Precise Nutrition Meets The Digital Age

Feed manufacturers and livestock producers are challenged with finding the right balance between nutritional quality and feed costs. Scientific knowledge of each species’ needs is necessary to properly inform analysis and guide recommendations to optimize formulations Many are embracing technology that can detect the slightest variations in raw materials that may affect feed efficiency and performance.

A comprehensive suite of digital tools adds value for feed manufacturers by delivering quality control and formulation advice that may increase profitability. Digital tools and Artificial Intelligence can also help producers better understand how animal performance and nutrition are linked.

These applications are managed within a global service offering that combines  online tools with various types of in-the- field or laboratory support. They offer  benefits from the know-how of a whole team of nutritionists and experts using new technologies. 

Whether through very transversal multi- species or specific solutions, ADM offers  digital applications capable of supporting its customers in the main species of the market: swine, poultry, ruminant or aquaculture, with interfaces translated into 12 different languages.

Stemming from the research of ADM’s Science & Technology teams, the application portfolio is updated frequently to supplement results within the applications and provide a better understanding of feed efficiency. Plus, ADM’s business and IT teams also complete the process with functional coverage of the applications each year to better respond to market developments and customer needs. 

ADM’s investments in 2023 will focus on the ruminant sector with the arrival on the market of several new versions of existing solutions that will become interconnected and will further strengthen the ability to support customers with tools that are sophisticated but are operationally intuitive for daily use. Specifically, we’re currently working on a matrix calculation tool for raw materials (EQUADVICE), a ration balancing tool for ruminants (ALIPLAN FUJI) and a performance monitoring tool for dairy cows (Dairy EXPER). Developing these tools enables ADM to offer a complete range of services to its customers in the ruminant market.

We start with understanding the quality of raw materials and the factors that impact the nutrient profile of feed crops, such as wheat, corn, barley, soy and canola. Overall feed quality and digestibility can also fluctuate with inconsistencies, including ingredient quantities and mixing that can differ from specifications within the formula. To correct these variables, we analyze and monitor the quality of fodder and raw materials present on the farm through chemical testing and data management at our UPSCIENCE laboratories or by using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIR) tools for direct analysis.

ADM Animal Nutrition leads the charge in precision feeding for the digital age, offering comprehensive digital tools that optimize feed formulations, improve animal performance, and increase profitability

The next step is to integrate the precise analytical value of ingredients into our formulation matrix using the EQUADVICE modelling tool. EQUADVICE predicts the nutritional values for over 420 raw materials from around the globe and forages, helping to recalculate formulations to match nutrient supply more accurately to the specific needs of different livestock species. Ultimately, this precision feeding strategy benefits the animals, environment and producers.

Results from the modelling tool are then automatically available in the ALIPLAN FUJI ration balancing interface, making it possible to construct a correctly balanced ration and  considering the real energy value of each of its components, including the farmer’s forages, the capacity of their animals and the objectives of the farm.

The final step in this process analyses the technical and economic performance of individual cows or a whole herd using our DAIRY EXPER dashboards. The real efficiency of the ration implemented can be analyzed at the level of each animal, allowing for performance analysis by recovering the data on the quantity and quality of milk from an automated connection between the DAIRY EXPERT application and popular milking technology for daily monitoring. Above all, the application allows for the evolution of indicators and the calculation of the margin on feed costs. 

From feed mill to farm, ADM provides a comprehensive approach to maximizing feed efficiency and performance, as well as the ability to support livestock producers through emerging technology and digital applications, models and connections to measurement sensors. Using our vast animal nutrition knowledge and expertise, we are at the forefront of investing in innovations for the ruminant, poultry and swine markets for mass data analysis and performance optimization – giving our customers a competitive advantage.