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Context. Black soldier fly larvae are a promising alternative ingredient in poultry feed. They might be able to replace soybean and fishmeal because the have high concentrations of protein and fat, and are also rich in vitamins and minerals, and because partial replacement of soybean and total replacement of fishmeal produce no adverse effect on the growth performance of village chickens. Therefore, they are a suitable replacement for these traditional ingredients in poultry feed. Aims. This study determines the nutritive values of black soldier fly larvae and evaluates the effects of feeding diets containing black soldier fly larvae on the growth performance of village chickens. Methods. Samples of black soldier fly larvae were subjected to proximate analysis before a total of 280 1-day-old village chicks were randomly divided into four groups. All groups were fed a basal diet with partial replacements of corn and soybean with black soldier fly larvae at 0% (Control), 5% (T1), 10% (T2) and 15% (T3) for 70 days. Each treatment group consisted of seven replicates, with 10 birds per replicate. The bodyweights, bodyweight gains and feed conversion rates were determined. Key results. Dry rendered black soldier fly larvae contained 773.0 ± 0.08 g/kg dry matter, 36.1 ± 0.09 g/kg ash, 408.8 ± 0.28 g/kg crude protein, 283.0 ± 0.16 g/kg ether extract and 40.9 ± 0.44 g/kg crude fibre. The larvae also contained 2.041 MJ/kg of metabolisable energy, 20.4 g/kg of calcium and adequate concentrations of vitamins. The feeding trial showed an average bodyweight gain of 1231.45 ± 23.37 g and feed conversion ratio of 2.03 ± 0.15, which were most efficient with Diet T3. Conclusions. Inclusion of 15% black soldier fly larvae in diets can enhance the growth performance of village chickens without adverse effects. Implications. Partial replacement of soybean and total replacement of fishmeal in the diet of chickens by black soldier fly larvae are not affecting the growth performance of village chickens but might reduce the feed cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) is introduced in aquaculture farming industry to reduce water resource utilization, efficient the energy and land uses, and also help minimalize the water exchange. This system enables utilization of unsuitable land and promotes a sustainable environment in aquaculture industry. Furthermore, this technology has been established and proved efficient in monitoring the aquatic animal condition subsequently helps in maintaining the water quality and help remove solid particle wastes from the aquaculture treatment. As today, RAS has been developed with more effective technologies such as the use of UV irradiation, solid capture, protein skimmer and also provided with highly techno bio-filtration set. Basically, this system was applied for broodstock maturation, nursery phase, and grow-out production. In this review article, we provide an overview of RAS between the clear water, probiotic, and biofloc technology, and the advantages of its combination. Even though RAS and biofloc is two different parallel system, the application of the probiotic and biofloc in the semi-RAS application system is intense to be investigated. The synergistic effect of RAS using this combination towards high yield aquaculture production will be highlighted in this review paper. Expectantly this review paper will generate awareness and useful information on the RAS application in the aquaculture system operation with help in maximize the impact to the aquaculture yield production.

A 28-day experiment was conducted to examine the effect of additive ginger meal (GM) as a phytobiotic in the diets of broiler chickens in terms of feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). 96 four-weeks-old broiler chickens were assigned randomly to four dietary treatments each replicated thrice (eight birds per replicate). Four experimental diets were formulated with the control (D1) without GM (0%). Bird's group on diets D2, D3 and D4 were fed with GM supplemented at 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3% levels respectively. The FI of birds fed a 0.2% GM-supplemented diet was significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to birds fed 0, 0.1 and 0.3% GM-supplemented diets The BWG of birds fed a 0.2% GM-supplemented diet was significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to those on 0, 0.1 and 0.3% GM-supplemented diets. The BWG of birds fed 0.1 and 0.3% GMsupplemented diets were similar (p>0.05) but significantly lower (p<0.05) compared to control. The FCR of birds fed 0.2% GM-supplemented was statistically better (p<0.05) compared to those fed 0, 0.1 and 0.3% GM-supplemented diets. The FCR of birds fed 0.1% and 0.3% GM-supplemented diets were similar (p>0.05) but significantly (p<0.05) lower compared to the control diet. Feed cost (N) per kg gain increases with increased levels of GM supplementation in the diets. It is concluded that the feeding of broiler finisher chickens with GM supplemented at 0.2% improves performance and can be a viable alternative to antibiotic feed additives in the diets of broiler finisher chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated growth performances, survival rates, and cost-effectiveness of using locally formulated feed compared to three commercial feeds (Skretting, Bluecrown and Top). 4,000 Clarias gariepinus juveniles were sorted and stocked at 500 each into 8 tarpaulin ponds. Feeding duration was 56 days and fish were fed twice daily at 5% of body weight. Assessments of growth parameters, water quality, and cost analysis were done following standard procedure. The results showed that Skretting had the highest average weight gain (171.80g) followed by the locally formulated feed (140.73g) then, Top feed (140.50g) and the Bluecrown (134.77g). Skretting also had the best feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.48 followed by local feed which had 1.66, Top feed (1.75) and Bluecrown (1.80). The results of economic evaluation revealed that locally produced feed was found to be significantly (P<0.05) cheaper than the commercial feeds, costing ₦129.82 to produce 140.73g of fish flesh at ₦536.7/kg. this was followed by Bluecrown (₦206.13 to produce 134.77g at ₦820/kg), Top feed (₦212.60 to produce 140.50g at ₦833.33/kg) and Skretting (₦377.92 to produce 171.80g of flesh at 1,400/kg). There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in survival rates and the water parameters in the culture ponds. While Skretting was best in promoting fish growth, locally formulated feed proved to be cost-effective and an economically competitive option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted to examine utilization of dried housefly larvae (DFL) meal as an alternative protein source in Asian seabass diet, for effects on growth and nutrient utilization. The housefly larvae were raised in substrates composed of rice bran, discarded vegetables and fruits, molasses, and water, in a practical tropical environment. The obtained fly larvae were washed, dried, ground and analyzed for proximate composition. Four diets were formulated with DFL at 0, 6.78, 13.56 and 20.35 % of diet (with fish meal at 15, 10, 5, 0%, respectively). The diets were fed to triplicate groups of each treatment twice daily for 50 days. The DFL incorporated diets (replacing up to the 15% total of FM) had no negative effects on growth performance and nutrient utilization (p>0.05). Although statistically insignificant, the highest feed intake, final weight, and specific growth rate (SGR), namely 25.80±1.04 (g/fish), 20.55±2.67 (g/fish) and 5.2±0.25 (%/day), respectively, were all in the 13.56% DFL feeding group. The total FM replacement group (DFL at 20.35% of diet) had the lowest protein efficiency ratio (PER) of 1.55±0.06 (p>0.05). Polynomial regression of percentage weight gain revealed that DFL substitution at 8% resulted in the highest growth performance, which would potentially lower the cost per unit of diet for Asian seabass by 8.28%.

