Reducing the Environmental Impact of Poultry Production in Delmarva

Based on work done over 12 funded projects. Dr. Roselina Angel is the PI. Based on best information available currently, the broiler industry in Maryland is using phytase, as required by law. Initial implementation of phytase into poultry diets in Maryland was poor to adequate. Poor implementation was the result of insufficient information on modern broiler phosphorus requirements as well as inadequate information on how much phosphorus to remove when phytase was used in diets.

Dr. Angel’s work focused on determining phosphorus requirements for broilers and use of feed additives, including phytase, to reduce phosphorus excretion in broilers. The work was both basic and applied and its ultimate goal was to deliver factual information to industry for implementation. Currently, implementation of phytase in Delmarva ranges from excellent to adequate. Phosphorus reductions in broiler excreta, since Maryland has mandated the use of phytase (or other additives) in poultry feeds, are estimated to average 30%. This is different from other regions in the US where phytase is not being added to all broiler diets and where in some cases, no changes or inadequate changes in feed formulation of phosphorus levels have been made when phytase is used.

Dr. Angel was also asked by the New American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE) to be part of the committee revising the poultry standards and was given the responsibility for proposing the broiler standards. These standards have traditionally been heavily relied on by regulatory agencies when setting baseline values for regulation. The new proposed excretion levels for broilers are lower by 70% for phosphorus and 66% for nitrogen excretion versus those currently in use (ASAE, 1999) and 50% below those estimated by the National Research Council in their latest publication (2003) related to nutrient management “Air emissions from animal feeding operations: Current knowledge, future needs”. Having these more realistic excretion standards has important implications on how broiler production will be regulated.

These results suggest that the impact of broiler production on the environment is much lower than previously thought or estimated. Integrated poultry companies, poultry producers, and regulators will be greatly impacted by this information.

For more information, contact Dr. Roselina Angel

Last updated: 02/6/2008