Many companies worldwide make nutritional decisions based on reducing cost rather than maximizing the profitability of a diet. The new 2014 nutritional recommendations for Ross reflect the need to control cost and to supply the birds with the nutrition they require to show their genetic and business potential. In a recent trial at the Bangkok Agricultural Research Centre, Ross 308 birds were placed sexed, at 13.3 birds per m2 and fed either the 2007 or 2014 recommended diet from Ross. Results are reported As Hatched (average of Males and Females).



The live performance results on the new 2014 diet specifications in the first 24 days of the grow out demonstrate lower feed cost per kilogram bodyweight produced but also an advantage in bodyweight, FCR livability and EPEF. At 42 days the more expensive diet costs result in the improved performance of 40grams in weight, 4 points lower FCR, 1% better livability and a significant 24 points increase in the EPEF highlighting live performance which more than fully recovers the additional costs and reduces the cost of production of almost 1 cent per kilogram live weight. Feeding the 2014 diet offers the bird the right nutritional spectrum to perform to its potential and reach optimum profitability.