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of wheat-soybean meal feed without NSP enzyme on growth performance of finishing pigs in high temperature season. From July to October, 2021, 48 finishing pigs with an initial body weight of (45±2) kg at 92 d were selected from the Huinong lanting and breeding base in Changshun County, randomly divided into two groups, with four replicates in each group and six pigs in each replicate. The control group was fed corn-soybean meal feed, and the experimental group was fed wheat-soybean meal feed. The pretria period was seven days, and the trial period was the end of four-stage fattening. The results showed as follows: compared with the control group, there were no significant changes in the average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG) and feed to gain ratio (F/G) of finishing pigs in experimental group (P>0.05), but can significantly reduce head average feed cost in the second, third, whole stages of fattening (P<0.05). To sum up, the wheatsoybean meal feed has no significant effect on the average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG) and feed to gain ratio (F/G) of finishing pigs in high temperature season, but it can significantly reduce the average feed cost of fattening pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the goals of the breeding program of the Latvian national sheep breed Latvian dark-head (LT; Latvijas tumšgalve) is the improvement of meat productivity, in parallel with good reproduction characteristics. The main part of the costs is the cost of feeding, which can be reduced by raising sheep with high feed efficiency. This goal can be achieved by selecting sheep based on feed efficiency indicators. The fattening data of 100 LT lambs were analysed using the relative growth rate (RGR) and Kleiber's ratio (KR) indicators. The statistical difference was determined between low- and high-efficiency groups by calculating the cost of concentrate feed and income from meat realisation. The difference in the cost of concentrate feed was found after 60-days of intensive fattening and on the day needed for fattening up to 50 kg of live weight of lambs. When calculating the income of lamb meat, the differences between low and high RGR and/or KR efficiency groups were established. Thus, selecting high-ranking RGR and KR sheep can improve the cost and/or income of LT sheep breeders in Latvia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A breeding stock of chinese perch was gotten in a warm-water farm located in the southern Far East of Russia, where the experiment is conducted on growing this species up to three years. Combined method of growing in tanks, warm-water fry ponds and cages was used for growing the fingerlings, but two- and three-year old perches were kept in cages only and fed with live and non-living low-value forage fish. There were attempts to train two-year-old perch to feed on wet artificial pellets. By the end of the experiment, three-year-old chinese perches of two size groups had the body weight of 700−880 g with the maximum of 1600 g. Feed costs for the growth of two- and three-year-old fish in the growing seasons were 2.7−3.9 and 5.3−5.6 kg per 1 kg gain, respectively; their survival was 98−100 %. In 2023, the two-year-old perches weighing 0.5−1.1 kg were used for the first time in spawning and their offspring were raised to an average weight of 60 g.

In snakehead fish farming, feeding represents the largest portion (accounting for 50-60%) of production cost. Thus, finding an alternative natural feed that can be replaced as full or partial inclusion in snakehead fish commercial diets is urgently needed. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of including fresh or dried black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) in diets on the growth performance and chemical composition of snakehead fish cultured in small-scale farms. Fingerlings of snakehead (5.15 ± 0.12 g) were distributed randomly into fifteen net cages (6 m3) at a density of 120 fish.net cage-1. Including five dietary treatments named: NT1 (100% commercial feed served as a control); NT2 (100% fresh BSFL); NT3 (100% dried BSFL); NT4 (50% fresh BSFL + 50% commercial feed); and NT5 (50% dried BSFL + 50% commercial feed). Each treatment was performed in triplicate. The results showed that the inclusion of fresh BSFL in diets for the snakehead fish did not affect the survival rate (82.22 - 85.56 %), improved feed conversion ratio, increased live weight (70.9 - 103.3 g) and daily weight gain (1.09 - 1.64 g.day-1), and fish's yield (1.16 - 1.73 kg.m-2); and did not affect the chemical composition of the fish. These findings suggest that farmers should feed snakehead fish with commercial feed plus fresh black soldier fly larvae to maintain good condition factor and enhance fish growth performance and production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: The present study aimed to compare the growth, meat quality, and production economics of Cherry Valley broiler ducks fed with a commercial diet along with silage from beet pulp or maize. In this study, 180 male Cherry Valley ducks were reared for 49 d. The control group (group C) was fed a commercial diet ad libitum. The experimental groups were fed a restricted amount of commercial diet and ad libitum beet pulp silage (group B) or maize silage (group M). For all groups, the growth performance and meat quality were analyzed, and their production costs were estimated. The beneficial effects of feeding maize silage on the growth rate were observed on d 29 to 49 in group M; moreover, both experimental groups showed lower feed intake than group C (P < 0.05). The feed conversion ratio was lower in the first rearing stage and during the entire experimental period in groups B and M than that in group C. Group M showed a higher European Production Efficiency Factor and European Broiler Index than group C (P < 0.05). The relative weight of the liver was higher in group C than that in the experimental groups (P < 0.05). Group M showed a higher L* value of leg muscles than group C (P < 0.05). Water-holding capacity was higher in leg muscles from ducks fed with silages (P < 0.05). The experimental groups had lower costs of commercial diets. Higher costs were observed for maize silage than for beet pulp silage. Carcass sales yielded the highest profit for group M and the lowest one for group C. Compared with the control group, the silage-fed groups showed a higher estimated profit by PLN 7.94 to 10.68 per duck (P < 0.05). Based on the beneficial production results, notably lower feed conversion ratio, no negative effects on carcass characteristics, and lower production costs, especially maize or even beet pulp silage in broiler duck rearing, could be recommended.

This study aimed to determine the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and carcass characteristics of grower rabbits fed diets containing graded Bambusa vulgaris leaf meal (BVLM) levels. Thirty rabbits weighing an average of 999 g were allocated in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) to five treatments (BVLM 0%, which was the control diet, BVLM 5%, BVLM 10%, BVLM 15% and BVLM 20%) with six replicates. The rabbits were adapted to the assigned diets for one week and fed for ten weeks. Feed intake, live weight changes and feed conversion ratio were the performance parameters measured. Existing market prices for feed items were used to appraise the diets economically. A digestibility study was undertaken during the 10th week. No mortality was recorded during the study. Before termination of the feeding trial, 15 rabbits (3 from each treatment) were selected randomly, taken off feed for 24 hours and humanely slaughtered. Carcass parameters and weights of internal organs were measured and recorded. Results revealed that live weight changes, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were similar for all treatments. However, the cost of feed/kg and feed/kg gain decreased linearly with an increase in the inclusion level of BVLM. The results also showed that BVLM could be utilized in up to 15% of grower rabbit diets without lowering nutrient digestibility and dressing percentage. It was concluded that BVLM could be used up to 20% of the diet of grower rabbits to reduce the cost of feed/kg and cost of feed/kg gain without any adverse effects on live weight changes and weights of internal organs.

This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of solid state fermentation (SSF) biomass supplementation (@ 3%) on nutrient intake, growth performance and cost of feeding in crossbred heifers. Fifteen crossbred heifers were randomly divided into three groups each of five animals based on body weight, and were individually fed for 98 days. The heifers were fed jawar hay and wheat straw based total mixed ration (TMR) without SSF (T1, control), TMR with 3% SSF biomass (T2) and TMR having 10% reduction in protein and energy with 3% SSF biomass (T3). The results showed that the average dry matter intake (DMI) remained similar among the groups. However, the average crude protein intake (CPI) and total digestible nutrient intake (TDNI) differed significantly in T1 and T2 groups as compared to T3. The average daily body weight gain was significantly increased (p<0.05) in SSF fed group T2 than control group. The feed cost in terms of Rs./kg b. wt. gain was significantly (p<0.05) lower in T2 group as compared to control T1 group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the goals of the breeding program of the Latvian national sheep breed Latvian dark-head (LT; Latvijas tumšgalve) is the improvement of meat productivity, in parallel with good reproduction characteristics. The main part of the costs is the cost of feeding, which can be reduced by raising sheep with high feed efficiency. This goal can be achieved by selecting sheep based on feed efficiency indicators. The fattening data of 100 LT lambs were analysed using the relative growth rate (RGR) and Kleiber’s ratio (KR) indicators. The statistical difference was determined between low- and high-efficiency groups by calculating the cost of concentrate feed and income from meat realisation. The difference in the cost of concentrate feed was found after 60-days of intensive fattening and on the day needed for fattening up to 50 kg of live weight of lambs. When calculating the income of lamb meat, the differences between low and high RGR and/or KR efficiency groups were established. Thus, selecting high-ranking RGR and KR sheep can improve the cost and/or income of LT sheep breeders in Latvia.

