Using Byproducts from Processing Biological Materials in the Feeding of Ruminants

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 March 2024) | Viewed by 2127

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
USDA-ARS Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, Stored Product Insect and Engineering Research Unit, 1515 College Ave., Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
Interests: agricultural engineering; feed processing; by-products in animal feed

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Guest Editor
Beef Cattle Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Mosier Hall, 1800 Denison Ave., Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
Interests: beef cattle nutrition, health, and welfare; feeding; beef industry; feedlot

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Ruminants possess a unique ability to convert a variety of feedstuffs into high quality protein for human consumption. Feeding byproducts from the processing of biological materials, such as grain, forage, or meat processing, to ruminant farm animals is not a new concept; however, it continues to gain in importance because of environmental consciousness and protection policies, industrial processing efficiency goals, and the economic competitiveness of livestock farming enterprises. Unlike other industrial waste, most residuals from the processing of biological materials have benign, consistent qualities and nutritionally beneficial organic matter content that enables their use in feedstuffs. Key factors that continue to propel research and development efforts in this area include environmental concerns resulting in more strict waste disposal regulations, decreasing the amount of land available for crops used in ruminant feeding, and the increasing cost of traditional feed ingredients.

The aim of this Special Issue is to present original research and reviews on the beneficial use of byproducts from the processing of biological materials. Topics include segregation, collection, handling, further processing, diet inclusion of the byproduct and the ultimate effect on animal performance and/or the quality of the products produced.

Dr. Lester O. Pordesimo
Dr. Steven J. Bartle
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • ruminants
  • feedstuffs
  • byproducts from the processing of biological materials
  • environmental consciousness

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Review

22 pages, 1398 KiB  
Review
Copra Meal: A Review of Its Production, Properties, and Prospects
by Jan Kathleen M. Punzalan and Kurt A. Rosentrater
Animals 2024, 14(11), 1689; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14111689 - 5 Jun 2024
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Abstract
Copra meal, the byproduct of coconut oil production, has been widely available at low cost but has been underutilized, with huge portions still becoming waste. Extensive research on different species have been performed to improve its use as an alternative feed ingredient, aiming [...] Read more.
Copra meal, the byproduct of coconut oil production, has been widely available at low cost but has been underutilized, with huge portions still becoming waste. Extensive research on different species have been performed to improve its use as an alternative feed ingredient, aiming to reduce the impact of fluctuating feed prices in some parts of the world where coconut is a major commodity. As for any biological product, the physical and chemical properties of copra meal play a crucial role in its use and limitations. In the case of copra meal, studies have found that additional treatments are needed to improve its nutritional composition and make it readily and efficiently available for ruminant and monogastric animals, poultry, and aquaculture applications. This paper presents a summary of up-to-date information on the physical and chemical characteristics of the product, as well as discussions on the various methods employed to improve and optimize its biological value as animal feed. There have been limited studies that have explored other effective and economical means of utilizing copra meal outside the livestock and feed industry. Hence, this paper also aims to provide a lens on future prospects and diverse applications involving copra meal, as well as to present the gaps and challenges that have to be addressed to maximize its product value and biological potential. Full article
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21 pages, 997 KiB  
Review
Economic Research on Ethanol Feed-Use Coproducts: A Review, Synthesis, and Path Forward
by Elliott Dennis, Daniel Gertner and Galen Erickson
Animals 2024, 14(11), 1551; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14111551 - 24 May 2024
Viewed by 421
Abstract
During the mid-2000s to the early 2010s, the domestic ethanol industry witnessed substantial growth, with ethanol coproducts emerging as vital elements for plant profitability and livestock feeding. Initially serving as supplementary revenue streams, coproducts from ethanol production have evolved into diverse value-added offerings, [...] Read more.
During the mid-2000s to the early 2010s, the domestic ethanol industry witnessed substantial growth, with ethanol coproducts emerging as vital elements for plant profitability and livestock feeding. Initially serving as supplementary revenue streams, coproducts from ethanol production have evolved into diverse value-added offerings, bolstering revenue streams, and sustaining profit margins. This study reviews existing economic research on ethanol coproducts, detailing methodologies, product focus, and research locations. Initially gathering 972 articles from 9 databases, 110 articles were synthesized. We find that most studies primarily examined the growth and future of the ethanol industry with a limited focus on specific coproducts. Feed-use distillers’ grains, especially dried distillers’ grains, were the most widely published while newer coproducts like pelletized, de-oiled, and high-protein distillers’ grains were relatively understudied. Non-feed-use products were notably overlooked, highlighting the need for exploration beyond conventional applications. The evolving market landscape for ethanol co-products has surpassed published academic understanding of the economic tradeoffs necessitating further research into product dynamics, pricing, marketing, market structures, and regulatory frameworks. This highlights and underscores the importance of investigating value-added grains across diverse commodities and geographic contexts to inform strategic decision-making and policy formulation. Full article
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19 pages, 1006 KiB  
Review
Impact of Using Oilseed Industry Byproducts Rich in Linoleic and Alpha-Linolenic Acid in Ruminant Nutrition on Milk Production and Milk Fatty Acid Profile
by Bojana Kokić, Slađana Rakita and Jelena Vujetić
Animals 2024, 14(4), 539; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14040539 - 6 Feb 2024
Viewed by 963
Abstract
Milk contains more than 400 different fatty acids, some of which play a positive role in promoting human health. The profile of fatty acids in milk can be enhanced by providing animals with plant-based resources that possess feeding characteristics adequate for favorable changes [...] Read more.
Milk contains more than 400 different fatty acids, some of which play a positive role in promoting human health. The profile of fatty acids in milk can be enhanced by providing animals with plant-based resources that possess feeding characteristics adequate for favorable changes in the fatty acid composition and increasing healthy fatty acids in milk. This review summarizes the available 41 research studies on the utilization of oilseed industry byproducts rich in linoleic acid (hemp, pumpkin, sunflower) and alpha-linolenic acid (camelina and linseed) in dairy cow, sheep, and goat nutrition; their impact on milk production characteristics; and potential to improve fatty acid composition of milk through the diet. This review illustrates that incorporating byproducts into the diet for dairy ruminants generally does not have any adverse effects on both milk production and composition. A similar trend of improvement in milk fatty acid profile was observed when ruminants were fed diets supplemented with camelina, linseed, and sunflower byproducts, while no significant changes were noted with pumpkin byproducts. Hempseed byproducts showed potential for use as an alternative ingredient in dairy ruminant diets. Nevertheless, more in-depth research investigating the inclusion of selected byproducts is required before valid conclusions can be drawn regarding their value. Full article
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