Implementation of silage feed materials of domestic origin in the production of feed for slaughter turkeys

The operation will be carried out by the Poultry Producers Group, which brings together producers of slaughter turkeys in the Wielkopolska Province. The group's final product is slaughter turkeys. The production of own feed in a joint feed mixing plant is one of the key areas improving the competitiveness of production. Modernizing the mixing plant and increasing the possibility of using ensiled wet feed materials will improve the economic and production efficiency of the group.

The main objective of the operation is to produce top-quality turkeys using complete feed mixtures based on ensiled feed materials with natural moisture content. The introduction of “wet raw materials” into the feed production process, optimization of their share in combination with their impact on the production parameters obtained, will allow for a reduction in production costs.

The specific objectives of the operation are to build the infrastructure necessary for the use of “wet” ensiled raw materials:

1. development of technology for rapid loading of wet raw materials into silage sleeves,
2. technology for waste-free unloading of ensiled raw materials from sleeves and loading onto means of transport,
3. development of technology and construction of infrastructure for the granulation process of complete full-ration mixtures with ensiled raw materials,
4. introduction of technology for continuous measurement of the dry matter content of the final complete feed mixture for slaughter turkeys at various stages of their growth,
5. development of information and promotional materials on expanding purchasing opportunities to support the market for local producers of corn, rapeseed, and grasses,
6. creation of a knowledge base based on information obtained from projects, with the possibility of expansion and a sustainable learning process.

Project activities

• Stage I: The research will cover the nutritional value of ensiled raw materials using chemical analysis methods in accordance with the accepted methodology for the evaluation of ensiled materials and feed materials used in recipes for slaughter turkeys. Based on the results, appropriate feed mixtures will be developed using ensiled raw materials in accordance with turkey feeding recommendations. This stage will utilize technical infrastructure related to the rapid and fully automated loading of ensiled raw materials into silage bags and subsequent waste-free unloading onto means of transport delivering the ensiled raw material to the mixing plant in accordance with current demand.
   
• Stage II: construction of granulation line infrastructure on the existing infrastructure of the complete feed mixing plant to enable the use of several dozen percent of ensiled raw materials. The granulation process will be an essential element in ensuring the microbiological hygiene of the final feed mixtures, giving them the optimal form preferred by turkeys and improving the homogeneity of the mixture obtained. After the mixing and granulation process, the excess moisture naturally contained in such mixtures will be evaporated to a safe level.

The main benefits of the project

• Cost reduction: The use of ensiling and more efficient use of local raw materials will significantly reduce feed production costs, which will have a positive impact on the profitability of agricultural activities.
• Seasonal flexibility: Automating the ensiling process will enable better adaptation to the corn harvest season, eliminating the need to wait for raw materials to dry and allowing wet grain to be accepted, which in turn will shorten feed production time.
• Expansion of the Raw Material Portfolio: The introduction of new, local raw materials for feed production will increase diversity and flexibility in the selection of ingredients, which may translate into better health and production parameters for turkeys.
• Sustainable Growth: Independence from imported ingredients and reduced energy consumption in the feed production process is in line with sustainable development, which may attract environmentally conscious consumers

Practice summary

1. Introduction of wet feed materials available on the local market into feed for slaughter turkeys. Innovative expansion of capabilities will improve the economics of feed production and, ultimately, turkey meat production. The proposed innovation will significantly reduce the energy consumption of the entire process of obtaining nutrients from wet raw materials. The implementation of this technology will also enable savings in the production of other poultry species, which until now have been fed exclusively with dry components.
2. The fully automated line for assessing the final moisture content of the mixture, combined with the estimated time for feeding the turkeys, will significantly reduce the energy consumption of the entire process of producing final complete feed mixtures. 
3. The production results obtained in turkey flocks will allow for a full large-scale verification of the impact of feeding such feed on the production, quality, and health parameters of the flocks. Ultimately, the developed mixtures will reduce the share of non-domestic components in feed production and increase the share of components sourced from the local market.
4. The implemented quick method of loading silage sleeves with material will prevent long periods of wet corn grain storage in piles during the so-called corn harvest supply peak. The collected research results and data from farms will be used to develop scientific and popular science publications promoting this method of poultry feed production. The high proportion of local raw materials and the widely praised ensiling process will be well received by the end consumers of turkey meat, who increasingly appreciate the use of local raw materials in production and full transparency of production.
5. Innovative marketing methods through quality certification, scientific marketing, and direct marketing, as well as support for local market development.
   The economic aspect of production cannot be overestimated, as it is expected to significantly reduce unit costs related to production and alleviate labor shortages.

Results achieved

Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that fermented corn grain subjected to granulation appears to be a very valuable raw material in the nutrition of turkeys for slaughter. The obtained results for intestinal digestibility of amino acids and protein are higher than those presented in the feed value tables (CVB 2018) for conventional corn grain. Alfalfa silage, on the other hand, has a very low protein and amino acid digestibility coefficient. Therefore, it is not a suitable raw material for young turkeys for slaughter. When using it, a significant deterioration in weight gain and feed consumption by birds should be expected.

The main benefits resulting from the obtained results include:

• optimization of the production process of granulated feed for turkeys using moist corn grain;
• elimination of the energy-intensive process of drying corn grain after harvest;
• shortening and simplification of corn grain harvesting;
• optimization of the nutritional value of the feed obtained;
• reduction of nutrient losses, which is associated with a reduction in emissions of pollutants into the environment.

Additional comments

• Education and Awareness: To facilitate the implementation of new feed production practices, it is recommended that the plan be expanded to include an educational program. Training for farmers, breeders, and production workers can help them understand the benefits of introducing innovative methods such as ensiling. Transparent communication about the health and economic advantages of new practices will also contribute to the positive acceptance of changes.
• Scientific research: To increase the confidence of farmers and breeders, I suggest including funds for additional scientific research in the plan. This research should focus on the impact of the changes on turkey health and product quality. The findings can be used to adjust the strategy and demonstrate the benefits of the new practices.