Scientists work on feed additives from potato cake and brewer’s grains

The researchers claimed they had developed a formula for a complete protein feed supplement based on brewer’s grains and an energy supplement from potato peels. The preliminary trials showed that the new feed additives would positively impact animal health and production performance. In particular, the productivity of the dairy herd with the use of protein and energy additives rises by 6-10%, the scientists estimated.

“Beer grain lacks amino acids, but there are many other useful substances that help increase milk yield, increase the content of protein and fat in milk, reduce acidity, and preserve taste,” said Georgy Yarmots, one of the authors of the study, adding that there is sufficient resource base to quickly establish industrial production of the feed additives.

Make self-sufficiency in feed additive attainable

“In the Tyumen region, brewer’s grains and feed additives based on it are not produced. Meanwhile, one of the largest local enterprises utilises about 15 tons of grains daily, so there will definitely not be any problems with raw materials. In addition, having its own production, it will be possible to completely abandon the purchase of feed additives abroad,” Yarmots added.

Scientists also developed a method of processing potato cake through hydrobarothermic. As a result, carbohydrate content in the mixture jumps by 150%. Decontaminated and dried raw materials can be used in their pure form as animal feed and used for further processing, enriched with vitamins, minerals and trace elements to obtain a complete food supplement. The study’s authors are already looking for a site to try their technologies. They also appealed to the Russian Education and Science Ministry, seeking funding for the project.

Processing feed industry waste

“There is an opportunity to establish a small enterprise for processing food industry waste in one of the premises of the training and experimental farm [at the University],” Yarmots disclosed. “You will need a hydrobarothermal chamber and a dryer. Within a year and a half, we plan to obtain a feed additive from brewer’s grains, prove its effectiveness, and then focus on an additive from potato meal.”

As an alternative, the scientists said they could help an agricultural company to establish feed additive production in-house.