Alternate Feed Ingredients

[Olayiwola Danso]

Common alternatives to maize (energy source):

cassava (peeled, dried, grated), sweet potato (tuber or peeled, dried), sorghum (guinea corn), millet, plantain peels (dried), wheat offal or bran, palm kernel meal (PKM), rice bran

Common alternatives to soybean (protein source):

Groundnut cake (GNC), cotton seed cake, sunflower seed meal, blood meal, fish meal (local/dried), moringa leaf meal, duckweed (Lemna spp.), maggot meal

[Md. Abdul Bari]

Replacing soybean meal and maize (corn) in animal feed is increasingly important due to cost, availability, and sustainability concerns. Here are some alternative feed ingredients, categorized based on whether they’re replacing protein (soya) or energy (maize):

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Alternatives to Soya (Protein Sources):

1. Groundnut Cake (Peanut Meal)

High protein content

Widely available in some regions

Anti-nutritional factors must be managed

2. Sunflower Meal

Moderate to high protein

Lower lysine, so may need supplementation

3. Cottonseed Cake

High protein, but contains gossypol (toxic to non-ruminants)

4. Sesame Cake

Rich in methionine, moderate protein content

Good for poultry

5. Canola Meal (Rapeseed Meal)

Balanced amino acid profile

Lower palatability in some animals

6. Fish Meal

Excellent quality protein

Expensive and limited in availability

7. Insect Meal (e.g., Black Soldier Fly Larvae)

Sustainable and high in protein

Growing interest globally

8. Legume Seeds (e.g., lupins, peas)

Good protein sources

Anti-nutritional factors need processing

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Alternatives to Maize (Energy Sources):

1. Cassava (Chips, Peels, or Flour)

High energy, low protein

Needs proper drying to avoid toxins (cyanide)

2. Sorghum

Energy similar to maize

Some varieties have anti-nutritional factors (tannins)

[Asia Community Manager]

EVALUATING ALTERNATIVE FEED INGREDIENTS

Feedipedia (https://www.feedipedia.org/content/about-feedipedia) is an open access information system on animal feed resources that provides information on nature, occurrence, chemical composition, nutritional value and safe use of nearly 1,400 worldwide livestock feeds.

Feeds datasheets contain the following information:

• Feed names, including vernacular and scientific names
• Description of the plants or plant parts/products used as feed
• Feeding recommendations for the main livestock species: poultry, cattle, sheep, goats, camels, pigs, rabbits, horses, fish and crustaceans
• Tables of composition and nutritive value
• Illustrations, including photos and processing charts
• Distribution and basic agronomic information
• Forage management
• Processes for improving nutritional value
• Potential constraints such as presence of anti-nutritional and toxic factors
• Environmental impact of the production and use of feeds

[Md.Rejuan Hossain]

To replace soya and maize in animal feed, consider alternatives like sorghum, canola meal, sunflower meal, cottonseed meal, peas, fish meal, wheat, barley, and distillers’ grains

[Jeffery Escobar]

There are many alternatives to corn and soy products in poultry diets including wheat, barley, sorghum, triticale, and other cereals, canola meal, corn gluten feed, corn gluten meal, corn germ meal, peas, peanut meal, wheat germ meal, flaxseed meal, dried distillers grains with solubles from corn sorghum and other sources, cottonseed meal, rapeseed meal, safflower meal, camelina meal, copra meal, sunflower meal, meat and bone meal, fish meal, blood meal, plasma protein, feather meal, poultry byproduct meal, dried brewer’s yeast, dried torula yeast, and many more ingredients. Their use depends on inventory, availability, cost, nutritional profile, and availability of enzymes to supplement their use in some cases. Most alternative ingredients have antinutritional factors that often limit their inclusion level is poultry diets. A good nutritionist will be familiar with maximum recommended levels for each alternative ingredient according to the type of birds (e.g., chicken, turkey, duck, quail, etc.), age of birds, and production system (i.e., meat-type, laying, breeders, etc.)

[Md. Osman Sheikh]

Sorghum and millet, protein sources such as rapeseed meal, sunflower meal.

[Amir Sohel]

Sorghum and millet, protein sources such as rapeseed meal, sunflower meal, and fish meal, and byproducts like wheat bran and cassava.

[Bello Bashir Bello]

replace soya and maize in animal feed, consider alternative grains like sorghum and millet, protein sources such as rapeseed meal, sunflower meal, and fish meal, and byproducts like wheat bran and cassava.