Some consignments of choline chloride premixes from China have been found to be contaminated with Bt 63 rice. This is a non-registered GMO in the EU and, whilst not bringing any health or safety concern, is not allowed in feed or food. No such contamination has been found in our product and all steps have been taken to maintain this position.

The choline chloride market is now very tight and in case of shortages of authorised product, feed producers and integrators should be prepared to consider another source of methyl donor / osmoregulator such as Trouw Nutrition's Betain-96-AN.

If you would like to discuss substitution rates and features and benefits of betaine compared with choline chloride, please contact our Trouw Nutrition GB poultry team.

EFSA have published a scientific opinion on Vitamin D3. It states that the maximum permissible content in poultry feed should be retained pending further studies. It also provides a reminder that any administration of Vitamin D3 via drinking water could exceed the safe amounts for Vitamin D3.

Nutritionists and producers also have other forms of Vitamin D3 available to use in the form of 25(OH)D3 (e.g.Hy-D) and 1,25(OH)2D3 (e.g. Panbonis). The use of these products is also controlled in the legislation in combination with Vitamin D3 in feed and water applications.

These other forms can be beneficial for egg shell quality in older birds where the ability to either hydroxylate dietary D3 or to absorb dietary calcium from the gut may be less efficient compared with young birds. Broiler producers who feel that extra Vitamin D may be beneficial for leg health or performance in general may also benefit from supplements of 25(OH)D3 or 1,25 (OH)2D3.

Scientists at Nutreco's Poultry Research Centre, in conjunction with the Trouw Nutrition GB team, have been refining broiler and adult bird AME equations for barley. Barley is being increasingly used in quite high amounts, particularly in layer rations, as the price is favourable compared with wheat, so it is important to have confidence in matrix values.

If you would like to discuss ME values for barley, please contact the Trouw Nutrition GB poultry team.