Green proteins in tomorrow’s feed

In Danish agriculture, intensive efforts are going into developing locally produced protein sources for feed, and this goes for the DLG Group as well. Before starting to use the new protein sources, their effect as part of the feed formulation must be thoroughly investigated. DLG has therefore conducted a number of tests to find out whether protein from organic grass and lucerne can replace some of the protein sources used in feeds today.
The results of the initial tests of the efficacy of grass proteins in feed for piglets are quite impressive. Over a six-week period, no significant differences in growth were seen between pigs being fed standard compound feeds and those being fed compounds containing green proteins. Troels Møller Olesen, Director, Animal Nutrition at DLG Denmark, is very pleased with the results:
“It’s important for DLG that we both develop and test our products so that our customers can be sure that they are of the highest quality. The results of the tests we have carried out show the potential for adding green proteins to tomorrow’s feed products, and I’m proud that we will soon be ready to launch a product that makes it possible for farmers to use feed with a greener profile.”
In addition to green proteins, DLG is also working to develop other locally produced proteins such as lupin, broad beans and peas.

Cooperation on the future of agriculture

On the business side, DLG is in the process of establishing a production of the green grass proteins. In a partnership with two other cooperative societies, DLF and Danish Agro, DLG has founded BioRefine Denmark A/S, a protein plant in Nybro in western Jutland that will be producing concentrated protein based on clover grass and lucerne for organic feeds.

Vagn Hundebøll, Group Vice President in DLG and CEO of BioRefine Denmark, says: “The world is facing a climate challenge and a green transition, which means that we must also look into ways of producing more sustainable food. As an agricultural company, we play an important role in finding new solutions that can help our customers make their food production more sustainable in the future. With the promising test results we have seen so far, I believe that green proteins can come to play a significant role.”

The plan is for BioRefine Denmark A/S to start up production of green proteins in May 2021.