The new FeedMixer App makes feed mixing easier by calculating whether the feed mixtures farmers use contain the right balance of key nutrients, by age, type of chickens, and available ingredients. (Image source: World Poultry Foundation)

In an attempt to make optimal poultry nutrition easier, while also helping farmers save money and improve profits, a free mobile app called the FeedMixer App was designed by poultry nutrition experts at the Poultry Science Department at the University of Georgia in the US

Rising commercial feed costs as well as limited grain supply is urging poultry farmers in Sub Saharan Africa and most regions around the world to self-mix their chicken feed. However, a majority of farmers lack adequate knowledge, causing them to fail at achieveing the right balance of grains, oils and other available ingredients needed to ensure optimal nutrition for different types of birds at different stages.

The new FeedMixer App, a relaunch of an older version of the app, makes feed mixing easier by calculating whether the feed mixtures farmers use contain the right balance of key nutrients, by age, type of chickens, and available ingredients.

Sean Chen, assistant professor/extension specialist at the Department of Poultry Science at the University of Georgia highlighted how farmers are often unaware of the fact that the nutrient needs of chicken may vary depending on the stage of life they are currently in, which is why broilers and layers for example, would need to be fed differently. Selecting the appropriate feed components would therefore be essential for optimising bird health and productivity, while at the same time minimising resource wastage. 

"We feed various types of feed mixes to different breeds of birds because different breeds have distinct characteristics and purposes," said Chen. "For instance, broiler chickens are primarily raised for meat production. These chickens grow rapidly and require a diet supporting muscle development and efficient feed conversion into meat. Broiler chickens need feeds rich in proteins, carbohydrates, and fats to ensure optimal growth and flavourful meat production. On the other hand, laying hens are specifically bred to produce a consistent supply of eggs. They require a different set of nutrients to support their reproductive system and the formation of solid eggshells. Their diet should include adequate proteins, vitamins, minerals, and calcium to support strong eggshell and egg production."

Maureen Stickel, director of the International Programme Development at the World Poultry Foundation also underscored how the app would help guide farmers who might have trouble accessing traditional feed ingredients such as soy or corn due to cost or local availability.

Users simply click on the type of chickens they are feeding, and select the ingredients they have available to them, such as maize, cassava, oil, bran, soybean meal, fish meal, and salt, in the proportions they intend to blend. The app will indicate whether their chosen feed mix delivers adequate energy, protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals to efficiently nourish the birds without wastage. Users can input the cost of the ingredients they use, to calculate whether their feed mix is cost effective, and they can save their own feed mix formulas in the app for future reference.

To make it convenient for users, the app is currently available in a number of languages including English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. It also offers useful content and resources such as preloaded feed mix examples for different types of birds, and diet guidelines for each breed and age of bird.

NOVUS will present four abstracts across production topics. (Image source: NOVUS)

Researchers at NOVUS will be sharing their insights at the Poultry Science Association (PSA) Annual Meeting which is scheduled to take place from 15-18 July in Louiseville, Kentucky

NOVUS will host a symposium titled, 'Achieving Reproductive Performance and Quality Chicks with Modern Broiler Breeders' and present a research representing the combined efforts of the poultry technical and R&D teams across the international company to support the poultry industry. The leader in intelligent nutrition will present the following four abstracts across production topics:

1. Use of different sources of zinc and combinations of zinc with copper and manganese in broiler chickens.

2. Effect of replacing inorganic Zn, Cu and Mn by chelated sources with Methionine-Hydroxy-Analogue on performance para.meters and mineral excretion in broiler.

3. Evaluation of trypsin inhibitor contents in different types of soybean meal from various world areas analysed by near-infrared spectroscopy technology.

4. A Review of Mineral Recommendations in Broiler Breeders.

NOVUS global poultry solutions executive manager, Alfred Blanch highlighted that in addition to demonstrating the company's commitment to research, the activities at PSA 2024 will also show the company’s partnership with customers to help animals meet their full potential.

