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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Laboratory for Agriculture and The Environment » Agroecosystems Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #228190

Title: Crude glycerin for monogastrics

Author
item Kerr, Brian
item Dozier Iii, William

Submitted to: Render Magazine
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/2008
Publication Date: 8/1/2008
Citation: Kerr, B.J., Dozier III, W.A. 2008. Crude glycerin for monogastrics. Render Magazine. 37:10-11.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: With the rapid expansion of the biodiesel industry there will be substantial amounts of crude glycerol (the principal co-product of biodiesel 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.