Agribusiness: How to turn poultry waste to electricity.

The role of the chicken in nation development cannot be over emphasized,from food to fashion to power generation and employment facilitation,the role in solving power crisis is huge and we need to start tapping into this fast. There has been recent reports about drops in power generation due to inadequate gas-to-power for the mostly gas-based power plants,this can be solved easily with proper harnessing of the power locked in chicken. 

The number of chickens in the country can help solve this power crisis by the using their waste to generate electricity. This is another aspect of climate smart agriculture,the waste that usually end up in landfills destroying the environment and increasing emissions can actually be converted to power which is clean energy. This is an analysis for a state,imagine this replicated in other states especially from local government levels where waste to wealth initiatives are encouraged. 

 The waste generated not only smells but also is a breeding area for flies which further increase spread of diseases. The problem of waste disposal is one that can be turned to a new source of income by channeling the waste to a digester to produce heat,electricity and fertilizer. 

 Biogas uses anaerobic digestion to breakdown poultry litter to methane,carbon dioxide and other gases which can easily be converted to light and energy.

The gas is lighter than air ,will be pipped to the top of the tank to a biogas cooking stove or light. The advantages of the biogas plants are 

1) Improved manure composition and less odor 

2)Higher availability of nutrients thus higher crop yields 

 3)No acidification of the soil as digestate has a pH of 8.

 4) Reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases. 

5) Generation of renewable energy; green power. 6) Reduced overhead cost. Every kg of organic matter yields 0.5m3 of biogas.

 1000kg of chicken litter yields 200m3 of biogas. 

 1m3 of biogas = 2.1 KW electricity and 2.5 KW heat.

 The poultry value chain can not only provide food,cloth accessories,jobs but it can also generate electricity that will power more farms,industries and homes .

 The biogas plant will also ensure a cleaner environment.Join the biogas project to change our #environment #economy #lives .

Agriculture and Nollywood.

Agriculture is now the bride many suitors are after, basically because of dwindling resources and because of the go back to the farm campaign.  People never thought of agriculture as a profitable business but now various people from all walks of life are venturing into one or more aspects of agriculture. 

 There is the  necessity to go back to the farms to ensure food security and revamp the economy, there is even a national call to spur us all to the "Green Land".

 The government at both the federal and state level are wooing more people into the line of agriculture not only for sustenance, but also as a major growth tool for the economic growth. Agriculture is an all-comers affair now, so come on board. 

If our former president,Olusegun Obasanjo can go and learn the nitty-gritty to be able to set up his farms then 

The value of agriculture has also enchanted some celebrities ,especially from the silver screen(NollyWood) who are diversifying to invest in agriculture and agribusiness ventures. 

The latest entrant is Funke Adesiyan who recently dumped acting for politics and now is back in the spotlight an investor in agriculture. 

 The Ibadan-based actress has shared that her investment in Agriculture has started paying off and that she has been able to save enough money that will sustain her for the rest of her life through farming. The gorgeous actress who lives in a simple comfortable house, explained that her decision to venture into agriculture was a choice she had to make, either to buy a house or buy hectares of land for farming. She chose the latter, and invested in agriculture. 

This is how to start investing in Agriculture. This could be small, medium or large scale depending on your capacity but whatever your level, you can always start small and grow from there. 

Thinking of #agriculture #urban agriculture #agribusiness? See

Emerging pathogens in meat and poultry.

Meat and poultry are among the leading vehicles for foodborne illnesses around the world and are responsible for sickening million of people worldwide.Outbreaks from foodborne diseases are widely reported and are responsible for several recalls in several countries. 

 These pathogens cause these infections are typically zoonotic and can be introduced at any point along the food chain,starting from when the animal is raised, to the day of slaughter and beyond, up to the processing to consumption. 

 A significant number of pathogens can be transmitted to humans through meat and poultry, and the risks have changed over time. The public health threat posed by some pathogens has diminished, while others have persisted for decades.

 New, often more virulent strains of existing disease agents continue to emerge, along with previously unknown pathogens such as the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) while some emerging pathogens, such as E. coli O157:H7, have eventually developed into major food safety concerns. 

 The food safety measures to allay public health concerns must be adaptable systems that are able to detect, assess, and control both emerging and established risks. continue

How to Feed chicken with watermelon and banana peels.

