Revising the nutrient balance sheet for estimating phosphorus loading in laying hen production

Description

Nutrient balance sheets (NBS) are used to estimate phosphorus loads produced by rearing facilities, but currently are not recognized in the Agricultural Operations Regulation (AOR). A project was set up in cooperation with Fédération des producteurs d’oeufs du Québec and a number of producers to test the nutrient balance sheet method as a tool for estimating phosphorus output from pullets and laying hens in case the AOR is amended. The project consisted of evaluating the phosphorus retention factor, the accuracy of the method, and  “sensitive” parameters, and generating test criteria for producers. A guide presenting and explaining the results was published along with the necessary training materials.

Objective(s)

• Testing the nutrient balance sheet (NBS) method
• Producing a guide and required training materials to provide people who use the NBS method in fresh egg and pullet production with a reliable tool for evaluating phosphorus loads at production facilities in case the Agricultural Operations Regulation is amended.