EUROPEAN GROUP ON RABBIT NUTRITION

1- Publications under preparation, issued from EGRAN activity (including the european concerted action "ERAFE"):

1. From the SIMUL task, a paper is preparing (4 labs, 8 feeds...) by R. Carabaño who presented an advanced draft , that should be proposed for publication in "Anim. Feed Sci. Technol." in some weeks.

2. From Chem task, a paper is in preparation by MJ Villamide and R. Carabaño. Equations to predict DM digestibility from chemical parameters are proposed, and compared with in-vitro criteria (SIMUL). The draft is almost finished, and should be proposed for publication in "Anim. Feed Sci. Technol." in some weeks. A discussion within the group is then engaged to suggest some imporvements in the paper, and more particularly to add a section containing a comparison with NIRS prediction equation (obtained with the same set of samples). It is agreed that therefore,  a "synthesis" with the three prediction method "Nirs, Chem, Simul", initially scheduled (resp. G. Xiccato) become not usefull.

3. From "MEV task", a paper from trials with soybean and sunflower meal should be started in early 2006 by L. Maertens.

4. The paper from the ring-test about chemical analyses in feeds and faeces is still "sleeping", although JM Perezhas written a draft at 90%. . few works are necessary to finish. JM Perez will transfer his files to achieve this publication, and to submit to World Rabbit Science.

5. Julio Fernandez-Carmona present us the final release of a review paper about guidelines for experiment in nutrition, that will appear in the last issue of WRS, and also in the EGRAN WEB site (if possible)

 2-Advances in cost book sub-chapter

The EGRAN group is fully engaged in the preparation of the chapter 4 of a book "recent advances in rabbit sciences", issued from the COST848 activity. This chapter, managed by T. Gidenne, is advanced at 80%0

3- SABA: the sample bank and database of EGRAN group

T. Gidenne presents shortly the state of SABA, presently stored at INRA Toulouse.

 All members of Egran group agreed to maintain the SABABANK. T. Gidenne will organise a control of the quality of the samples in early 2006. Several discussions concerned the use of SABA for external partners. How this bank could be useful for feed industry? 

J. Garcia proposed to write a short article, presenting SABA, for a professional journal, such Feed Mix.

L. Maertens also propose to sent to EGRAN members a copy of the database.

4- Web site update:

J.J. Pascual presents the actual status of the Web sit. Several suggestions are made to improve its content:

+ Inclusion of a new bottom EGRAN GUIDES, including the main EGRAN recommendations and guides.

+ Design of a stencil for next scientific publications.

+ Inclusion of the last meeting report (and also previous one in Cercedilla). It has also been asked to include the whole paper directed by J. Fernandez-Carmona, with the authorisation of WRS Editing Office.

 FRIDAY - TOPICAL ISSUE. DISCUSSION SESSION

 METHODS TO DETERMINATE THE NUTRITIVE VALUE OF DIETS IN THE YOUNG RABBITS

(particularly before weaning or 35d old)

1. Methodology for measurement of enzymatic activity (E. Blas)

2. Ileal digestion in the young : methodology developed at UPM (R. Carabaño)

3. Methodology developed at Zaragosa (J. Balcells)

4. Methods to correct the digestibility coefficient in young rabbits , before 5 weeks of age (T. Gidenne)

5. Determination of faecal dry matter digestibility in rabbits weaned at 25 datys of age (J. García)

6. Digestibility in young rabbits (G. Xiccato)

PERSPECTIVES OF WORK AND NEW PROJECTS:

Discussion about possible actions, using the tools available at the EC: T. Gidenne will contact J. Williams at the COST office to explore new possibilities of funding our network through a new "topical" cost action. One of the topic to be proposed could be "the control of digestive pathology through preventive approach, such nutrition and feeding or breeding strategies". Other discussions concerned the next framework program and the role of the technologic platform to define the future calls. J. Pascual will implement an SSA project , and will inform the group in early 2006.

Next meeting: probably during the ASESCU Congress in Lorca (Spain), 25-26 May 2006