Feed Newsletter January, 2009

Transcription

1 Feed Newsletter January, 2009 On the 20th Anniversary of the Mazuri brand by PMI Nutrition International LLC, we are pleased to release this newsletter to keep our valued customers informed about our recent diet research and diet changes, as well as our upcoming events. As always, if you have any specific questions, or if we can help you find the most appropriate diets for the exotics you work with, please let us know! Contents Click on a title to jump to that page. 2 Research Update - Wild Herbivore Diets 3 Diet Update Wild Herbivore Diet Vitamin E Concentrations New Gluten-free Primate Gel Discontinuing Browser Diets Chick Handfeeding Diet improvements 4 Web Update 5 Upcoming Events 6 Contact Info

2 Research Update - Wild Herbivore Diets Wild Herbivore Diets are fed to both browsers and grazers. These diets were originally designed in response to concerns about feeding browsing herbivores (e.g., giraffe) high dietary starch. As that concept has evolved, it has become clear that many animals can benefit from lower starch diets, including browsing and grazing species, and ruminants and hind-gut fermenters. Wild Herbivore Diets have been successfully used to feed species in all of the above categories in a variety of climates. Wild Herbivore Diets are formulated to meet or exceed NRC Recommendations. To ensure that these diets provide adequate nutrition, we have compared the nutrient levels of Wild Herbivore and Wild Herbivore Plus, in combination with grass hay or alfalfa hay, to the nutrient recommendations of hindgut fermenters (using Horse NRC as guideline) and ruminants (using Small Ruminant NRC as guideline). These comparisons are available on the Mazuri website. Wild Herbivore Diets are more than a supplement. Wild Herbivore and Wild Herbivore Plus Diets are designed to be fed at 40-50% of the diet, in combination with good quality browse, grass hay, or alfalfa hay. In a University trial, we have successfully raised browsers on 75% Wild Herbivore and 25% hay 1. Also, due to the major differences in ingredient composition between Wild Herbivore Diets and traditional herbivore supplements, it is important to transition animals over at least a 14 day period to allow their gastrointestinal anatomy and microflora to adapt. Research supports the feeding of Wild Herbivore to captive exotics. We have been involved in numerous research projects examining palatability and maintenance of body condition (e.g., moose, reindeer, duikers), serum mineral and fatty acid profiles (e.g., giraffe), growth and development (e.g., mule deer), and rumen and blood volatile fatty acid profiles (e.g., mule deer). In addition, many institutions across the country have been feeding Wild Herbivore Diets for years, with demonstrated success at maintaining body condition and health of their animals. For a list of references, visit. The Wild Herbivore product lineup includes Wild Herbivore Diet (pellets - 5ZF1; cubes 5V05) - designed for the majority of animals at maintenance - contains flaxseed as an omega-3 fatty acid source - contains natural source vitamin E - contains rumen buffers Wild Herbivore Plus (textured diet 5ZK4) - designed for animals with higher nutrient needs, such as during growth, gestation & lactation, and in cold weather - also may be most appropriate for very small ruminants - increased energy from higher fat content (8%) - contains all of the same ingredients as Wild Herbivore plus beet pulp shreds and molasses for enhanced palatability Wild Boost (extruded particles 5Z0D) - designed for short term feeding of animals in poor body condition - contains 15% fat, so strict attention to feeding programs is necessary 1 McCusker, S., L. A. Shipley, et al. (2008). Evaluating the effects of three practical diets on nutritional status, rumen health, and growth of captive mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) fawns. Comparative Nutrition Society, Halifax, Canada.

3 Diet Updates Increased Vitamin E in Wild Herbivore Diets We have increased the vitamin E content of Wild Herbivore Diets from 300 IU vitamin E/kg to 550 IU vitamin E/kg. This change was made to ensure that ruminants are receiving the recommended level of dietary vitamin E, based on the NRC of Small Ruminants, Therefore, when Wild Herbivore Diets are fed at 50% of the animals intake, the dietary vitamin E recommendations for Small Ruminants will be met. Gluten-Free Primate Gel 5C2A We are pleased to offer a Gluten-Free Primate Gel Diet to assist animals with suspected gluten/gliaden intolerance. This product contains no detectable gluten (based on ELISA testing for gliaden from wheat and corresponding prolamines from rye and barley), and contains sources of soluble fiber such as pectin, inulin and gum Arabic. This diet meets all NRC recommendations for non-human primates (NRC, 2003). Palatability has been demonstrated with this product, and additional trials are underway. You can find a spec sheet on this product at, under the Primate link. Discontinuing Browser Diets 5653 and 5654 Due to the development of the Wild Herbivore Diet series, we are discontinuing the Browser diets. We encourage all of our customers to move to the Wild Herbivore Diet that is appropriate for the species you are feeding. If you have any questions or concerns about this transition, please contact your regional sales manager, or Mazuri Customer Service at Chick Handfeeding Formulae Improvements Mazuri Chick Handfeeding Formulae (5TMX and 5D1W) are designed for granivorous and frugivorous birds including psittacines and ramphastids. These diets have been reported by commercial breeders to promote better hydration than competitor formulations, and growth rates of baby birds fed these diets are greater than that of chicks fed competitor formulations and similar to parent-reared counterparts. We are pleased to announce that these formulations have been improved even further by reducing the particle size of the product. This means that the already successful product is even better suited for day-old chicks and feeding using very small bore syringes without the fear of aspiration.

4 Web Update Our website is getting updated every day, so please check it out. Some new items Alpaca Feeding Recommendations (on the Alpaca link) Primate Links - Choosing the Best Primate Diet - Feeding Primates Using a Variety of Food Items Ratite Feeding Recommendations (on the Ratite Link)

5 Upcoming Events Alpaca Events Feb 6-8 Sunshine State Alpaca Expo, Jacksonville, FL flalpacas.com Mar 6-8 Southwest Regional Alpaca Show, Phoenix AZ Mar MOPACA Invitational Alpaca Show, Kansas City, MO Apr 3-5 Indiana Alpaca Invitational, Fort Wayne, IN Apr 4-5 Minnesota Alpaca Expo, Owatonna MN Apr Mid-Atlantic Alpaca Association Jubilee, Harrisburg, PA Apr Kentucky Classic Alpaca Show, KY Apr Great Midwest Alpaca Festival, Madison, WI May 1-3 Great Western Alpaca Show, Denver CO June 3-7 Alpaca Owners and Breeders Assoc. National Conf., Cleveland OH Bird Events Mar American Society for Aviculture, San Diego CA; Companion Animal Events Apr 5 National Chinchilla Society National Show, Location TBA; natchinsoc.co.uk/events.htm Koi Events Feb Assoc. Koi Clubs of America Annual Seminar, San Diego CA; Mar Central Florida Koi Show, Orlando FL; Apr 3-4 Valley of the Sun Koi Show, Phoenix, AZ; Wildlife Events Mar National Wildlife Rehabilitation Association Symposium, Chicago, IL; Zoo & Aquaria Events Mar Assoc. Zoos and Aquariums Regional Mid-year meeting, Oklahoma City, OK; May 2-6 Intl. Assoc. for Aquatic Animal Medicine, San Antonio TX; June 8-13 Regional Aquatics Workshop, Newport KY;

6 Contacting your Mazuri representative Eastern Regional Manager Karen Wright Midwest Regional Manager Carrie Kuball Southwest Regional Manager Stephanie McLean Western Regional Manager Dave Salmon Technical Services Liz Koutsos Director Mark Griffin