Assessment of energy levels in feedstuffs for poultry

The feeding industry is still faced with finding an answer to the most fundamental question, ‘how much energy is available in feedstuffs?’. The Agassiz chick bioassay is designed to improve the sensitivity of bioassay measurements by including an assessment of the birdʹs physiological and anatomical response to a feedstuff. The bioassay compares identical feeds with and without supplemental enzyme, at two different ages, using excreta and ileal digesta collection methods. Differences in energy value determined with these different methods will help us identify those factors in cereals which influence digestibility. oassay samples will be used by other laboratories to validate their lab-bench procedures for measuring feeding value of cereals. These lab-bench procedures (near-infra-red, carbohydrate profiling, etc.) would allow feed manufacturers to identify individual cereal feeding value quickly, pay accordingly and/or make necessary adjustments (e.g. add specific quantities and types of enzymes or employ different processing methods) to improve feeding value. Rapid assessment of feeding value of cereal grains will allow accurate feed formulation, which will, in turn, reduce the need to over-formulate. Reductions in over-formulation of nutrients will reduce input costs and excretion of undigested nutrients which potentially increase environmental pollution. Similarly, rapid procedures of identifying feeding value will be a useful tool by plant breeders in selecting new cultivars of cereals.