Project: Defining the nutritive value of cereals for pigs and poultry

Area of Expertise:

Project objective: The overall objective of this project (part funded by HGCA) is to investigate methods of providing this alternative and ultimately to produce an accuate predictor of cereal nutritive value for poultry and pigs.

Project leaders: Dr Elizabeth Ball & Dr Elizabeth Magowan

Details of project

Traditionally the simple measurement of specific weight (weight of a litre of grain) has been used by cereal producers and animal feed millers as an indication of cereal nutritive value and certain generalizations are made depending on this value. For example, grain with a low specific weight is thought to contain a higher level of protein, fat and fibre and a lower level of starch and generally thought to be of lower nutritive value than grain of higher specific weight value. However, there is substanial evidence to suggest that specific weight is not an accurate predictor of chemical composition or nutritive value.

Research published in the Home Grown Cereal Authority (HGCA) Report Number 260 reported that there was a lack of relationship between specific weight of wheat and its nutritive value in relation to poultry, pigs and ruminants. Despite this, grain producers and feed millers still use specific weight as an indicator of grain nutritive value. Consequently, there is a need for an alternative, accurate and rapid means of assessing cereal quality.

Journal Articles

Ball, M. E. E. , Owens, B. , McCracken, K. J. (2013). The effect of variety and growing conditions on the chemical composition and nutritive value of wheat for broilers. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 26(3):378-385

Ball, M. E. E. , Owens, B. , McCracken, K. J. (2013). Chemical and physical predictors of the nutritive value of wheat in broiler diets. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 26(1):378-385

Ball, M. E. E. , Magowan, E. (2012). The effect of level of wheat inclusion in diets for growing and finishing pigs on performance, nutrient digestibility and gastric ulceration. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 25(7):988-993

Knowledge Transfer

Magowan, E. (2011). Presentation on recent research. Presentation to Mark Wilson (Vion)

Magowan, E. (2011). Presentation on recent research. Presentation to Meryl Ward (BPEX)

McCann, M.E.E. , Magowan, E. (2009). Wheat or barley for pigs - which is best?. Northern Ireland Pig Event, September 2009

McCann, M.E.E. , Magowan, E. (2009). THe use of lupins in diets for growing pigs. Northern Ireland Pig Event, September 2009

McCann, M.E.E. , Magowan, E. (2009). Predicting the digestible energy content of barley. Northern Ireland Pig Event, September 2009

McCann, M.E.E. , Magowan, E. (2009). The proceedings of the Northern Ireland Pig Event. Northern Ireland Pig Event, 16 September 2009

McCann, M.E.E. (2009). The use of lupins in diets for pigs. Joint AFBI/CAFRE Pig Newsletter, March 2009

McCann, M.E.E. (2008). The use of wheat in diets for finishing pigs. , September 2008

McCann, M.E.E. , Scott, M. D. (2008). How should you feed your hens?. , July 2008

Magowan, E. , McCann, M.E.E. (2007). Launch of unique pig reserach facility at AFBI, Hillsborough. Press release to all press on new pig facility

Owens, B. , McCann, M.E.E. , Park, R. S. , McCracken, K. J. (2007). Defining feed wheat quality for broilers. A report prepared for Home Grown Cereals Authority.

McCann, M.E.E. (2007). Wheat for poultry diets. Crops, 15 September 2007

McCann, M.E.E. (2006). Saving Feed. Pig Progress, Volume 22, No. 2, 2006

McCann, M.E.E. (2006). Saving feed in pig production. Farming Life, 25 Febuary 2006

McCann, M.E.E. (2006). Wheat quality for broilers. Farming Life, 7 January 2006

Reports

McCann, M.E.E. (2007). Presentation to Farmers' Group from South West Scotland. Presentation of pig research, 13 June 2007.

McCann, M.E.E. (2007). Pesentation to ADAS representatives. Presentation of pig and poultry research, 15 May 2007.