Introduction to the challenge addressed
Farmers have a need for alternative feeds, in particular because of the strong increase of feed prices. Beef farmers on grass-based production systems have an opportunity to get extra income and provide an alternative feed for their animals through a process called green biorefining. Using this process, they can produce protein concentrate (which can be sold for monogastric feed) and press cake silage from various feedstocks including grass clover. Work on green biorefining has been underway for some years. However the involvement of 10 partners from adacemia and industry led to the the demonstration-scale production of organic protein concentrate and organic press cake silage from grass clover in a comprehensive collaborative effort.
Description of the innovation
A demonstration in Denmark, involving industry and academia, processed 444 tons of grass clover to produce 7 tons of protein paste and 223 tons of press cake silage over a 4 day period. The protein concentrate was fed to poultry in feeding trials due to its strong amino acid profile and the press cake silage, containing high levels of processed fibres and fibre associated proteins. The suitability was tested in field trials with dairy cows. The press cake (or pulp) was seen as a promising alternative forage source for cattle. It can be integrated into different feeding regimes as it can be fed directly to ruminants or stored as silage.
This innovation demonstrates the potential for green biorefining, providing alternative feed opportunities but also other product streams for beef farmers who grow the green biomass. A collaborative effort by industry and academia led to a quite successful demonstration. There are still some technical and operational challenges to be overcome. Losses identified in the demonstration as a result of operating at different locations and separating and drying the protein concentrate at a large scale need to be addressed.
Impact on farm performance
Three lessons can be learnt from this innovation:
- Industry-academic collaboration is important when scaling up research
- A number of funds were acknowledge for support in this project. One that seems to have been particularly relevant is Green Development and Demonstration Program (GUDP) under the Danish Ministry of Food (34009-13- 0961)
- A very wide range of actors, across sectors, were involved, including an organic farmer, an agricultural contractor, a green pellet feed producer, a machine engineering company, a potato-starch and potato-protein producer, a transport company, a consultancy company on biorefining, and an agricultural advisory organization.
Further information:
Comparing green biorefinery press cake as a replacement feed for silage in cows (PDF)
Author: Paul Crosson - TEAGASC