quality, benefitting the economic performance of the layer flock.
But with the increased number of new feed ingredients available, of variable quality, it can be a true challenge to assess raw material quality.
Using both proven and new feed analysis methods, we can help formulate the optimal diet for layers, based on accurate data on protein content, Ca:P ratio, energy and even mycotoxins.
How to recognise
Layer pullets should grow consistently in their first weeks to gain enough body reserves to be able to produce eggs. If their diet is formulated with low-quality raw materials, the pullets will fail to gain the desired bodyweight, which is difficult to correct in the layer phase.
Compromised pullet performance, due to a low-quality diet, directly affects a farm’s egg production and profitability.
The impact on the farmer
For hens, calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) are key minerals, and their availability is most crucial during the laying period. Ca and P are linked with egg formation and eggshell quality.
Eggs with inferior shell quality are a leading cause of economic loss to poultry producers. So, it is essential to know the precise level of Calcium and Phosphorus in the raw materials used in feed to reduce the number of cracked eggs on your farm.
Testing of mycotoxins in raw materials has become more important, as these toxins pose a serious risk to animal health and performance.