Regenerative beet pulp sourcing
We transformed a highly nutritious food by-product, sugar beet pulp, into animal feed, resulting in reduced costs.
Last updated on March 24th, 2023
Why does it matter?
By-products from food production are an excellent feed source for cows, that can replace imported feed.
How did we solve this?
Food companies may produce a wide range of by-products when they create their core products. These by-products can be full of protein, energy, and digestible fibres. In this project, we introduced a by-product, specifically sugar beet pulp, into our cows’ diets.
Our pilot farm purchased both wet and dry sugar beet pulp from a supplier located within 100km. We transformed the wet sugar beet pulp into silage, which cost-efficiently provided animal feed and prevented spoilage. We also reformulated the diet to ensure balanced rations for the cows. By introducing sugar beet pulp into the cows’ diet, feed costs decreased by 35 euros per ton of dry matter.
Opportunities for other farms?
It is possible to use a wide range of suitable by-products for cow feed, if high quality food suppliers are available nearby and on-time delivery is assured. This transforms food waste into valuable feed, which may lead to a decrease in the environmental footprint of the farm.
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