The experiment was to investigate the effect of different levels of fermented soybean meal in diets of gestation and lactation sows on production performance of sows and antioxidant capacity of piglets. Sixty healthy 'Landrace× Yorkshire' sows with body weight of (120±15) kg were randomly divided into four groups, with five replicates in each group. Sows in control group were fed with basic diet, and sows in treatment group were fed 4%, 8% and 12% fermented soybean meal instead of common soybean meal in the basic diet, respectively. The experimental period was divided into two stages: Pregnancy (114 d) and lactation (28 d). The results showed that compared with control group, the average weaning litter weight and weaning litter gain of piglets in fermented soybean meal treatment group were extremely increased (P<0.01), the feed intake of sows in fermented soybean meal treatment group was increased, and the feed cost of sows in 12% treatment group was extremely increased (P<0.01). The feed cost of weaning litter with weight gain was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The serum SOD activity of piglets in 12% treatment group was significantly higher than that in other treatment groups (P<0.05), and GSH-Px and T-AOC of piglets in 12% treatment group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05). The study indicates that 12% fermented soybean meal can improve the production performance of sows, increase the antioxidant capacity of piglets, and reduce the feed cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Feed cost accounts for around 70% of the total production cost in broiler production, and finding strategies to reduce it is of paramount importance to achieving sustainable profitability. Among other strategies to reduce feed cost, the use of carbohydrases and proteases has been widely implemented in many poultry operations around the globe. In broiler production, the use of these enzymes can improve performance and can be supplemented to reduce energy–cost, with the aim of improving overall profitability. Moreover, these enzymes can also provide benefits to some carcass traits. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of supplementing different doses of a multienzyme complex containing carbohydrases and a protease on growth performance, duodenal pH and morphology, and carcass traits in broilers fed diets that are increasingly reduced in energy. Our results showed that this multienzyme complex could improve performance and duodenal morphology and reduce abdominal fat in broiler chickens fed reduced-energy diets. This study evaluated the effects of supplementing different doses of a multienzyme (KZP) consisting of carbohydrases and a protease on growth performance, duodenal pH and morphology, and carcass traits in broilers fed diets with increasing reductions in energy. One thousand two hundred one-day-old broiler chicks were allocated to five dietary treatments with eight replicates of 30 birds each: a positive control diet formulated to meet Arbor Acres' nutritional requirements (PC); a negative control diet reformulated to 80 kcal/kg less than the apparent metabolizable energy (AME) of the PC (NC1); a negative control diet reformulated to 120 kcal/kg less than the AME of the PC (NC2); an NC1 diet supplemented with 300 g/t of KZP (NC1 + KZP300); and an NC2 supplemented with 500 g/t of KZP (NC2 + KZP500). Growth performance was measured throughout the study. At 35 days, 10 birds per treatment were randomly selected and euthanized for a carcass trait evaluation, and samples of the duodenum were collected for morphological examination and pH level determination. The final average body weight and feed conversion ratio were better (p < 0.05) for the broilers in the NC1 + KZP300 group compared to those in NC1, NC2 and NC2 + KZP500 groups and were similar to those of the PC birds (p > 0.05). Birds from the NC1 + KZP500 group showed a better (p < 0.05) final body weight and feed efficiency compared to the NC1 and NC2 groups. The villus height was greater (p < 0.05) for the PC and NC1 + KZP300 groups compared to the rest of the treatments. The crypt depth was longer (p < 0.05) for the NC1 and NC2 groups compared to the NC1 + KZP300 group. The supplementation of KZP to both the NC1 and NC2 diets reduced (p < 0.05) the abdominal fat %. This study demonstrates that supplementing energy-reduced diets with KZP improved performance in broiler chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exogenous enzyme supplementation is an effective and cost-saving mechanism for increasing the availability of dietary nutrients by increasing digestion and reducing excretion. Objective: To evaluate the effects of phytase supplementation on performance, egg quality, and economic parameters in commercial laying hens fed reduced-nutrient diets from 70 weeks of age. Methods: Novogen White® commercial laying hens (n=256) were randomly allocated to four treatment groups, with eight replicates of eight hens in each group: PC (positive control): conventional diet not supplemented with phytase; diet with reduced levels (RN) of P (-0.12%), Ca (-0.10%), and ME (-14 kcal/kg), and supplemented with 300 phytase units (FTU/kg; RN300FTU); diet with reduced levels of P (-0.16%), Ca (-0.13%), ME (-18 kcal/kg), CP (-8%), synthetic amino acids (-0.01%), and supplemented with 600 FTU phytase/kg (RN600FTU); and diet with reduced levels of P (-0.18% P), Ca (-0.15%), ME (-20 kcal/kg), CP (-20%), synthetic amino acids (-0.01%), and supplemented with 900 FTU phytase/kg (RN900FTU). Results: The layers fed the RN300FTU diet had 2.68% higher egg production than those fed the PC diet. Egg mass produced by PC- and RN300FTU-fed hens was statistically similar. Eggshell thickness was increased in PC-fed hens. Feed cost for the RN900FTU diet was approximately 9% lower compared with that of the PC diet. Conclusion: The best performance and economic results were achieved when layers were fed a reduced-nutrient diet supplemented with 300 FTU phytase.

This study aims to determine the effect of natural grass silage and concentrate on the economic value of fattening male Bali cows. Twelve male Bali cows with initial body weight ranging from 132-149 kg were used in this study following a completely randomized design with 3 treatments and 4 replications. The animals were randomly allocated to one of the three dietary treatments (T1 = natural grass silage; T2 = T1 + concentrate 1000 grams/head/day; T3 = T1 + concentrate 2000 grams/head/day). Data obtained in this study were analyzed using SAS procedure of ANOVA. Average feed costs (IDR/day): T1 5188 ± 239.36, T2 7625 ± 520.42, and T3 7750 ± 645.50. Average body weight gain (kg/cow/day): T1 0.31 ± 0.03, T2 0.43 ± 0.04, and T3 0.52 ± 0.03. Average income (IDR/day): T1 10230 ± 967,250, T2 14190 ± 1484,837, and T3 17160 ± 1073,448. Average Income Over Feed Cost (IDR): T1 5042 ± 967,250, T2 6565 ± 1484,837, and T3 9410 ± 1073,448. The results of statistical analysis showed that the use of natural grass silage with and without concentrate at different levels had a significant effect on P

This study characterized breeding, housing, feeding and health management practices in positive deviants and typical average performing smallholder dairy farms in Tanzania. The objective was to distinguish management practices that positive deviant farms deploy differently from typical farms to ameliorate local prevalent environmental stresses. In a sample of 794 farms, positive deviants were classified on criteria of consistently outperforming typical farms (p < 0.05) in five production performance indicators: energy balance ≥ 0.35 Mcal NEL/d; disease-incidence density ≤ 12.75 per 100 animal-years at risk; daily milk yield ≥ 6.32 L/cow/day; age at first calving ≤ 1153.28 days; and calving interval ≤ 633.68 days. The study was a two-factor nested research design, with farms nested within the production environment, classified into low- and high-stress. Compared to typical farms, positive deviant farms had larger landholdings, as well as larger herds comprising more high-grade cattle housed in better quality zero-grazing stall units with larger floor spacing per animal. Positive deviants spent more on purchased fodder and water, and sourced professional veterinary services (p < 0.001) more frequently. These results show that management practices distinguishing positive deviants from typical farms were cattle upgrading, provision of larger animal floor spacing and investing more in cattle housing, fodder, watering, and professional veterinary services. These distinguishing practices can be associated with amelioration of feed scarcity, heat load stresses, and disease infections, as well as better animal welfare in positive deviant farms. Nutritional quality of the diet was not analyzed, for which research is recommended to ascertain whether the investments made by positive deviants are in quality of feeds.

