Towards integration of nutritive and functional attributes of feedstuffs in feeding programs for monogastric farm animals

Pressure on feed cost is and will remain a decisive factor for profitability and sustainability in pork and poultry production. In the backdrop of soaring inflation, other production costs have escalated. Corollary minimizing the costs associated with production has never been of greater importance. Arguably, feed formulation is a precise science that seek to compute combination of feedstuffs to meet the requirement of an animal at least/best cost. Traditionally, the two primary factors that influence the selection of feedstuffs and relative proportion in a formulation are digestible nutrient content and cost. However, feedstuffs are exceedingly complex as they not only supply nutrients but also functional attributes with implications on animal performance and health. For example, anti-nutritional factors (ANF) such as phytic acid and indigestible components are recognized constraints in efficient utilization of feedstuffs that have led in wide acceptance of exogenous feed enzyme technologies. However, feed enzymes not only degrade ANF but ensuing hydrolysis products such as xylo-oligosaccharides, myoinositols can modulate gastrointestinal ecology and metabolism. Utility of highly digestible protein sources and specialty feedstuffs in starter feeding programs in alignment with immature gastrointestinal tract is a well-accepted concept. However, there is evidence to suggest implications extends through to grower and finisher phases linked to lifetime modulation of gut health and metabolism. The presentation will cover recent investigations in our laboratory and elsewhere on functional attributes of feedstuffs and highlight considerations for integration in wholesome feeding programs.

Keywords: feedstuffs, nutritive and functional value, feeding program, pigs, poultry.