fbpx

Introducing the 7th edition of All About Feed for 2021

27-08-2021 | |
Introducing the 7th edition of All About Feed for 2021

In this 7th edition, All About Feed investigates the recent decision by the EU to lift the ban on the use of animal by-products for animal feed. And takes a closer look at the potential of lupins as a high-protein substitute for soybean meal in the feed ration for dairy cows, pigs and poultry. Also featured in this edition, a review of the research which reveals that lucerne, red clover and white clover increase the nutritive value and milk production response of grass-based diets.

View number 7 issue of All About Feed

EU lifts ban on using animal by-products

The EU has lifted its ban on the use of animal by-products for animal feed. The proposed change in legislation, which has been welcomed by the industry, allows processed animal protein from pigs to be used in poultry feed and from poultry to be used in pig feed. All About Feed explores.

The rules will only change to allow additional types of processed animal protein (PAPs) to be used in pig and poultry feed when they have been proven to be safe. Photo: Olinkykfoto
The rules will only change to allow additional types of processed animal protein (PAPs) to be used in pig and poultry feed when they have been proven to be safe. Photo: Olinkykfoto

Alltech ONE discusses how to feed the future

At the recent virtual Alltech ONE ideas conference, several thought-provoking presenters shared their insights on how to feed our livestock in the future. Topics covered included carbon footprints, sustainable feed sources and human and animal health.

Dairy production is growing across the world at a rate of 25%, but with this increase comes greater sustainability challenges. Photo: Joris Telders
Dairy production is growing across the world at a rate of 25%, but with this increase comes greater sustainability challenges. Photo: Joris Telders

Medium-chain fatty acids and their derivatives: New potential for gut wellness

As the feed industry continues to investigate optimal alternatives to the use of antibiotics, studies reveal that medium-chain fatty acids and their derivatives could improve animal microbiota. All About Feed analyses the findings.

MCFA supplementation to young piglets resulted in longer villi in the small intestine with a lower crypt depth. Photo: Bert Jansen
MCFA supplementation to young piglets resulted in longer villi in the small intestine with a lower crypt depth. Photo: Bert Jansen

Oats instead of barley: A good choice to reduce methane

This article reviews a study that finds that replacing barley with oats in the diet of dairy cows fed a grass silage-based diet could be used to mitigate enteric CH4 emissions. If adopted by farmers, this strategy could prove both sustainable and easy to implement without compromising animal performance.

The study shows that replacing barley with oats in the diet of dairy cows fed a grass silage-based diet can be used to mitigate enteric CH4 emissions. Photo: Herbert Wiggerman
The study shows that replacing barley with oats in the diet of dairy cows fed a grass silage-based diet can be used to mitigate enteric CH4 emissions. Photo: Herbert Wiggerman

View number 7 issue of All About Feed

Wood residues in ruminant nutrition

Since being used to overcome severe feed shortages after World War 2, our understanding of wood residue for animal feed continues to evolve. Now, studies show that treating these materials has resulted in their improved digestibility and nutritional value.

Aspen sawdust can replace 30% of the conventional diet for dairy cattle without reducing the intake of digestible dry matter and milk production. Photo: Shutterstock
Aspen sawdust can replace 30% of the conventional diet for dairy cattle without reducing the intake of digestible dry matter and milk production. Photo: Shutterstock

Animal liver protection: The silver bullet against mycotoxins

To relieve the pressure from consistently rising feed ingredient prices, some feed producers have resorted to using stale grain. This has increased the risk of mycotoxin contamination and has highlighted the need to ensure liver protection for overall animal health.

Congealed blood and fluid in the abdominal cavity and a swollen liver were found in the results of an autopsy.
Congealed blood and fluid in the abdominal cavity and a swollen liver were found in the results of an autopsy.

The potential of lupins as a soy alternative

This article examines the potential of lupins as a high-protein crop to substitute soybean meal in the feed rations for dairy cows, pigs and poultry.

For centuries, lupins have been grown for feed in many areas of the world, mainly in the Mediterranean and some parts of South America. Photo: Shutterstock
For centuries, lupins have been grown for feed in many areas of the world, mainly in the Mediterranean and some parts of South America. Photo: Shutterstock

Exploring the benefits of perennial legumes

Research by the 3030 Project – an initiative of Dairy Australia which aims to achieve a 30% improvement in farm profit by increasing consumption of home-grown forage by 30% – has found that lucerne, red clover and white clover increase the nutritional value and milk production response from grass-based diets.

Research has found several benefits of feeding legumes as opposed to pure grass-based diets. Photo: Pixabay
Research has found several benefits of feeding legumes as opposed to pure grass-based diets. Photo: Pixabay

Managing oxidation and preserving feed quality

The efficient use of antioxidants serves as a key input to preserving valuable nutrients and protecting feed from oxidation, thus ensuring optimal animal health, performance and carcass quality.

Oxidation degradation in feed can take place throughout the entire feed chain and reduces the quality of feed ingredients. Photo: Koos Groenewold
Oxidation degradation in feed can take place throughout the entire feed chain and reduces the quality of feed ingredients. Photo: Koos Groenewold

Supporting cattle sustainability credentials

With animal feed typically representing the most significant variable cost in producing animal products, lowering food loss and waste in livestock production systems will contribute to the bottom line and slow the pace of climate change.

Sustainable and efficient feed supply chains are relevant to small-scale livestock production all the way up to some of the world’s largest integrators. Photo: Hans Prinsen
Sustainable and efficient feed supply chains are relevant to small-scale livestock production all the way up to some of the world’s largest integrators. Photo: Hans Prinsen

View number 7 issue of All About Feed

From the US to India, turning food waste into milk

Globally, progress is being made to ensure human food waste and food processing by-products are converted back into nutritious products by dairy cattle. From the US to India, we look deeper into food waste as cow nutrition.

According to Darigold, dairy cows in the US consume about 140,000 tonnes of food waste daily. Photo: Loop
According to Darigold, dairy cows in the US consume about 140,000 tonnes of food waste daily. Photo: Loop

Feed additive cuts cow emissions by half

Research suggests that the best and most realistic way to lower methane emissions from cows is via feed. This article explores findings from a Danish project that aims to reduce dairy cows’ emissions by 50% through a triple-action cattle feed additive.

Respiration chambers are used to quantify the impact of the feed additive on methane emissions. Photo: Mirka Thorsteinsson, Aarhus University
Respiration chambers are used to quantify the impact of the feed additive on methane emissions. Photo: Mirka Thorsteinsson, Aarhus University

Counteracting the anti-nutritional effects of calcium

Although calcium and phosphorous are 2 vital minerals for animal development and function, feeds are often over-supplemented with calcium, which can lead to some negative effects. All About Feed investigates how supplementing the right phytase can overcome this.

Respiration chambers are used to quantify the impact of the feed additive on methane emissions. Photo: Jan Sibon Fotografie
Respiration chambers are used to quantify the impact of the feed additive on methane emissions. Photo: Jan Sibon Fotografie

Philippines: Covid-19 and ASF constrain livestock feed demand

As maize production output in the Philippines looks set to achieve record highs, Covid-19 and African Swine Fever continue to constrain the demand for livestock feed.

A maximum yield in the calendar year 2021 will see Philippine maize production reach a record 8.85 mmt. Photo: Rudy and Peter Skitterians
A maximum yield in the calendar year 2021 will see Philippine maize production reach a record 8.85 mmt. Photo: Rudy and Peter Skitterians
Kinsley
Natalie Kinsley Freelance journalist