A new ‘bitesize guide’ to ‘novel proteins and feed efficiencies’ is being launched by the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust and the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) at the British Pig and Poultry Fair, which starts today at Birmingham’s NEC.
With an increasing focus on sustainability, soya, in particular, as the main source of protein in pig and poultry diets, has come under scrutiny, with producers seeking alternative proteins. This Bitesize Guide covers a wide range of options, including home-grown proteins such as peas, beans and lupins and newer choices such as fava beans and insect meal.
Part of the ongoing Bitesize Guide series, it highlights key findings, discussions and ideas from 13 Nuffield Farming scholar reports and is available as a free download. Visitors to the Pig and Poultry Fair can visit the RASE stand (20-370) to find out more.
The guide’s to-the-point information includes practical advice, case studies, talking points and action plans, including an additional section of useful links. QR codes and links allow readers to access the relevant Nuffield Farming report for more information.
Nuffield Scholar and RASE technical director Stephen Briggs said: “Feed is such a high proportion of costs for livestock producers and, coupled with a move to seek alternatives to soya, this guide is timely and relevant.
“The scholars featured in this Bitesize Guide have travelled the world studying these topics, and their reports provide inspiration, advice and case studies for anyone looking to address feed costs and sourcing.”
Nuffield Scholarships
Each year, up to 25 people aged 25-45 are selected as scholars and sponsored by the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust to travel, research and report on subjects they are passionate about and which contribute to advancing farming, food, horticulture, forestry and ancillary industries.
Scholars travel for at least eight weeks, presenting their findings at the Nuffield Farming conference and publishing a report on their travels and recommendations, available on the Nuffield Farming website.
Rupert Alers-Hankey, director of the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust said: “These studies bring new thinking, technology or management approaches from across the globe to the UK.
“There is a huge knowledge base that can be accessed via the Nuffield Farming library, and the Bitesize Guides – which now number eight – will make accessing that information much more straightforward.”