August 30, 2007
Dutch research shows fewer proteins in raw feed grains
A new research in the Netherlands show protein-rich raw materials for pig feed have shown to contain fewer proteins and more fats when they are grown biologically.
This was the result of a digestibility research in finishing pigs at Wageningen University's Animal Sciences Group and was carried out for the Dutch ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality.
The research centred on flakes of rapeseed, sunflower seed, sesame seed and whole ground blue lupins.
In the ecologically- grown products or those planted in accordance to the environment, the protein, crude fibre and ash contents were lower than in conventional products.
The level of major amino acids as a percentage of crude protein was somewhat higher than in conventional products.
Ecological grown raw materials are perceived to have the same composition and digestibility coefficients as conventional products but the research pointed to a different direction.
Researcher Hans van Diepen said it is too early to "use a separate table for ecological raw materials."
The researchers are also doing research into feeds for ecological kept laying hens.
