Synthetic Animal Feed

It has become a common practice in industrial agriculture to feed birds and animals with synthetic feed. This trend will increase the number of egg-laying chickens, body weight, and total white meat production in poultry farms. Where is in dairy farms, a rapid increase in milk and meat production of livestock is the ultimate target. As per the FAO report, the human population will double by 2050. At the same time, resources will stay the same according to the rapidly growing population, then how agriculture could feed a vast population in future.

Therefore, animal nutritionists are creating balanced feeding formulas to satisfy livestock hunger and address the threat to food security in humans. Such non-conventional synthetic feeds magically increase the number of egg-laying chickens in a short time, ultimately boosting total white meat production in poultry farms.

On dairy farms, the ultimate target is a rapid increase in livestock milk and meat production. These strategies are being executed to sustain the human population and prevent malnutrition.

However, there have been potential risks linked with synthetic feeds, not only for the health of animals but also for humans. Because we are the end users who consume products from these animals, let’s look at the scientific evidence for this claim of safety.

Balanced Nutrient Composition:

Synthetic feeds are created to give an appropriate ratio of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals required for animal growth. However, the natural green grasses do not contain all essential elements in one crop.

So, animals must consume multiple fodder crops to get all the required macro and micronutrients. Such variation in food items increases natural immunity to tolerate multiple environmental stresses. As we say, more colours on your plates mean a better diet. But what we are giving to our livestock is a single colour, a single taste, and all synthetic.

Furthermore, it is difficult for animals to digest all synthetic nutrients because they require specific enzymes and metabolism rates according to age and growth stage.

Antibiotic and Hormone Additives:

Another concerning aspect is the addition of antibiotics and growth hormones (AGP) to promote rapid growth and prevent disease. This extensive use of antibiotics has become one of the significant threats to antibiotic resistance.

So, with time, the human body does not respond to specific common antibiotics during infection. Pharmacists have to design new, more advanced formulas with new salts. Those antibiotics are usually intense, causing gastritis, diarrhoea, and liver infections.

Accumulation of Toxic substances:

Meat, dairy, and egg products from animals can contain residues from synthetic feed, such as heavy metals, pesticides, and mycotoxins. These chemicals can build up in the cells of animals.

If people eat them, they could be harmful and have long-lasting effects. People may be exposed to these residues if they consume these products, which raises concerns about possible health risks.

Environmental Impact:

Water and air pollution are two environmental issues that are enhanced by the production and disposal of synthetic feeds. Ammonia released from fish excretion and feed decomposition in aquaculture can contribute to air pollution and affect human health.

Ammonia irritates the respiratory system and, when inhaled, can cause asthma, coughing, and difficulty breathing. People have reported that breathing large amounts of ammonia can make their eyes and skin feel itchy.

Greenhouse gas emissions from the production and usage of synthetic feeds may contribute to global warming.

When synthetic feeds are used excessively, their nutrient flow causes eutrophication, which can harm aquatic ecosystems.

Although synthetic feeds have significantly increased agricultural productivity, their cost to human health and the environment will increase more than their benefit.

We need to rethink climate change, ecosystems, unknown pandemics, and the sustainability of this earth. As a forage crops researcher, I am writing this to create awareness about the benefits of green feed for animals compared to synthetic feed.

Imagine taking a supplemented formula balanced in all nutrients three times instead of natural vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains, eggs, meat, and milk. What will be your preference? Please think and give your feedback.

If you all think you have the right to eat organic and fresh products, then why will animals be experimenting with synthetic? I request that you treat your livestock as your family. Guys, it is feeding you, me and all.

Literature Cited

Larsson, D.G.J., Flach, CF. Antibiotic resistance in the environment. Nat Rev Microbiol 20, 257–269 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41579-021-00649-x.

Alewy Almashhadany D, I. Mohammed H, Abdulwahid M. Muslat T, et al. (2022) Antimicrobial Residues in Meat and Meat Products. Health Risks of Food Additives - Recent Developments and Trends in Food Sector [Working Title].

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Author is Plant breeder and geneticist and she is working on genetic improvement of fodder crops as green fodder is cheapest and economical source of animal feed and most digestible among all synthetic and non conventional feed resources. She published this article also on Medium.