Instant Insights: Alternative Sources of Protein for Pigs

Dr Kristy DiGiacomo graduated with a Bachelor of Animal Science and Management (honours) from The University of Melbourne. Kristy is a senior lecturer in production animal nutrition and physiology at The University of Melbourne and is a Veski sustainable agriculture fellow. Dr DiGiacomo’s current research involves a variety of production animal species including sheep, dairy cattle, dairy goats and pigs. Her research focuses on livestock nutrition, physiology and adaptation to the external environment.

• Chapter 1 - Developing seaweed/macroalgae as feed for pigs: Marta López-Alonso, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Marco García-Vaquero, University College Dublin, Ireland; and Marta Miranda, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain; 1 Introduction2 Challenges in using macroalgae for feed applications3 Composition of macroalgae4 Biological functions and health-promoting effects of macroalgae and macroalgal-derived extracts in pig nutrition5 Conclusion and future trends6 Where to look for further information7 Acknowledgements8 References Chapter taken from: Chapter taken from: Lei, X. G. (ed.), Seaweed and microalgae as alternative sources of protein, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, UK, 2021, (ISBN: 978 1 78676 620 5)Chapter 2 - High protein corn fermentation products for swine derived from corn ethanol production: Peter Williams, AG-BIO Ltd, UK; 1 Introduction2 Distillers dried grains with solubles3 Corn fermented protein4 Challenges in producing corn fermented protein5 Case study: standardized ileal digestibility of CFP for pigs6 Case study: concentrations of digestible and metabolizable energy in CFP products fed to pigs7 Case study: effects of adding phytase on availability of calcium and phosphorus in corn-fermented products8 Case study: effects on performance of pigs of inclusion of corn-fermented protein in the diet9 Conclusion10 References Wiseman, J. (ed.), Advances in pig nutrition, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, UK, 2024, (ISBN: 978 1 80146 694 3)Chapter 3 - Developing alternative sources of protein in pig nutrition: insects: Kristy DiGiacomo, University of Melbourne, Australia; 1 Introduction2 Why insects3 Current state of insect production4 Potential insects and current production volumes5 Production and health responses in pigs6 Competition for resources7 Rearing insects on manure8 Current research9 Future trends in research10 Barriers to uptake/challenges to production11 Conclusion12 Where to look for further information13 References Wiseman, J. (ed.), Advances in pig nutrition, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, UK, 2024, (ISBN: 978 1 80146 694 3)Chapter 4 - Use of protein from black soldier flies in pig feed: Sarah Struthers and Jos Houdijk, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), UK; and Heidi Hall, Anpario PLC and CABI, UK; 1. Introduction2. Nutritional composition of black soldier fly3. Production performance in pigs fed black soldier fly4. Benefits of using black soldier fly5. Challenges6. Applications7. Conclusions8. Acknowledgements9. References Chapter taken from: Casillas, A., Insects as alternative sources of protein for food and feed pp. 3-28, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, UK, 2025, (ISBN: 978 1 80146 584 7)