Iranian Academic Uses Ruminal Content to Produce Animal Feed

In recent years, the use of ruminal content has been booming in the preparation of different formulations and presentations for animal feed, either by using it directly or by processing it to obtain various commercial products. 

So, researchers look for non-conventional feed ingredients to reduce the feed cost and hence the cost of production. One of such non-conventional ingredients is the rumen conten

“It’s a good source of energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins. It can be used as a cheap source of energy and protein with reduced feed cost and environmental pollution,” Ramin Salamatdoust, a faculty member of the Islamic Azad University, Shabestar branch, told ANA on the sidelines of the Islamic Azad University's "second step of revolution" under the title of Asreh Omid Event that the plan can help solve the food shortage problem for both small and large ruminants.

Asreh Omid Event was held in Tehran's Mosalla from May 29 to June 1, 2022.

The event aimed to exhibit new achievements and products in the technological and innovation arenas in line with opening new windows towards strengthening the idea of creating ground for knowledge-based businesses at the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Islamic Azad University.

Some 3,000 knowledge-based companies, laboratories, research centers, and startups took part in Asreh Omid Event.

One of the livestock wastes that can be used as a feed substitute for forage basal feed is rumen contents from slaughterhouses, which until now were discarded or only used as organic fertilizer.

Although the composition of rumen contents varies to some extent, an average sample contains crude protein, crude fiber, fat, and ash in the dry matter.

In many countries, feeding is the major factor limiting the production of livestock, because its constituents are up to seventy percent of the total cost of production.

The shortage of animal feed is one of the major problems of the animal husbandry industry so farmers are facing serious problems in providing animal feed, Salamatdoust explained.

The use of animal waste is a priority all over the world, he said, adding that in all provinces and cities of Iran there are slaughterhouses that produce animal feed using the waste at lower prices.

For example, in Tabriz city, the capital of East Azarbaijan province, some six tons of rumen content is produced on a daily basis, yielding 1.5-2 tons of animal feed, he noted.

The rumen content is completely checked by the veterinary experts to be void of bacteria and odorless. Its nutritional value is even higher than fodder with 20 percent more protein and very good digestibility.

4155/g