A slow-release feed product aims to provide pig and poultry producers with a cost-effective alternative to fishmeal.
While fishmeal can be a valuable protein source in livestock diets, it is becoming limited by cost, availability and sustainability concerns, says Joe Magadi technical manager at nutritional supplement manufacturer UFAC-UK.
“Pig and poultry farmers are increasingly looking at economically viable protein alternatives – without compromising performance,” he says. This means considering digestibility, palatability and anti-nutritional factors.
Careful blend
Omegapro is a slow-release product which 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.
As well as supplying highly digestible amino acids alongside glucose and minerals, it also provides preformed omega 3 fatty acids which are 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 includes highly digestible calcium and phosphorus sources and offers consistent nutritional value. Mr Magadi says this makes it a cost-effective one-to-one replacement for fishmeal.
The product has performed well in UK trials, he adds. In one trial, two groups of 30 piglets were weaned at 18-21 days – and balanced for liveweight (6-7kg) before being 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 provides feed compounders and home mixers with an 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%.
