The value of near-infrared spectroscopy: using nutritional information of soybean meals by country of origin in feed formulation

Feedstuff variability negatively affects the poultry production chain. The nutritional value of soybean meal (SBM) is variable, especially among countries of origin. Complete nutrient analysis by traditional laboratory methods takes time, and not all this data is applied timely for feed formulation. The nutrient, energy, and digestibility information obtained with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) could be used to describe feedstuffs, improve feed formulation, potentially reduce feed costs, and enhance accuracy to meet nutrient target levels. Diets for broilers and laying hens were formulated using variability due to country of origin, harvest year, SBM and corn prices to demonstrate the effects of applying NIRS information on feed cost and SBM valuation. The nutritional data was obtained from the NIRS Precision Nutrition Evaluation (PNE) service (Adisseo) for all feedstuffs. Only SBM by origin (Argentina, Brazil, and the USA) harvested in 2 yr varied in 3 feeding phases for broilers and in 2 phases for white and brown laying hens. The 378 diets were formulated to meet recommended nutrient levels and be similar within each feeding phase. Feed prices were analyzed using a 3 × 2 × 3 × 3 factorial arrangement with SBM origin, harvest year, corn, and SBM prices as main factors in a mixed model where SBM origin was the only fixed effect. Almost all diets that included USA SBM were cheaper than using other sources. Therefore, USA SBM was the base for estimating relative and premium SBM values. This exercise demonstrated the economic value of segregating SBM by origin and utilizing NIRS to obtain nutritional information.