Overview
of Distillers By-Products
Feed Management, a publication servicing the feed industry reported
estimated feed tonnages for the year 2001 in their October issue. They
reported that total feed tonnage for the four major classes of livestock,
swine, beef, dairy and poultry, declined by about 0.62% in 2001 compared
to 2000. The 2001 decline offset gains of 0.72% and 0.56% made in 2000
and 1999. Feed tonnages for layers, broilers, turkeys and catfish increased
in 2001 while numbers of swine, beef cows, feedlot cattle and dairy
cows reduced feed needs by these species. The article provided data
by state and region for the various species. The shifts in livestock
and poultry numbers between regions reflects agriculture’s changing
dynamics. Of special interest is the continued reduction in the number
of swine operations, however the size of the swine unit continues to
grow; in 2001 the average swine operation had 1,365 pigs. This has been
trend in recent years.
(These data have great significance to the soybean growers. Soybeans
have value due to their protein and oil content. Soybean meal’s
amino acid content provides the nutritionist a quality protein that
can be combined with cereal grains to meet the nutritional specifications
of the feed being formulated. Livestock and poultry numbers determine
feed needs and the market demand for soybean meal. Especially important
to the soybean industry are swine and poultry numbers; these species
require diets that are formulated to meet minimum amino acid levels.
Soybean meal is usually the supplemental protein ingredient that can
supply the needed amino acids at least cost; therefore, soybean meal
is the protein of choice for the feed manufacturer supplying formulated
feeds. Profitable livestock, poultry and aquaculture operations increase
the demand for feed; and soybean meal).
| 2001 Estimated Feed Market in the USA | |
| Total Feed Potential | |
| Species | (000 tons) |
| Poultry | 56,452 |
| Swine | 40,238 |
| Dairy | 35,869 |
| Beef | 32,564 |
| Sheep | 899 |
| Catfish | 648 |
| Trout | ++ |
| Petfoods | ++ |
Lobo, Phillip. 2002. USA feed market. Feed Management, 53(8): 8-18 (October).