A field survey was conducted to assess the extent of productivity increase and cost reduction on the adoption of ration balancing programme (RBP) of dairy animals undertaken by ICAR-NDRI. Out of four villages selected, two villages received services such as the provision of the mineral mixture from ICAR-NDRI and ration balancing programme implemented under NDP-I (Treatment villages – Lalukheri and Alipur) and the other two villages didn’t receive any kind of services (Control villages – Dhansaini and Bhoura-Khurd). From each village, about 50 dairy farmers were randomly selected. Data were collected on feeding management practices using a pre-tested interview schedule. The collected data was analyzed using propensity score matching to control bias due to confounding variables. Results revealed that more cattle and buffaloes were fed on a balanced ration in treatment villages as compared to control villages. Attributed to ration balancing the average daily milk yield of Murrah, HF and Jersey crossbreds was significantly increased by 25.7%, 18.8% and 37.0% (unmatched) respectively, and the corresponding quantum of increase after controlling for the confounding factors by calculation of average treatment on the treated (ATT) resulted in an 8.8%, 9.3% and 13.4% increase. Fat% and SNF% were improved significantly (p < 0.01) only in Murrah buffaloes fed with balanced ration. Total feeding cost didn’t vary between RBP and non-RBP animals after the calculation of ATT. However, the cost of feed per kg of milk of the RBP animals was found to be around 15% (p < 0.01) lower than the non-RBP animals. The total returns, net returns from milk production as well as the milk-feed ratio of RBP animals were significantly higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted to examine utilization of dried housefly larvae (DFL) meal as an alternative protein source in Asian seabass diet, for effects on growth and nutrient utilization. The housefly larvae were raised in substrates composed of rice bran, discarded vegetables and fruits, molasses, and water, in a practical tropical environment. The obtained fly larvae were washed, dried, ground and analyzed for proximate composition. Four diets were formulated with DFL at 0, 6.78, 13.56 and 20.35 % of diet (with fish meal at 15, 10, 5, 0%, respectively). The diets were fed to triplicate groups of each treatment twice daily for 50 days. The DFL incorporated diets (replacing up to the 15% total of FM) had no negative effects on growth performance and nutrient utilization (p>0.05). Although statistically insignificant, the highest feed intake, final weight, and specific growth rate (SGR), namely 25.80±1.04 (g/fish), 20.55±2.67 (g/fish) and 5.2±0.25 (%/day), respectively, were all in the 13.56% DFL feeding group. The total FM replacement group (DFL at 20.35% of diet) had the lowest protein efficiency ratio (PER) of 1.55±0.06 (p>0.05). Polynomial regression of percentage weight gain revealed that DFL substitution at 8% resulted in the highest growth performance, which would potentially lower the cost per unit of diet for Asian seabass by 8.28%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Blood and rumen contents, which are currently considered wastes in many abattoirs, could be valuable ingredients in poultry feeding; however, several factors including high fibre and low energy may limit their dietary inclusion. There is need for more research on feed processing and diet formulation to maximise utilisation of these by-products in poultry feeding. Aim: We investigated the effect on broiler finisher performance of feeding bovine blood, rumen digesta and vegetable oil concentrate as a partial replacement for soybean meal. Methods: Three isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated: a control diet based on maize and soybean meal, and two test diets. In the test diets, heat-processed blood–rumen digesta meal and vegetable oil concentrate replaced 50% of the soybean meal, with and without exogenous enzymes. Diets were allocated to five replicate pens containing six Ross broilers aged 21 days in a completely randomised design for a period of 21 days. Key results: Results showed no treatment effect (P > 0.05) on average daily feed intake but birds fed the test diets gained more weight (P < 0.05) and converted their feed more efficiently (P < 0.05) than the control group. Enzyme supplementation had no additional effect (P > 0.05) on growth performance. There were no dietary effects (P > 0.05) on relative weights of carcass and gut segments. Feed cost of liveweight gain and carcass weight was reduced (P < 0.05) on the test diets. Conclusion: Heat-processed blood–rumen digesta meal and vegetable oil concentrate can replace up to 50% of soybean meal in broiler fishier diets. At this level of replacement, enzyme supplementation is not required. Implications: The use of blood and rumen content in poultry diets has cost and environmental benefits. Optimum utilisation of abattoir by-products in poultry feed can reduce production cost and the need for waste disposal. Heat-processed bovine blood, rumen digesta and vegetable oil concentrate was examined as a partial replacement for soybean meal in poultry diets. Replacement of up to 50% of soybean meal improved liveweight gain and feed conversion efficiency of broilers, additionally providing cost and environmental benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indonesia produced 30 × 106 t of waste in 2021; 40 % was organic and 276 × 10³ t leftover rice. Meanwhile, broiler chicken farmers have been struggling with high feed costs to continue their production. Processing leftover rice into "aking-rice" is environmentally friendly, and it also provides alternative feed for chickens. "Aking-rice" is a type of resistant starch because it has undergone a gelatinization process that works as a synthesis of short-chain fatty acids that positively improve the function of the digestive tract because it increases the villi in the small intestine. This study analyzed the potential of “akingrice” in broiler chicken productivity. The experimental method was a completely randomized design with three treatments, five replications and 12 chickens in each unit. The treatments are T0 (100 % basal feed), T1 (80 % basal feed + 20 % “akingrice” spread on top of the basal feed), and T2 (80 % basal feed + 20 % "aking-rice" mix). Statistical analysis used ANOVA, and continued with LSD with observed variables, i.e. Feed Intake (FI), Average Daily Gain (ADG), Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), and Performance Index (PI). The results showed that the highest FI values were T0 (99.02), T1 (97.45), and T2 (96.58). The highest ADG was T1 (40.40) then T0 (37.07) and the lowest was T2 (36.40). T1 has the lowest FCR (2.42) compared