April 2013 - AFMA

AB Vista shines light on phytate
analysis
Animal and feed producers can count
on precise predictions of phytate levels
in feed, thanks to AB Vista’s phytate
analysis service. Working in partnership
with Aunir, the leading developer
and supplier of software for near infrared
reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy, this
service enables AB Vista’s customers to
have the phytate content of feed samples
analysed. For even greater precision,
Aunir has recently updated the
equations that underpin this analysis
with data from 3 000 samples. NIR
spectroscopy uses light waves to analyse
nutritional, chemical and physical
properties at a molecular level, including
the presence of phytate. Found
in many plant-based feedstuffs, the
anti-nutritional effects of phytate cost
animal producers up to $2 billion every
year in lost performance. When excreted,
it can also harm the environment –
but can be eliminated from the diet by
applying the enzyme phytase to feed.
– www.allaboutfeed.com
First true PGR for oilseed rape
Most oilseed rape crops are further behind
than in recent years, but using a growth
regulator still offers benefits in achieving
the right canopy to maximise the number
of seeds. Growers are in a very different
situation this spring, says Agrovista technical
manager, Mark Hemmant. “Crops are
much more variable, some are forward
and will need holding back while most are
backwards.”
Manipulating growth to achieve the
ideal canopy is set to become easier this
season with a new growth regulator. But
unlike other growth regulators, BASF’s
Cow behaviour can predict heat stress
The standing and laying behaviour of
cows can predict their heat stress, according
to a study conducted by the
University of Arizona and Northwest
Missouri State University.
The researchers used two tools to study
the relationship between behaviour and
temperature. They fitted each cow with
an intra-vaginal sensor to measure core
body temperature, and fitted each cow
with a special leg sensor to measure the
angle of the leg and track whether the
cow was standing or lying. After comparing
data from cows in Arizona, California
and Minnesota, the researchers concluded
that standing behaviour and core body
New management for SAFA
The South African Feedlot Association recently
elected its new executive council
during its annual congress held on 6 and 7
March at Kievits Kroon just outside of Pretoria.
Louw van Reenen of the Beefmaster
Feedlot just outside Christiana, was reelected
as chairman of the association. Willem
Whetmar of Chalmar Beef at Bapsfontein
was elected as vice-chairperson. On the
Caryx has been specifically designed for
oilseed rape instead of being an existing
cereal fungicide that has had the label extended
for use on rape, explains BASF field
crops manager Will Reyer. “In addition, it is
the only true growth regulator, rather than
being a fungicide that happens to have
growth regulatory properties.”
temperature are strongly correlated.
Dr Jamison Allen said cows stood for
longer bouts of time as their core body
temperatures rose from 101 degrees
Fahrenheit to above 102 degrees.
According to Allen, dairy producers
could use standing behaviour to improve
well being and efficiency in their herds.
He said producers could use coolers and
misters to target a specific core body
temperature. By encouraging cows to
lie down, producers will also help their
cows conserve energy. Allen recommended
future studies to see how cows
respond to different cooling systems. –
www.wattagnet.com
photograph is the new executive council of
SAFA. From the left is Dave Ford, managing
director, Louw van Reenen, chairperson,
Calvin Topkin, Kallie Calitz, Johan Cronjé,
Theo Coetzee, Willem Whetmar, vice-chair,
and Tony da Costa. Two members were
absent when the photograph was taken,
namely Riaan Roothman and Robin Watson.
– Izak Hofmeyr, AFMA Matrix
Caryx has three key effects on the plant;
it helps promote a better canopy, protects
against lodging and promotes rooting. It
fundamentally manages the use of energy
in the plant, changing the hormone balance
in two ways, inhibiting gibberellins
and stimulating cytokinin production.
– www.allaboutfeed.com
New standards after dioxin scare
The German Cabinet recently unveiled a
new set of rules aimed at raising standards
in the country’s animal feed industry after
the discovery of toxic chemical dioxin, a
possible carcinogen, triggered heath alerts
worldwide and forced the shut down of
thousands of German farms.
“We want to make the food chain more
secure,” Germany’s food and agriculture
minister, Ilse Aigner, said Wednesday.
“Boosting surveillance is a key part of this.”
Aigner said the new set of rules require
feed production companies to report the
results of all the tests conducted on their
products to German authorities, thereby
creating an “early warning system”. Previously,
the companies were required to
report only the test results that showed
excessive levels of toxic chemicals in their
products. Under the new rules, private laboratories
will also have to report suspicious
results concerning dangerous substances
such as dioxin.
Dioxins are a by-product of industrial
processes and burning of waste. Consumption
of food products contaminated with
high levels of dioxins have been found to
promote cancer and adversely affect pregnant
women.
AFMA MATRIX ● APRIL 2013 5