This paper will discuss the use of opportunity ingredients in grow-finish pig
diets and what potential they offer to increase margin over feed and facility
cost (MOFFC; net return). There are many existing, and some new, opportunity ingredients that can be used to increase
MOFFC but we must understand the nutrients they contain, risks associated
with using them and potential economic benefits when formulated correctly
into pig diets. Examples of new opportunity ingredients are: dried distillers
grains with solubles (DDGS) and expeller processed canola meal. Existing opportunity ingredients that have been around for some time are canola meal, peas, lentils, faba beans, bakery by-products, Extrapro, stillage, and liquid
whey from dairy industry. These opportunity ingredients can offer significant diet and feed cost savings if
formulated correctly into diets. However there are risks associated with using
them. The risks can be mitigated by acquiring as much information on the
ingredient as possible prior to using such as nutrients it brings to the diet,
impact on diet palatability and diet handling characteristics. As the demand for
traditional feed ingredients increases we will be forced to use more
opportunity ingredients in diets and optimize the use of current ingredients if
we are to control feed costs and remain competitive.