Evaluation of NIR-based diet formulations for broiler chickens

Summary

This project builds on the outcomes of the current RIRDC Chicken Meat project PRJ2973 "Accurate, realtime description of available energy in cereal grains". The first step in the proposed project is to evaluate the improvements in feed formulation accuracy arising from enhanced near infrared reflectance (NIR) calibrations for apparent metabolisable energy (AME) values for cereal grains, compared with diet formulations based on current commercial practice. The second step involves expansion of the NIR data base and calibrations to include a larger number of triticale samples provided by industry nutritionists and plant breeders. This cereal grain type is relatively poorly represented at present. The third and final step is to reevaluate the anticipated improvement in accuracy of the NIR prediction of AME and to compare NIRbased diet formulation with conventional and net energy based strategies (in line with developments in Poultry CRC Mk 2 Program 2) in a standardised largescale broiler growth study.

Program

Chicken Meat

Research Organisation

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development acting through the South Australian Research and Development Institute

Objective Summary

Step 1 – Quantify the benefits of more accurate prediction of AME of grains resulting from enhancements to NIR calibrations arising from the current RIRDC project PRJ2973. This will be achieved by conduct of a largescale broiler growth study involving diets formulated by NIRbased estimates of AME of actual samples of cereal grains used in manufacture compared with diets formulated by conventional means (i.e., with ingredient matrix values normally utilised by the commercial nutritionists involved in this study). Experimental diets will be manufactured in two or more commercial mills Step 2 – Fill gaps in the current NIR data base and calibrations by evaluating 25 new triticale grain samples. The current NIR data base is sparsely populated with triticale samples compared with wheat, barley and sorghum. This places a limitation on the usefulness of the NIR technology for those nutritionists who have access to suitably priced triticale. AME procedures coupled with NIR scanning and a range of chemical analyses of grains will be used as per current arrangements for RIRDC project PRJ2973. Similarly, we will seek the support of industry and plant breeders for the supply of triticale samples. Step 3 – Validate improvements in accuracy of the NIR prediction of AME and compare NIRbased diet formulation with conventional and net energy based strategies (in line with developments in Poultry CRC Mk 2 Program 2) in a standardised largescale broiler growth study. Experimental diets will be manufactured in two or more commercial mills.