AGRIBUSINESS: How to Feed chicken with watermelon and banana peels. The current increase in prices of maize which is a major component of poultry feed has increased the cost of poultry feed,leading to more farmers looking for alternatives without dropping egg production.
 A 100kg bag of maize, which used to cost about N6, 000 in is now being sold for about N12, 000 and the cost of fish meal which is another important ingredient in poultry feeds, has increased by 60 per cent.
 A kilogramme of fish meal that used to sell for N500 now costs about N900.

How to Feed chicken with watermelon and banana peels. The high cost of feed has led to reduced production in some farms as some farmers are giving reduced rations to their birds which invariably reduces egg production .

 Farmers seeking alternative sources of feed with intention to boost production and profit can adopt any of these proven methods. Watermelon is a popular fruit in the country and many people have switched to this fruit because of the profit potential in the cultivation and also because of its health benefits.

Poultry birds can also be given cuts of watermelon fruit as a replacement feed. The ration of the birds can be supplemented by up to 30%, this will reduce the cost of feed and number of the feed the farmer procures.

 AGRIBUSINESS: How to Feed chicken with watermelon and banana peels. Researchers at UP Los Baños have gone a step further with the watermelon by using the rind. The team fed watermelon rind to chickens for 6 months and compared the weight and production to chicken given ordinary commercial feed.

 The result showed that the commercial feeds can be replaced with watermelon rind up to 20%. The method of use was as follows
 1) wash the rind.

 2) boil the rind.

3) dry the rind in the sun .

 4) grind and mix with the commercial feed .

 Researchers in Southern Mindanao Agricultural Research in Kabacan, North Cotabato have used banana peels in broilers.

The Broilers fed with 5% chopped banana leaves gained weight of 1-1/2 kilos more than those fed with commercial starter mash ration or with 10% added banana leaves.

 The method of use is as follows 1.) Wash and Chop fine raw banana peels.

2.) Boil for one hour, drain and allow to cool.

3) Dry the banana peel.

 The peels were incorporated to feed as follows ; for every kilo of the dried peel add 1) 150 gms dried chicken manure.

2) 100 gms rice bran.

 3) Mix thoroughly and allow to dry in the sun.

4) blend the mixture to about 1 mm size.

 This can be mixed up to 15% commercial broiler starter mash and finisher mash as follows
 1)850 gm commercial mash then

 add 2) 150 gm banana peel mixture.

 For broiler feed, ration diet is starter mash from day 1 to day 42, and finisher mash from 42-49 days. Chickens fed 25% with this in 56 days had same weight with those fed with 100% corn.

AGRIBUSINESS: Litter management.

Litter management using litter amendments which play a crucial role in controlling ammonia. Amendments that decrease litter pH increase ammonia suppression.This can be done solely or as an adjunct to windrowing. The first step in reconditioning litter is de-caking or removing wet material primarily below drinkers. Amendments are then applied on top of the litter these create unfavorable conditions for the bacteria and enzymes that contribute to ammonia formation and production to thrive. Litter amendments form a pH barrier on top of the litter preventing or slowing the formation of ammonia (NH3+). Acidifiers are most commonly used, binding the volatile ammonia (NH3+) with an acid to form the nonvolatile ammonium salt (NH4+).

How to make money with poultry waste-water.

The waste in the poultry value chain can be processed into various products to make money. Poultry waste can be sent to a biodigester to produce gas,heat,electricity and fertilizer. The blood and gut can be processed and incorporated to make animal feed. 

The feathers can be processed and made into fashion accessories,decorative pieces and building materials. A food processor has found another use for waste water that is saving overheads and bringing in money. 

 Poultry processor Keystone Foods, Reidsville, North Carolina, uses a rotary press to add value to wastewater by-product by reducing moisture and thus transportation costs. The Keystone Foods facility ships dissolved air flotation by-products to a vendor for composting to make organic soil amendments. By reducing the moisture content of the by-product, shipping costs (and net energy usage) are reduced. The rotary press reduces total solids from around 90 percent to under 35 percent.

Tips for raising healthy antibiotic-free poultry.