to T0 (2.68), T2 (2.66). The lowest FCR is T1 (2.42), then T2 (2.66) and the highest is T0 (2.68). The third variable was not significantly different, but the PI results showed a significant difference with the highest PI value T1 (433.84), while T0 (374.81) and T2 (372.67) were not different. Economic analysis also shows that the highest cost T0 (118 475) is significantly different from T1 (110 541) and T2 (109 558). The highest profit is shown by T1 (2 102) then T2 (1 063) and T0 (507). In conclusion, the use of "aking-rice" can increase the performance index with a higher ADG value and a lower FCR so that the costs are smaller and the profit is greater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study characterized breeding, housing, feeding and health management practices in positive deviants and typical average performing smallholder dairy farms in Tanzania. The objective was to distinguish management practices that positive deviant farms deploy differently from typical farms to ameliorate local prevalent environmental stresses. In a sample of 794 farms, positive deviants were classified on criteria of consistently outperforming typical farms (p < 0.05) in five production performance indicators: energy balance ≥ 0.35 Mcal NEL/d; disease-incidence density ≤ 12.75 per 100 animal-years at risk; daily milk yield ≥ 6.32 L/cow/day; age at first calving ≤ 1153.28 days; and calving interval ≤ 633.68 days. The study was a two-factor nested research design, with farms nested within the production environment, classified into low- and high-stress. Compared to typical farms, positive deviant farms had larger landholdings, as well as larger herds comprising more high-grade cattle housed in better quality zero-grazing stall units with larger floor spacing per animal. Positive deviants spent more on purchased fodder and water, and sourced professional veterinary services (p < 0.001) more frequently. These results show that management practices distinguishing positive deviants from typical farms were cattle upgrading, provision of larger animal floor spacing and investing more in cattle housing, fodder, watering, and professional veterinary services. These distinguishing practices can be associated with amelioration of feed scarcity, heat load stresses, and disease infections, as well as better animal welfare in positive deviant farms. Nutritional quality of the diet was not analyzed, for which research is recommended to ascertain whether the investments made by positive deviants are in quality of feeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yucca extract belongs to secondary metabolites of yucca, and its active components mainly include saponins and polyphenols. Saponins play a bacteriostatic effect by regulating the intestinal permeability and microbial balance of animals, and polyphenols have a positive effect on the activation of the immune system of animals. The addition of yucca extract to the feed has a positive effect on animal growth performance and health. The article makes a comprehensive review from the main active components of yucca extract and its application in animal husbandry, and analyzes its economic value, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the feed utilization value of yucca extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In ordre to promote aquaculture in the south of the country, and specifically, to reduce the cost of feeding farmed fish, this study was carried out to evaluate the effect of partial replacement of fishmeal with a mixture of duckweed meal (DWM) and mealworm larvae (WLM) on growth performance, feed utilization and carcass composition of Nile tilapia. Eight-week feeding experiment was conducted on fry of O. niloticus (average initial weight: 0.87 ± 0.23 g). Four isoproteic diets (38.52 ± 0.11% crude protein) comprising control diet D0 and three test diets (D1 to D3) were formulated and tested in triplicates. To satisfy EAA requirements in test diets, the ratios 1: 5; 2: 4 ; 4: 2 between DWM and WLM were used respectively in partial replacement for fishmeal. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed in survival, growth and feed utilization. On the other hand, the compositions of the carcasses showed strong significant differences (P < 0.05) except ash contents. The carcass lipid increased proportionally with the inclusion of WLM, but the reverse was true for the moisture content. However, the high contents of retained proteins were obtained in the ratios 0 : 0 and 4 : 2 between D0 and D3. It is concluded that fishmeal could be replaced by a meal mixture of DWM and WLM up to the proportion (4 : 2, respectively) in the feed of O. niloticus without adverse effects on growth and nutrient utilization and most importantly, reduce the cost of production up to 29.8% which would have a positive impact on post-feeding and therefore the financial management of an aquaculture farm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effects of supplementing different doses of a multienzyme (KZP) consisting of carbohydrases and a protease on growth performance, duodenal pH and morphology, and carcass traits in broilers fed diets with increasing reductions in energy. One thousand two hundred one-day-old broiler chicks were allocated to five dietary treatments with eight replicates of 30 birds each: a positive control diet formulated to meet Arbor Acres’ nutritional requirements (PC); a negative control diet reformulated to 80 kcal/kg less than the apparent metabolizable energy (AME) of the PC (NC1); a negative control diet reformulated to 120 kcal/kg less than the AME of the PC (NC2); an NC1 diet supplemented with 300 g/t of KZP (NC1 + KZP300); and an NC2 supplemented with 500 g/t of KZP (NC2 + KZP500). Growth performance was measured throughout the study. At 35 days, 10 birds per treatment were randomly selected and euthanized for a carcass trait evaluation, and samples of the duodenum were collected for morphological examination and pH level determination. The final average body weight and feed conversion ratio were better (p < 0.05) for the broilers in the NC1 + KZP300 group compared to those in NC1, NC2 and NC2 + KZP500 groups and were similar to those of the PC birds (p > 0.05). Birds from the NC1 + KZP500 group showed a better (p < 0.05) final body weight and feed efficiency compared to the NC1 and NC2 groups. The villus height was greater (p < 0.05) for the PC and NC1 + KZP300 groups compared to the rest of the treatments. The crypt depth was longer (p < 0.05) for the NC1 and NC2 groups compared to the NC1 + KZP300 group. The supplementation of KZP to both the NC1 and NC2 diets reduced (p < 0.05) the abdominal fat %. This study demonstrates that supplementing energy-reduced diets with KZP improved performance in broiler chickens.

