Join the conversation on feed protein innovation

Marinus van Krimpen, senior researcher in animal nutrition, Wageningen Livestock Research, Netherlands, will address that topic in his presentation at Feed Protein Vision​  ​on seaweed and its potential to partially replace soybean meal in pig and poultry diets.

He says the requirement for protein rich animal feed is expected to increase dramatically over the next few decades and it seems unlikely that the global supply of soybeans, a much relied upon protein source today, will be able to keep pace with demand. 

Still work to be done​

The academic acknowledges that there is still a good deal of work to be done​​; seaweed is highly variable depending on species, location and harvesting season and its high mineral and metal content require investigation. However, its potential is clear and, says Marinus. It is deserving of the industry’s attention, he argues.

His talk will address: 

• Why seaweed could be an ideal protein source for non-ruminants
• The issues of seaweed variability and how they might be overcome, and
• The potential in terms of its prebiotic and anti-bacterial benefits and how seaweed could boost animals’ immune systems.

Since 2010, Marinus’ work at Wageningen University has focused on the search for alternative protein sources for animal foods, improving the phosphorus and nitrogen efficacy of pigs and poultry, boosting bird welfare and stimulating immune competence through nutrition.

He has worked in research at the university since 1999 and previously as a nutritionist specializing in pigs and poultry for a specialized feed company.  He has an MSc and PhD in animal husbandry from Wageningen.

You can register for Feed Protein Vision here​​. 

The event, which is being organized by FeedNavigator, also includes presentations on novel proteins derived from single cell technology, insect meal, and microalgae. It analyses the opportunities and challenges presented by increased feed protein raw material production in Europe and evaluates the benefits of using more land animal proteins or PAPs in fish feed, among other topics.

The stellar line-up includes speakers from McDonalds, LMC International, Agrifirm, Rabobank, Skretting, FEFAC, ForFarmers, UC Davis, University of Stirling, and many, many more.