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Since one cow tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Alberta in May 2003, meat and bone meal has been reconsidered as a feed ingredient for swine and poultry diets.
The price of meat and bone meal has plunged from $280 to $40/tonne since May 2003. Despite this astonishing drop in the price of this feed commodity, action has been taken by many production units to prevent further loss of confidence in our food system. This month’s article on rendering and the hog industry addresses the effect of losing meat and bone meal as an ingredient for swine diets.
Meat and Bone Meal as a Nutrient Source
Table 1 compares meat and bone meal with other common protein sources incorporated in swine feeds. Despite the high fat content, meat and bone meal is low in energy due to the bone (mineral) content. The protein content is high in meat and bone meal, but lysine availability, which might be reduced by the processing method, is slightly better than canola meal. But currently, at 0.2¢ per gram of available lysine, meat and bone meal is less than half the cost of crystalline lysine (0.45¢ per gram).
Furthermore, phosphorus is high and 90 per cent available to the pig in meat and bone meal compared to low and only about 22 per cent available in soybean meal and canola meal. Just compare $1.60 per kilogram of available phosphorus from meat and bone meal to about $2.20 per kilogram of available phosphorus from mono-dicalcium phosphate (21% P). And, save on phytase; phosphorus is not tied up in meat and bone meal as it is in grains and legumes. A minor issue is product variability from batch to batch and over time. Thus, routine lab testing and conservative amino acid availability values for meat and bone meal are suggested.
| Table 1. Comparison of meat and bone meal to other common protein sources for pig diets. |
 | .Meat and Bone | .Soybean Meal | .Canola Meal | .Feed Peas |
| .Digestible energy, kcal | 2440a | .3685a | 2885a | .3435a |
| Fat, % | 12.3b | 3.0a | 3.6d | 1.3d |
| Protein, % | 54.8b | 47.5a | 38.3d | 23.4d |
| Lysine, % | 2.6c | 3.02a | 2.28d | 1.6d |
| Calcium, % | 6.50b | 0.34a | 0.64d | 0.11d |
| Available phosphorus, % | 2.50b*a | 0.16a | 0.20d*a | 0.15d |
a NRC, 1998
b Norwest Labs on a Northern Albera Processing Co. 2002 samples
c SGS Canada Inc on a Northern Alberta Processing Co. 2002 sample
d Research Summaries: Canola & Peas in Livestock Diets. Saskatchewan Pulse Growers and Saskatchewan Canola Development.
What are Producers Losing?
Table 2 compares the difference in margin (revenue minus feed cost) from a simulation of least-cost formulated diets. Using April 2003 prices, a producer would have earned an additional $0.75 per hog by including meat and bone meal and tallow in the grower 1, grower 2, gestation and lactation diets. At current prices, a producer would forfeit almost $4 per hog by not using meat and bone meal and tallow.
| Table 2. Difference in margin (revenue minus feed cost) from simulation feeding diets with and without meat and bone meal and tallow before and after the BSE incident. |
| .April 2003 | October 2003 |
| .Meat and bone, $/tonnea | 280 | 40 |
| Tallow, $/tonnea | 374 | 242 |
| Difference, $/hogb | 0.75 | 3.97 |
a Northern Alberta Processing Co.
b Includes the sow herd and assumes 23 hogs marketed/sow/year; Pork $1.30 kg, 107 index, no bonuses.
In conclusion, producers are now facing a conundrum: implement the tight requirement to mix and feed meat and bone meal and capitalize on tremendous feed cost savings or pass on the opportunity altogether.
The reasons to pass on the opportunity were discussed in the October issue of Bacon Bits. These include solidarity with groups like Ontario Pork, who are discouraging their members from feeding meat and bone meal to their pigs to prevent eroding foreign confidence in their pork. As well, Maple Leaf Pork had made a decision to no longer accept pigs fed meat and bone meal after December 31, 2003.
Thus, there is an overall fear in the industry that there is too much at stake. Jeopardizing our pork exports, especially to Japan, could have enduring consequences. It is in the best interest of every hog producer for Canada to preserve its status as one of the largest exporters of pork in the world.
Eduardo Beltranena, PhD
Pork Scientist - Edmonton
Telephone (780) 427-4567 Fax (780) 427-1057
E-mail: eduardo.beltranena@gov.ab.ca
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