Despite mass mortality, hard clams remain among the main cultured shellfish in Taiwan. Using cross-sectional data, this study applies threshold regression modeling with stocking density and feed costs as the threshold variables to explore the nonlinear relationship between input and output factors. The findings show that the production output levels may be increased by different combinations of factor inputs and variations in input factors. More specifically, the higher output levels may be achieved by increasing labor input while reducing capital input factors in farming households with a higher stocking density (HSD > 1,087,870 inds/ha) or higher feed cost (HFC > 13,889 NTD/ha). Farming households with a lower stocking density (LSD ≤ 1,087,870 inds/ha) may enhance production output levels by increasing feed input while reducing capital inputs. Moreover, the maximum output level of HSD and HFC farming households was estimated to reach 9255 kg/ha and 9807 kg/ha, respectively. Results of the production output simulation suggest that the feeding cost per hectare in LSD households should not exceed 25,119 NTD to avoid overfeeding, which may cause culture deterioration and lower survival rates. As such, farmers are advised to adjust their feed costs according to the stocking density to maximize production output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two concurrent feeding trials was conducted to assess the effects of replacing fishmeal with poultry by-product meal (PBM) and supplementing dried porcine soluble (DPS) in large yellow croaker Larimichthys crocea diets at the optimal dietary protein level. In trial I, the reference diet (F40) contained fishmeal at 400 g/kg, and 40%, 60% and 80% of the fishmeal was substituted with PBM (the diets were termed as F24, F16 and F8). In trial II, the control diet (F16D0) contained fishmeal at 160 g/kg, and DPS was added at 4, 8, 12 and 16 g/kg in F16D0 (the diets were termed as F16D4, F16D8, F16D12 and F16D16). Fish initially weighing 20.0 ± 0.2 g were fed the test diets for 10 weeks. Fishmeal replacement level significantly influenced final body weight (FBW), weight gain, feed conversion ratio, nitrogen and energy retention efficiencies, ratio of fish-in to fish-out (FIFO), feed cost, activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase in plasma and liver, activity of glutathione peroxidase in plasma, and malondialdehyde content in liver. However, neither fishmeal replacement level nor DPS supplementation level resulted in significant change in condition factor, hepatosomatic index and body composition. There were no significant differences in weight gain and FBW either between F40, F24 and F16 or between F40 and F16D0, F16D4, F16D8, F16D12 and F16D16. The FBW of F16 declined by 3.2% relative to F40, while the FBW of F16D12 increased by 10.1% relative to F16D0. This study reveals that dietary fishmeal level for large yellow croaker could be reduced to 160 g/kg by using PBM as a sole substitute, and DPS supplementation could augment dietary fishmeal replacement by PBM. • Fishmeal content in large yellow croaker diet could be reduced to 160 g/kg by inclusion of PBM. • Adding 12 g/kg DPS benefited to augment growth of large yellow croaker fed the diet containing 160 g/kg fishmeal. • Replacement of fishmeal with PBM reduced feed cost, fishmeal reliance and phosphorus waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the nutritional value and amino acid profiles of digestate from a biogas plant, as a substitute for rice bran, in tilapia feed and measured its effects on fish yields and production costs. Four isonitrogenous (24% crude protein) diets were formulated, using digestate at levels of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%, with respective reductions in rice bran content (31%, 24%, 17%, and 9%). The experiment was a triplicated, completely randomized design (CRD), starting with 140 fish fry per cage (3.0 × 3.0 × 2.0 m). The fish were fed to satiation twice per day for 180 days. Digestate was more nutritious than rice bran, with 15.3% crude protein and exceptionally high lysine (1872 mg/100 g). Differences in the diets tested had no significant effects on fish survival rates, growth and yield, and food conversion efficiency. The present findings strongly suggest that farmers could adopt tilapia growing systems with cheap and increase aquaculture production in order to meet the fish protein need and food security. Consequently, the least expensive diet was the most cost-effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Barley can be included in poultry diets as a cost-effective energy-contributing ingredient. However, its inclusion in meat chicken diets is limited because it is considered a viscous grain due to high crude fibre and soluble non-starch polysaccharide contents. Aims: The study quantified the optimum inclusion rate of barley in meat chicken diets during different growing phases, using an incremental program. Methods: Eight dietary treatments followed a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement, with three levels of barley inclusion to a wheat-based diet, and a nil-barley control, with or without β-glucanase supplementation. Barley was initially included at 0% (low), 7.5% (medium) and 15% (high) in starter diets (Days 1–9), scaling up by 7.5% for each level in grower (Days 9–21), finisher (Days 23–35) and withdrawal (Days 35–42) diets. Each diet was fed ad libitum to six replicate pens of 18 chicks. On Day 42, four birds per replicate pen were euthanised to determine carcass yield and collect digesta. Key results: During the starter period, a significant (P < 0.05) barley × β-glucanase interaction resulted in lower bodyweight gain (8%) and higher feed conversion ratio (8.5 points) at 15% barley inclusion without β-glucanase, whereas performance was restored with β-glucanase supplementation. No treatment interaction was apparent on growth performance assessed over the entire production period (Days 1–42). Barley inclusion at medium and high levels increased bodyweight gain, and at all levels improved feed efficiency (P < 0.01) compared with the control. β-Glucanase improved (P < 0.05) feed efficiency. Highest (P < 0.01) breast meat yield was measured for diets with medium barley inclusion. There were no interactive or main effects on duodenal digesta viscosity. Barley inclusion increased distal ileal digesta water content by ∼8–10% (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Incremental inclusion of barley from 15% in a starter diet, scaling up to 37.5% in a withdrawal diet, does not compromise growth performance or carcass yields in broiler chickens. β-Glucanase supplementation favours both bodyweight gain and feed efficiency. Medium level of barley inclusion favours breast meat yield. Implications: Barley can be considered an economical grain to formulate cost-effective diets for broiler chickens. An incremental program is a practical approach to optimise barley inclusion rate. Barley is an alternative grain to wheat in Australian meat chicken diets, and often cheaper. However, the presence of some anti-nutritional factors in barley means that the grain is used at limited levels in the diet. Our results indicate that an incremental program is an effective approach to optimise barley inclusion rate in meat chicken diets, to formulate more cost-effective finished feeds and add value to Australian barley, particularly when export markets become precarious. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The consumption of pork is rapidly increasing in Uganda and presents an opportunity for pig farmers to maximise profits. However, the population and productivity of pigs remains low and this is attributed to the high cost of commercial feeds. Aims: We aimed to evaluate the effects of various combinations of brewery by-products on the performance, carcass characteristics and profitability of fattening pigs. Methods: The study involved 48 crossbred (Large White × Camborough) pigs weaned at 2 months of age and weighing 10.3 ± 1.2 kg. Group pens of four pigs, balanced for sex and weight, were assigned in a completely randomised design with three replications to four diets: BYM, 22% brewers' spent grain + 15% yeast cake + 60% malt dust; BY, 33% brewers' spent grain + 14% yeast cake (with 50% maize bran); YM, 27% yeast cake + 70% malt dust; and a commercial diet (control). Feed intake and efficiency, costs and carcass characteristic were determined. Key results: Feeding brewery by-products increased (P < 0.05) average daily feed intake by 1.40, 1.11, 1.09 kg/day for BYM, BY and YM compared with the control diet. Pigs fed the control diet had better (P < 0.05) feed efficiency (feed conversion ratio 3.4) than those fed BYM (6.6), BY (5.7) and YM (6.1). The unit cost of diets (Ugandan shillings, USh) increased in the order BYM (USh410) < YM (USh439) < BY (USh551) < commercial diet (USh1313). The unit cost of producing meat increased in the order YM (USh2691) < BYM (USh2713) < BY (USh3150) < commercial diet (USh5331). The highest gross margins accrued from BYM (USh36 769), followed by YM (USh34 853), whereas a loss of USh41 735 was incurred when feeding the commercial diet. Dressing percentage and organ yield were comparable across diets (P > 0.05). Backfat thickness measured at four sites was similar (P > 0.05) across dietary treatments. Conclusion: A blended mixture of brewery by-products containing brewers' spent grain (22%), yeast (15%) and malt dust (60%) is an economical replacement of commercial diets for fattening pigs. Implications: Brewery by-products can be used to increase profit margins without affecting the carcass characteristics of