Opportunities for the use of rye in swine diets: What do recent studies tell us and how far can we go?
Why rye again?
Rye was a traditional cereal in the diet of pigs in Northern Europe for many years. However, higher yields of wheat and corn have displaced it from diets. So, why is rye experiencing a revival now?
The quest for sustainable and efficient livestock production has led to the exploration of alternative feed ingredients that provide essential nutrients while simultaneously minimizing environmental impact.
In recent years, rye has gained attention as a potential feed ingredient for finishing pigs due to its nutritional profile, environmental benefits, and cost-effectiveness.
Today, the choice among different cereal varieties in swine nutrition goes beyond maximizing energy and protein yield per hectare; it’s about finding the solution that best fits current conditions.
These are characterized by climate change (crops more tolerant to heat and drought), environmental impact (expenditure on fertilizers and pesticides), and advancements in genetic improvement (yield of new varieties).
As global attention on sustainable agriculture intensifies, hybrid rye offers several environmental advantages when used in swine nutrition. It is a resilient crop that requires fewer chemical inputs, such as fertilizers and pesticides, compared to other cereals.
Its ability to thrive in cold climates and poor soils makes it a valuable crop in rotation systems, promoting soil health and reducing the risk of erosion.
Moreover, rye can be an essential component of cover cropping strategies, mitigating nutrient runoff and enhancing the overall sustainability of farms.
In the context of climate change and the environmental impact of cereal cultivation, there are many arguments (efficiency in the use of limited resources such as water and phosphorus) in favor of rye.
As a result, its cultivation has a relatively low carbon footprint (GFLI 2023). This factor could play a much more significant role and offer opportunities in the future regarding pig nutrition.
Especially when it comes to «CO2 footprint» foods, this may even present market advantages.
Impact on climate change (kg CO2 eq/ton product) of wheat and hybrid rye (KWS branded Data, GFLI 2023).
Rye in animal feed
In general, wheat and rye are characterized by having different amounts of starch and crude fiber. The crude protein content of wheat is up...
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