Proof of concept for developing novel feeds for cattle from wasted food and crop biomass to enhance agri-food system efficiency

Abstract

Modern agri-food systems generate large amounts of crop-based biomass that are unfit for direct human consumption but potentially suitable for livestock feeding in production of meats, milk, and eggs. This study aims to develop novel feeds for cattle from some of those biomass materials through the natural microbial-driven processes of ensiling. Fruit and vegetables resembling supermarket discards were ensiled alone or co-ensiled with corn crop residues, mushroom wastes, etc. via laboratory experiments. Longitudinal sample analyses showed that (co-)ensiling was successful, with pH and fermentation acids changing rapidly into desirable ranges (pH < 4.5, the acids 5–13% DM with lactic acid dominating). The (co-)ensiled products had key nutritional parameters comparable to those of good quality forages commonly used on dairy farms. Additionally, in vitro incubation experiments indicated that the ensiled products could substitute certain conventional feeds while maintaining diet digestibility. Findings from this pilot study provide a proof of principle that quality novel feeds for cattle can be generated by co-ensiling food discards and low-value crop residues. Future research and animal feeding trials to demonstrate the utility of this approach can help societies more effectively utilize untapped biomass resources, strengthening the regenerative capacity of agri-food systems towards a more sustainable food future.

Optimizing Silage Strategies for Sustainable Livestock Feed: Preserving Retail Food Waste

“…In the present study, the pH of FW silage dropped from a maximum of 5.26 to a minimum of 3.85 after 60 d of ensiling, as has been reported for highquality corn silage [23]. Lactic acid production for the three treatments was similar to that reported for grass silage [12,23]. Silage with DM between 30 and 40% reduces the risk of heat damage and increases lactic acid production during ensiling [27].…”

“…Previous studies of ensiling waste vegetables, fruits, citrus, and bakery products alone or mixed with other forage crops to produce feed suitable for livestock are limited [2]. Some of these food waste silages have been shown to have a nutritional value comparable to good-quality forages commonly fed to dairy cattle [12]. Most of these studies have focused on waste vegetables as they can serve as sources of crude protein and micro-and macro-minerals and usually have sufficient water-soluble carbohydrates to support silage fermentation [12,13].…”

“…Some of these food waste silages have been shown to have a nutritional value comparable to good-quality forages commonly fed to dairy cattle [12]. Most of these studies have focused on waste vegetables as they can serve as sources of crude protein and micro-and macro-minerals and usually have sufficient water-soluble carbohydrates to support silage fermentation [12,13]. Surplus bread, historically repurposed as animal feed, underscores the potential of diverting food waste towards livestock.…”

Ruminations on sustainable and safe food: Championing for open symbiotic cultures ensuring resource efficiency, eco‐sustainability and affordability

“…These do not differ, in essence, from crop ensiling but target specific enrichments (e.g. in lipids, proteins) and are applicable to a wide span of co‐substrates provided these initially comply with feed safety standards (for example, a mixture of vegetable waste and straws, Dou et al., 2022 ). Yet, for streams with latent risks (e.g.…”

Valorization of Food Waste as Animal Feed: A Step towards Sustainable Food Waste Management and Circular Bioeconomy

“…Yet, there are still enormous quantities of undiscovered resources available for up-cycling using livestock. This is especially true for FWs/discards, which are now estimated to be between 1300 and 1600 MTs globally and 2500 MTs are expected to rise in the future decades [ 173 ] the effectiveness of ensiling to preserve leftover fruits and vegetables. On dairy farms, ensiling is a routinely utilized microbiological technique that serves the specific aim of preserving recently harvested feed crops (around 35%) for lengthy storage and feeding [ 174 ].…”