Agro-Industrial By-Products as Alternative Feeds for Animals

Dear Colleagues,

Agro-industrial waste can pose a significant environmental challenge if environmentally friendly utilization methods are not explored. Utilizing by-products and residues from the agriculture industry presents an intriguing and feasible approach to supplementing ruminants during periods of forage scarcity, particularly when such residues are readily available and cost-effective. By-products derived from crop processing typically contain high levels of protein (such as brans and flours) or sugar (such as molasses, citrus pulp, and beetroot); occasionally, they may be rich in starch (as in cassava), while generally low in fiber (except for materials like sugarcane bagasse and coffee husks). Thus, incorporating agro-industrial waste into animal feed can ensure a reliable nutrient supply for livestock, allowing them to efficiently convert these nutrients into animal-origin products, like meat or milk. Moreover, leveraging agro-industrial waste facilitates the development of increasingly competitive, sustainable, and economically viable production systems.

In this Special Issue, new research articles, reviews, case studies, reports, and short communications are welcome. We will accept manuscripts from different disciplines related to this topic, including agricultural science, animal science, food science and technology, environment, and sustainability.

Topics of interest in this Special Issue include, among others, the following:

• Utilization of agro-industrial residues to feed ruminants and the effects on methane production and meat quality;
• Benefits of agro-industrial residues on the nutritional characteristics of animal-derived products;
• Substitution of conventional feeds with alternative options in animal nutrition;
• Nutrient content and utilization methods of agro-industrial residues in animal production systems aimed at producing animal-origin products;
• Incorporation of agro-industrial waste as additives in silage production;
• Economic feasibility of utilizing agro-industrial waste in animal feed.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Anderson De Moura Zanine
Dr. Glayciane Costa Gois
Dr. Hiran Marcelo Siqueira Da Silva
Guest Editors

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• animal-origin products
• by-products
• environmental footprint
• silage
• sustainability in animal production