In a test of 50 million broilers, a corn-based phytase feed additive improved nutrition feed conversion and animal performance compared to traditional phytase products.
The enzyme is produced by privately held biotechnology company Agrivida.
Poultry producers who attend the 2019 Poultry Tech Summit, to be held November 20-22 in Atlanta, Georgia, will get a preview of the technology behind the feed additive in a presentation by Agrivida’s chief commercial officer, Michael B. Lanahan, Ph.D.
During the session, Lanahan will talk about the delivery of functional proteins for poultry health and nutrition via modified corn, reviewing the potential utility, cost, and sustainability advantages of the unique production system.
“Super dosed” levels of phytase
Broilers that received the highly concentrated phytase enzyme in commercial poultry operations displayed a weight-adjusted feed conversion ratio (a-FCR) of 5 to 7 points and increased body-weight gains by 3 to 4%. In addition, the broiler operation that participated in the study estimates that using the feed additive helped create $26 of additional meat value per ton of feed treated.
Because the additive is highly concentrated, producers only need to add four pounds of the GRAINZYME corn per ton of feed to supply “super dosed” levels of phytase to their flocks.
“The outstanding results we’re seeing may be due to the fact that the phytase enzyme is imbedded in GRAINZYME corn,” Lanahan said. “We believe the unique corn delivery platform may act as a slow-release system, allowing the phytase to be released more slowly in the gastrointestinal tract, providing a greater benefit from the enzyme than is possible with alternatively formulated phytases.”
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