Higher value of NSP enzymes with an eye on high raw material costs
A study based on optimisation of “broiler ?grower” formula proves the economic benefits of NSP enzymes, regardless of raw material ?prices or nutritional levels required.
By Pascal Thiery, Technical Manager for Africa and Middle East Region, Adisseo
NSP (non-starch polysaccharides) enzymes are known to increase the digestibility of raw materials for monogastric animal species, such as rapeseed meals and DDGS, offering an alternative to soya bean meals when prices are surging and thus allowing to offset higher feedstuff costs. A study led by Adisseo shows that the economic interest of the versatile enzyme is greater when raw materials are more expensive, whatever the country and the availability of local ingredients are.
The study is based on the monthly optimisation of a “broiler grower” formula which nutritional constraints and the raw materials offered are specific to the five countries surveyed: South Africa, Poland, Turkey, Tunisia and France (Table 1). Starting from monthly prices of raw materials, the formulas have been optimised both with and without NSP enzymes (Rovabio), in order to measure the consequences on the formulation and to calculate the return on investment.
The study assessed the economic interest of the NSP enzymes in formulas with different nutritional levels. For instance, some countries set energy levels over 3,100 kcal/kg of Apparent Metabolised Energy (Turkey, South Africa, Poland) while Tunisia only requires 2,950 kcal/kg. Likewise, the levels of proteins and amino acids cover a wide range of values going from 18.5% to 22.0% of crude protein and from 1.07% to 1.30% of lysine.
Soybean meal prices almost doubled during the period
The survey also showed the contrasts in prices. Indeed, during the period examined, the price rise of soybean meal surged considerably, from less than €300/t at the end of 2011 to over €500/t in July 2012 in France. In Turkey, the price rocketed from €350/t to €650/t.
Soya brought a major price impact on raw materials, the formulation of feeds based on the initial criteria entailed a noticeable rise of the raw material cost, even when using locally available substitutes to soya. The raw material cost of the “broiler grower” formula rose from €360/t to over €450/t in Turkey, and from €275/t to €390/t in France (Figure 1).
In all assessed countries, the use of the NSP enzyme allowed to cut extra costs thanks to the increased value of some raw materials: sunflower or rapeseed meals, DDGS, but also cereals. In Tunisia, the enzyme led to a reduced shadow price of barley compared to corn, and the introduction of some barley in the feed which offers sustainable benefits.
For example, using the enzyme in a French formula and with the price level of August 2012, the shadow price of barley dropped more than €50/t, resulted in an increased inclusion rate, achieving a final formula cost reduction of €16/t (Table 2).
Economic advantage created by NSP enzyme
The economic interest of NSP enzyme in the feed formulation is obvious, as it becomes greater as the raw material price increases. In France, the savings on raw material costs reached €20/t in August 2012 when the price of soya reached a peak, against €10/t November 2011. In Tunisia the savings went over €20/t for a maximum formula price of €390/t.
The average return on investment is eight during the surveyed period in these countries and can even reach 20 as was the case in Tunisia in August 2012 (Figure 2). Therefore, whatever the context of raw material prices and the nutritional level of the formulas, economical advantage of the NSP enzyme was demonstrated.
WP
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