Characteristics of nutritional of feed phosphates

Abstract

The consumption of feed phosphates in the European Union has been decreasing since the end of 2001 due to a decreasing production of compound feed ; changing feed formulations with lower safety margins and reduced phosphorus norms, and by a large increase in the use of phytase. The response of the phosphate industry to decreasing phosphate consumption in the European feed industry should be quality.

High quality feed phosphates are characterised by stable and accurate physical-chemical properties, good phosphorus solubility and a low amount of undesirable substances. Such phosphates are certainly characterised by a high phosphorus digestibility minimising the phosphorus output into the environment without endangering the health, the performance and welfare of the animals. In addition, only companies with Quality Assurance certification and implemented traceability systems can guarantee to produce consistently high quality feed phosphates, ensuring feed safety. In this way, feed phosphates contribute to bringing quality “from the stable to the table” in the European Union.