The demand for antibiotic-free (ABF) poultry is growing fast, and what was once considered a passing trend has become a well-established, health-conscious requirement for consumers worldwide. However, ABF production presents challenges for meat producers, who are taking distinct approaches to its development, with different results. While some producers still have difficulties in controlling health challenges, others have had success, due to improvements in housing and changes in feeding, management and health programs. There are some key factors to consider in ABF production. Factors to consider in antibiotic-free production. 1) Managing nutrient intake: A common misconception in ABF production is to focus only on controlling intestinal diseases. These are the main health issues when any ABF program is implemented, but the reality is that they are the consequences, not the causes, of the real problem. Excess nutrients, especially protein and fat, may not be well digested and absorbed by the bird. Undigested feed increases microbial proliferation in the ceca, leading to potential infections. Appropriate digestibility is key to broilers’ overall health and can help control microbes and resultant diseases. Factors such as a balanced diet and sufficient water consumption are essential to improve digestibility. A pH between 5 and 7 and water temperature between 16C and 25C are ideal conditions to support the activity of most enzymes. To further strengthen the effect of endogenous enzymes, additives such as phytases and xylanases can be added to feed. Moreover, to guarantee acidic crop, organic acids are a good option. Feed management plays an essential role too. Grain damage and conditions that could increase mold and insect spoilage must be minimized and, at the same time, fat storage conditions should be frequently revised in order to control rancidity within the feed mill. 2) Improve house environment, biosecurity: Proper environmental conditions are the foundations of effective ABF poultry production. Optimum temperature, air velocity, and relative humidity according to the age, phase of production and size of the birds should be considered. Environmental stress, due to heat, cold, very dry or very humid air could affect feed intake and intestinal motility, causing reduced digestibility. Lighting programs may also affect feed intake, motility and digestion. Light intensities lower than 10 lux and 4 to 6 hours of total darkness per day improve feed conversion ratios, indicating slower feed intake and better digestibility. Good house ventilation is key for ABF programs to maintain litter moisture below 30 percent, and to minimize condensation and caking. Flock management is also important to allow the flock more space during the brooding period. This helps avoid excessive stress. 3)Maintain flock health: Preventing coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis are normally the main concerns during ABF production. In cases where no anticoccidial medications are allowed, coccidiosis vaccines and litter management are the principle controls. Cocci vaccination for broilers has been applied in traditional poultry production systems and new ABF programs for years, in many countries. The appropriate feeding regime and use of feed additives, such as the eubiotics category, may help maintain healthy microflora adding to flock health. Control of other intestinal parasites, worms and poultry diseases that affect intestines and immunity is also necessary. Practices including bio-exclusion, limiting visitors, vehicles and equipment that visit other poultry farms, and bio-containment, isolating the houses, controlling insects, rodents and entry of wild birds and other animals to the houses, can help prevent new infections. Continue

How to improve health status of poultry and pigs using natural methods.

Biosecurity, in-feed solutions aid in the reduced use of antibiotics in animal agriculture. Experts agree that the responsible use of antibiotics in animal production must be promoted worldwide and other methods should be employed to minimize the incidence of diseases that require antibiotic treatment. There are ways poultry and pig producers can reduce antibiotic use on their farm by focusing on practical ways to support immunity and improve biosecurity. Read more

Agricultural waste ,wealth creation and economic growth..

Nigeria with a population of about 184 635 279 people generate a large amount of domestic waste and human waste,which most of the time are improperly disposed leading to environmental pollution and degradation. Communities and states that have agrarian economy accumulate more waste from their livestock and agricultural produce. 

The management of such wastes are inadequate as more and more people pollute water bodies because of runoff into water and also because of emptying the waste on land,thus creating wastelands which are breeding sites for diseases,but also are massive contributors to environmental pollution. These wastelands are poise environmental and health hazards to man and animals. The poor waste management takes its toll on environment and evokes climate changes because of emissions from these waste that are released to the environment. The proper management of human waste, animal and agricultural waste can be a goldmine which produces electricity,gas ,fertilizer and heat. 

The establishment of a biogas plant will provide jobs, clean environment and increase profit margin of industries as less money will be required to run factories and industries,this will invariably lead to economic growth and industrialization. 

 The generation of energy from waste is done in an anaerobic digester called a bio gas,the process is simple and comes with myriads of benefits. The biogas plant provides a cheap source of energy which is renewable. 

