Cargill tackles global challenges in swine industry in China and Korea
ASIA-Cargill Animal Nutrition and Health, a leading agribusiness group based in the United States, is strategically leveraging its knowledge, expertise, and global presence to drive innovative programs to combat the obstacles in the swine industry in China and Korea.
Cargill is pioneering a circular-based pig farming system in China in collaboration with Wageningen Research University and key Chinese partners. This initiative involves Changrong, which specializes in swine breeding and technical services.
The goal is to establish sustainable, circular-based small and medium-sized pig farms in China. The focus is reducing dependence on imported raw materials such as soybean meal and corn, which are crucial for swine production.
“We plan to disseminate the knowledge and approach gained from the Shanxi pilot to multiple platforms and networks and develop business models for circular-based pig farming that are beneficial to both Dutch and Chinese international operating organizations,” said Bennie van der Fels, senior project manager at Wageningen Livestock Research.
Imported corn, soybeans, and soybean meal often face significant price fluctuations, highlighting the importance of investigating locally sourced raw materials.
Rosalie van Emous, a senior technology lead at Cargill Animal Nutrition and Health, emphasized the significance of assessing new raw materials for feed and food safety. She also highlighted the need to address quality concerns and anti-nutritional factors.
Furthermore, the project explores alternative ingredients, such as insect proteins, and novel production systems, including vertical farming and efficient manure management.
FCR improvements and odor reduction in Korean pig farming
In Korea, Cargill has been collaborating with ChungNam University to enhance grower finishers’ feed conversion ratio (FCR) and reduce odor emissions from pig barns. With Korea’s emphasis on reducing environmental pollution and carbon emissions in pig farming, Cargill has adopted a comprehensive approach, aligning with the Korean government’s livestock farming policies.
Jason Kim, sustainability lead Korea at Cargill Animal Nutrition and Health, stated, “Through the strategy, we are committed to minimizing environmental pollution, reducing GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions, and contributing to sustainable farming.”
Another trial at that academic institution assessed the effect of a 2% decrease in dietary crude protein on ammonia emissions from manure. The findings of that experiment showed there was a 30% decrease in ammonia emission in pigs fed the reduced protein diet with no detrimental effects on growth performance.
The initiatives in both China and Korea showcase Cargill’s dedication to sustainable and innovative approaches to address pressing challenges in the swine industry globally.
