ALEXANDRIA, VA, February 27, 2025 – The Fats and Proteins Research Foundation (FPRF), the research arm of the North American Renderers Association (NARA), in collaboration with The Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER), and the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has released a new report quantifying U.S. livestock, poultry, and aquaculture feed consumption.
Decision Innovation Solutions (DIS), who have previously conducted similar studies for NARA and FPRF, and collaborating partners, conducted research utilizing a ration cost optimization (RCO) model to estimate feed ingredient consumption across major animal species. The study determined that in 2023, beef cattle consumed the highest amount of feed at 76.7 million tons, followed by broilers at 61.5 million tons, hogs at 60.9 million tons, dairy cattle at 48.7 million tons, egg-laying hens at 17.7 million tons, turkeys at 10.9 million tons, horses at 5.3 million tons, sheep and goats at 1.2 million tons, and aquaculture species such as catfish and trout at 615,800 tons.
The report highlighted that 37% of total feed consumption of the materials reviewed consisted of “circular” ingredients, which are by-products from the human food industry that are not included commonly in consumer diets. This accounts for a tremendous reduction in food waste or food loss prevention in which the rendering industry is a leader.
Rendered materials manufactured from animal products that are not consumed by humans fall into this circular and sustainable category because they utilize materials that would otherwise go to waste. Rendering aligns with circular economic principles by keeping valuable materials in use, reducing environmental impact, and supporting sustainability in the food and energy industries.
Rendered fats are also circular and can be used in many applications in addition to feed, such as renewable fuels, and regenerative fertilizers. The current report shows that utilization of animal protein meals in livestock feeds was reduced by 25%, and use of animal fats was reduced by 39%.
Of the report data, NARA and FPRF President and CEO, Kent Swisher, said “Access to accurate production data is essential for the rendering industry to demonstrate our sustainability and efficiency. Circular ingredients, like rendered products, play a crucial role in reducing waste, lowering carbon footprints, and supporting a more sustainable food chain. By embracing data-driven insights, we can further highlight the environmental and economic benefits of rendering.”
Report Summary by the Numbers:
- 283.6 million tons of feed consumed by livestock, poultry, and aquaculture
- Top feed consumers:
o Beef cattle: 76.7 million tons
o Broilers: 61.5 million tons
o Hogs: 60.9 million tons - Most-used ingredients: Corn, soybean meal, corn DDGs
- Shift in ingredient use:
o Circular ingredient consumption down 3.7% since 2019
o Non-circular ingredient use up 7.6%
o Animal protein meals usage down 25%
o Fats and oils usage down 39%
Sustainable rendered materials, used cooking oil (UCO), and animal fats play a key role in maintaining a circular and sustainable feed industry by maximizing resource efficiency, reducing waste, and minimizing environmental impact.
The full report is available here.