The methane gas generated is used for cooking,the slurry generated from the digestion is a very valuable fertilizer very profitable for vegetable farmers.The biogas plant also generates cheap source of electricity to power up homes and industry. A 2.4m3 biogas plant that uses 34kg of poultry waste from 350 birds, mixed with water provides 6 hours of continuous gas supply daily that can be used for lighting and cooking. If a small capacity biogas can produce 6hours of electricity continuously, what do you think will be the result from the millions of poultry,pigs and cattle that we rear in the country or the wasted agricultural produce in the country? The answer is continuous power generation,more jobs,clean environment and more money in the bank. #Agriculture #fertilizer #vegetables #farmers #power

Olam invests $150M in Nigerian poultry, feed sectors.

Olam International to invest in animal feed manufacturing, poultry breeding and hatchery in the states of Kaduna and Kwara in Nigeria. Olam International (also known as Olam Group) plans to invest NGN30 billion (US$150 million) in two state-of-the-art feed mills, poultry breeding farms and a hatchery to produce day-old chicks in Nigeria. A groundbreaking ceremony in Kaduna state last week was attended by Olam Group Nigeria and the governor of Kaduna State, H.E. Malam Nasir el-Rufai, and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Chief Audu Ogbeh, who was representing the president of Nigeria, H.E. Muhammadu Buhari. “This is the latest investment by Olam in Nigeria’s domestic food and agricultural production sector after our recent investments in wheat milling assets and the ongoing development of our 10,000-hectare rice farm and mill in Nasarawa state,” said Olam’s CEO for Africa, Venkataramani Srivathsan. “This new venture into animal feed is a win-win for Olam and Nigeria. Domestically produced meat is being hampered by a lack of good quality feed, support for farmers and availability of young stock, but consumption is set to increase. By investing in poultry and fish feed, we can utilize the wheat bran from our wheat milling operations, as well as maximize our sourcing networks to buy corn and soy from local farmers. Our investment in the hatchery will help boost poultry production and, in the long run, help reduce the country’s reliance on imports. This development underlines the continued confidence we share in Nigeria’s ambition for self-sufficiency.” Approximately two-thirds of the total investment is committed to building and operating the facilities in Kaduna state, with the balance to be invested in an integrated poultry and fish feed mill in Kwara state. Total annual feed capacity is expected to be more than 600,000 metric tons. The Kaduna mill will supply mainly Nigeria’s northern markets, while the southwestern region will be the main focus of the Kwara plant. Sourcing corn and soybeans locally, it is hoped the feed mills will encourage domestic production of these crops, and food security will be improved with Olam’s planned construction of in-house storage of 100,000 metric tons. The poultry breeding farm in Kaduna is expected to produce more than 1 million hatching eggs each week to the hatchery. Olam International,based in Singapore ,is a leading agri-business operating across the value chain in 70 countries, supplying a range of products across 16 platforms to more than 16,000 customers worldwide. They have a direct sourcing and processing presence in most major producing countries, Olam has built a global leadership position in many of its businesses. source Wattagnet.com

INNOVATION IN THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

John Jewson, a poultry farmer in East Anglia, UK, has a farm surrounded by houses on three sides and has had to tread a careful line between running his business and keeping his neighbors happy. While the family farm has reared various species over its history, Jewson has found that poultry farming is now the answer. At Poplars Farm, near Wisbech in Cambridgeshire, Jewson has three sheds and approximately four acres, from which he runs a commercial pullet replacement operation, taking in free-range chicks and rearing them to point of lay. "It is a very niche operation,” said Jewson. “This is realistically the only kind of farming that can fit onto a site like this.”(urban farming). He has found modern improvements in farming methods have made running the farm easier. “It’s all automatic feed lines now. One great development in the last few years has been the increasing use of modules for moving the chickens round,” Jewson said. “That’s been an investment that has really paid off. It’s very welfare friendly for the chickens and makes life a lot easier for the catchers.” The most recent investment on the farm has been a solar power system, which cut his electricity bills by 50 percent. The 50 kilowatt ground-mounted system occupies a small parcel of land next to the chicken sheds and in daylight conditions turns the farm into a completely green operation with power left over to export to the grid. The panels were installed by EvoEnergy, one of the country’s largest solar power companies. “They are actually doing better than we expected, producing approximately 20 percent more electricity than anticipated,” said Jewson. “On a typical day, we are using approximately 12 kilowatts of power, and the panels are producing approximately 40 to 48 kilowatts.” Under the feed-in tariff scheme, designed to encourage businesses and homeowners to produce more green electricity, Jewson is paid for all of the electricity he produces, whether he uses it or not. He is also paid for exporting power to the national grid.see more “The scheme lasts for 25 years, and I often joke that this is my pension, because it will be generating money as well as electricity long after I’ve retired,” said Jewson. Jewson decided to go for a ground-mounted system rather than put the panels on the roofs of his sheds, because he was worried about adding extra loads onto the roofs. He also felt the dust from the ventilation system might settle on the panels.

