Farm-Scape is sponsored by Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork Play Audio Farm-Scape is a Wonderworks Canada production and is distributed courtesy of Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork.

Farm-Scape, Episode 1319

The Prairie Feed Resource Centre at the University of Saskatchewan says the animal feed industry must seize the opportunity to adapt to changing consumer demands.

Concerns surrounding BSE have raised questions about the use of meat and bone meal as a protein source in livestock feeds.

Prairie Feed Resource Centre Executive Director Vern Racz says the challenge now facing the feed industry is to develop new types of products that can fill the gap the BSE situation is creating.

"Our usage of meat and bone meal, particularly in Western Canada, was not that high although we did use some in the non ruminant diets such as for poultry and for swine.

I think we're going to see a much diminished use along these lines because I think consumer trends have been toward using all vegetable proteins and vegetable fats.

Producing those type of products would give us an opportunity for new types of products such as the whole canola seed and pea blends which are extruded.

They really provide us both protein in a vegetable source and also provide us with fat which comes from a vegetable source or an oil source which is vegetable base and would fit in with the perception that most consumers are looking for.

I think it's a matter of trying to put together a package that is workable and no one single feed is going to be the answer but, if we work at this, I think we can come up with a system of production that is environmentally sustainable".

Racz says we need to explore systems by which consistent quality products can be produced for which there will be a demand and that will meet consumer desires.

He says the BSE situation is having a severe impact and, if the industry is to respond, it's going to have to change.