ARS | Publication request: Crude glycerin in swine

Submitted to: Popular Publication
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: January 1, 2009
Publication Date: January 1, 2009
Citation: Kerr, B.J. 2009. Crude glycerin in swine. Pork. January 2009. p. 16.

Technical Abstract: With the rapid expansion of the bio-diesel industry, there will be substantial amounts of crude glycerol (the principal co-product of bio-diesel production) that will become available for use as a livestock feedstuff. Because glycerol is a precursor to glucose via gluconeogenesis, is a backbone of fat in lipogenesis, and yields energy through the glycolytic and tricarboxylic acid pathways, determination of the energy value of crude glycerol in livestock feeds is vital. The research summarized in this article indicates a metabolizable energy content of crude glycerol for broilers, laying hens, and swine which is similar to corn and soybean meal, but lower than noted for animal fats or vegetable oils. In addition, data is summarized showing that crude glycerol has little to no impact on pig performance, carcass composition, or meat quality, and that the low level of methanol contained in the crude glycerin samples obtained did not affect pig health. This information is important for nutritionists at universities, feed companies, and swine, broiler, and egg production facilities, showing the caloric value of crude glycerin relative to some other common feedstuffs.