Agric Firm Plans to Build N7billion Poultry Farm in Nigeria.

An agricultural company, Multi-Net Group Nigeria, has disclosed plans to build a large poultry farm at a cost of N7 billion in the country. The company’s Chairman, Uzoma Obiyo, who revealed this, said the company would also invest in the full value chain of animal husbandry including breeding of animals and processing, up to abattoir development, declaring that the project was currently on board. According to Obiyo, the company had an interest in developing world class poultry in Nigeria, which was assumed to be very expensive to build. He added that after their visibility reports, Abuja, Niger and Imo States have been chosen as pilot states and about N7 billion would be needed to establish the poultry farms in those states. Obiyo, who pointed out that 14 Federal Government’-owned breeding centres had been abandoned due largely to lack of maintenance and government’s insensitivity to the company’s needs, urged the government to privatize the centres for optimal performance. He maintained that without giving those centres to the private entrepreneurs, their potentials to generate revenues for the government would be jeopardized, which would be a big loss to the economic development of the country. Culled from BizwatchNigeria.

FOOD SUMMIT.

A food summit is underway and investors are expected to storm the event,and contribute to the food security scheme. A large number of value chains are on the platform,but my area is the poultry value chain. 

This discussion will be elaborate with various dimensions and most of all exciting interviews with key players in the industry and prospective investors,so hop in ,the train has left the station. 

 AN EXPOSE ON THE POULTRY VALUE CHAIN. Its my duty to break the myth about the poultry value chain, this is an industry where you can profit on various level if you harness the opportunities. 

 

Welcome to the poultry business:look at the diagram, it shows several areas for investment.to  make profit. These stages also have subsets,giving opportunities for investment based on various financial capacity and target market.

CHICKEN SAUSAGES AND MC DONALD'S.

Chicken processing and production has been discussed at various intervals,with new innovations introduced.One of such ideas is the chicken sausages and how it can be incorporated into the school feeding programme and also a better way to source animal protein with enormous health benefits. 

Read here;http://veterinarymedicineechbeebolanle-ojuri.blogspot.com.ng/2015/10/chicken-sausages.html 

 The fast food giant McDonald’s is about to add chicken and turkey sausages into their menu and industry watchers have noted that this move will turn the revenue up in the agricultural sector. The introduction of chicken sausage and turkey sausage products in test markets, the two poultry proteins have potential to land on all-day breakfast menu and any time McDonald’s introduces a new menu item, it leaves a mark in the agricultural industry. 

 According to a Brand Eating report, McDonald’s has been testing a chicken sausage patty product in New England, since February, and a turkey sausage product in Southern California.There is no denying that McDonald’s move to serving all-day breakfast has been beneficial to the egg and pork industries. But to date, the broiler and turkey industries have not been directly affected. 

 When those two breakfast items being tested become a part of the permanent menu, the broiler and turkey industries will get a bigger share in the competition among animal proteins. That share is apt to increase further if chicken and turkey sausage products make it into the all-day breakfast menu. The outcome of the market tests for these turkey sausage and chicken sausage products could transcend McDonald’s.After all, McDonald’s has been known to make business decisions, only to be followed by other restaurants. In September 2015, McDonald’s announced that it would transition its entire supply of eggs in the U.S. and Canada to cage-free. Since that time, scores of restaurant chains, grocery retailers, food processors and food service providers have announced commitments to also phase out eggs from caged hens. 

 McDonald’s in March 2015 announced a new policy in animal antibiotic use, vowing to phase out the use of antibiotics used in human medicine in its broiler chicken supply in the U.S. It revealed in October 2015 it would do the same at its Canadian locations. 

Taco Bell, earlier this week, announced a policy that nearly mirrors the one released by McDonald’s.read more (www.wattagnet.com) This trend setting factor will see many more chains following, so will other nations jump in and this truly will be a revenue spinner for poultry farmers,food processors and food courts. # poultry value chain champion # veterinarian # vetpreneur # food vendors # retail stores # chicky delight.

INFLUENZA D VIRUS.

