Beef finishing performance boosted by switch to slow release conditioner

Replacing sodium bicarbonate buffer in beef finishing rations with a slow release rumen conditioner can increase growth rate by 7% and feed efficiency by 5%, according to the results of a recent University of Milan trial. The change also reduced the incidence of bloat, lameness and aggressive behaviour. The trial used 126 Charolais bulls grown…


UTILISING ADVANCEMENTS IN NIR TECHNOLOGY TO OPTIMISE THE FEED PRODUCTION PROCESS

Understanding the variability in feedstuffs could be the key to unlocking greater returns from feed formulation, according to Dr Hadden Graham, Global Technical Director at AB Vista. Recent advances in NIR technology will allow us to better understand the variation within and between feedstuffs, helping support more accurate formulation decisions and enhancing the efficiency of…


IOWA SWINE DAY OFFERS CUTTING-EDGE PORK PROGRAM AND AWARD-WINNING BBQ

Iowa State University will be hosting the annual Iowa Swine Day on Thursday June 30 in conjunction with the Iowa Pork Industry Center and Iowa Pork Producers Association. The event is an opportunity for pork producers, veterinarians and students of all ages to hear the latest industry developments; the day includes a number of specialist…


MAKE RUMEN FUNCTION A TOP PRIORITY WHEN GRAZING

Faced with continuing low milk prices, dairy producers looking to boost margins by maximising milk from forage, reducing feed costs and minimising the post-turnout drop in milk quality are being urged to make rumen function a top priority this spring and summer. “Optimising the efficiency with which forage is converted into milk has a massive…


Performance benefits through early xylanase application demonstrated in new video

The latest video in the AB Vista ‘Extraordinary Science Brought to Life’ series reveals significant benefits for swine through early xylanase application. The video, presented by Dr Pete Wilcock, Global Technical Manager at AB Vista, highlights the potential for a 6 point improvement in weight corrected Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) as a result of xylanase…


AB VISTA HOSTS NEW BUSINESS INSIGHTS SEMINAR

A new business seminar aimed at equipping feed industry professionals with the right tools to navigate challenging economic periods will be hosted by animal nutrition technology company, AB Vista, in May. The one-day seminar, titled “Profitability in a challenging market”, will run twice – on May 10 in Coombe Abbey, Coventry, and on May 24…


AB Vista appoints Dr Eckel as distributor in Germany and Austria

Animal nutrition technology company AB Vista has announced an alliance with German-based distributor Dr Eckel, a global provider of animal feed additives. The new agreement, which will see Dr Eckel supply AB Vista’s ground breaking phytase Quantum Blue and Finase EC to the German and Austrian market, is integral to the company’s vision to become…


AB Vista appoints new Technical Services and Sales Coordinator for North American market

The newest addition to the AB Vista team, Kendre Stringfellow, has been appointed as North America Technical Services and Sales Coordinator. Dr Stringfellow will provide technical support to AB Vista and Aunir customers in North America. Aunir, a division of animal nutrition technology company AB Vista, is the leading independent NIR calibration development and delivery…


Trial confirms the need to analyse in-feed enzyme activity

A recent study has demonstrated the importance of assessing in-feed enzyme activity, highlighting a variation in performance characteristics of xylanases. The study, a broiler trial conducted at a Polish University, assessed the thermostability of three different commercial xylanases applied to wheat-based diets, processed at three different conditioning temperatures (80, 85 and 90˚C) prior to pelleting.…


VISTACELL LIVE YEAST REGISTRATION EXTENDED TO SHEEP AND GOATS

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has extended the registration for Vistacell live yeast ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae ) to include sheep and goats used for milk or meat production. Already well-established in the dairy and beef sectors, Vistacell is a metabolically active live yeast that has been proven to improve rumen function, fibre digestion and…


AB VISTA APPOINTS TWO NEW STAFF TO ENHANCE ITS GLOBAL TECHNICAL SERVICES

AB Vista has welcomed two new staff to its UK headquarters, as the company strengthens its technical services to the global feed industry. Sophie Parker-Norman joins AB Vista as Technical Services Manager, while Tess Burkin has been appointed as Marketing Development Manager. Together they form part of a team offering technical services applicable to a…


Opportunities to improve feeding precision and reduce costs with the latest NIR technology to be presented at Bangkok conference

Recent developments in near infra-red (NIR) spectroscopy have the potential to substantially improve feed formulation precision and reduce losses associated with feed ingredient variability. Feed costs account for up to 80% of the total variable costs of animal production, and both under- and over-supply of nutrients translate directly into economic losses through higher feed costs…


AB VISTA PLANS FOR CONTINUED GROWTH IN FORMER SOVIET UNION

AB Vista has appointed a new Technical Sales Manager to its Former Soviet Union region, as it continues to expand its product and service offering in the emerging market. The animal nutrition technology company welcomes György Stefan to its team following sales growth in its enzyme portfolio, which includes the Econase XT xylanase and Quantum…


TRIAL RESULTS CONFIRM FEED VALUE AND PRODUCTION GAINS FROM FORAGE PRE-TREATMENT

According to the results of a three-month ADAS-monitored trial on a commercial UK dairy unit, application of a forage pre-treatment increased total mixed ration (TMR) D-value and energy content, leading to improvements in both milk yield and fertility. The D-value of the TMR improved from 63 to 65%, whilst energy content rose from 10.5 to…


What is phytase superdosing? AB Vista’s Dr. Mike Bedford explains the science

In a recently released technical video, Mike Bedford, Research Director at AB Vista, highlights new research that more precisely identifies how phytases work in the animal. This helps explain where the performance benefits of phytase superdosing are really coming from and why important differences can be seen between commercial phytases. Many end-users have now adopted…


NEW RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR THERMOSTABLE XYLANASE IN POULTRY PRODUCTION

New research from AB Vista shows that thermostability of xylanase plays a critical role in ensuring consistent performance improvements in poultry. Feed pelleting and the importance of enzyme thermostability – the capacity of a fibre-degrading xylanase to survive the high temperatures involved in pelleting – will be discussed by AB Vista’s Global Technical Director, Dr…


AB VISTA LAUNCHES ‘EXTRAORDINARY SCIENCE BROUGHT TO LIFE’ VIDEO SERIES AT IPPE

AB Vista is launching a technical video series at this year’s International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE) in January, aimed at sharing information on various key areas of development within animal nutrition technology for 2016. The “Extraordinary Science Brought to Life” video series will feature short technical presentations on a range of global science/nutrition topics.…