The event, which is open to all PSA 2024 attendees, also includes presentations from PhD of Cargill, Henk Enting; PhD of Wageningen University & Research, Rick van Emous; PhD of Aviage, Felipe Kroetz Neton; Estella Leentfaar of Hendrix Genetics and NOVUS’ Hugo Romero, PhD.

For a full schedule of NOVUS at PSA 2024, visit https://www.novusint.com/psa-2024/.

The company expects to begin shipping in volume in the third quarter of 2024. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Following rigorous development and testing, leader in molecular sensing and diagnostics, Alveo Technologies, Inc (Alveo) recently announced that the Flockscreen LAMP Avian Influenza Molecular Test was capable of accurately detecting the presence of virus in both cloacal and oropharyngeal samples from poultry with comparable limit of detection, sensitivity and specificity

The HPAI panzootic virus has spread to not only cattle, but at least 47 other mammalian species, resulting in the destruction of more than half a billion poultry worldwide. One among the many significant drawbacks that make current agricultural tests unsuitable for these HPAI use cases, includes the lengthy processing time required to obtain a result from polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Moreover, vaccinating birds can cause their serology tests to turn positive despite not being infected. In addition, lateral flow, also known as antigen or instant tests, lacks sensitivity and produces a significant percentage of false negative results.

However, Alveo's portable and rugged molecular diagnostic platform has been designed to provide accurate, rapid test results at the point of need. It functions as a core component of a notifiable disease electronic management ecosystem that the company and its strategic partners have developed to support producers, as well as governmental bodies who are looking to expand the surveillance of important zoonotic pathogens. 

Two multiplexed panels enable the on-site broad detection of Avian Influenza Type A virus (targeting matrix gene) in poultry with differentiation of H5, H7 and H9 subtypes using oropharyngeal or cloacal samples. Both panels contain seven assays, six of which are identical between cartridges. This configuration ensures the greatest coverage of the most clinically relevant global AI strains from the past 5-10 years, through to the current strains. The platform's rugged design enables it to function in the field under extreme conditions, including very hot and near freezing temperatures, following a drop of one metre, and when subjected to movement and vibration, which are common challenges encountered in field settings. 

During their evaluation of over 100 candidate primer sets and assay conditions, Alveo and their development partners performed more than 20,000 reactions on over 4000 assay cartridges using both contrived and clinical samples.

"Our platform makes it simple to test for HPAI in poultry and we will be the first diagnostic of its kind that can test both cloacal and oropharyngeal samples," said CEO of Alveo, Shaun Holt. "Our rugged design enables healthcare providers, veterinarians, growers, and public health officials to obtain rapid results at point of need so they can take immediate action."

The product will be validated and verified by relevant regulatory bodies prior to shipment. Shipping of the product, which is currently available for pre-sale in Europe and the Middle East, is set to begin in the third quarter of 2024.

Solar power is seen as a game-changer in reducing operational expenses and bolstering the competitiveness of the agricultural industry. (Image source: LONGi)

A poultry farm in the Philippines has embraced Hi-MO X6, which was installed across the rooftops of the farm, pioneering a low-carbon, and sustainable agricultural paradigm

Under the mission of 'To make the best of solar energy to build a green world', the world's leading solar technology company, LONGi is at the forefront of bringing photovoltaic technology to cultivate an agriculture sector that thrives in harmony with nature. 

Equipped with HPBC cell technology and having an estimated annual generation of 300,000 kWh, Hi-MO X6 supplies the farm's energy needs and anticipates a net CO₂ emission reduction of 4439 tonnes over its lifetime – a figure equivalent to the CO₂ absorption of 14,796 trees over 30 years.

Boasting a 2.27% increase in light absorption, Hi-MO X6 significantly enhances power output, with empirical tests revealing that Hi-MO X6 operates for 5.8 hours per day, surpassing the average four-hour generation time of mainstream products. Annually, this amounts to an additional 1182.6 generation hours and yields for users.

Being the first to offer full rear-side soldering, Hi-MO X6 considerably improves anti-crack capabilities and exhibits exceptional performance in severe weather resilience tests. Moreover, these panels also passed the TUV SUD ammonia corrosion test, ensuring stable and efficient power and securing daily operations at the poultry farm.

For more information, visit: www.longi.com