June 11, 2007

US farmers turn to alternative feed sources amid ethanol boom

With the ethanol boom driving up corn prices, more US farmers are turning to alternative feed sources in a bid to control costs.
 

Over 70 companies registered with Ohio State's department of agriculture have supplied some form of human food product to farms for animal feed, said department spokeswoman LeeAnne Mizer.

Examples include potato peels, corn gluten and liquid food by-products. According to an Ohio pig farmer, liquid feed by-products account for about a quarter of the hogs' diet but do not affect meat quality because the feed remains nutritionally balanced.