March 25, 2009
UK researchers aim to replace soy feed with lupins
Researchers from the agricultural sectors in the UK are cooperating on a five-year DEFRA sponsored project to find out whether lupins could become a viable source of homegrown protein in animal feed.
Feed trials have concluded that lupins may be used as a direct replacement for soymeal due to high crude protein levels of 30-40 percent.
The crop also requires low input and could provide UK farmers with a valuable alternative break crop with a defined end market.
The European Feed Manufacturers' Association (Fefac) estimates that the EU livestock industry imports 77 percent of its protein requirements and 98 percent of soymeal imports are from major GM soy producers Brazil and Argentina.
The Food Standards Agency warns that the segregation of GM and non-GM crops is not routinely practiced by commodity-exporting countries. If the project is successful, it could avoid the need to import hundreds of thousands of tonnes of soy to the UK each year.