Date: 15/09/2025

Pig farming faces increasingly complex challenges in maintaining high levels of productivity, feed efficiency, and sustainability.

In this scenario, the formulation of precision diets that meet the nutritional requirements of each stage of animal development is essential to ensure zootechnical performance and economic viability.

Among the available ingredients, animal meal stands out as a concentrated source of high-quality protein, essential amino acids, and minerals, offering high digestibility when properly processed and included in the right proportions.

In addition to their nutritional role, the use of animal meal is aligned with sustainable practices, as it contributes to the use of by-products from the food production chain, reducing waste and closing production cycles.

In this article, you will learn about:

The contribution of animal meal in pig farming

With the current development of industrial pig farming, feed must be able to provide all the nutrients necessary to meet the physiological demands of animals at different stages of production, such as maintenance, growth, reproduction, and lactation.

Feed is a key factor in the cost of pig production. Studies conducted in this regard have shown that feed accounts for 79% of the total production cost, while 7% of expenses correspond to labor and 14% to depreciation and medication costs. (Viana, 1976).

According to Noblet and Peres (1993), for growing pigs, the energy digestibility coefficient decreases when the feed level is high, reinforcing the importance of adjusting not only the composition but also the amount of nutrients provided.

In this sense, the use of animal meal, with its high concentration of nutrients, allows for the formulation of denser and more balanced diets, optimizing energy utilization.

According to a study by the Federal University of Goiás, the nutritional quality of animal meal depends on factors such as the raw material used and the thermal processing conditions.

Therefore, when formulating feed, an energy-rich food (corn, sorghum, etc.) should be combined with a protein supplement (soybean meal, meat meal etc.) in order to obtain feed with the desired protein level.

The impact of diet processing on pig performance

A study on nutrient digestibility in pigs shows the effects of feed form and how essential this is to understanding pig feed nutrition.

The effect of feed form (ground versus pelleted) and particle size of diets on performance and digestibility in growing pigs was evaluated. The results showed that, although body weight and average daily gain were not significantly altered by the treatments, feed efficiency was improved in pelleted diets with smaller particles.

In addition, crude fat digestibility increased with diet pelleting, indicating that the form of presentation directly influences nutrient absorption.

These findings highlight the importance of proper diet processing, including control of particle size and physical form, to optimize nutrient utilization.

In the context of animal meal, this reinforces that particle size, thermal processing, and pelleting can enhance the utilization of amino acids and energy, ensuring better zootechnical performance and feed efficiency.

How pig farming contributes to sustainability

In pig farming, the use of animal meal in feed formulation helps optimize nutritional profiles and incorporate circular economy practices. According to ABRA (Brazilian Animal Recycling Association), slaughterhouse waste amounts to over 13.9 million tons, which are transformed into products such as meal and fats with high nutritional value.

The valorization of processed and reused animal co-products and by-products reduces the volume of organic waste and the environmental liability of the sector. This approach increases resource efficiency, reduces dependence on plant inputs, and strengthens the sustainability of the pig production chain.

When processed within food safety and quality control parameters, animal meal consolidates itself as a technically viable solution for sustainable waste management in pig production. In Brazil, the livestock sector has a utilization rate of approximately 99%, making the country one of the world leaders in animal recycling (Nunes, 2020).

This activity contributes greatly to ensuring the sustainability of the production method, as it is a clean process with an ecological bias. Recycling mitigates the negative environmental impact that would be caused by the disposal of raw waste, which promotes the accelerated decomposition of organic matter and results in excessive emissions of polluting gases, contamination of soil and groundwater, and the spread of disease (Andreazzi, 2015).

The use of animal meal in pig farming represents not only an efficient nutritional strategy, but also a fundamental link in the integration between zootechnical performance, environmental responsibility, and economic viability, consolidating a more sustainable and competitive production model.

BRF Ingredients animal meal with proven nutritional performance

BRF Ingredients animal meal is developed to meet the nutritional requirements of modern pig farming, offering a balanced protein profile, high digestibility, and bioavailable minerals.

Production involves cooking, pressing, and grinding fresh poultry and pork raw materials from the BRF integrated chain, ensuring that processing takes place within hours of extraction.

This care results in ingredients with consistent quality and predictable composition, facilitating the formulation of balanced and efficient diets.

Strict control from raw material selection to the final product ensures that essential nutrients are available in the ideal form, maximizing protein and energy utilization in pigs and contributing to zootechnical performance and animal health.

Key attributes of BRF Ingredients animal meal:

● High-quality protein source;
● Fresh, rapidly processed raw material;
● Nutritional consistency and reliability for precise formulations

This approach reinforces that, in addition to being nutritious, animal meal is a reliable functional ingredient that combines science, technology, and quality control to meet the needs of animal production.

Final considerations

Animal meal plays an essential role in pig nutrition, providing high-quality protein, essential amino acids, and bioavailable minerals, which are fundamental to meeting nutritional requirements at all stages of production.

Studies and trials show that the digestibility and processing of diets directly influence zootechnical performance, feed efficiency, and nutrient absorption, highlighting the importance of consistent and well-processed ingredients.

In addition to performance, animal meal contributes to more sustainable and efficient practices, allowing the use of by-products from the production chain and reducing waste.

Strict quality control and standardization of these ingredients ensure safety, reliability, and predictable results in the formulation of balanced diets, integrating science, technology, and precision nutrition.

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