The effect of Dacitic Tuff Breccia (Azomite®) in Corn, Soybean, and DDGS Based Diets that Vary in Inorganic Phosphate Source on Mill Throughput and Pellet Quality

Emilee Fisher*, J. Moritz, K. Bowen, V. Ayres, T. Boltz
Division of Animal and Nutritional Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505

Presentation Category: Biological Sciences (Poster presentation)

Student’s Major: Pre-Medicine

My name is Emilee Fisher, and I am an Animal and Nutritional Sciences undergraduate student at West Virginia University. My research interests include the effects of nutrition in overall animal performance and how nutrition plays a huge role on the health and well-being of animals. My research covers the nutritional consequences of feed manufacturing on poultry production and performance. This research is important as improving feed manufacturing efficacy has a dramatic effect on increasing broiler performance and reducing the environmental impact of poultry feed manufacturing. Research in this field allows for high quality feed and expansion of the poultry industry. Research on manufacturing techniques is important as pellet quality and amino acid absorption are key factors in broiler performance and can be affected by poor manufacturing techniques. The feed additive dacitic tuff breccia (Azomite®) has been shown to improve bird size and improve throughput in feed mills. This study covers the effects of Azomite® in corn, soybean, and ddgs based diets that vary in inorganic phosphate source on mill throughput and pellet quality.

Funding: Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP)

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: WVU's Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP) & accompanying HONR 297-level course