pigs. The consumption of pork is increasing and presents an opportunity for pig farmers to make more profits. This study revealed that the high cost of commercial feeds can be overcome by feeding a low-cost diet containing 22% brewers' spent grain, 15% yeast and 60% malt dust. By lowering the cost of quality feeds, pig productivity, population and profits will increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pilot-scale experiment was conducted within an improved extensive pond to evaluate the efficiency of co-culturing black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) and red seaweed (Gracilaria tenuistipitata) at different densities with partially reduced feed rations. Six treatments were established at random in triplicate with three stocking densities (2, 4, and 6 ind. m−2), and each density monocultured with either a 100% feed ration or co-cultured with red seaweed and a 50% feed ration. The culture system consisted of eighteen net enclosures (16 m2 each) installed in an improved extensive pond. After 4 months of culture, the growth rates of the shrimp decreased with increasing stocking density and shrimp yields at densities of 4 and 6 ind. m−2 were similar to each other (p > 0.05) and significantly higher (p < 0.05) than at a density of 2 ind. m−2. Notably, the growth rates, survival, and yield of shrimp in co-culture receiving a 50% feed ration were comparable to, and feed conversion ratio and feed cost were much lower than those in monoculture receiving a 100% feed ration at the same stocking density. The proximate composition of the shrimp meat in terms of moisture and protein levels was nearly equivalent in all treatments, while co-culture groups had lower lipid and higher ash content than monoculture groups. The results revealed that a co-culture of black tiger shrimp and red seaweed at a density of 4 ind. m−2 with a 50% feed ration maintained normal growth and increased shrimp yield while saving 40.45% of feed costs compared with monoculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplementing low crude protein (CP) diets for pigs with exogenous amino acid may help improve growth performance, minimize the environmental impact associated with nitrogen loss and improve the sustainability of pork production. A total number of thirty (30) Large white x Landrace weaned pigs between the age of 8-10 weeks and an average weight of 11.5 ± 0.39 kg were used to evaluate the effect of lysine supplementation of a low CP diet on growth performance, blood profile, and carcass characteristics of weaner piglets. Weaned pigs were acclimatized for seven days, randomly allotted to five (5) dietary treatments with six weaners per treatment and fed a weaner diet based on maize-soybean while wheat bran and dried cassava peel were added to balance the diet nutrients. The animals were allocated to either a control diet containing 22.6% CP or a diet with 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, and 10% reduction in diet CP. Each animal consumed the respective diet for six weeks during which growth performance was monitored. Afterward, 5 mL of blood was sampled for analysis, and all the pigs were slaughtered for carcass analysis. Average daily gain, total weight gain, and average daily intake were not significantly different across the groups (p>0.05). While feed cost per kg was lower with the 7.5% and 10% diet CP reduction (p<0.05), feed cost per weight gain was not different across the animals. Most haematological and serum biochemical variables were not affected by CP reduction, while carcass weight was equally not affected by diet CP (p>0.05). However, the abdominal fat percentage of carcass reduced slightly with the reduced diet CP. Therefore, up to 10% reduction in diet CP from 22.6%, with 0.1% lysine supplementation, had no negative impact on growth without compromising the immunity indicators of weaned pigs. Furthermore, there was no negative consequence on carcass characteristics and the primal cuts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The determination of amino acid supplements for broiler chicken requirements based on performance does not always reflect maximum profitability. Objective: To estimate the optimal levels of digestible threonine (Thr) and sulfur amino acids (SAA) in diets for broilers based on an economic analysis. Methods: Two dose-response assays were conducted, and each assay was divided into three phases: initial (1-14 days), grower (15-28 days), and finisher (29-42 days). Five hundred and sixty male Cobb 500® broilers were randomly distributed to seven treatments with increasing levels of the amino acid (SAA or Thr), with four replicates and 20 birds each. Bodyweight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI) were used to fit a segmented model. Gross income (GI), total feed costs (TFC) and gross margin (GM) were calculated based on local values. Results: Increasing levels of amino acid elicited a response in BWG and FI for all evaluated phases. The estimates for maximum profit based on GI and TFC were 223, 504, and 975 mg SAA/bird/d, and 236, 696, and 1,042 mg Thr/bird/d in starter, grower and finisher phases, respectively. Conclusion: Varying the AA prices affected only slightly the economic optimal intake of Thr and sulfur amino acids. Despite market fluctuations, the economic approach presented in this study demonstrates to be a helpful tool to choose the ideal inclusion level of amino acids in the feed.

An integrated multi-trophic system consisting of white leg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei and sea grape Caulerpa lentillifera was operated under various stocking densities and feeding rates to assess their effects on water quality, growth performance, and feed cost. The first experiment, which involved nursery rearing for 30 days, was designed in triplicate using a two-factor experimental design involving three stocking densities (1000, 2000, and 3000 ind. m−3) combined with two culture systems (monoculture and integrated system). Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae 12 (PL12, mean weight: 3.33 ± 0.09 mg) and C. lentillifera (2 kg m−3) were applied in integrated tanks at a salinity of 30 g L−1. The results indicate that the integrated system of L. vannamei PL and C. lentillifera significantly decreased nitrogen and phosphorus levels and enhanced shrimp survival, growth rate, and yield. A significant synergistic effect between shrimp density and culture system was observed for shrimp survival (p < 0.05) and yield (p < 0.01). Higher shrimp density resulted in lower growth performance but increased yield. Applying stocking densities of 1000–2000 PL m−3 produced larger shrimp, while a density of 3000 PL m−3 obtained the highest production output in the integrated system. In the second experiment, the integrated system of juvenile L. vannamei (mean weight: 1.69 ± 0.07 g) and C. lentillifera was tested during the grow-out phase at different feeding rates. The six feeding treatments included a control group (monoculture) fed commercial feed (40% protein, 6% lipid) with a 100% feed ration (5% of biomass per day), while shrimp in the five integrated groups received commercial feed at 100, 75, 50, 25, and 0% feeding rations of the control. After 45 days of culture, the survival and yield of shrimp in the 100% and 75% feed ration treatments were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). Nonetheless, shrimp growth steadily decreased with a reduction in the feeding rate from 50% downwards, and all groups grew significantly slower than the control group (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the feed conversion ratio and feed cost were lower at the lower feeding rates. This finding indicates that offering the L. vannamei—C. lentillifera integrated system at 75% feed ration can be considered the optimal feeding rate since it can reduce feed cost by 39.57% and improve water quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplementing low crude protein (CP) diets for pigs with exogenous amino acid may help improve growth performance, minimize the environmental impact associated with nitrogen loss and improve the sustainability of pork production. A total number of thirty (30) Large white x Landrace weaned pigs between the age of 8-10 weeks and an average weight of 11.5 ± 0.39 kg were used to evaluate the effect of lysine supplementation of a low CP diet on growth performance, blood profile, and carcass characteristics of weaner piglets. Weaned pigs were acclimatized for seven days, randomly allotted to five (5) dietary treatments with six weaners per treatment and fed a weaner diet based on maize-soybean while wheat bran and dried cassava peel were added to balance the diet nutrients. The animals were allocated to either a control diet containing 22.6% CP or a diet with 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, and 10% reduction in diet CP. Each animal consumed the respective diet for six weeks during which growth performance was monitored. Afterward, 5 mL of blood was sampled for analysis, and all the pigs were slaughtered for carcass analysis. Average daily gain, total weight gain, and average daily intake were not significantly different across the groups (p>0.05). While feed cost per kg was lower with the 7.5% and 10% diet CP reduction (p0.05). However, the abdominal fat percentage of carcass reduced slightly with the reduced diet CP. Therefore, up to 10% reduction in diet CP from 22.6%, with 0.1% lysine supplementation, had no negative impact on growth without compromising the immunity indicators of weaned pigs. Furthermore, there was no negative consequence on carcass characteristics and the primal cuts.

