INVESTING IN QUALITY MAIZE AS A POULTRY FARMER

Poultry farmers should transition from traditional sun-drying to mechanised maize drying systems – KNUST Animal Science Department. Poultry farmers and farm managers in Ghana have been urged to pay close attention to the quality of Maize they feed their birds by transitioning from traditional sun-drying to mechanised maize-drying systems to achieve uniform moisture reduction, minimise mould growth, and reduce the risk of mycotoxin contamination. According to experts from the Animal Science Department at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, good poultry nutrition extends beyond balanced feed formulation; it begins with the use of high-quality, safe, and properly handled feed ingredients. Prof. Jacob Alhassan Hamidu, a lecturer at the Animal Science Department of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, admitted that investing in quality maize is an investment in bird health and saves the farmer from incurring unnecessary losses and increased profit margins. It is against this backdrop that the Animal Science Department of the University has collaborated with A Peprah Farms to equip industry players within the poultry value chain to better appreciate the need to prioritise quality feeding over flaws. Speaking at a day-long seminar exclusively funded by A Peprah Farms and the Animal Science Department, Prof. Hamidu revealed that many poultry farmers prefer to feed their birds with Maize, yet most don’t consider the quality aspect of the maize they use, and this eventually affects the overall flock performance. He is optimistic that the training offered would shape the administrative process of most farms and stand the test of time to benefit the entire poultry production. During the seminar, a short survey conducted by the university detailing poultry farmers’ perceptions, challenges and recommendations on proper maize drying was presented. The survey was conducted in four districts in the Ashanti region, namely Atwima Nwabiagya, Atwima Mponua, Ejisu and Juaben. The lead person, Dr Agnes Osei- Adjei, presenting her report, said that 50 respondents were contacted and out of whom 66 per cent were graduates from the tertiary level. The survey revealed that 90 per cent of poultry farmers store their Maize in rooms, and the storage facility does not meet the set standards, a situation that needs urgent attention. The survey highlighted that most farmers received maize with inconsistent quality, with 76.5 per cent indicating the maize is sometimes mouldy or moist. Dr Agnes Osei- Adjei further explained that most respondents rely on traditional storage methods and informal quality assurance, with 82.4 per cent depending on the seller’s assurance that Maize is adequately dried. The irony is that more than half 52.9 percent do not measure the moisture content before storage and feeding, which increases the risk of mould growth and mycotoxin contamination. She concluded by urging Poultry farmers to routinely measure maize moisture content before storage and feeding to ensure grain is dried to safe storage levels at approximately 12-14 per cent moisture.