Researchers have found antibodies to the newly discovered influenza D virus in pigs, cattle, horses, goats and sheep, but not poultry. A researcher has proven that the guinea pig can be used as an animal model and is developing a way to study the virus in living cells—trachea and lung epithelial cells from swine and cattle. To identify exposure to the virus, South Dakota State University doctoral student Chithra Sreenivasan tests blood samples for influenza D antibodies. Working with the Minnesota Poultry Testing Lab, she found no evidence of the new influenza strain in poultry; however, she did find antibodies to the virus in sheep and goats from the Midwest through blood samples archived at Washington State University. The virus has not been shown to be pathogenic in humans, the goal is to determine whether the virus can cause problems in humans.If the virus can undergo reassortment in combination with a closely related human influenza virus, it may be able to form a new strain that could pose more of a threat to humans. Using the bovine Influenza D strain, Sreenivasan proved that the guinea pig could be used as an animal model to study the virus. Though guinea pigs showed no symptoms, she successfully isolated antigens in tracheal and lung tissues. In addition, her research showed the virus is spread only through direct contact. Those results were published in the Journal of Virology, with Sreenivasan as the first author of the article. Influenza D has about 50 percent similarity to human influenza C. Human C affects mostly children, the most common symptom is a runny nose. It's not a serious disease as we all have some antibodies because we were infected as children. source; science daily.

NEWCASTLE DISEASE OUTBREAK

The National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority of Romania reported to the OIE on April 4 that the Newcastle disease situation in the country has been resolved. There was only one confirmed case in Romania, as a layer flock of 1,582 hens in Bucov, Prahova, Romania, was infected in November 2015. A total of 510 hens died, while the remaining 1,070 birds were destroyed. Movement control, zoning, screening and surveillance activities followed. The property was disinfected, animal products were destroyed and all carcasses, by-products and waste was properly disposed and source of infection was never determined. During the first two months of 2014, The Botswana Ministry of Agriculture notified the OIE of five cases of Newcastle disease, all of which occurred in the eastern half of the country. Three of those cases were in backyard poultry flocks. In total, 42,315 birds were susceptible, 3,966 were confirmed to have the disease, and 1,049 birds died. Contact with wild birds was believed to have been a cause for some of the infections. On March 30, the Ministry of Agriculture determined the Botswana Newcastle disease outbreak to be resolved, and notified the OIE on April 5. It has also been reported in Bulgaria, Bulgaria is just one of several countries that are dealing with Newcastle disease. The OIE states that, Israel has had seven outbreaks of the disease in recent months, affecting as many as 19,400 birds. The Philippines is also struggling with Newcastle disease, as the country’s Department of Agriculture is urging poultry owners to vaccinate their flocks amid the deaths of 41,000 birds. source;WattAgNet.com

IMPROVING INTESTINAL HEALTH AND NUTRIENT ABSORPTION IN POULTRY.

Silvafeed® Nutri P improves intestinal health and nutrient absorption in poultry Silvafeed® Nutri P has astringent properties that slow intestinal peristalsis and improve the action of digestive enzymes. This translates into a better faeces quality and a reduction of footpad disorders which lowers the risk of infection. The addition of Silvafeed® Nutri P in poultry feed promotes the absorption of intestinal nutrients and helps the animal’s physical development and overall health. Due to the presence of active components, Silvafeed® Nutri P carries out a selective bacteriostatic effect, thus promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and strengthening the body’s natural defences against most pathogenic bacterial strains, such as Salmonella gallinarum, Pasteurella multocida, Staphylococcus aureus, Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Enteritidis, Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens. Several studies have shown remarkable results in using Silvafeed® Nutri P as a potential alternative to antibiotics in livestock. Silvafeed® Nutri P is an attractive alternative to the use of antimicrobial growth promoter (AGP). This natural product does not leave residues in poultry derived products. Furthermore, Silvafeed® Nutri P acts as an appealing feed flavour and appetite enhancer in poultry and presents a positive effect on feed conversion rate (FCR), final body weight, mortality and egg laying rate. The following are benefits of its use in broiler; 1)Improves intestinal health.2) Produces drier feces and drier litter. 3) Improves growth rates and feed conversion ratio. 4) Optimizes growth of the intestinal villi for better absorption of nutrients. 5)Helps to maintain a healthy immune system. The benefits for layers include; 1) Improves intestinal health.2) Reduces the number of cracked, inferior and dirty eggs. 3) Improves the efficiency of layers and uniformity of eggs. 4) Helps to maintain a healthy immune system. see more here Silvateam world.

