Poultry or Avian Science Commons^™

Sustainable And Profitable Broiler Nutrition, Sergio R. Fernandez

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

These proceedings accompany a presentation on optimizing protein nutrition of broilers while minimizing environmental impacts of nitrogen excretion. The continual advancement of muscle development in modern broilers requires constant alignment of amino acid needs. These proceedings outline the importance and progression of feed grade amino acid supplementation in broiler nutrition.

Net Energy: The Precision Path To Sustainability, P. Srichana, A. C. Tay-Zar, M. Wongphatcharachai, C. Chanseyha

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

Adaptation of the net energy system in broiler diets will increase least cost formulation flexibility. These proceedings outline a net energy system developed and implemented in practice. In addition to lower carbon and nitrogen inputs in dietary formulation, the net energy system reduced feed costs.

Vitamin Update And Sustainability, Edgar Orlando Oviedo-Rondón

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

This presentation addressed the status of research on vitamin nutrition in poultry species and current recommended levels. The economic, environmental, and socio-political aspects of sustainability are addressed. Most of the information presented is described in detail in the book Optimum Vitamin Nutrition for More Sustainable Poultry Farming (Oviedo-Rondon et al., 2023). However, this presentation also used more recent publications and news of the latest events related to scientific recommendations and the worldwide vitamin market. The objective is to provide a brief overview of scientific findings to aid nutritionists in the decision-making process when selecting optimum levels for poultry nutrition. …

Integration Of Commercial Broiler Data Into A Broiler Growth Model, David Brandt

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

This study explores the alignment of theoretical broiler growth models with practical farm conditions, emphasizing the value of integrating commercial data into simulation models. The EFG Broiler Growth Model, developed by Emmens, Fisher and Gous, is highlighted for its mechanistic approach, predicting growth based on feed intake. While empirical models are useful, they are limited by changes in genetics. Both mechanistic and empirical models struggle to predict how broilers will respond to feed under the challenging conditions typically experienced in commercial operations. The study also discusses the development of empirical models to determine broiler responses to balanced protein and energy, …

Feed Formulation: Expanding Our Horizons Beyond The Simple Provision Of Least-Cost Diets, Rick Kleyn, Mariana Ciacciariello

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

Commercial feed formulation is typically based on linear programming (LP) algorithms that derive a least-cost solution for a blend of ingredients that meet specific nutrient criteria. This methodology has been effectively used for decades, but how we achieve our primary goal, which is sustainable poultry production, needs to be reconsidered in broader terms. Some of the issues that this paper will deal with are: not all parameters that we consider are linear and additive; we are still unsure of how to build the matrix required for feed formulation; dealing with the variability encountered in every batch of ingredient remains a …

Reducing Feed’S Environmental Footprint: Where Are The Opportunities?, Lara Moody

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

Working with animal food industry members and stakeholders up- and down-stream in the supply chain, the Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER) developed a ‘Sustainability Road Map’ to support the U.S. animal food industry as it pursues continuous improvement on impacts important to industry members and their customers. For IFEEDER and the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), sustainability is defined and managed by each individual organization to deliver measurable, continuous improvements on the impacts related to people, planet and governance that are most important to them and their stakeholders.

No Antibiotic Ever (Nae) Versus Conventional Broiler Production: It’S Complicated, Marcos H. Rostagno

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

Broiler production has evolved significantly over the years to meet a constant growing demand for animal protein. Rooted on major advances in genetics, facilities and environmental conditions, management, and specially, in nutrition and health, the U.S. broiler industry improved tremendously in productivity and efficiency, clearly demonstrated by a marked reduction of the average market age (i.e., days to market), while significantly increasing average market weight, breast meat yield and feed efficiency (National Chicken Council, 2023). For decades, conventional broiler production was dominant, with extensive use of antibiotics to promote growth and manage disease challenges (prevention and control). However, concerns over …

Organic Trace Minerals In Environmentally Sustainable Systems, Sergio L. Vieira, Julmar C. Feijó, André Favero

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

Essential trace minerals (Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Se and I) are traditionally included as supplements through mineral premixes in poultry feeds. In comparison to other essential nutrients, as well as energy, they are scarcely studied. The essentiality of a nutrient, by definition, refers to the nutrient role in normal body function, such as growth or egg production, and considers that they cannot be synthesized by the body and, therefore, must be supplied from the feed.

The Effect Of Sprinkler Cooling On Water Conservation, House Environment, And Broiler Performance, Jonathan W. Moon

Theses and Dissertations

Maintaining performance and mitigating heat stress of the modern broiler is a challenging task during hot weather conditions. Increased demand of high quality reasonably priced animal protein and predictions of future limited water availability make sustainability and water conservation a worthwhile goal for the poultry industry. The most used form for cooling broilers after wind speed is evaporative cool cell (CC) systems. Though highly effective at cooling the incoming air, they substantially increase the relative humidity inside the house, which hinders the bird’s ability to cool itself through evaporative respiration. Cool cells also utilize mass amounts of water. The objective …

Divergent Selection For Water Conversion Ratio In Broiler Populations, Joseph Hiltz

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Water scarcity is a global reality and with the anticipated population growth, freshwater resources will be further strained to meet both human needs and agriculture applications. To ensure a water sustainable and food secure future, all aspects of agriculture must become more efficient. Two strategies were explored. The potential of improving water efficiency in broilers was examined. The first strategy was to develop a more efficient and accurate method for measuring water consumption/inputs in agriculture. To date, water measuring technology has lacked the necessary sophistication to assure accuracy and repeatability of low flow water usage.

After establishing a low flow …

A Simulation Tool For Evaluating The Environmental Impacts Of Management Scenarios For Modern Broiler Production Systems, Martin Andrew Christie

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this work is to provide a simulation tool that allows broiler production practitioners and researchers to simulate the effects of farm design and management practices on resource consumption and environmental impacts. This tool allows the user to design unique farms and simulates on farm processes required to raise broiler chicks to a marketable age. The use can input data such as farm location, broiler breed, flock size, ration type, barn dimensions, and climate control equipment specifications. The algorithms used to simulate broiler breed specific feed intake, broiler weight gain, and other on farm processes such as heating, …

A Comparative Analysis Of Feed And Environmental Factors On Broiler Growth In The United States, Alexandra Gulli

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Broiler production in the United States has become an important industry within the last half century. As the demand for poultry continues to increase and the concern of climate change also increases, it will become an important part of the industry to become more sustainable. This study uses a feed optimization model, a broiler growth model, and a life cycle assessment (LCA) to determine how feed ingredients and the barn environment can affect the broiler’s growth and production emissions. A multi-criteria ration optimization model is used to produce feeds based on carbon footprint and cost. A growth model is used …