Protein feedstuff

Cottonseed is important in world oilseed production, major producing countries being the USA, China, India, Pakistan, Latin America and Europe, ft is the second most important protein feedstuff in the USA, produced mainly by solvent extraction. Most of the cottonseed meal is used in ruminant diets, but it can be used in poultry diets when its limitations are taken into account in feed formulation (Ravindran and Blair, 1992). 

The faba bean, also known as field bean, horse bean and broad bean, is an annual legume that grows well in cool climates. It is well established as a feedstuff for horses and ruminants and is now receiving more attention as a feedstuff for poultry, particularly in Europe, because of the deficit in protein production. At the current time, the EU uses over 20 million t of protein feeds annually, but produces only 6 million t. The most suitable expansion in locally produced protein feedstuffs may be from crops of the legume family (beans, peas, lupins and soybeans). Field beans grow well in regions with mild winters and adequate summer rainfall and the beans store well for use on-farm. 

Farms with Grain and Protein Feedstuffs Available for Farm Use... 

Many producers wish to mix their own diets on-farm so that they have complete control over the formula (Fig. 5.1). This is particularly relevant when one or more protein feedstuffs is available on-farm in addition to a supply of suitable grain. In this case it is necessary only to purchase a premix, examples of which are shown later in this chapter. 

The calculated analyses of the mixtures above cannot be guaranteed, due to ingredient variability. Producers using such formulas should have the diets analysed to ensure acceptability. In order to ensure maximal utilization of the nutrients contained in grains and protein feedstuffs it is desirable that an appropriate mixture of enzymes be included in diets, according to the directions of the supplier. 

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