ARTICLE 36 F&A Alternative Proteins Edition October 2023 announced the expansion of our partnership to include more species, starting with the use of oil derived from insects in swine and poultry feed. Bringing the possibilities ashore, we have conducted numerous feed trials in swine diets to compare the impact of different oil sources. These trials demonstrated that the nutritional profile of insect oil fits well with swine requirements, making it possible to supplement or replace vegetable oil without negative effects on performance. Naturally present in their diet in the wild, insect oil is rich in lauric acid, a fatty acid that helps support the intestinal health of animals, especially piglets. The Cargill/Innovafeed research also suggested indications of possible performance and health benefits that require further study, such as improvements in stool quality in piglets fed insect oil post-weaning. After three years of running trials and exploring the practical solutions to be able to use insect oil in piglet feed, Cargill has started selling piglet feed with insect oil in certain markets. This expansion demonstrates the strategic role the insect industry can play in transforming the global food model towards a more sustainable feed industry. BUZZING INTO THE FUTURE In addition to application in piglets, Cargill is pioneering trials to compare insect oil versus plant oils in broiler diets, and to date has found similar advantages with no detrimental effects. We are further exploring the expected benefits of lauric acid in insect oil on broiler gut health and welfare. When the trials on broiler feed conclude, we will work with customers to bring more products from insect-fed livestock to retailers’ shelves and to consumers who are increasingly recognising the use and benefit of insects in meat production, including as an alternative source of protein and oil. In the meantime, Cargill continues to work to broaden its basket of sustainably sourced raw materials to reduce reliance and pressure on any individual supply chain. Other protein sources being investigated include bacterial meals grown in fermentation systems, whilst oil from micro-algae also raised in fermentation systems can produce important volumes of valuable fatty acids EPA & DHA. These long chain omega-3 fatty acids are otherwise currently mainly available from fish oil. Bringing more sources to our basket enables us to support the required sustainable growth in global aquaculture, while ensuring we continue to provide highly nutritious feed to our customers and have options to reduce carbon footprint and other environmental impacts and manage total feed costs in changing global markets. Cargill’s partnership with Innovafeed marks a major milestone toward more sustainable and efficient animal feed and is just one of the many avenues we are exploring to create a more sustainable future. There is no one single solution to reducing the environmental impact of livestock husbandry, and getting the job done requires relentlessly driving incremental improvements and proactively working as an industry. With the help of our partners, we know that we are making significant inroads towards a more sustainable future. About Brad Rude Brad Rude, a Director of Cargill Aqua Nutrition (CQN), has been with Cargill for 18 years and has a broad range of experiences, from commodity trading, supply chains and feed production to sustainability. Rude currently resides in Minneapolis, MN, USA – the home of Cargill’s headquarters – but spent most of the last 10 years in international roles. Brad’s current responsibilities include the CQN global leadership team; ingredient sourcing, risk management and feed formulation for all CQN assets; strategic relationships, supply agreements and upstream investments; sustainability programs related to ingredients and supply chains.
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