June 20, 2017
AB Vista: Overcoming a new crop challenge with a hard-working xylanase
Xylanases can help animal nutritionists limit any potential negative impact from new cereal variation, AB Vista says.
Variation in the viscosity and moisture content of new cereals can cause issues in digestibility, and can negatively impact gain, feed conversion and health, in both swine and poultry - which means this time of year can be difficult for nutritionists and producers across Europe.
AB Vista technical manager, Dr. Gustavo Cordero, says, if possible, nutritionists should start using the newly harvested cereal by dosing it together with old cereal from the previous harvest in a 50:50 ratio, although market conditions often do not allow this to happen.
In Europe, the harvest period has already started or is about to start in most countries.
The use of a NSP enzyme that effectively reduces viscosity enables the use of viscous cereals like wheat and barley. Econase XT has been shown to reduce viscosity in broilers both in wheat-based and mixed wheat/barley diets, making it an ideal product to be used whilst the main cereals used can vary depending on the market.
"Before using wheat from the new harvest, nutritionists can check its nutritional values, usually using near infrared spectroscopy (NIR), and make any necessary changes in formulation based on protein, starch, fibre, and moisture levels.
It is also important that the selected xylanase is thermostable enough as a liquid or powder as pelleting conditions and feed conditioning vary widely, even within the same feed mill, Dr. Cordero explains.
"Finally, when using xylanase, it is important to choose one that can be easily measured and detected in feed, using a suitable assay, to ensure that the enzyme is present in sufficient quantity in the final feed and performance and profitability remain on track." Dr. Cordero adds.
