The potential of alternative feed ingredients in pig feed

Publication date: 16-07-2026
Extent: 10 pages

Contributions by: Elizabeth A. Hines, formerly The Pennsylvania State University, USA

Chapter synopsis:

Corn and soybean meal dominate swine nutrition globally, yet rising costs and sustainability concerns have prompted interest in alternative feed ingredients. This chapter examines the potential of alternative feed sources, including small grains, plant and animal by-products, bakery waste, to expand in the swine feed industry. Factors influencing adoption—cost, availability, and nutritional quality—are discussed, with a focus on regional feedstuff accessibility and processing considerations. While novel ingredients face logistical and economic hurdles, successful integration hinges on mitigating variability, improving processing efficiency, and aligning with producer profitability. Dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS), serve as a model for scalable adoption, demonstrating how industry support and research can drive alternative feed acceptance. This review provides insights into optimizing feed formulations while addressing industry challenges in cost management and sustainability.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2025.0171.06