The future of soya and alternative proteins


The animal nutrition landscape is due to change dramatically over the next decade, as pressure for responsible soya usage grows and alternative proteins come to market. Following a recent speech at the International Egg Commission conference in Monte Carlo, Steve Pritchard, Premier Nutrition poultry director, discusses where soya fits in the future, the role of alternative proteins, and what steps that can be taken now to reduce reliance on soya alone.


There is no denying the importance of soya globally. Over 70% of global oilseed production can be attributed to the crop, with worldwide production of soyabean expected to be over 360 million tonnes for 2019. And with global demand for animal protein anticipated to increase


by 70% by 2050, more pressure is expected on the production of this vital crop. However, several new protein sources are anticipated to become


available over the next few years, some of which could dramatically change the feeding landscape, Steve explains. “Long-term, there is huge potential in micro-algae as a protein-rich


ingredient in animal feed,” says Steve. “It’s a protein source that could form part of the nutritional mix across


all livestock species, despite much of the research to date being focused on its use in dairy nutrition.” Produced in highly-controlled environments under strict conditions,


only 10 of the 30,000 micro-algae species known are thought to be grown commercially. Production in areas where ‘typical’ protein crops cannot be grown


is a bonus, and some micro-algae are even expected to contain higher levels of protein than plant sources, such as soya. “Mass-development of micro-algae is still in its infancy, with the key challenge being the high production cost,” he says.


The medium term Looking at mid-term opportunities, Steve anticipates insect protein could be approved for use in all species diets in less than five years. Insect protein contains between 40 to 60% protein and in 2017, specific insects were re-authorised by the EU for use in fish feed. “We expect great developments in the insect protein market in the coming years as an alternative protein source,” Steve says. Not only can insects be harvested year-round, but they have also


been found to be more sustainable to ‘produce’, requiring less land and inputs compared to other alternative proteins. “However, currently, the cost of production due to scale means it


would be financially prohibitive to include, for example, in a least-cost- formulated layer diet,” he adds. Steve highlights green biomass as another protein source of the


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medium-term future, through the biorefinery process, which harvests the soluble protein from the fibres within grasses, clovers and lucerne. “The data available on the amino acid profile of green biomass,


found during trials undertaken in Denmark investigating grass as a potential protein source for organically produced pigs, is particularly encouraging. Similar work is also going on in the UK,” he says.


Short-term prospects Steve explains that meat and bone meal (MBM) is likely to be the first product to come to market as a valuable alternative source of raw protein.


“There is a question as to whether consumers and retailers will accept its use,” he says. With a damaging history linked to the spread of BSE in 1980s and 90s, the use of MBM in animal feed is still banned in the EU. “However, recycling of waste is now much more important to the


public compared to 20 years ago, as is responsible use of the resources available to us. As a by-product of the rendering process, MBM fits with this ethos,” Steve adds. With over two decades having passed since the BSE outbreak, and


with MBM now being used in some pet foods, there are calls for the use of pig MBM to be considered for use in poultry diets, and vice versa. “However, with more stringent heat processing conditions required


in accordance with EU by-product regulations, the digestibility of these ingredients might be lower than it used to be,” says Steve. “This is a challenge that the industry would need to overcome, but


there has been some good research into this which shows MBM as a viable protein alternative,” he adds.


What can be done now? An example of reducing soya in poultry feed Although the alternatives discussed are mostly under development, there are tangible steps that can be taken now to reduce soya reliance in poultry diets. Soya is a key component in poultry nutrition, and therefore,


reducing soya reliance in poultry diets requires a careful assessment of the immediate alternatives available to maintain productivity, explains Steve. “Pinpointing sustainable and nutritionally viable resources is a


necessity before cutting back on any ingredient. This should start with looking at what’s available nearby,” says Steve. For example, in Europe, sunflower is a readily available protein


source. “Sunflower has a good amino acid profile, which can help to reduce soya levels,” explains Steve. Analysis undertaken by Premier Nutrition, highlights the soya


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