The search for alternative proteins

摘要

Hefty taxes on imported feeds and a ban on fishmeal have forced Swedish dairy farmers to be fairly imaginative in their use of protein feeds in recent years. As protein prices continue to rise throughout Europe, Dr Mats Pehrsson from Keenan in Sweden,takes a look at new opportunities for utilising alternative protein sources. Over the years, Swedish dairy farmers have been on a fairly steep learning curve with regard to protein, High taxes on all imported protein feeds and a total ban on the use of fishmeal in ruminant rations, has forced a fair amount of ingenuity. While these restrictions are particular to Sweden, identifying alternative sources of protein is now very much a Europe-wide issue. You only have to look at the reports of a world-wide protein shortage and the current price of Soya throughout most of Europe -pound 195/t this year as opposed to pound 135/t for the same time last year - to realise the pressure is well and truly on.