This study evaluated the effect of replacing dietary fish meal with poultry by-product meal (PBM), cottonseed-protein concentrate (CPC) and their blend on growth, feed utilization, body composition, waste outputs and carbon-nitrogen-phosphorus atomic stoichiometry in wastes of largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides. A diet containing 40 % fish meal served as reference (RF), and 60 % and 80 % of the fish meal was replaced by PBM (P60 and P80) and CPC (C60, C80) alone or in combination (CP60 and CP80). Moreover, a cost-effective diet (CPS80) was formulated by replacing 80 % of the fish meal with a blend of PBM, CPC and soybean meal. Largemouth bass weighing 24.0 ± 0.3 g were fed the test diets for eight weeks. Weight gain, retention efficiencies of nitrogen and phosphorus were lower, while wastes of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus were higher, in fish fed diet RF than in fish fed diets P60, P80, C60, C80, CP60, CP80 and CPS80, and no significant differences were found in condition factor and hepatosomatic index between fish fed diet RF and the low fish meal diets. At the same fish meal replacement level, weight gain was slightly high in fish fed diets P60, P80, CP60 and CP80, relative to fish fed diets C60 and C80. Fish fed diets CP80 and CPS80 exhibited high weight gain and minimum feed cost, fish meal reliance and waste outputs. Carbon-nitrogen-phosphorus atomic stoichiometry in wastes was (50–86):(10–17):1, and C : P and N : P in wastes of fish fed diet CPS80 were high relative to that of fish fed diet RF and diets C60, C80, P60, P80, CP60 and CP80. This study indicates that dietary fish meal level for largemouth bass could be reduced to 80 g/kg by using PBM and CPC in combination as a fish meal substitute, and feeding diet CP80 and CPS80 can significantly reduce feed cost and fish meal reliance without increasing negative effect on growth and environment.

The poultry industry's goal is to find alternatives to conventional protein feed resources to maximize the poultry venture's profit. One of these alternatives is mulberry (Morus Alba) leaf powder (MLP). In this study, we determined the effect of MLP inclusion in quail diet on growth performance, economic efficiency, bacterial count, oxidative stress and immunity. A total of 288 seven-day-old chicks of Japanese quails (white and brown strains) were obtained from local Egyptian hatcheries, were accommodated for one week, and fed on a basal diet. On the 14th day, chicks were weighted, wing banded, housed in cages, and distributed randomly into three iso-energetic and iso-nitrogenous diets (triplicate/group, 16 bird/replicate, 48 bird/ group). Diets formulated to contain MLP at levels of 0 (control), 4, and 8%, respectively, for each strain from 14 to 42 days of age. Our results showed that the inclusion of MLP up to 8% resulted in a non-significant change on growth performance parameters (final body weight, cumulative body weight gain, and dressing percentage), economic efficiency (total return, gross margin, and benefit-cost ratio), and relative economic efficiency parameters comparing with 0% MLP diet. Additionally, inclusion of MLP up to 4% in both Japanese quail strains showed a non-significant decrease in the cost of each kg body weight gain from the feed. Increasing MLP levels up to 8% in the diet resulted in a non-significant effect on immunoglobulin G in both strain and a significant increase in interleukin 2 & 6 in brown Japanese quail. Superoxide Dismutase activity and catalase enzyme activity showed a non-significant decrease in groups of white strain-fed diets with 4 & 8% MLP than those fed diets with 0% MLP. Inclusion of MLP 8% recorded a significant decrease in the total aerobic bacterial count, E.coli and clostridia count, with a non-significant effect on lactobacillus count in both quail strains and antibody titer against Newcastle virus vaccine. We concluded that MLP can be included in the diet up to 8% without adverse effect on growth parameters, economic measures, no oxidative stress and no alteration in bird immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to compare the growth, meat quality, and production economics of Cherry Valley broiler ducks fed with a commercial diet along with silage from beet pulp or maize. In this study, 180 male Cherry Valley ducks were reared for 49 d. The control group (group C) was fed a commercial diet ad libitum. The experimental groups were fed a restricted amount of commercial diet and ad libitum beet pulp silage (group B) or maize silage (group M). For all groups, the growth performance and meat quality were analyzed, and their production costs were estimated. The beneficial effects of feeding maize silage on the growth rate were observed on d 29 to 49 in group M; moreover, both experimental groups showed lower feed intake than group C (P < 0.05). The feed conversion ratio was lower in the first rearing stage and during the entire experimental period in groups B and M than that in group C. Group M showed a higher European Production Efficiency Factor and European Broiler Index than group C (P < 0.05). The relative weight of the liver was higher in group C than that in the experimental groups (P < 0.05). Group M showed a higher L* value of leg muscles than group C (P < 0.05). Water-holding capacity was higher in leg muscles from ducks fed with silages (P < 0.05). The experimental groups had lower costs of commercial diets. Higher costs were observed for maize silage than for beet pulp silage. Carcass sales yielded the highest profit for group M and the lowest one for group C. Compared with the control group, the silage-fed groups showed a higher estimated profit by PLN 7.94 to 10.68 per duck (P < 0.05). Based on the beneficial production results, notably lower feed conversion ratio, no negative effects on carcass characteristics, and lower production costs, especially maize or even beet pulp silage in broiler duck rearing, could be recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite mass mortality, hard clams remain among the main cultured shellfish in Taiwan. Using cross-sectional data, this study applies threshold regression modeling with stocking density and feed costs as the threshold variables to explore the nonlinear relationship between input and output factors. The findings show that the production output levels may be increased by different combinations of factor inputs and variations in input factors. More specifically, the higher output levels may be achieved by increasing labor input while reducing capital input factors in farming households with a higher stocking density (HSD > 1,087,870 inds/ha) or higher feed cost (HFC > 13,889 NTD/ha). Farming households with a lower stocking density (LSD ≤ 1,087,870 inds/ha) may enhance production output levels by increasing feed input while reducing capital inputs. Moreover, the maximum output level of HSD and HFC farming households was estimated to reach 9255 kg/ha and 9807 kg/ha, respectively. Results of the production output simulation suggest that the feeding cost per hectare in LSD households should not exceed 25,119 NTD to avoid overfeeding, which may cause culture deterioration and lower survival rates. As such, farmers are advised to adjust their feed costs according to the stocking density to maximize production output.

ABSTRACT: This study was designed to simulate productive and economic losses due to the withdrawal of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) from pig diets. Articles that compared diets with AGP (AGP+) or without AGP (AGP–) for pigs were collected from electronic databases and the performance results were entered in a database. A meta-analysis was performed following the sequence: graphical analysis, correlation, and variance-covariance. The performance results observed in the meta-analysis, feed cost, and AGP costs were used to build equations to estimate the economic effect of withdrawing AGP. The database comprised 81 scientific articles containing 103 experiments totalizing 42,923 pigs. Avilamycin (24.7 %) was the most frequent AGP in the database, followed by Colistin (15.4 %), Tiamulin (11.7 %), Tylosin (8.0 %), Lincomycin (9.4 %), and Bacitracin (5.4 %). Weight gain (p < 0.05) increased in AGP+ diets during post-weaning (6.5 %). However, there was no effect of AGP on weight gain of growing-finishing pigs. There was better (p < 0.05) feed conversion in pigs fed AGP+ diets in all rearing phases. Weight gain and feed conversion improved (p < 0.05) with the addition of Avilamycin, Bacitracin, and Tylosin. AGP withdrawal in the post-weaning phase increased feed costs by US$ 0.86 per animal and in growing-finishing phase the increase was US$ 3.11. Thus, pigs fed AGP+ diets have a better performance than pigs fed AGP- diets and the withdrawal of AGP increases feed costs.