New digital platform enables evidence-based feed formulation using nutrient data from multiple international databases
Global animal nutrition company Novus International has introduced a new digital platform designed to simplify feed formulation by allowing nutritionists to compare the nutritional composition of major feed ingredients using data from multiple international reference sources.
The newly launched Novus Raw Material Compendium is an online decision-support tool that brings together nutrient information for widely used feed ingredients—including soybean meal, corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), palm kernel meal, feather meal and fish meal—helping feed professionals make faster, more informed formulation decisions.
The launch reflects the growing use of digital technologies and data-driven nutrition in the global livestock, poultry and aquaculture industries.
A New Resource for Feed Formulators
Feed formulation is one of the most critical components of modern animal production. Nutritionists must balance ingredient availability, nutrient variability, feed costs and animal performance while maintaining precise nutritional specifications.
The Novus Raw Material Compendium has been developed to streamline that process by allowing users to compare nutrient values from multiple globally recognized feed composition databases in a single digital interface.
Rather than relying on a single nutrient reference, users can review and evaluate published values from different data sources, helping improve confidence when selecting raw materials for feed formulations.
According to Novus, the platform aims to support evidence-based formulation and improve decision-making in commercial feed manufacturing.
Covers Major Protein Feed Ingredients
The initial release of the online compendium includes nutritional data for several of the world’s most widely used protein ingredients, including:
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Soybean meal
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Palm kernel meal
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Corn DDGS (Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles)
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Feather meal
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Fish meal
These ingredients play a central role in poultry, swine, dairy, beef and aquaculture diets and are known to exhibit significant variation in nutrient composition depending on origin, processing methods, crop quality and manufacturing conditions.
Having access to comparative nutrient data can help nutritionists better understand these variations when developing least-cost, performance-focused feed formulations.
Supporting Precision Nutrition
Modern feed formulation has evolved well beyond crude protein and metabolizable energy calculations. Today’s nutritionists increasingly consider factors such as:
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Amino acid digestibility
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Energy utilization
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Mineral availability
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Ingredient consistency
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Processing effects
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Anti-nutritional factors
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Sustainability
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Feed cost volatility
Digital reference tools can improve formulation efficiency by providing quicker access to standardized nutrient information during ration development. For multinational feed companies operating across different regions, consistent access to reference data can also improve harmonization of formulation practices.
Why Raw Material Variability Matters
One of the biggest challenges in commercial feed production is the natural variation found in agricultural raw materials. For example:
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Soybean meal protein concentration can vary depending on origin and processing.
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DDGS nutrient profiles differ between ethanol production facilities.
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Fish meal quality depends on fish species, freshness and processing methods.
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Feather meal digestibility is influenced by hydrolysis conditions.
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Palm kernel meal composition varies according to oil extraction technology.
Even relatively small differences in amino acid concentrations or digestible energy values can affect feed efficiency, growth performance and overall production economics.
By allowing nutritionists to compare published nutrient values across multiple databases, the Novus Raw Material Compendium provides an additional layer of scientific reference during ingredient evaluation.
Digital Transformation in Animal Nutrition
The launch reflects a broader trend toward digitalization in livestock nutrition. Feed manufacturers are increasingly adopting technologies such as:
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Cloud-based formulation software
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Artificial intelligence-assisted ration optimization
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Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)
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Real-time ingredient quality monitoring
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Predictive nutrient modelling
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Precision livestock nutrition platforms
These technologies are helping nutritionists respond more rapidly to fluctuations in ingredient quality and market prices while improving production efficiency and sustainability. The Novus Raw Material Compendium adds to this growing ecosystem by serving as a centralized knowledge resource for ingredient composition data.
Potential Benefits for the Feed Industry
The platform may offer several practical advantages for nutritionists and feed manufacturers:
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Faster comparison of nutrient values across multiple reference databases.
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Improved confidence in ingredient evaluation.
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More efficient feed formulation workflows.
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Better understanding of raw material variability.
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Support for evidence-based nutritional decision-making.
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Easier access to globally recognized feed composition information.
While laboratory analysis remains the gold standard for evaluating individual ingredient batches, reference databases remain valuable tools for routine formulation and educational purposes.
Industry Perspective
Global feed production exceeds one billion tonnes annually, with raw material costs accounting for the largest proportion of manufacturing expenses. As ingredient prices become increasingly volatile due to climate change, global trade disruptions and shifting agricultural markets, nutritionists are placing greater emphasis on accurate ingredient characterization and precision formulation.
Digital tools that consolidate nutritional information into easily accessible platforms can help improve operational efficiency while supporting more consistent feed quality.
The introduction of the Novus Raw Material Compendium demonstrates how animal nutrition companies are increasingly combining nutritional science with digital innovation to support commercial feed production.
Looking Ahead
As the livestock industry continues to embrace precision nutrition, online reference platforms are expected to play a growing role in feed formulation, ingredient evaluation and nutrition education.
Future enhancements to digital compendiums may include additional ingredient categories, regional datasets, digestibility coefficients, sustainability metrics and integration with commercial formulation software. For nutritionists, feed manufacturers and technical consultants, tools that improve access to reliable nutrient information can contribute to more informed decisions in an increasingly data-driven animal nutrition industry.
Key Takeaways
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Novus International has launched the Novus Raw Material Compendium, an online platform for comparing nutrient values of major feed ingredients.
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The tool currently includes important protein ingredients such as soybean meal, DDGS, palm kernel meal, feather meal and fish meal.
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It enables nutritionists to compare nutrient data from multiple global reference databases in one location.
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The platform supports evidence-based feed formulation, ingredient evaluation and precision nutrition.
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The launch reflects the growing digital transformation of the global animal nutrition industry.
