Growing Demand in Feed & Pet Food Sectors

Positioning Canadian Pulses as a Solutions Provider: Livestock Feed and Pet Food Sectors

As global demand for animal feed and pet food continues to grow, so does the pressure on these sectors to enhance sustainability. New research shows that Canadian pulse crops provide a unique opportunity for the feed and pet food industries to meet both health and environmental goals. With their high nutritional value and low carbon footprint, pulses like peas, lentils, faba beans, and dry beans offer a competitive advantage.

Pulse Canada is leveraging this data to position Canadian pulses as a nutritional, sustainable, and cost-effective ingredient. We are actively engaging with key markets, including North America and Southeast Asia, to foster industry relationships and establish long-term demand for pulses in both livestock feed and pet food formulations. For decades, Canadian peas have been utilized in livestock feed, including in China, while pulses have been commonly used in pet food formulations across North America and Europe. Building on these successes, we are working to create a parallel feed market in Southeast Asia while also supporting its growing pet food sector. Many feed companies in the region also manufacture pet food, and as they expand their product offerings, there is an increasing demand for cleaner and more sustainable ingredients.

Through the use of life cycle assessments (LCAs), we have confirmed that incorporating pulses into livestock feed reduces the carbon footprint. For example, including peas in pork feed rations lowers the feed’s carbon footprint by 28% and reduces emissions for the final meat product by 18%. As companies pursue ambitious carbon reduction goals, Canadian pulses present a valuable tool to achieve these targets.

North America: Creating a Sustainability Framework for Pulse Adoption

The Opportunity

As major food and agriculture companies set ambitious carbon reduction targets, Canadian pulses provide a compelling solution. Their ability to cut emissions and enhance feed efficiency makes them an attractive ingredient for the North American feed sector.

Our Approach

Pulse Canada is collaborating with consultants at Gowans Feed to provide expertise on nutrition, economic analysis, and supply chain optimization. This work ensures that companies have the technical knowledge needed to integrate pulses into feed formulations.

The Final Objective

We are developing a robust framework that will allow companies to measure and verify the emission reductions achieved through pulse-based feed. This involves:

• Partnering with validation and verification bodies to establish credibility
• Engaging livestock companies to help design a framework that aligns with their business and sustainability goals
• Ensuring a rigorous, evidence-based verification process that demonstrates the impact of pulses on reducing carbon emissions

Supporting Research: LCAs and Feed Guides

Life cycle assessments (LCAs) quantify the resource inputs and emissions of a product throughout its entire life cycle. Our LCAs on peas, lentils, faba beans, and dry beans demonstrate the sustainability benefits of these crops in feed applications.

Our Pea and Faba Bean Feed Guides provide in-depth analysis of:

• Nutrient composition

• Feeding recommendations for various livestock species

• Practical considerations for incorporating pulses into feed formulations

These resources serve as key tools for producers, animal nutritionists, and industry stakeholders seeking to optimize feed efficiency while leveraging the sustainability benefits of pulses.

Southeast Asia: Expanding Market Opportunities for Canadian Pulses

The Opportunity

Southeast Asia presents a growing market for Canadian pulses in both livestock feed and pet food. Pulses offer nutritional benefits, and sustainability advantages that make them a strong alternative to traditional feed ingredients.

The Approach

To facilitate pulse adoption in this market, Pulse Canada is working with trusted local animal nutrition consultants to:

• Conduct feed trials

• Promote knowledge exchange

• Build confidence in the use of Canadian pulses as a reliable feed and pet food ingredient

The Final Objective

Our goal is to replicate China’s success in pulse utilization by fostering stable demand in Southeast Asia’s livestock feed and pet food industries. This will help increase export opportunities for Canadian pulses and enhance their market presence.

Supporting Research: Feed Trials

Feed trials are essential in demonstrating the benefits of pulses in livestock and aquaculture diets. We are currently conducting multiple feed trials in Southeast Asia to demonstrate their nutritional and economic viability:

• Philippines: Research on replacing wheat flour with pea starch concentrate in shrimp diets. This substitution can maintain feed pellet binding capacity while potentially reducing costs.

• Thailand: Egg layer trials incorporating whole peas.

• Vietnam: Previous trials on swine finisher diets and shrimp feed with whole peas have provided valuable insights.

By generating real-world data through these trials, we are equipping feed and pet food companies with the confidence to incorporate pulses into their formulations.

A Brief History – Pulses in Feed & Pet Food

For decades, Canadian peas have been utilized in livestock feed, including in China, while pulses have been commonly used in pet food formulations across North America and Europe. Building on these successes, we are working to create a parallel feed market in Southeast Asia while also supporting its growing pet food sector. Many feed companies in the region also manufacture pet food, and as they expand their product offerings, there is an increasing demand for cleaner and more sustainable ingredients.

Through the use of life cycle assessments (LCAs), we have confirmed that incorporating pulses into livestock feed reduces the carbon footprint. For example, including peas in pork feed rations lowers the feed’s carbon footprint by 28% and reduces emissions for the final meat product by 18%. As companies pursue ambitious carbon reduction goals, Canadian pulses present a valuable tool to achieve these targets.

A Final Word

Through research, industry collaboration, and sustainability verification, we are creating the necessary conditions for long-term market adoption. This ensures that Canadian pulses remain a competitive and valuable option in global feed and pet food markets.

For more information or inquiries about our feed strategies, connect with Denis Tremorin, Director of Sustainability at dtremorin@pulsecanada.com.