In an industry facing volatile feeding prices, environmental pressures, and changing consumer demands, pig producers are turning to alternative foods and circular agriculture, which offer powerful solutions.
This movement is more than a trend—it’s a shift toward a resilient, sustainable, and economically viable swine sector. As feed can account for up to 70% of total production costs, rethinking what we feed pigs—and how we source it—has enormous potential to transform both the bottom line and the planet.
What is Circular Agriculture?
Circular agriculture aims to reuse, recycle, and reduce waste within food production systems. Pig farming involves feeding pigs nutritious by-products from other industries – bakery leftovers, spent grains, food waste, algae, and insects.
This approach closes nutrient loops, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and lessens dependence on imported grains like soy, which are often linked to deforestation and high carbon footprints.
What Are Alternative Feeds?
Alternative foods include:
- Insect meal (e.g., Black Soldier Fly larvae)
- Algae and microalgae
- Fermented food waste
- Distillers’ grains (DDGS)
- Bakery by-products
- Root and tuber crops
- Oilseed meals (e.g., canola, sunflower)
These feeds are high in protein and energy, and many also offer functional benefits, such as improved gut health or enhanced immune response.
Backed by Science: Are They Effective?
Yes, and increasingly so.
Insect Meal
Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae are a standout. Rich in protein (40-45%) and fats, BSF meal is emerging as a sustainable substitute for soy or fish meal.
Research Insight: A 2023 study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science showed that pigs fed diets with 25–50% BSF larvae as a protein source maintained growth performance and feed conversion rates while showing reduced gut inflammation.
Food Waste and Co-Products
Fermented food waste can be an excellent feed ingredient if properly processed.
Case Study: In South Korea, commercial pig farms have replaced up to 30% of traditional feed with fermented food waste, reducing feed costs by 20–40% and diverting thousands of tons of waste from landfills.
Algae as a Functional Feed
Algae like Spirulina and Chlorella are rich in protein and omega-3s, promoting piglet growth and immune health.
European trials indicated that diets supplemented with algae enhanced gut microbiota and decreased the need for antimicrobial treatments by 15%.
Environmental Impact and Carbon Footprint
Shifting to circular feed sources also delivers major environmental gains:
- Lower CO₂ emissions: Insect meal production emits up to 94% less GHGs than soybean meal (FAO, 2022).
- Less deforestation: Reduces pressure on land use in high-risk regions like the Amazon.
- Waste valorization: Turns local waste streams into value-added nutrition.
For example, according to Wageningen University, for every 1 ton of bakery waste reused as feed, 0.7 tons of CO₂ emissions are avoided.
Economic Benefits for Producers
- Cost savings: Sourcing local by-products or waste streams can slash feed costs.
- Market resilience: Reduces exposure to volatile global commodity prices.
- Premium opportunities: Producers using circular feed systems may access sustainability-driven buyers or green finance incentives.
In the Netherlands, for instance, some farms using circular feed models now supply to premium “eco-pork” markets with higher margins.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
While promising, some hurdles remain:
- Regulatory frameworks: Not all alternative feeds are approved in every region.
- Consistency and quality: Nutrient variability in by-products needs close monitoring.
- Consumer perception: Education is required to promote acceptance of pork from pigs fed with insects or food waste.
Still, innovation is accelerating. The European Union and countries like Canada, the U.S., and Chile are funding pilot projects to scale up insect farming and food waste fermentation for livestock.
The Bigger Picture: Comfort + Nutrition = Performance
Comfort and nutrition are closely linked. A well-fed pig in a thermally stable environment:
· Eating more
· Converts feed better
· Growing faster
· Stays healthier
That’s where the synergy lies. With circular feed strategies and precision comfort systems—like our Hog Hearth® Heat Mats or IHT Cooling Mats—producers are finding new ways to optimize every production stage.
Why It Matters Now
With rising feed costs, growing climate concerns, and stricter sustainability targets, alternative feeds and circular agriculture offer producers a strategic advantage. These approaches make pig production:
- More profitable
- More sustainable
- More adaptable to future challenges
It’s time to feed pigs smarter—not just more.
The Future Is Circular—and Smart
As producers adopt circular feeding strategies, the opportunity to combine these with efficient heating, cooling, and lighting technologies will only grow.
At IHT Group, we’re excited to be part of this transition and to support a smarter, cleaner, and more profitable pork industry.
Let’s talk: If you want to make your operation more sustainable—from feed to farrowing, our team is here to help you integrate comfort and efficiency at every level.
