Consistent nutritional value and economic benefits
Dwindling fish stocks are resulting in a shortage of fishmeal, significantly pushing up costs, but in doing so presenting opportunities to take advantage of a cost-effective, sustainable protein source for pig and poultry diets, with potential performance benefits.
While fishmeal can be a valuable protein source in animal diets, particularly for pigs and poultry, with its high protein content, essential amino acids and other nutrients, its use is becoming increasingly limited by cost, availability, and sustainability concerns.
“Aligned with environmental impacts, with sustainability dominating consumer, retailer and policy debates, alongside food security concerns, pig and poultry farmers are increasingly looking at economically viable protein alternatives, without compromising performance,” says Joe Magadi technical manager at nutritional supplement manufacturer UFAC-UK.
According to Mr Magadi, when looking to replace fishmeal in pig and poultry diets, the starting point is to factor in the nutritional requirements of the animals, particularly regarding essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.
“It is also important to consider digestibility, palatability, and the presence of anti-nutritional factors, as well as economic viability, for long-term adoption of an alternative,” he says.
Sustainable product
Based on the essential features of fishmeal, Omegapro is a slow-release, sustainable product, designed to support health, vitality, growth and fertility in pigs and poultry.
“Omegapro incorporates a blend of carefully selected marine oils, amino acids, glycerine and minerals, processed on a base of soya and vegetable protein concentrates, to provide the equivalent benefits of fishmeal,” explains Mr Magadi.
As well as supplying high levels of highly digestible amino acids, alongside glucose and minerals, Omegapro also provides preformed omega 3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, from marine sources, essential for health and vitality in piglets, broilers and pullets, as well as breeding and laying hens.
“These fatty acids found in marine sources are conditionally essential for pigs and poultry, but cannot be obtained sufficiently from alpha-linolenic acid in vegetable oil, because of poor conversion efficiency by the animals. Omegapro fills that gap,” he adds.
Safe and free from microbial contamination, Omegapro includes highly digestible calcium and phosphorus sources and offers consistent nutritional value, providing an economic choice of a one-to-one replacement for fishmeal.
Animal performance
A number of trials conducted in UK and Ireland have confirmed Omegapro as an ideal replacement for fishmeal. In one such trial, two groups of 30 piglets, weaned at 18-21 days, and balanced for live weight (6-7kg), were introduced to feed seven days before weaning.
The piglets were either fed a diet containing 7.5% South American Fishmeal or one with 7.5% Omegapro as the fishmeal replacer. Both rations were balanced for energy, protein, amino acids, vitamins and minerals.
“Omegapro outperformed fishmeal in terms of feed intake, growth rate and feed efficiency Overall, the superior growth rate and feed efficiency of Omegapro over fishmeal would be of economic importance to pig producers, and even more so given current price and availability concerns,” says Mr Magadi.
Consistent in quality
Omegapro provides feed compounders and home mixers with a proper and economical alternative to fishmeal that is consistent in quality and without adverse effect on pigs and poultry. It can be incorporated into feed at a rate of up to 10%.
“It offers a scientifically sound solution to a real industry challenge of costly fishmeal and unsustainable fish stocks,” concludes Mr Magadi.
Source: UFAC-UK
