Notice to the Public

This is to inform the public that Doctor Erwin A. Awitan, whose picture appears above, is no longer connected with the Ultra Bio Corporation, and has no authority to conduct business on behalf of UBC. Please report any unauthorized activity to the Ultra Bio Corporation offices at (02)8-351-1040, info@ultrabio.com.ph, or the UBC Facebook page. Thank you very much!

Mycotoxins: The Silent Killer

Mycotoxicosis is a condition that is brought about by the presence of naturally occurring Mycotoxins produced by fungal growth in feed, or feed components. Conditions such as wet or humid environments, extended storage, and poor quality ingredients all contribute to the presence of these toxins in animal feed, particularly in countries like the Philippines. These fungi can grow at practically any point in the production of feed, starting from the very growing and harvesting of the crops used, to the moment the feed is consumed by animals. 

To get around he mycotoxin problem, common practice involves the use of toxin binders, and while this practice has been in place here in our country for a significant amount of time, mycotoxins are extremely potent, and even small amounts are known to cause considerable deficits in the growth and development of livestock. Small amounts barely at trace levels can cause long-term problems, suppressing the immune system, reducing nutrient levels, and affecting livestock quality. The truth is that it’s simply impossible to catch enough of the mycotoxins in feed to eliminate the possibility of negative effects in an animal. To make matters worse, being in the tropics, practically all farms in the Philippines face some degree of Mycotoxin challenge.

In an article by Benison Media, effects of Mycotoxicosis in poultry include:

“A dry and firm gizzard with sometimes mucosal erosions, catarrhal enteritis and proventricular haemorrhages.

Visceral gout with white urate deposits throughout the body cavity and internal organs.

Impaired coagulation of blood, impaired phagocytosis, anemia, decreased skeletal integrity.

Nephropathy; degenerative /necrotic changes which are more pronounced in proximal convoluted tubules than distal.

Reduced spontaneous activity, hypothermia, huddling, diarrhea, rapid weight loss and death.”

If your flock is suffering from any of these symptoms, you may already be in a Mycotoxin crisis. UBC carries innovative, industry-changing products that deal with the dangers of Mycotoxicosis. If you are facing a Mycotoxin challenge, ask your UBC Sales manager about our line of NBG products, and find out how they can help improve your bottom line.

Department of Agriculture to Provide Assistance for Biosecure Swine Farms

As ASF continues to be a problem in the country, the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) has promised PHP 5.5 million each to farmers’ cooperatives and associations for the construction of biosecure farms. The move is meant to keep ASF in check in order to get the disease under control.

This initiative is to be executed in partnership with the Philippine Society of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers, and the Department of Agriculture’s Integrated National Swim production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion, or INSPIRE Program.

As per the DA’s guidelines, the farms to be constructed under the program must have at least 4000 sqm of land, with a perimeter fence, climate-controlled animal house, and waste management facilities, among other requirements.

A modular design for these biosedure farms is to be proposed by the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering, along with the regional agricultural engineering divisions in their respective field offices.

Nucleoforce Receives Halal Certification

Nucleoforce, the best source of concentrated and balanced free nucleotides, has been certified to meet Halal requirements. This opens the doors for those farms that have a need for both industry-leading nucleotides for their livestock, and the stringent requirements Halal certification ensures.

Farmers now have access to all the benefits of Nucleoforce while maintaining a Halal diet for their animals, which is a game-changer for farms that cater to markets that require this guarantee.

The use of animal-based feed or supplements can cast doubt on the integrity of the final product, and so Bioiberica, the Spanish producer of Nucleoforce Livestockm and Nucleoforce Aqua, has gone the extra mile to ensure that this product checks all the necessary boxes for a Halal farm’s needs.

The addition of Nucleoforce in feed optimizes the development of the immune and digestive systems, contributing to fast, healthy growth and development, as well as reducing the dependence on antibiotics. It provides the necessary building blocks for growing animals, and is derived from yeast, not animal byproducts.

For more information on Nucleoforce, contact the nearest Ultra Bio Territory Sales Manager, or reach us at our website www.ultrabio.com.ph

Chinese Soymeal Prices Hit All-Time High

Chinese Soymeal prices soar to record highs

An already struggling Chinese hog market has been dealt another blow with soymeal prices hitting an all-time high in the market. Soymeal, which is usually the highest contributor to protein content in feed, has seen its highest prices ever due to shortages in the supply coming from South America, and impending shortages in Chinese markets. This tightens the noose further on the already struggling hog producers in China, and could, before long, lead to many exiting the hog raising business for more lucrative options.

Read the rest of the report on Business World online here: https://www.bworldonline.com/china-soymeal-prices-hit-record-highs-deal-fresh-blow-to-hog-sector/

High Feed Costs? We can fix that.

Given the current shortages in corn and their subsequent high prices, it’s understandable that farms have been looking at ways to reduce cost. While this is extremely important,recognizing where best to cut back on spending is key to keeping maximum profits for the situation. One of the first thoughts that many farms have is to reduce feed costs by purchasing sub-standard ingredients for feed. While this is the quickest way to reduce farm spending, what isn’t immediately apparent is the effect on the animals.

Ingredients such as wheat, cassava, or using large amounts of filler such as rice bran, while cheaper, can be hard to digest. To further complicate things, when supplies run low, available stocks of corn may have been kept in sub—standard conditions, with higher than acceptable levels of mycotoxins. With sub-standard ingredients, animals may get fed, but with severely negative effects on their growth and development. This means a longer time to market, and ironically, higher feed costs because of a longer stay in the farm getting to market weight.

While market conditions can sometimes leave no choice but to use ingredients that may otherwise not have been considered in the past, steps can be taken to lessen the negative impact on the animals. Additives that deal with mycotoxins, improve gut health and development, and increase the digestibility of feed do all add cost to the finished feed product, but if the formulations are correct, they pay for themselves, and help ensure better livestock performance.

Basically, it’s thinking about the bigger picture. It’s worth looking at what you’re saving on AND its effects on the animals. If your efforts at saving causes losses down the road, then it’s actually costing you money. This is surprisingly difficult to do, and many farms, faced with immediate needs and increasing costs, lose sight of the long game. Thriving in trying times requires smart investing in technology and practices.

If feed shortages, poor animal performance, and decreased income are a concern, let our team help you make the right technical decisions and investments to help ensure maximum performance for your animals and your farm. At UBC, we can help you deal with the unique challenges farms in the Philippines face. Years of experience, industry-leading products, and a highly competent technical team can bring your business to its maximum level of performance. Contact your local Territory Sales Manager for more info on how we can help.