CLAY AN ALTERNATIVE TO ANTIBIOTIC GROWTH PROMOTERS IN POULTRY.

A clay sourced from Australia,the clay supplement (brand name: Barnyard Grit) has been shown to have a set of positive effects on poultry performance and health. This Australian clay formulation, developed by the company Multi Minerals Australia Pty Ltd, can be added to feed and can serve as an alternative for antibiotic growth promoters.

 The additional benefits include better production, reduced feed costs, improved health and lower mortality. The clay product has been formulated from a combination of various clay levels in the company's long held mine in the Australian State of New South Wales.

 There has been several trials done by Australian poultry institutions, Universities and commercial poultry users. Trials in broilers show a 9% reduction in mortality at day 42, compared to the control group that received antibiotics from day 3.

Furthermore, a 16.5% decrease in viscosity was shown in broilers fed a wheat diet combined with Barnyard Grit, 9% in a sorghum diet. No trials have yet been done with soybean meal. Also breast meat yield was improved in the group that received the clay feed supplement.

An increase of 6.5% was observed, compared to the control group. Barnyard Grit also substantially increased thigh meat yield by 5.8% over control.

 Reduction in cracked eggs was noted in the trials,as the effect of the clay supplement was also tested in layers (aged 56 – 70 weeks) yielding better results. The trial group performed better in terms of average hen day production (+0.04%) over layers that didn't receive the supplement.

It was also shown that the clay supplement reduced the number of eggs needed to be pulped by 2.0% over layers which were not fed with clay in the diet. Using specific gravity, the eggs from layers (aged 60-70 weeks) were found to be significantly superior and the operator reported considerable reduction in cracked eggs.

 Additionally, flock uniformity was improved by 4.1% in chickens from 0-15 weeks, compared to the control group. The clay supplement (brand name: Barnyard Grit) has been sold successfully into the commercial poultry market in Australia.

The product has also been exported to Thailand. The product has been primarily supplied to the poultry industry, but field trials have shown benefits with other commercial animals.

 Research is ongoing for the cattle, dairy cow, aquaculture, pet food, and natural fertilizer industries. Source ; materials from all about feed.

AGRIBUSINESS: HOW WATER IMPACTS POULTRY HEALTH.

Water is very essential in the poultry value chain,as its the major medium used for feeding, vaccination and cleaning. Water has also been noted as a source of infection and disease transmission,hence water safety must be part of bio security protocol for poultry health. Broiler growers move further away from using antibiotics, the importance of keeping a clean water system will continue to increase; Dr. Susan Watkins, a professor and extension specialist at the University of Arkansas, said keeping a clean water supply is a major contributor to having a healthy, successful flock. Watkins, who has been studying and speaking on the importance of clean water for years, explained how growers can keep their water supply clean at the Midwest Poultry Federation Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, on March 16. Watkins said the keys to keeping a clean water supply are: 1)knowing the water supply’s challenges and addressing them properly, an inadequate cleaning is a waste of time and effort 2) Using downtime effectively and using that time to clean water systems 3) Using a daily water sanitizer best suited for the operation that is compatible with water, easy to use, ease to monitor and cost effective for the farm. 4) Establishing a program to monitor and verify water quality. Watkins offered up a few promising methods and new products as well as tips on how best to use them to help farmers decide which water cleaning program is best for their farm: A) Chlorine for water sanitation Watkins said chlorine is a good daily water sanitizer, but it is not perfect. The halogen is available in a variety of forms and is an effective water sanitizer, however its effectiveness is affected by numerous factors such as the pH level of the water, the temperature of the water, the cleanliness of the water, the amount of time the chlorine is present in the water, and the age and storage condition of the chlorine product. While it’s an effective antimicrobial, it does not remove all harmful microbes in the water supply. She said chlorine solutions work best in pH 4 to 7. The acidic form of chlorine, which exists in lower pH water, is a better sanitizer overall. As chlorine reacts with organic compounds in the water system, it can give off strong odors of chlorine. Watkins said the smell goes away as the chlorine sanitizes the water. Chlorine is not the best choice for areas where chloride levels are already high. B) Alternatives to chlorine Watkins said there are a few options other than using chlorine to sanitize water: hydrogen peroxide and a newer product that uses ultraviolet light. Hydrogen peroxide can be a good alternative to chlorine and works especially well for sanitizing pond or river water. Like chlorine, hydrogen peroxide can be dangerous to store, and its effectiveness declines over time. Watkins said a newer product, the Silver Bullet, from Colorado-based Silver Bullet Water Treatment L.L.C., is promising. She said the product uses ultraviolet light and continuously infuses electrolyzed air into the water supply -- what the company calls an advanced oxidation process to leave a small amount of hydrogen peroxide in the water.“I love this concept because you can just continuously treat water and not over treat it,” Watkins said. Watkins said environmental factors like mold can reduce the effectiveness of the Silver Bullet – and other sanitizers – and because the product does not leave behind a residual amount of an active compound, the only way to gauge its success is microbial monitoring before and after use. She recommended using the diffuser in a holding tank or wellhead rather than with flowing water. Cleaning considerations are important to achieve aim of sanitized water,these tips are important and helpful:1) Use the right concentration of a cleaner and give it the proper amount of time to work. Improper cleaner concentration or not giving it enough time to work will result in failure. 2) The entire system must be cleaned: the water lines, standpipes, regulators and distribution pipes. If any part of the system is not cleaned of biofilm and other residue, it can undermine all the time and effort spent on cleaning and lead to health problems in a broiler flock. 3) Document which products work best for your operation. Watkins said no two farms are the same, so it is necessary to figure out which products work best and record it for future reference. Swabs of microbial content collected before and after cleaning can help determine which products work best. No matter how well the system was flushed clean: flush it with a sanitizer birds can drink after cleaning. Stabilized products work best because they keep working for days after application. The secondary treatment can kill microbes that survived the line cleaning. Excerpts from Wattagnet.com

