lysine, with the goal of maintaining animal performance on a low-soy diet. Male broiler chickens were used in 0-33 day trials of 14 treatments which were carried out in 12 repetitions with 120 broilers per treatment. The initial approach explored reduced soybean levels, either with or without ratios of balanced amino acids. During the finishing period, the re- searchers assessed average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR), as well as other standard measures. They tested three levels of crude protein and dif- ferent levels of added amino acids (Figure 1). The results val- idated threonine/digestible lysine and arginine/digestible lysine ratios to achieve a 1.5-point reduction in crude pro- tein after 21 days without impacting growth performance. In another approach the team aimed to maintain animal performance while reducing or replacing soybean meal in a standard broiler diet from the starter to the finisher period. First, they tested diets with high-protein sunflower meal, rapeseed meal or DDGS to reduce the soy content. High maximum incorporation rates for high-protein sunflower, rapeseed and DDGS were calculated to limit the ratio of soy protein. The Wisium team could reduce soy content at greater levels by incorporating higher ratios of high-protein sunflower meal (Figure 2). The researchers also looked at soy-free diets from the starter phase, replacing soy with balanced amino acids and a pro- tein concentrate under development. They found that diets comprising high-protein sunflower meal combined with an appropriate protein concentrate achieved performances identical to the control diet with soybean meal (Figure 3).


Environmental and economic benefits Further outcomes of the research trials included several indicators of potentially improved environmental sustain- ability. For instance, calculations indicated that replacing soybean meal with high-protein sunflower meal in broiler feed can help reduce fossil energy consumption and carbon emissions. Reducing protein levels in broiler feed is also a positive solution in enabling poultry producers to improve the cost effectiveness of their production. This applies to producers in any country that relies on imported soy. For example, alternate proteins could help French producers address the challenges of unfavourable consumer per- ceptions of GMO soybeans, as well as the cost and limited availability of non-GMO soy. Ensuring that the replacement for soybean meal provides comparable nutritional value should be of more concern than finding the cheapest soy alternative. An up front investment will help minimise future expenses, including productivity loss due to disease, poor digestiblility or feed that is not ideal for broiler growth performance. For instance, low-protein diets can have a favourable impact on litter quality and potentially reduce the risk of pododermatitis.


Figure 2 Reduction of SBM vs. Classic Levels (French Diets)


35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0


Starter Grower SFM HP SFM HP high Finisher


Figure 3 BW and FCR 0-35 days


2800 2750 2700 2650 2600 2550 2500 2450


Control


SBM-free + protein


concentrate 1 BW (g) FCR


Typically, broiler feed is made with soybean meal, a raw material that is rich in potassium and poorly digestible sugars. Feed rations with little or no soy may have less poorly potassium and less digestible sugar content which could decrease the animal’s water intake and maintain better litter quality. Optimising conditions in this way can help to sustain the health of poultry flocks, as research shows that wet litter is associated with an increased incidence and greater severity of pododermatitis in broiler housing systems. Using local, high-quality feed ingredients may also help to promote a positive image of producers, aligned with current societal demand regarding animal welfare and environmen- tal impact of globally-sourced ingredients. Poultry producers equipped with this knowledge and willing to apply it in their production will be able to work towards improving their economic and environmental sustainability. Reducing the carbon footprint of agribusiness activities is critical to the future of our planet. Meaningful change begins by educat- ing producers about novel solutions that will support the health and productivity of their flocks while maximising the cost-effectiveness of their business.


▶ POULTRY WORLD | No. 10, 2021 43


SBM-free + protein


concentrate 2


1.54 1,52 1,50 1,48 1,46 1,44


BW (g)


% soybean meal


FCR


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