Chapter 6 Low phytate nutrition – what is the pig and poultry industry doing to counter dietary phytate as an anti-nutrient and how is it being applied?

Understanding both dietary phytate levels and phytase characteristics is important in optimising phytase use in monogastric feeds. This can be associated with maximising P release and feed cost savings or the near complete phytate degradation to improve animal performance and improve production efficiencies. This paper reviews pig and poultry research conducted with low phytate nutrition through superdosing phytase and how these results are being applied commercially today. This includes the impact that superdosing phytase has on mineral utilisation with a specific focus on zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) utilisation in nursery pigs as well as the performance or cost saving benefits of improved nutrient utilisation in growing and finishing pigs.