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Return of animal protein, no pig feed advantage yet
Several animal feed producers report that they will be processing animal protein in their feed. In the first instance, this mainly concerns poultry feed. For pig farming, the use of animal protein in animal feed does not seem to lead directly to major price advantages.
De Valk Wekerom reports today (Tuesday 29 March) that it has delivered the first poultry feed containing animal protein. Last week, AgruniekRijnvallei supplied the first batch of poultry feed with animal protein. The processing of animal proteins in animal feed was banned by the European Union in 2000. BSE, popularly known as mad cow disease, could be spread via animal protein in animal feeds. The sector has been arguing for years to allow the use of animal protein in pig and poultry feeds again. The European Commission gave the final green light for this in September last year. Under strict conditions, processed pig protein may again be used in poultry feeds and, vice versa, poultry protein in pig feeds.
Use positive for gut health and wallet
The possibility to process animal meal again in the feed compositions ensures satisfied faces at the feed companies. Director of De Valk Wekerom, Martin Vervoorn, indicates that the use of animal meal in the rations has attractive advantages. In this way it benefits the intestinal health and condition of poultry, because animal protein is more digestible for the animals. In addition, the application provides a direct economic advantage because it currently calculates well in terms of price in the rations: "For Non-GMO feeds, the difference amounts to approximately €1,00 per 100 kilos, for 'regular' feeds we are talking about a few dimes. ', he explains when asked.
For the time being, the application of a relatively low percentage in the rations is being started, because of the habituation of the poultry. However, Vervoorn indicates that De Valk Wekerom can purchase more product for its own production in order to increase its use in the coming period. He does not dare to say whether there is sufficient supply to integrate it at national level and sector-wide: "I have insufficient insight into this, for our own customers that is (if they wish) in any case possible in the short term. ."
Vervoorn does not see any rapid and large-scale application of animal protein in pig farming for the time being. "Pig proteins are used for poultry feeds and poultry proteins must be used for pig feeds. For the time being, this is not interesting from a price point of view. In the future, however, I do not rule out the possibility that it will be included in feed for young pigs for health or performance reasons. "
Last week, AgruniekRijnvallei was the first feed supplier to supply poultry feed containing animal protein. The company's commercial director, Johan Schuttert, indicates that the use of animal meal fits in well with closing cycles and that it makes good economic calculations.
Steve Wissink
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