According to the FAO-Agricultural outlook 2020-2029, meat production is expected to increase by another 12%, of which poultry is expected to account for the largest share (16%) and 60% of this increase in poultry production will take place in Asia Pacific and Latin America. This mainly due to lower production costs, shorter production cycles, improved feed conversionsand increasing demand. Improved genetics and animal health and adapted animal husbandry and feeding strategies are the main drivers behind the improved production efficiencies. Of course, there are differences between regions and countries in terms of opportunities to improve productivity, as well as differences in poultry meat consumption from country to country.
Focussing on productivity in a sustainable way with respect for animal welfare will be key to meet the increasing demand for poultry meat. Cooperation between the various stakeholders in the poultry meat supply chain has been and continues to be intensified. Therefore, it is paramount that the value created throughout the supply chain is properly shared among the different stakeholders.
Aromabiotic®Poultry, a patented product, aims to create and deliver shared value throughout the supply chain. It focuses not only on reducing the production cost of broilers by improving feed efficiency, but also on improving the quantity of the meat (higher carcass and breast meat yields) and lower mortality. As such, it fits perfectly into the ongoing intensification of the poultry supply chain.
A recent trial (table 1) executed at the research facility of a broiler integrator in Southeaster Asia has indicated that, under sub-tropical circumstances, Aromabiotic®Poultry is able to improve productivity and create and deliver additional value. In addition to the 3.6 points improvement in feed efficiency compared to the negative control group, mortality decreased by 50% (from 6% to 3%).
Table 1: The effect of Aromabiotic ® Poultry on male broiler performance (0 -42 days)
One of the main drivers of poultry consumption, particularly in western countries, is the demand for breast meat. Breeding companies have been working on improving the breast meat yields for decades (figure 1). While at the beginning of the millennium the 2200 g of male weight was achieved at 43 days, today this is reached at 34 days. So besides the improved breast meat yield this has also been achieved in a much shorter period of time.
Figure 1: Genetic evolution of male breast meat yield (at 2200 g live weight)
A study done at the International Poultry Testing facilities of the Ministery of Agriculture in the Czech Republic (figure 2) confirmed that Aromabiotic®Poultry does indeed improve breast meat yield, already at the younger age of 35 days. Breast meat yield improved on average by 0,74% (23,75% compared to 23,01%). The improvements were significant for the females and a statistical trend was observed for the males.
Figure 2: The effect of Aromabiotic®Poultry on breast meat yield (35 days of age)
Conclusion: with the increasing demand for poultry meat together with the increased pressure on sustainable use of raw materials, productivity needs to be further improved. Aromabiotic®Poultry, focussing on food safety, respecting the well being of the animal and environment, improving feed effIciency and creating added value through increased carcass and breast meat yields, is ready for the next decade.
