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FEATHER MEAL WITH TWICE THE PROTEIN VALUE OF SOYBEAN
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by The Poultry Protein and Fat Council
eef and Dairy Cattle has been one of the most important segments for animal based protein in the world and poultry renderers are incessantly working to provide the necessary ingredients to meet the nutritional needs necessary in providing consumers with these essential protein sources. The Poultry Protein and Fat Council is a group of renderers of poultry that works within the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association and is the leading source of technical resources and an advocate for the poultry rendering industry. PPFC serves its members through research, education and promotional services. The Poultry Protein & Fat Council grew out of leadership action by the poultry rendering industry. The initial group convened as the By-Products Committee to draft recommendations to the Southeastern Poultry & Egg Association board of directors (now U.S. Poultry & Egg Association). 19 representatives of poultry rendering companies met in Atlanta, Ga., on Nov. 14, 1988, to evaluate the existing production and marketing of byproducts and to review research results from cattle feeding. They also discussed other needs of the rendering industry. The highlight of that meeting was an “eyeopening” study on feather meal for beef cattle, with data showing protein value twice that of soybean meal. The implication was that feather meal would be equally as valuable for dairy cattle. The investment in this research has had a significant impact on the market. Whereas feather meal traded at a discount, on an equal protein basis, to soybean meal, it now trades at a premium due to its superior nutritional value. The renderers concluded that new market potentials should be developed and that feeding the products to poultry may not be the most profitable market. Our markets and customers have expanded in the nearly 30 years of PPFC’s existence and it has moved from primarily providing protein sources for poultry and cattle to supply the ever expanding pet food and aquaculture industries. Our members include the principal suppliers of poultry meal, feather meal, and poultry fat. Feather meal has become a good source of natural protein for almost any animal diet. Feather meal can be used to replace a significant portion of other protein sources in livestock and aquaculture diets. It is an excellent source of sulfur containing amino acids. Poultry by-product meal has been historically A sample of poultry fat, feather meal, and poultry meal used for poultry and swine rations, but its protein profile is excellent to replace fishmeal in many diets. Finally, poultry fat contains essential fatty acids that are excellent in meeting the energy needs for aquaculture feeds. Today we are redirecting our efforts in order to continue providing the highest quality products to meet the growing need for high quality ingredients for feed in most animal industry segments. PPFC is investing in research to provide our customers with up to date information on the nutritional levels of our products including digestibility levels. We are also preparing our members to meet the latest food safety standards and setting up research that will make the ingredients safer for animals and people. The rendering industry is the one of the ultimate “Green” industries recycling what would possibly end up in landfills across the country and converting meat by-product into highly nutritious ingredients for animals. We also help our members get the necessary training to help them meet customer needs. PPFC sponsors educational seminars for members and provides speakers for meetings of potential buyers (such as cattle feeder groups, state feed associations, animal nutrition conferences, pet food associations, etc.) PPFC attends several trade shows year round where more information is provided about products, research, and education. You are welcome to visit our exhibition booth at Aquaculture America 2017 in San Antonio, Texas from February 19- 22, 2017, and at the American Dairy Science Association meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from June 25-28, 2017. www.poultryrenderers.org 60 | February 2017 - Milling and Grain