Glossary

A

Amino acid

A building block of protein. Birds need a supply of each essential amino acid from their feed, in the right proportions.

Assay

The measured content of the active substance in a product, usually given as a percentage.

C

Certificate of analysis (COA)

A document from the manufacturer or a laboratory giving the test results for a specific batch of a product.

CFR (Cost and Freight)

An Incoterm: the seller pays the freight to the named port of destination; the risk passes to the buyer when the goods are on board at the port of shipment.

Cost per kg of effective methionine

The price per kg of a methionine product divided by its value factor. A better basis for comparison than price per tonne.

Crude protein

An estimate of the protein content of a feed or ingredient, calculated from its nitrogen content.

D

Digestible amino acid

The part of an amino acid in a feed ingredient that the bird can digest and absorb. Modern formulation usually works on digestible rather than total amino acids.

DL-Methionine

A methionine source containing equal amounts of the D- and L-forms. Birds convert the D-form into the L-form. DL-Methionine 99% is the usual reference for comparing methionine sources.

E

Equimolar basis

A comparison of equal molecular amounts of two active substances, regardless of the weight of the products that contain them.

F

FAMI-QS

A certification scheme for the safety and quality of specialty feed ingredients and their mixtures. Certificates can be checked on the scheme's public register.

Feed additive

A product added to feed in small amounts for a nutritional or technical purpose, such as an amino acid, enzyme or preservative.

Feed conversion ratio (FCR)

The kg of feed needed to produce 1 kg of live weight (or of eggs). A lower FCR means more efficient feed use.

FOB (Free On Board)

An Incoterm: the seller delivers the goods on board the ship at the named port of shipment; the buyer pays freight and insurance from there.

G

GMP+

A feed-safety certification scheme covering the feed chain. Certificates can be checked on the scheme's public register.

I

Ideal protein

An amino-acid profile in which each essential amino acid is supplied in proportion to the bird's requirement, often expressed relative to lysine.

Inclusion rate

The amount of an ingredient in a feed, usually given in kg per tonne or as a percentage.

L

L-Methionine

A methionine source containing only the L-form, supplied at 99% and in lower-purity grades such as 90%.

Landed cost

The total cost of an imported product delivered to the buyer: the purchase price plus freight, insurance, duties, taxes, bank and port charges, and inland delivery.

Least-cost formulation

Formulating a diet that meets set nutrient specifications at the lowest ingredient cost, usually with linear-programming software.

Limiting amino acid

The essential amino acid that is in shortest supply relative to the bird's requirement. It limits how well the other amino acids can be used for growth or egg production.

Loss on drying

The weight lost when a sample is dried under set conditions; a measure of moisture and other volatile matter.

M

Methionine

An essential, sulphur-containing amino acid. In most practical poultry diets it is the first-limiting amino acid, so it is usually supplemented.

Methionine + cystine (TSAA)

The total sulphur amino acids. Requirements are often given for methionine + cystine, because birds can make cystine from methionine but not the other way round.

Methionine hydroxy analogue (MHA)

A precursor of methionine (also called HMTBa) that the bird converts into L-methionine. Supplied as a liquid free acid (MHA-FA) or as a calcium salt (MHA-Ca).

Mycotoxin

A toxic compound produced by certain moulds on crops and stored feed ingredients. Managed through ingredient quality control, storage and, where needed, feed additives.

P

Phytase

A feed enzyme that releases phosphorus bound in phytate, the main storage form of phosphorus in plant ingredients.

Premix

A blend of vitamins, trace minerals and sometimes other additives, added to feed at a low inclusion rate.

Product basis

A comparison of equal weights of products as sold. For a product that is not 100% active substance, a value on a product basis is lower than on an equimolar basis.

S

Safety data sheet (SDS)

A document describing a product's hazards and how to handle, store and transport it safely.

T

Technical data sheet (TDS)

A manufacturer's document describing a product's typical specification, form, packaging, storage and use.

V

Value factor

The kg of DL-Methionine 99% replaced by 1 kg of a product (DL-Methionine 99% = 1.00). Used to compare methionine sources on an equal basis.

X

Xylanase

A feed enzyme that breaks down arabinoxylans, fibre components of cereals such as wheat, which can improve nutrient digestibility.