The recent discovery of the use of hop-derived β-acids as a feed additive is an exciting development for the feed industry.
As already reported on this blog page, the study’s published results in the peer-review journal, Food Research International, state that, “A moderated level of hop β-acids as a dietary supplement accordingly improves the overall redox stability, protecting myofibrillar proteins and fatty acids against oxidation and improve the nutritional properties of meat from broiler chickens.”
The use of a brewing waste by-product could therefore not only become an affordable and nutritious feed additive but would also fit the ideals of the circular economy.
You can read about Hop Beta Acids Provide Animal Feed Nutrition here.
Beer for Farrowing Sows
However, it is by no means the first time that animal feed additives have made use of the brewing industry, as beer has often been used to prevent sows from refusing newborns milk, or even becoming aggressive towards piglets.
As Ioannis Mavromichalis, Ph.D., an animal nutrition industry consultant and regular contributor at the industry journal, Pig Progress, recalls, “I remember an old farm hand telling me how he would pour a six-pack (I think it was Bud Light) in the sow's trough around the time of farrowing (or as soon as they detected the problem).” Adding that while many people might object to ‘wasting’ beer on a pig, the farm hand, “…said there had been not a single failure to his method.”
In fact, this anecdote is not alone, with many others noting the benefits of beer for sows, adding comments such as, “Beer is good for settling sows before farrowing,” and, “The serving of beer to farrowing pigs with aggression problems is definitely a proven remedy.”
The Power of Brewer’s Grains
Of course, feed manufacturers have been using brewery waste products for years, by adopting brewer’s grains as a feed additive.
As the American current affairs journal, the Consumerist, notes, “every year the nation’s brewers provide millions of tons of low- or no-cost animal feed to farmers in the form of spent grain left over from the brewing process. For every gallon of beer produced, there is about 1 pound of spent grain that remains. While there are numerous other uses for it, this food-grade product is no longer of any use to the brewer.”
Adding that, “The Beer Institute says that farmers receive about 90% of the nearly 3 million tons of spent grain produced every year. But it’s more a matter of mutual convenience than making money. Brewers are willing to let it go cheaply just to save the expense of having to store or dispose of it, and farmers are more than happy to serve it up to their animals.”
“It’s one of those rare things that’s been a win-win for livestock producers and the beverage industry,” explains the director of the Oregon Dairy Farmers Association to the Oregonian.
Beer for Beef
However, it is not the only association between the brewing and feed industries, as cattle farmers in Japan have discovered that beer can make a helpful addition to a cow’s diet.
As D.K. Lunt from Texas A&M University’s Department of Animal Science, explains, “Most cattle in Japan are essentially on feed all of their lives because grazing land is not available. Cattle are often fed a finishing diet for at least 16 months and are 30-34 months of age in the case of steers and up to 46 months old for heifers (heifers may have calved once prior to finishing) prior to slaughter. Because cattle are fed so long, and particularly in summer months when the interaction of fat cover, temperature and humidity depressed feed intake, many cattle go off feed. When this happens, beer is fed to the cattle to stimulate appetite. Japanese cattle feeders do not ascribe any magical powers to feeding beer nor do they associate the practice with an increase in carcass quality; they merely feed beer as part of an overall management program designed to keep the cattle on feed.”
While beer may not be the cheapest feed additive available, it is heart-warming to know that a decent brew not only aids the development of feed manufacturers, additive traders, and agribusinessmen, but also refreshes the animals we all care about.
Beer as a feed additive? I’ll raise a glass to that!
Photo Credit: Storey, Canacopedl, TimesCall, & Pinterest