MAGGOTS MAGIC AND POULTRY FEED.

The prices for maize and soy-based feed soar due to shortages ,thus many farmers are looking for alternatives. Mr Kuwana is producing maggots — small, white, crawling worms that feed on waste — to provide protein for his breeding flock of 120 free-range chickens and 1,000 quail. "I have struggled to find nutritious feed for quite some time now," said the entrepreneur, unfazed by the stink of decomposing waste filling the air and the flies swarming around. In search of a solution, he began experimenting with maggots last September. "The results have been exceptional," he said.This business is not for the faint-hearted. For Mr Kuwana, it involves stuffing pungent bird faeces into an old, open 20-litre plastic container, allowing flies to lay their eggs there. Ideally, the maggot-breeding equipment consists of two containers stacked on top of each other, with holes drilled in their lids and the base of the top one. As the eggs start to hatch, the emerging larvae — the maggots — feed on the waste before crawling out to pupate in the bottom container where they are harvested and dried for feed. The entire process takes less than a week. Maggots are made up of 65% protein and 25% fat, compared with 35% protein in soy-based feed, according to Victor Marufu of the Zimbabwe Organic and Natural Food Association. The independent organisation trains small farmers in maggot production. "The value produced from nothing competes with supply chains that are under heavy sustainability stress," Mr Marufu said. One kilogram of fly eggs turns into about 190kg of dried larvae in just three days. For some, maggot production may be the stuff of nightmares, but others are hailing it as a dream come true for controlling waste and climate-changing emissions. The industrial process of producing maggot-based stock feed — using a series of tanks in a purpose-built structure — generates five times less greenhouse gas emissions than soy or maize stock feed, according to Chinhoyi University research. One tonne of stock feed made from maggots, about two tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent is emitted, compared with about 10 tonnes for soy-based feed. Experts say maggot production could help cut Zimbabwe’s annual emissions of 417 gigatonnes of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. In 2000, the waste sector accounted for 16% of national methane emissions, government data shows. Zim Earthworm Farms, a farming technology enterprise, is now looking to go commercial with maggot production after a year of trials. "We have been producing a sizeable amount of maggots that are killed in the biogas digester, dried and then mixed with the maize-based feed we produce," CEO Ephraim Whingwiri said. The mixed feed, which can also be fed to pigs and fish, sustains about 300 chickens at Zim Earthworm Farms, but now Mr Whingwiri is eyeing expansion. The team has worked out that having a constant supply of fresh waste is key to maintaining a high population of flies; just one factor that will support their new business drive. "The work tends to put many people off," said Mr Whingwiri. "But the worm itself doesn’t smell bad at all." Excerpts from Business day Live