In vitro and in vivo procedures in quality control programmes

Abstract

As is the case with any industrial process, the manufacture of poultry feeds is subject to considerable sources of variation. If requirements for key nutrients are not met, bird performance in the field will likely be negatively affected. As a result, most poultry companies and feed manufacturers establish quality control programmes as a means of reducing risk. Such programmes must be viewed as an integral part of the business structure of any organization. While they may not be considered ′profit centers′ per se, expenses incurred by a quality control programme must be considered investments, and investments are understood to produce economic returns. Procedures to be incorporated in quality control programmes must be selected based on the economic consequences of uncontrolled variation in given parameters, and the cost of monitoring each. Depending on the size and volume of a given feed manufacturing facility, many evaluations will be conducted on the premises, while others (including most in vivo procedures) will be sent to outside specialized testing facilities. Once a budget has been established for a quality control programme, resources should be shifted as needed to address those sources of variation of most immediate concern to the production of high quality feeds.