The elimination of the β-Mannan fiber by Hemicell^® primarily improves energy utilization. To a lesser extent, it also improves protein utilization. The matrix shown in Table 1 summarizes the nutrient values added by Hemicell^®:

At current feed prices, the formulation of Hemicell^® according to the above matrix will reduce the net cost of broiler feed by about $4/ton provided sufficient energy is contained in the feed and depending on ingredients used. Simply put, when Hemicell^® is formulated into a diet, about 2.5% of added fat is removed and replaced with corn. Therefore, the diet needs to contain more than 3% added fat to realize the full economic value of Hemicell^®. This corresponds to an ME of about 3100 Kcal/kg or 1406 Kcal/lb. If less energy is spared by Hemicell^®, an improvement in performance can be anticipated.

Several broiler pen trials have confirmed the above broiler matrix values. In one such recently completed pen trial conducted at Southern Poultry Research in Athens, GA, broilers were grown to 42 days of age. The trial comprised three treatments; 1. a positive control - providing a typical industry broiler formulation (3 feeds; CP-22.0%/19.4%/17.5%; ME Kcal/kg- 3080/3140/3200); 2. a negative control - formulated using the Hemicell^® matrix values to achieve the nutrient values of the positive control but from which Hemicell^® was excluded (ME Kcal/kg- 2960/3020/3080) ; and 3. a Hemicell^® treatment - the negative control as described above plus Hemicell^®. A summary of the results of this trial are provided in Table 2 below.

Treatment 3 provided live performance statistically and numerically equivalent to Treatment 1, confirming the Hemicell^® matrix values. Also, please note the statistically significant improvement in body weight uniformity.