Biodiesel Byproduct Works As Feed: Iowa State

Researchers at Iowa State University and the US Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Services (ARS) discovered that a biodiesel by-product in pig feed is effective to pigs.

In a growth study, 5 and 10% glycerin was fed to pigs from weaning to market weight. Results showed equal growth performance between the glycerin-supplemented diet and a more conventional corn-soymeal diet.

Metabolism study
Brian Kerr, an ARS research leader and collaborating associate professor of animal science, directed the glycerin feed trials. In the study, both nursery and finishing pigs were fed at levels of 5, 10 and 20% glycerin. These studies showed the glycerin is readily used by pigs and has an energy value similar to corn.

One problem identified in the swine metabolism trial is that the diet containing 20% glycerol would not have flowed well in a dry self-feeder so Mark Honeyman, animal science professor and coordinator of Iowa State's Research Farms said the 10% inclusion level may be the upper limit. Bregendahl described the laying-hen diets that included 10 to 15% crude glycerin as 'rather sticky.'

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